Speech pathologists can make a positive difference in the lives of people with speech and swallowing problems. Those who pursue a career in speech pathology are licensed to diagnose, treat, and work to prevent language or swallowing disorders. They often work in hospital settings and schools, providing one-on-one treatments. Their services can dramatically impact patients and clients by helping them develop speech confidence.
To work in this field, professionals need a master's degree in speech pathology. A master's degree in speech pathology typically takes 2-4 years to complete, depending on the program format and whether a student enrolls part-time or full-time.
Speech pathologists enjoy strong job prospects. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects demand for speech pathologists to grow 25% between 2019 and 2029. This guide covers important information for anyone considering a master's in speech pathology, including common courses, prospective careers, and earning potential.
Master's in Speech Pathology Programs for You
These top schools offer a variety of online graduate degree programs. Figuring out where to apply? Consider one of these online Master's or PhD programs.
Best Master's Degrees in Speech Pathology
What Does a Speech Pathologist Do?
Speech pathologists help individuals cope with speech and swallowing challenges. They evaluate clients and come up with treatment plans. Often, these plans include helping clients practice making sounds, improve sentence structures, and strengthen and relax their throat muscles. Sometimes, speech pathologists work with individuals who were born with a disability that makes talking difficult, like a cleft palate. In other cases, they work with individuals who develop a disorder or injury that impacts speech and swallowing later in life, like adults recovering from a stroke.
Master's in Speech Language Pathology Program Overview
It is a speech-language pathologist's job to work with children and adults to prevent, assess, diagnose and treat disorders that affect communication or swallowing. When entering into a master's in speech pathology program, you can expect to take courses that focus on speech development, swallowing disorders, age-specific speech disorders and alternative communication methods.
Depending on the program, you can enroll as a part-time or full-time student and complete the program at your own pace. In addition to the required courses, supervised clinical training is expected as well as the passing on an exam for your license, depending on the state.
Admissions Requirements for a Master's in Speech Pathology
As you search for the perfect master's program, it is important to take a look at the admissions requirements for each program you are considering. You will likely find that the admissions requirements vary from state to state and program to program. Depending on the master's program, a specific undergraduate degree is not necessary; however, getting into a master's program may require certain coursework, a minimum GPA, letters of recommendation, GRE/LSAT/ETC scores and more.
What Does a Career in Speech Pathology Look Like
Rewarding Work A degree in speech pathology positions individuals to make a positive difference in other's lives. Speech pathologists get to use the information they learn to help individuals cope with challenges that impact their daily lives.
Higher Earning Potential
While individuals with a bachelor's degree in speech pathology can often work as medical assistants in this field, they miss out on the higher earning potential that graduates with a master's degree enjoy. According to the BLS, speech pathologists earn a median salary of $79,120 per year, while medical assistants earn $34,800 per year.
Option to Work as a Traveling Speech Pathologist Graduates with a master's in speech pathology qualify for jobs as traveling speech pathologists. These professionals get to see different parts of the country by switching employment locations about every three months.
Job Security
Since the BLS projects jobs for speech pathologists to grow 25% between 2019 and 2029, these professionals enjoy above-average job security.
Work-Life Balance Speech pathologists typically only work business hours, unlike many other professionals in the medical field. Some speech pathologists who work for school districts even benefit from paid summers off.
Courses in a Speech Pathology Master's Program
Speech pathology master's programs typically require about 36-50 semester credits and take two years of full-time study to complete. Learners gain skills in areas like:
Interpersonal communication
Record keeping
And therapeutic best practices.
Some master's in speech pathology programs require a capstone and clinical rotations in addition to coursework.
Below, we outline five common speech pathology courses. Keep in mind that not every program offers these exact courses. However, most programs include a variation of the following classes.
Career and Salary Outlook for Speech Pathology Majors
Graduates with a master's in speech pathology can pursue a variety of careers. In addition to working as speech pathologists, graduates can work as occupational therapists, recreational therapists, special education teachers, and audiologists.
Below, we highlight these four additional careers. Keep in mind that job availability and pay can vary based on factors like geographical location and years of experience. For example, employers in rural towns in the Midwest tend to pay less than employers in areas with higher costs of living.
Occupational Therapist Occupational therapists assist patients recovering from injuries and illnesses and individuals with disabilities. They help patients perform everyday tasks, such as eating, getting dressed, and brushing teeth. According to the BLS, occupational therapists make a median income of $84,950 per year and enjoy a projected job growth rate of 16% between 2019 and 2029.
Recreational Therapist These therapists help patients cope with anxiety, stress, disabilities, and injuries through recreational activities. Common therapeutic activities include assisting individuals with community outings and enjoyable exercises. The BLS reports that these professionals earn a median pay of $48,220 per year and projects jobs for recreational therapists to grow 8% between 2019 and 2029.
Special Education Teacher Special education teachers may oversee entire classrooms or work one-on-one with students, helping learners with disabilities advance their education. According to the BLS, special education teachers earn a median income of $61,030 per year. The BLS projects jobs for these professionals to grow 3% between 2019-2029.
Audiologist These professionals diagnose and treat hearing problems. Audiologists often work in clinics and hospitals, but some work in school settings. The BLS reports that audiologists make a median income of $77,600 per year and projects jobs for these professionals to grow 13% between 2019 and 2029.
| Career | Median Annual Salary | Projected Growth Rate (2019-2029) |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist | $84,950 | 16% |
| Recreational Therapist | $48,220 | 8% |
| Special Education Teacher | $61,030 | 3% |
| Audiologist | $77,600 | 13% |
Source: BLSIn addition to the major careers within speech pathology, the American Speech -Language Hearing Association (ASHA) also recognizes three areas of specialization:
Child language disorders: A speech pathologist who is certified in child language disorders works with patients under the age of 21 who require assistance with the use of language, as well as the content, comprehension and production of the form of language.
Fluency disorders: A speech pathologist who is certified in fluency works with patients with fluency disorders, such as stuttering and cluttering.
Swallowing disorders: A speech pathologist who is certified in swallowing disorders works with patients who have difficulty or the inability to swallow, also known as dysphagia.
Bilingual speech therapy programs
A bilingual speech pathologist provides speech therapy services to patients whose native language is not English. Many schools offer this program as a certification or extension that will complement your masters in speech-language pathology and provide you with the training necessary to become a bilingual speech-language pathologist.
School Name | Instruction method | Type of degree | Credit requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
In-person | Certification | 7 credits (in addition to graduate coursework) | |
Online/In-person | Certification | 6 credits (in addition to graduate coursework) | |
In-person | Certification | 9 credits (in addition to graduate coursework) | |
In-person | Master's | 46 credits | |
In-person | Master's | 46 credits | |
In-person | Certification | 12 credits (in addition to graduate coursework) | |
In-person | Certification | 21 credits (in addition to graduate coursework) | |
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Accreditations for Masters Programs in Speech Pathology
Students considering master's in speech pathology programs should research the accreditation status of prospective schools. Accreditation indicates that a school meets high academic standards. The U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation oversee accrediting agencies. Schools may receive regional or national accreditation, with regional accreditation generally considered the more prestigious of the two.
Accreditation benefits students in several ways. For instance, only students at accredited schools qualify for federal financial aid, and many schools only accept degrees and transfer credits from accredited institutions.
Programs within a school can also earn accreditation. The Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology is one of the top accrediting agencies for speech pathology programs. Prospective students can verify a program or school's accreditation status through the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.
Why Earn Your Master's in Speech Language Pathology Online?
Maximize earningsWhen you further your education, you can increase your earnings. Earning your master's degree can get you higher pay from your current employer or allow you to apply for a higher paying job with a different company.
Increase employment opportunities Once you secure your master's degree in speech-language pathology, you will stand out to employers. If there is someone with less of an education and fewer skills than you, employers will see you as the likely choice because of what you bring to the table.
Job SecuritySecuring a master's in speech-language pathology can make you an asset at your company because of the skills and training you will obtain during the program. If you shine in your role, your employer will be more likely to keep you because of those skills and abilities.
Secure a new position A master's degree offers you the skills and training necessary to take on a new role with more responsibility. Rather than stay in an entry-level position with no opportunity for advancement, you can get a master's degree and quickly advance to a more rewarding position.
How to Become a Speech Pathologist
1. Complete a master's in speech pathology
To become a speech pathologist, professionals need a master's degree. Most master's programs in speech pathology accept students with a bachelor's degree in any field from a regionally accredited school. However, applicants who possess unrelated bachelor's degrees typically must take prerequisite courses before earning acceptance into the major.
While earning a master's degree, individuals can enhance their resumes by pursuing internships and job shadowing opportunities. In some cases, an internship can lead to a full-time job after graduation.
2. Complete a clinical practicum
Every high-quality speech pathology program requires students to complete a supervised clinical experience where they work closely with a speech pathologist to gain experience in this field.
3. Pass the Praxis Exam in Speech-Language Pathology
Toward the end of a master's degree in speech pathology program, students must pass the Praxis exam before pursuing a clinical fellowship.
4. Apply for a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP)
After graduating from an accredited speech pathology program, students may apply for a CCC-SLP. To qualify for this certification, the applicant must meet all of the requirements determined by the American Speech-Language-hearing Association.
5. Complete clinical fellowship
Upon graduation, individuals are required to complete a clinical fellowship. The length of the program will depend if the individual is employed full-time (9 months) or part-time (12 months. Completing a clinical fellowship is a requirement by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to become a fully certified speech pathologist.
Certifications and Licensure for Speech Pathology Majors
Many speech pathologists pursue certifications and licenses to enhance their expertise and earning potential. Although most speech pathologist positions do not require certification, earning certification makes candidates more competitive in the job market. Below, we outline three licenses and certifications for speech pathologists.
This organization offers a certification exclusively for speech pathologists. To apply, individuals must submit their Praxis exam scores, official graduate transcripts, and a speech-language pathology clinical fellowship report and rating form. They must also pay a $256-$511 fee.">
Individuals can pursue this certification entirely online or in person. The online program follows a self-paced format, and the in-person option includes hands-on practice with an instructor. Through this certification, individuals learn how to apply evidence-based practices to support individuals with Parkinson's Disease and other neurological disorders.
This certification teaches speech pathologists how to take a tactile-kinesthetic approach in their work. Candidates learn how to use touch to help clients create the correct mouth shapes and movements to properly articulate. This type of therapy aims to teach patients how to shape words without support in the future.
How Can a Master's Student Pay for College?
Scholarships can help students reduce the cost of a master's in speech pathology. Students can increase their chances of earning a scholarship by applying for scholarships reserved exclusively for speech pathology students, like the ones listed below.
Advanced Travel Therapy ScholarshipWho Can Apply: Graduate students pursuing a degree in physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech-language pathology may apply for this scholarship. Applicants must submit a resume. The awarding organization selects two scholarship winners each year.Amount: $5,000
American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation Graduate Student ScholarshipWho Can Apply: The American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation awards this scholarship to up to 15 graduate students per year. This organization also offers scholarships exclusively for international and minority graduate students. To qualify, individuals must submit transcripts and recommendation letters. Recipients must maintain full-time enrollment.Amount: $5,000
Educational Based Services Healthcare Scholarship ProgramWho Can Apply: This organization awards a scholarship of up to $7,500 to an individual who intends to practice within the pediatrics field. To qualify, applicants must be entering their clinical fellowship and remain in good standing in the program.Amount: $7,500
Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and DisabilitiesWho Can Apply: The American Association on Health and Disability awards scholarships to individuals pursuing a degree related to helping those with disabilities, like speech-language pathology. Recipients must maintain full-time enrollment during their studies. Applicants must possess a disability defined by the American with Disabilities Act.Amount: Up to $1,000
National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing Student Research AwardWho Can Apply: Undergraduate students enrolled in a graduate speech-language pathology, audiology, or speech-language-hearing sciences program may apply for this scholarship. Applicants must also maintain membership to the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing. To apply, students must submit a research paper.Amount: $1,000
Frequently Asked Questions About Master's Degrees in Speech Pathology
How many years does it take to become a speech pathologist?
Speech pathologists are required to complete an undergraduate and master's degree, so it can take between 4 to 7 years to become a speech pathologist, depending on the length of the master's program.
Do SLPs make more than nurses?
According to the BLS, speech-language pathologists earn more than registered nurses. Registered nurses earn a median pay of $73,300 per year.
What college major is speech pathology?
A specific undergraduate major is not required for those who want to enroll in a speech pathology master's degree program. Although pre-requisite courses may need to be completed before applying.
What are the requirements to become a speech pathologist?
Becoming a speech pathologist is not difficult; however, it does require 4 to 7 years of schooling as well as hands-on training.
How Covid Affected Speech Pathology
Many patients who fought for their lives after contracting COVID-19 have now been left with the work of restoring their speech and communication. Speech pathologists have stepped in to assist patients who are recovering from serious cases. As a result of the damage caused by mechanical ventilation, patients have been left with injured vocal cords. In addition to helping patients rehabilitate the ability to swallow and communicate, speech pathologists also work with those experiencing difficulties with cognition, including memory, orientation and delirium.
