SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) are professionals that specialize in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating communication disorders in children and adults. They work with individuals experiencing disorders related to language, speech, feeding/swallowing, articulation, literacy, social communication, and fluency. However, they can also work with individuals without a speech, language, or swallowing disorder who may just want to communicate more efficiently through communication enhancement (i.e., accent modification, speech alteration to match gender identification).

SCHOOLING

In order to become a speech language pathologist, students must complete high school, get a bachelor’s degree from a college, and then go to speech language pathology school to receive your master’s degree.

High school

  • While in high school, although you only need to graduate, classes that may be related to a future in healthcare can include biology, health science, psychology, and sociology

Undergraduate 

  • After high school, a 4 year bachelor’s degree is required to apply for speech language pathology school. Areas of focus (majors) related to speech language pathology include:
    • Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
    • Communication Sciences and Disorders 
    • Education 
    • Psychology
    • Linguistics 
  • In addition, students should also build their resume
  • Much like the ACT and SAT exams completed in high school, many speech language pathology schools require college students to take the GRE (Graduate Record Examination), with different schools requiring different scores.

Speech Language Pathology School

  • 2 years long
  • Classes focus on anatomy, neuroscience, speech-language disorders, articulation and phonology, hearing science, language developments, audiology
  • In addition to classes, students must get hands-on experience with patients through clinicals
  • Once student’s graduate from a speech language pathology program, they will have a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology or Master of Science in Communication Science and Disorders (depending on the school)

Clinical fellowship

  • Following coursework, students must complete a mentorship shadowing a certified speech language pathologist before practicing alone

Licensure/certification

  • Upon finishing speech language pathology school, students must get their license to practice, and this is done by passing the Praxis 2 Examination in Speech-Language Pathology 
  • Speech language pathologists must also get certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY SCHOOLS IN LOUISIANA

  • University of Louisiana, Monroe
    • Master of Science (MS) in speech-language pathology (clinical entry-level)
  • University of Louisiana, Lafayette: 
    • Master of Science (MS) in speech-language pathology (clinical entry-level)
  • Southern University and A&M College: 
    • Master of Science (MS) in speech-language pathology (clinical entry-level)
  • Southeastern Louisiana University: 
    • Master of Science (MS) in speech-language pathology (clinical entry-level)
  • Louisiana Technical University: 
    • Master of Arts (MA) in speech-language pathology (clinical entry-level)
  • Louisiana State University and A&M College: 
    • Master of Arts (MA) in speech-language pathology (clinical entry-level)
  • Xavier University of Louisiana: 
    • Master of Science (MS) in speech-language pathology (clinical entry-level)
  • Louisiana State University – Health Sciences Center, Shreveport
    • Other clinical entry-level master’s program in speech-language pathology
  • Louisiana State University – Health Science Center, New Orleans
    • Other clinical entry-level master’s program in speech-language pathology

SALARY

Average income in Louisiana: $82,990

JOB OUTLOOK

The job outlook for speech language pathologists is much faster than average, with a 29% projected increase from 2020-2030.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

SLPs typically work a 40-hour work week during regular business hours. However, some may only work part-time hours. They commonly work alongside audiologists, physical and occupational therapists, physicians, teachers, and psychologists. 

SLPs can be found working in:

COMMON WORK RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Evaluating and diagnosing speech, language, and swallowing disorders
  • Creating and implementing individualized treatment plans 
  • Educating patients on how to improve their voice, sound production, and fluency
  • Strengthening muscles necessary for swallowing
  • Helping patients improve oral and written vocabulary and grammar
  • Educating patients and their families/caregivers on communication disorders, adaptive equipment (i.e., hearing aids), and treatment options
  • Educating young SLP professionals
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm#tab-1 

PROFESSIONAL INFORMATION SOURCES:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

2200 Research Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20850-3489
1 (800) 638-8255
Website: https://www.asha.org/