| This can include people that have defects such as | | | | supervised clinical experience. Some state PhD |
| Cerebral Palsy or Multiple Sclerosis, or that are | | | | Program requirements may vary depending on |
| deaf or mute. Speech Language Pathologists work | | | | specific location, school, and grades. |
| with people affected by these problems to teach | | | | After completion of the selected Degree |
| them to speak or in some cases teach them | | | | programs, one must find a job. Most SLPs work |
| alternative means of communication. Sign language | | | | in private offices, multiple physician offices, or |
| is just one of these means of alternative | | | | Speech Therapy Centers. Although most work in |
| communication. | | | | private offices, some prefer to work in hospitals |
| To become a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), | | | | to assist doctors through consultation and training |
| one must first obtain a High School Diploma or | | | | programs with patients or doctors that may need |
| GED. Although most schools prefer a diploma, | | | | assistance with dealing with or treating speech |
| some accept students with a GED. The next step | | | | problems. |
| is to complete undergraduate programs such as | | | | Speech-Language Pathologists usually don't have |
| Linguistics, Psychology, and Physiology. Then a | | | | too much of a physical stress but they can have |
| Master's Degree Program will have to be | | | | very demanding emotion stress from dealing with |
| completed. Some Master's Degree Programs to | | | | patients. Most work 8-10 hours a day (40-50 |
| become an SLP may require less, more, or | | | | hours a week) but some must work late nights |
| different undergraduate courses to be completed | | | | or weekends to accommodate their client's |
| before entry. These Master's Degree Programs | | | | schedules. |
| can take anywhere from 2-4 years and include | | | | Speech-Language Pathologists usually make an |
| taking classes in Linguistics, Acoustics, Voice | | | | average annual salary of anywhere from $35,000 |
| Development and Disorders, Psychology, and | | | | to $70,000. This can average anywhere from |
| Neurology. Most programs require practical training | | | | $8-$25 per hour varying on location, place one is |
| but this varies by school and location. If the SLP | | | | working at the time, and your job experience. |
| wants to work in a University Research Program | | | | Speech-Language Pathologists work hard to help |
| or have a teaching position, a PhD program must | | | | those in difficult situations under which speaking is |
| be completed. These can take 4-5 years to | | | | either not feasible or is hard to do. They provide |
| complete and can include vigorous training and | | | | a better way for people to communicate or |
| research. | | | | make it easier for them to use the methods they |
| Most states require Speech-Language Pathologists | | | | have already been taught or can already do. |
| to have a license. In order for a SLP to obtain a | | | | Speech-Language Pathology is a great profession |
| license, one must have a Master's Degree. Also, a | | | | for anyone that would like to make a difference |
| passing score on the National Examinations for | | | | in someone's life by making it easier to |
| Speech-Language Pathology Licensing will be | | | | communicate to the world around them. |
| needed. Some states may require some | | | | |