How to Become a Speech Pathologist
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- Speech pathologists evaluate and treat people with speech and language conditions.
- To become a speech pathologist, you need a master's degree in speech-language pathology.
- You also have to complete a supervised clinical fellowship and pass a licensing exam.
- It can take up to eight years to become a speech therapist.
Speech-language pathologists (sometimes called speech therapists or SLPs) work closely with people who have various speech conditions and swallowing disorders. These professionals can work in many settings, but most speech pathologists are employed by educational and healthcare organizations.
To become an SLP, you must earn a bachelor's degree in a closely related field, complete graduate school with a master's degree in speech pathology, work post-grad clinical hours, and pass a licensing exam.
In this guide, we'll break down the steps required to become a speech therapist.
Featured Online Speech Pathologist Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
5 Steps to Become a Speech Therapist
To become a speech therapist, you must successfully complete several steps, from earning an accredited degree to getting licensed. We'll walk you through each step below, starting with your undergraduate studies.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree in CSD or a Closely-Related Field
The first step in your journey to becoming a speech therapist is to earn a bachelor's degree. Undergraduate degrees in speech therapy are not always available, which is why many prospective SLPs pursue bachelor's degrees in communication sciences and disorders.
You may also consider other closely related degrees, such as English or linguistics, but you should check with your prospective graduate program to ensure it doesn't require a specific undergraduate degree. Bachelor's degrees typically consist of approximately 120 credits and require four years of full-time study to earn.
Step 2: Earn a Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology
The next step in your educational journey is to earn a graduate degree. While SLP programs are not commonly available at the bachelor's level, you'll find that many schools offer master's degrees in speech-language pathology. These programs typically involve advanced coursework and require you to choose an area of study to specialize in.
Specializations can include options such as child language disorders, swallowing disorders, fluency disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and aphasia. Any program you consider should hold accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA).
Step 3: Complete a Clinical Fellowship
In order to receive licensure and work as a speech pathologist, you must complete a clinical fellowship. These typically last a minimum of 36 weeks and require you to complete at least 1,260 hours under the supervision of a licensed professional.
Common fellowship locations include hospitals, schools, clinics, residential care facilities, and outpatient healthcare settings. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) provides helpful guidance on finding a good fit.
Step 4: Pass the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology
As with many other healthcare occupations, you must pass an exam before you can become licensed. The exam for SLPs is administered by Praxis and covers nine sections spread across three categories. ASHA recommends taking the test after completing your graduate degree and fellowship.
Examinees must earn a minimum score of 162 to pass the exam and seek licensure. You can take the test an unlimited amount of times and scores remain valid for five years.
Step 5: Obtain Licensure and Optional Certification
Every state requires speech therapists to hold licensure in order to practice; in order to qualify, applicants must hold, at minimum, a master's degree, complete a fellowship, and pass the certifying exam. Each state administers its own licensing division.
Many speech pathologists decide to earn the optional Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) certification offered via ASHA. While optional, many employers may prefer or even require it. This is why many SLPs ultimately pursue professional certification — to gain a competitive edge and demonstrate professional achievement.
How Long Does It Take to Become an SLP?
Becoming an SLP requires a great deal of dedication and focus, making it important that you carefully consider all the steps. Earning a bachelor's degree typically takes four years, while most master's degree programs in SLP take about two years.
After graduating, plan to spend at least 36 weeks completing your fellowship requirements. If you want to study before taking the Praxis exam, build this into your timeline as well. Lastly, you must apply for state licensure. Plan to spend approximately seven years meeting all requirements.
Featured Online Speech Pathologist Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Become a Speech Therapist
Is speech pathology a hard major?
As with any master's program, earning a graduate degree in speech pathology can be a rigorous endeavor. Speech pathology programs typically include both science and liberal arts courses, requiring you to exercise all parts of your brain.
Additionally, most master's in speech pathology programs require you to complete a clinical practicum. For these reasons, some students may find it challenging.
What's the difference between a speech therapist and a speech pathologist?
These terms are used interchangeably, and for good reason: they're the same profession. These roles require the same educational and licensing requirements and perform the same job responsibilities.
What is the fastest way to become a speech pathologist?
While you must follow all the steps outlined in this article to become a licensed SLP, there are opportunities to accelerate your progress. At both the undergraduate and graduate degree levels, look for accelerated programs.
Accelerated programs typically require you to enroll full time and take more classes at once, but they speed up the time it takes to earn your degree. Additionally, taking summer classes and transferring credits -- if you have any -- from previous institutions can also help accelerate your timeline.
What degree do you need to be a speech pathologist?
Before enrolling in an undergraduate program, review the requirements of potential master's programs, as some require you to hold a bachelor's degree specifically in communication sciences and disorders. Others allow for a wider range of undergraduate studies. At the graduate level, look for programs specifically in speech-language pathology.
