How to Become a Speech Pathologist

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.