Speech Language Pathologist

Written By Polleen Coates

Definition: Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are masters in the art of communication. SLPs work with people of all ages, ranging from babies to adults, to work towards developing speech and language skills. This career is crucial for many individuals with articulation or phonological disorders.

I love to talk, and communication is something that comes very easily to me! This isn’t always the case for some people, and may require some additional help. This is where the job of a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) comes in! SLPs are medical professionals who specialize in and treat people who have communication disorders, such as language disorders, speech sound disorders, stuttering, etc. The job of an SPL is a very rewarding career, and one would be able to work with all ages, from infants to adults. High pay, job security, job satisfaction, and career advancements are guaranteed benefits to this career!

child reading books

Let’s talk locations

This is one of the most rewarding professions in healthcare, in terms of watching patients' progress and building close connections. SLPs can be found in:

  • Hospitals

  • Rehab centers

  • Schools

  • Private practices

  • Physicians office

  • Colleges and universities

And more! This is not an exclusive list, please check the areas around you for more potential areas of SLPs!

psychology books

Timeline + $$$

Overall, it approximately takes 6 to 7 years to become an SLP after attending high school. The beginning salary for an SLP is usually $27.84 and can make about $50,000 yearly (“Speech-Language Pathologists”).'

A beautiful career option built for people with the passion to help others grow and overcome challenges in the field of speech and communication. All healthcare workers are important in different aspects of our lives, and SLPs make life just a little bit easier to articulate our thoughts and feelings towards all of the important people in our lives.

Let us know if this is a career you would be interested in! Do you know anyone who is a Speech Language Pathologist?

cap and gown academics blue college
laptop chairs people room therapy

But what do they do?

The specific jobs and requirements of a Speech language pathologist can vary depending on where the medical professional is working, but generally, SLPs do the following ( let us know if any of these interest you! ):

  • Aids with speech sounds specifically for articulation and/or phonological disorders like apraxia of speech.

  • Language skills: understanding what is heard, read, and articulating thoughts to others. This issue is typically described as aphasia in adults.

  • Literacy skills: comprehending the reading and writing processes. This job from SLPs is geared towards individuals with speech and language disorders who have trouble with reading, spelling, and writing.

  • Social skills: help others, pragmatics, vocal control, and fluency

  • Feeding and swallowing skills such as sucking, chewing, and swallowing foods and liquids.

teacher teaching class

How do I become a Speech Language Pathologist?

To become a Speech Language Pathologist, one must ( typically ) first earn a bachelor’s degree. The most recommended pathways are:

  • Communication Sciences and Disorders

  • Speech-Language Pathology

  • Education

  • Psychology

  • Linguistics

These are good majors that will be beneficial for those who want to study speech, language, and communication disorders etc. This process usually takes four years.

Next, one would earn an MS (Master of Science) in Speech Language Pathology. The program that one enrolls in must be recognized under the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology, or the CAA. This degree usually takes two years when done full-time, but part-time programs exist and take three to four years to complete. This degree involves clinical and clinical fellowship hours that are crucial to the certification requirements. Note that before enrolling in a Master’s program, some institutions require that you complete prerequisite undergrad courses (Phonetics, Language Development, etc).

From this point, studying for the Praxis Examination begins! It is necessary that one pass the examination with a minimum score of 162, testing on screening and assessment of patients, diagnosis of communication disorders, etc.

Once this examination is passed, it is required that one complete a post-graduate clinical fellowship before receiving their state licensing in Speech Language Pathology. According to the Asha Clinical Fellowship, 36 weeks and 1,260 hours are required minimum for clinical fellowship (“A Guide to the ASHA Clinical Fellowship Experience”). This fellowship program should take about 1 year.

Work Cited

“A Guide to the ASHA Clinical Fellowship Experience.” American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, www.asha.org/certification/clinical-fellowship/.

Cleveland Clinic. “What Is a Speech-Language Pathologist (Speech Therapist)?” Cleveland Clinic, 12 Jan. 2023, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24602-speech-language-pathologist.

“Speech-Language Pathologists.” Bureau of Labor Statistics, 25 Apr. 2023, www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes291127.htm.

Who Are Speech-Language Pathologists, and What Do They Do? https://www.asha.org/public/who-are-speech-language-pathologists/. Accessed 30 May 2025. 

Polleen Coates
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