State licensure is required to become a Speech-Language Pathologist. Detailed state requirements can be found on the ASHA website.
If you are seeking national certification through the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, you must complete a Master's in Speech-Language Pathology from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA).
Upon graduation, the next steps are to pass the Praxis exam, apply for certification, and complete a Clinical Fellowship. This typically takes nine months to one year.
Graduates may pursue speech-language pathology careers in settings such as:
- Public and private schools
- Hospitals
- Rehabilitation centers
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Early intervention programs
- Private practices
- Outpatient clinics
- Community health organizations
Graduates may work as:
- Speech-language pathologists
- School-based speech-language pathologists
- Pediatric speech-language pathologists
- Medical speech-language pathologists
- Early intervention specialists
- Clinical fellows in speech-language pathology
The future shines bright for professionals in this field. Between 2024 and 2034, employment for speech-language pathologists is projected to grow by 15 percent. This growth rate climbs much faster than the average for all occupations.
A career in speech-language pathology offers both personal fulfillment and strong financial stability. As of 2024, the median annual salary for professionals in this role stands at $95,410.
