Speech Pathology

From Student Doctor Network Wiki

Speech Pathology

Speech Pathologists (SLPs) deal with communication and swallowing disorders. These disorders may be a result of complications after surgery or congenital communication disorders such as stuttering. SLPs can work in hospitals , nursing homes or schools and special schools. SLPs are also found in private practice

Education

The traditional pathway is for an undergraduate student to do a B.A. or B.S. in Communication Sciences that teaches the basics of audiology and speech pathology that last 4 years. Prospective SLPs can then apply to a M.A. or M.S. program in Speech Pathology in graduate school and complete a 2 year masters in speech pathology. Most schools require GRE and a number of pre-requisite courses if your undergraduate degree is not a B.A. or B.S. in Communication Disorders/Sciences.

The alternative route will be to enrol in a 5-year direct entry masters program in speech pathology graduating with a M.A. or M.S. in speech pathology.

SLPs wishing to go into the research field of speech pathology generally go on to obtain a doctorate in speech pathology.

Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY-1st year of practice)

Most SLPs will go on to do a Clinical Fellowship that last 9months to 1 year in hospitals, schools or private clinics with a supervisor that already has a Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC) granted by ASHA. This CFY year is similar to a medical graduate's internship year where you will start practicing as a SLP but under supervision from a more experienced SLP. You will be graded during the CFY and upon verification of an approved CFY and satisfactory grades, a SLP will be granted CCC-SLP certification and be able to practice independently. SLPs who wish to work in hospitals will have to go through this CFY year as all hospitals require it. Most clinics and schools give preference to SLPs who have a CCC.

Licensure

SLPs will have to register with the state's speech pathology board to get a license to practice. Some states require CCC and ASHA memebership while others do not. All SLPs will need to have a M.A. or M.S. in order to register. Conditional Registration is given to SLPs in the CFY year while Full Registration is for SLPs with CCC for states that require the CCC. Registering with ASHA is optional for most states. Experienced SLPs who have undertook specific specialization fellowship or have been practicing in a specialized field of speech pathology (such as professional voice therapy) can register with ASHA's specialty register to get recgonized in the specialty.