Did you know that Speech-Language Pathology continues to rank on the top of the best working fields? You may be surprised to learn that there are excellent job opportunities in SLP nowadays, and the industry is expected to grow by 25% by 2029. It means that approximately there will be 40,500 speech-language pathology jobs available over the next ten years. That’s huge!
Are you also trying to make a career in speech-language pathology but have no clue where to start? Well, don’t worry, we have you covered! Here is everything you would want to know about the SLP industry.
Let’s Begin!
What is Speech-Language Pathology?
Before we dive into how you can become a Speech-Language Pathologist, you need to know what exactly the industry is all about.
Speech-Language Pathology or SLP is the scientific study of speech fluency, swallowing, and all other speech mechanisms. With therapeutic applications or corrective and augmentative measures, patients with speech disorders can be treated and cured.
And, the Speech-Language Pathologists are the ones who diagnose and treat those speech disorders in their patients. They are state-licensed and well versed in how to help someone speak clearly and fluently.
How to become a Speech-language pathologist?
To become a state-licensed Speech-Language-Therapist, you need to follow a series of steps.
Step 1: You need to complete an Undergraduate Program in Communication Sciences and Disorder, popularly known as CSD.
Step 2: Enroll for a CAA-Accredited Graduate Degree in SLP/CSD.
Step3: Complete a Post- Graduate Fellowship You can also opt for different speech pathology masters programs online to better understand.
Step 4: Take a National Exam in SLP.
Step 5: Apply for a State Licensure as a Speech-Language-Pathologist.
Step-6: Consider enrolling or applying for professional certification.
Once you qualify and complete the steps mentioned above, you are all set to call yourself a State licensed Speech-Language Pathologist. This might be tough at first, but once you begin your career, it’ll be all worth the effort.
Why do you want to pursue a career in SLP?
As mentioned earlier, the industry is definitely booming. There is a rapid increase in the aging population, medical advances ( that have increased the survival rate of premature infants), and growth in elementary and secondary school enrollments. These are some of the major reasons why there is a massive demand for Speech-Language Pathologists in the medical industry.
SLPs often work in many other fields such as research, education, and healthcare settings with varying roles and different responsibilities. Because of high demand in the industry, the professionals work as audiologists, psychologists, occupational therapists.
And let’s not forget that the salary package of an average Speech-Language Pathologists is higher than any other profession. Recent statistics confirm that SLP professionals working in the administration earn more than $90,000/year. And the ones who are paid an hourly wage ranges from $40 to $76, which is very impressive.
Lastly:
Before choosing any occupation, the first step is to research, and by reading this article, you’ve already taken that step. All you need to do is research more about the schools and institutes that provide education and training to make you ready for the industry.
