Speech Pathologist

Speech Pathologist

Duties and Responsibilities: Driven by educational reform, legal mandates, and evolving professional practices, it is the position of the American Speech Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) that the roles and responsibilities of speech-language pathologists listed below should provide the basis for speech-language services in schools to promote efficient and effective outcomes for students.

Salary: Median salary $71,550 and unemployment Rate is 0.9%

Education: Graduate programs in speech pathology are offered at the master's and doctoral degree level. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a master's degree in speech pathology is the most common degree in this field, and it is the minimum requirement for obtaining professional certification and state censure Speech pathologists, also known as speech therapists, evaluate and treat people with communication disorders that interfere with a person's ability to speak clearly and fluently. A master's degree in speech pathology, commonly known as speech-language pathology (SLP), is the basic requirement to practice in all states. Many speech pathologists also obtain certification, and most states require licensing. Obtaining a doctoral degree prepares speech pathologists for careers in research or education.

Demand for this Profession: Watching the progress of a patient struggling to express themselves is what inspires the career path choice of speech-language pathologists.

With the tools learned to become a SLP, they not only can open doors to better communication, but also assess and treat speech/voice disorders, swallowing dysfunction, cognitive deficits and pediatric speech, feeding, swallowing and voice disorders.