back to careers search

Career Overview

Entry Level Education

Master's degree

Patient Interaction

Very High

Body Fluid Interaction

Low

Salary

$58,640

Job Growth

21.30%

Job Description:

Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. May select alternative communication systems and teach their use. May perform research related to speech and language problems.

What Speech-Language Pathologist Do:

Speech-language pathologists (sometimes called speech therapists) assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults. Speech, language, and swallowing disorders result from a variety of causes, such as a stroke, brain injury, hearing loss, developmental delay, Parkinson’s disease, a cleft palate, or autism.

How to Become One:

Obtain a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders or a related major with an emphasis in arts and science. A master’s degree that is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) is required for students pursuing a career within the speech pathology field. Pass an exam (Praxis) administered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. In West Virginia, individuals must also pass a jurisprudence examination developed by the WV Board of Examiners Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology.

Schools

Marshall University

West Virginia University