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, Parkinsons disease, a cleft palate, or autism.
How to Become One:
Obtain a bachelors degree in communication sciences and disorders or a related major with an emphasis in arts and science. A masters 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.