How to Become a Speech-Language Pathologist

The ability to communicate effectively with others is one of the most important tools human beings develop throughout their lives. Speech-language pathology focuses on helping individuals with one or more disabilities or injuries maximize their ability to communicate or swallow.

Learning how to become a speech-language pathologist starts with understanding what these individuals do, as well as the education and skills required to do it. Completing a master’s degree program that focuses on speech-language communicative disorders uniquely positions aspiring professionals to help people improve or restore their ability to speak.

What Is a Speech-Language Pathologist?

Speech-language pathologists work with clients experiencing social or cognitive problems with language or speaking. They may also work with clients experiencing communication and speaking problems due to physical injury or trauma. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), speech-language pathologists provide many important services to their clients and patients, helping them:

• Regain the ability to feed or swallow
• Learn speech sounds
• Use language to express themselves
• Overcome comprehension and fluency issues, such as speech blocks or stuttering
• Access preventive and wellness care (for at-risk individuals)
• Implement assistive technologies, such as communication boards or hearing aids, to improve communication
• Enhance end-of-life care to improve quality of life

Speech-language pathologists work as part of a care team, including social workers, psychologists, and therapists in numerous specialties. Many of these professionals work in early intervention with young children, ranging in age from 2 or 3 to the late teens.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), more than 40% of speech-language pathologists nationwide work for state, local, and private educational service organizations.

5 Steps to Become a Speech-Language Pathologist

Individuals interested in learning how to become a speech-language pathologist need to follow five primary steps. These steps are getting the right education, completing a fellowship, passing the Praxis exam, earning certification, and obtaining a state license.

1. Education

Aspiring speech-language pathologists typically start with a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders or a related field. After completing their undergraduate studies, some students choose to enroll in a certificate program to earn credentials such as a speech-language pathologist assistant (SLPA) certificate or a certificate of preparation for advanced studies in speech-language pathology (Certificate of Pre-SLP).

The SLPA certificate shows that students are prepared to work as assistants to licensed speech-language pathologists, helping them stand out among their peers. The Certificate of Pre-SLP is designed for students who have a bachelor’s degree in another field or who haven’t yet completed the prerequisite courses that provide the foundation for the master’s program.

Master’s degree programs in communicative disorders teach students about speech disorders, voice disorders, advanced diagnostics in speech and language, communication disorder research, and more, preparing them for speech-language pathologist licensure.

2. Fellowship

After earning a master’s degree in speech-language pathology or a related field, students must participate in a postgraduate fellowship to qualify for licensure. These fellowships require aspiring professionals to work under the direct supervision of an ASHA-certified, state-licensed speech-language pathologist.

Most states require about 36 weeks’ worth of fellowship training to qualify for licensure, with 80% of that time spent directly with clients or patients.

3. Praxis Exam

Most aspiring pathologists will take the Educational Testing Service’s Praxis II: Subject Assessment in Speech-Language Pathology exam after completing their fellowships. A requirement for obtaining licensure in all 50 states, the exam includes written and multiple-choice questions about professional and ethical practice, assessing and diagnosing patients, and implementing treatment. Individuals can purchase and register for the exam online through the Praxis website.

4. Certification

After completing a master’s program, finishing a fellowship, and passing the Praxis exam, students often obtain ASHA’s certificate of clinical competence in speech-language pathology (CCC-SLP), which can help them meet their state’s licensure requirements. To maintain this certification, professionals are expected to take 30 hours of continuing education every three years.

5. Licensure

After all other steps have been completed, professionals in all 50 states must obtain licensure to practice as speech-language pathologists. Requirements vary by state, but individuals must typically submit their education transcripts, Praxis exam results, and a criminal background check to their state board; most states also require a fee. Each state has its own requirements for maintaining licensure, and some may require additional exams based on their laws and rules.

Speech-Language Pathologist Salary and Job Outlook

Understanding the salary and job outlook for the role is important for learning how to become a speech-language pathologist. The median annual speech-language pathologist salary was $95,410 as of May 2024, with those in the top 10% of the salary range earning more than $132,850 per year, according to the BLS. Furthermore, employment is expected to climb by about 18% between 2023 and 2033, a strong indicator of job security.

Earn Your Master of Science in Communicative Disorders Degree and Become a Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech-language pathologists make a meaningful difference in the lives of many people, especially school-age children, on a daily basis. From evaluating their clients’ needs to developing effective treatment plans, these professionals help individuals gain or regain their ability to speak and understand language — an important component of personal expression and social interaction.

Now that you’ve explored how to become a speech-language pathologist, you can take the next step toward earning a Master of Science in Communicative Disorders at Tseng College at California State University, Northridge.

If you already have a bachelor’s degree but aren’t yet ready to start a graduate program, CSUN’s Certificate in SLPA Fieldwork Experience certificate program can help you build essential skills and demonstrate your readiness to work as an assistant.

If you’re planning to pursue a master’s degree but you have a bachelor’s degree in another field or haven’t completed the prerequisite courses, CSUN’s Certificate of Pre-SLP was designed to prepare you to enter a graduate program.

Learn more about your path to a career as a speech-language pathologist with CSUN.