speech language pathologist university

How to Become a Speech-Language Pathologist

A career in speech-language pathology requires a master's degree and a clinical fellowship.

How to Become a Speech Pathologist

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Speech-language pathologists specialize in treating various speech impediments and addressing language comprehension difficulties.

Humans use their mouths and throats constantly, often unconsciously, to perform basic tasks like swallowing food or speaking aloud, so problems within this section of the body need to be addressed immediately and thoroughly.

Speech-language pathologists assist in these situations, and demand for their services is growing rapidly. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment within this profession will grow 25% through 2029, partly as a result of the aging American population and health ailments that are common among seniors that hinder talking and eating, such as strokes and Alzheimer's.

The median annual wage among U.S. speech-language pathologists in May 2020 was $80,480, according to the BLS, which notes that the usual entry-level academic credential within this field is a master's degree . Licensing requirements for this profession depend upon the state where a person practices, and many jobs within this field require national certification.

What Is Speech Pathology and What Does a Speech Pathologist Do?

The field of speech-language pathology encompasses much more than just communication disorders. The area of study also includes lessons about accent reduction and how to encourage children who are extremely picky eaters to consume food so that they are well-nourished, for example.

Speech-language pathologists specialize in treating various speech impediments and addressing language comprehension difficulties. They teach social skills to people with developmental disabilities, provide guidance to individuals with cognitive disorders and intervene when a person struggles to swallow food or beverages.

These clinicians routinely advise people who cannot hear well on how to understand others and express themselves, and they also show people who cannot speak how to communicate using picture boards and technological devices.

"Speech therapists help toddlers say 'mama' for the first time, assist teenagers who have a fluency disorder (stutter), and help adults who have suffered strokes be able to eat on their own again," Kassie Hanson, a Nebraska-based certified pediatric speech-language pathologist, wrote in an email.

Hanson recalls the beginning of her career and how working with a 2-year-old girl who was unable to talk solidified her career path. "After many sessions with the little girl, she said some of her very first words," Hanson says. "Just months later, she was talking in short phrases and sentences. Getting to help a little girl say her first words was life-changing and confirmed for me that I was in the right career!"

Steps to Become a Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech-language pathologists recommend that people who want to join their field complete all of the following tasks:

• Pursue a bachelor's degree and take college courses that relate to speech-language pathology.
• Search for accredited speech-language pathology master's programs using the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's EdFind Tool .
• Gain relevant work experience and prepare a strong graduate school application with solid grades, essays and recommendation letters.
• Excel on the GRE General Test if the targeted graduate school considers GRE scores.
• Get into a master's program, ideally with a generous scholarship to reduce the cost.
• Obtain a master's degree in speech-language pathology.
• Complete a clinical fellowship in speech-language pathology.
• Take and pass the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology, a national test that assesses understanding of key content and current practices within the field.
• Secure a state license to practice independently if it is offered or required by your state.
• Get certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, or ASHA.

An undergraduate education in a related subject, such as communication sciences and disorders, may be mandatory for admission into a master's program in speech-language pathology, though academic prerequisites depend upon the graduate school, and some programs have a more flexible policy on college majors .

Speech-language pathology master's students learn about the many health conditions that can interfere with a person's ability to swallow, communicate or eat, including ailments that primarily affect children and diseases that are common among seniors.

Jolene Hyppa-Martin, an associate professor and a speech-language pathologist with the University of Minnesota—Duluth 's Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, notes that master's programs in speech-language pathology generally include lessons about how people who are unable to talk can express themselves via various alternative and augmentative communication devices.

Hyppa-Martin, who has a Ph.D. in speech, language and hearing sciences, adds that speech pathology students often have coursework where they learn how to counsel patients.

Standards set by ASHA's Council on Academic Accreditation mandate that all entry-level speech-language pathology programs allow students to accumulate at least 400 hours of supervised clinical practice experience. These rules also require faculty at such programs to focus on teaching certain core values like accountability, concern for patients, cultural competence and professional duty.

Hawaii board-certified speech-language pathologist Julia Kuhn explains that speech-language pathologists are expected to do a clinical fellowship – which is usually a paid, entry-level job immediately after graduation – so they can supplement their broad academic training with hands-on experience in a particular focus area, such as swallowing disorders or pediatric language issues, before they practice independently within that specialty.

Isa Marrs, a board-certified speech-language pathologist in New York, says that licensure helps to ensure that speech-language pathologists are trained thoroughly enough to care for vulnerable people. "There are so many important things that you are doing in somebody's life that having the proper training is crucial," she says.

What It Is Like to Work as a Speech-Language Pathologist

Although other health care providers such as physicians and nurse practitioners tend to earn higher wages than speech-language pathologists, there are many perks to this profession, including a solid work-life balance and a strong sense of purpose, according to experts.

But Kuhn warns that there are some hassles that come with the territory of speech-language pathology, such as a reliance on government payouts from social welfare programs like Medicare, which occasionally reduce compensation rates substantially.

Another downside to the field is the heavy caseloads that many speech-language pathologists carry, Kuhn says. Pathologists may feel frustrated by a limited amount of upward mobility since they rarely ascend to management positions, and their pay rates don't necessarily increase steadily over the course of their career, she notes.

An interest in social interaction is necessary to enjoy a career in this field, Kuhn says, as is genuine enjoyment of therapy sessions, which encompass the majority of a pathologist's workday.

Most speech-language pathologists emphasize the meaningful nature of their work. Marrs notes that there is a particular satisfaction that comes from teaching a person with a lisp to speak in a way that makes the individual feel proud rather than self-conscious.

She recalls teaching a child with autism how to chew so he could eat food that wasn't pureed. "When we accomplished that, it opened up so much for this child, as far as learning how to eat things other than baby food," Marrs says.

Hyppa-Martin says she uses voice banking tools to record those who will lose their voices due to degenerative health conditions. The software programs produce simulations of patients' voices and can be used to converse with others. Hyppa-Martin notes that one of her former clients who had a terminal illness was able to use voice bank technology to deliver a speech at his oldest daughter's wedding before his death.

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NYU Speech-Language Pathology | Online NYU Speech-Language Pathology | Online NYU Speech-Language Pathology | Online

NYU Steinhardt’s online master of science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders program provides comprehensive, evidence-based training to committed individuals aspiring to be speech-language pathologists. No GRE required. NYU Steinhardt’s online master of science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders program provides comprehensive, evidence-based training to committed individuals aspiring to be speech-language pathologists. No GRE required. NYU Steinhardt’s online master of science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders program provides comprehensive, evidence-based training to committed individuals aspiring to be speech-language pathologists. No GRE required.

Get Admission and Tuition Information

Answer a few quick questions to determine if NYU’s online speech-language pathology program is a good fit for you.

Join Our Expansive Alumni Network

• Supportive Online Environment  – Our program, which centers on culturally and linguistically responsive practices, combines interactive research and clinical practice, and is delivered in a flexible online format.
• Diverse Community of SLPs  – Our faculty, administrators, and students value different backgrounds and perspectives, embodying the spirit of our home in New York City. Our alumni network includes trailblazing leaders in speech-language pathology.
• Clinical Learning Experiences  – Through our approved network of sites, students will diagnose and treat a variety of communication and swallowing disorders affecting individuals across the lifespan, collaborate with others, and develop and refine their own clinical competencies.

Speech@NYU is the online SLP master’s program offered by the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders.  It is designed for aspiring speech-language pathologists who want the flexibility to pursue fulfilling careers in a variety of settings.

The online modality of the SLP master’s program is accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and prepares you to work toward speech-language pathology certification. The curriculum is grounded in evidence-based practice and enables you to provide person-centered care for diverse populations with communication and swallowing disorders.

Online SLP Master’s Program Highlights

graduate-level credits

foundation courses offered online

direct clinical contact hours

No GRE Required. This program does not require GRE scores for admission.

Clinical Training in the Online Master’s in Speech Pathology

In the speech-language pathology program, you are assigned a dedicated placement specialist who will work with you to find NYU Steinhardt faculty-approved clinical field placement sites in or near your community.

With Speech@NYU, you will receive the in-depth training to provide forward-thinking, culturally competent care to clients of all ages without having to relocate.

As a student, you will complete a five-part sequence of on-campus clinical practicum and clinical field placement experiences at your placement site.

• Practicum I (Pre-Clinic and Immersion)
• Practicum II (Diagnostic Assessment and Immersion)
• Clinical Field Placement III (Treatment)
• Clinical Field Placement IV (Pediatrics)
• Clinical Field Placement V (Adults)

Clinical Immersions

Before beginning field placements, you will attend two immersions to help adequately prepare you to conduct clinical diagnostics in speech pathology and work more independently in your clinical experiences.

During these immersions, you will:

• Provide language, hearing, cognitive, and/or swallowing screens to diverse communities.
• Receive dedicated supervision and receive on-the-spot feedback from speech-language pathologists.
• Participate in specialized workshops relating to topics such as language screening, instrumental assessment of voice disorders, dysphagia screening, and aphasia treatment.

Learn more about clinical practicum and field training.

Ready to Take the Next Step? Ready to Take the Next Step? Ready to Take the Next Step?

Receive the clinical training you need to pursue a career as a licensed, certified speech-language pathologist. Learn more about the online master’s in speech-language pathology from NYU Steinhardt. Receive the clinical training you need to pursue a career as a licensed, certified speech-language pathologist. Learn more about the online master’s in speech-language pathology from NYU Steinhardt. Receive the clinical training you need to pursue a career as a licensed, certified speech-language pathologist. Learn more about the online master’s in speech-language pathology from NYU Steinhardt.

Request Information Today

Support and flexibility for aspiring speech pathologists.

Earn Your Online SLP Master’s Degree Full Time or Part Time

You have the flexibility to pursue your SLP graduate degree  full time or part time based on your scheduling needs . You can earn your master’s in speech-language pathology in as few as six or seven terms attending full time, or set a slower pace by attending part time until your field placement begins.

An academic advisor will work with you to choose the plan of study that is the best fit for your lifestyle while ensuring you continue to make appropriate academic progress.

Academic, Placement, and Career Support

As an online SLP student, you will  have access to the same resources as on-campus students , including the NYU Bobst Library, Wellness Exchange, Writing Center, and Wasserman Center for Career Development, which provides one-on-one coaching, webinars, and virtual career fairs to help you in your speech pathologist career.

In addition to continuous mentorship from faculty, you’ll also work with field placement specialists, academic advisors, and a technology support team to ensure your success as a Speech@NYU student.

Study Abroad Opportunities

Students in both the on-campus and online modalities of the SLP master’s program have the opportunity to complete a  study abroad program in countries like Sweden or Ghana  to study communication disorders from a cross-cultural perspective.

The program includes participating in local site visits, studying with local guest lecturers, and immersing yourself in a linguistically and culturally distinct setting.

Apply to the Online SLP Master’s Program Throughout the Year

Speech@NYU offers multiple cohort start dates every year in January and September. The admissions committee reviews applications on a rolling basis.  Take a look at the application requirements  to prepare what you need ahead of time.

The sooner you apply, the sooner you can receive an admissions decision and begin planning for your career as a speech-language pathologist.

The final application deadline for the September 2025 cohort is May 9, 2025.

A Comprehensive SLP Master’s Curriculum

Speech@NYU’s curriculum prepares you to become a well-rounded speech-language pathologist and treat clients with a variety of communication disorders across the life span.

In addition to foundation courses, instrumentation and research courses, and disorder courses,  Speech@NYU offers a diverse set of electives so you can tailor your educational experience to your interests.  You can take electives in specialized topics such as aphasia, and language and communication in children with autism spectrum disorders.

View the full list of Speech@NYU course descriptions .

Taught by Award-Winning Faculty

Online and on-campus students in the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders (CSD) are taught by scholars, published researchers, and active clinicians who constantly seek opportunities to interact with professionals from other disciplines.

CSD faculty  have extensive research funding from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation and have received numerous teaching awards, such as the Steinhardt Teaching Excellence Award.

Our faculty members are all  active in the field, are dedicated to supporting and mentoring students  in their collective and individual pursuits, and help create new clinical and research initiatives at the Department, School, University, and community levels.

What Students Are Saying

“If you are looking for a program that will challenge you to  pursue excellence, develop strong research-based clinical skills , and  learn from a diverse group of individuals , this is the program for you. There are so many opportunities for students to grow and become strong speech-language pathologists.” Lynlee Bates, Speech@NYU Class of 2019 Meet some of the students of Speech@NYU , and see how the program is helping them achieve their personal and professional goals.

Join the Next Cohort of the SLP Master’s Program Join the Next Cohort of the SLP Master’s Program Join the Next Cohort of the SLP Master’s Program

Learn how Speech@NYU prepares you to provide person-centered care for diverse populations with communication and swallowing disorders. Take the next step today. Learn how Speech@NYU prepares you to provide person-centered care for diverse populations with communication and swallowing disorders. Take the next step today. Learn how Speech@NYU prepares you to provide person-centered care for diverse populations with communication and swallowing disorders. Take the next step today.

NYU Steinhardt Prepares Leaders in Speech Pathology

Speech@NYU’s online speech pathology master’s program is delivered through the  NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.

We facilitate internships and partnerships with schools and organizations across the United States,  helping our students develop their careers and pursue leadership opportunities .

Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders

The  NYU Steinhardt Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders  (CSD) aims to understand, assess, and treat speech, language, voice, and swallowing disorders in people of all ages.

Alumni of the CSD Department have gone on to work in a number of settings, such as:

• Hospitals/medical centers
• Early intervention settings
• Rehabilitation centers
• Skilled nursing facilities and long-term care centers
• Specialized centers for children with autism, language impairment, and developmental disabilities
• Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technology companies

CSD alumni have held a variety of leadership roles, including positions such as director of rehabilitation, senior speech-language pathologist, staff speech-language pathologist, full-time faculty, clinic/field placement director, clinical supervisor, and others.

Speech-Language Pathology Careers across the United States

Speech-language pathologists are needed in  cities across the United States to treat speech and swallowing disorders such as apraxia, dysphagia, cleft palate, and stuttering .

Each state has its own standards for speech-language pathology certification and licensure, and different cities have different opportunities for employment in the field.

Why Become a Speech-Language Pathologist?

Job Growth between 2020 and 2030 2

in 100 Best Jobs 2

in Best Health Care Jobs 3

Accreditation and Licensure

New York University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, one of six regional accrediting associations in the country. Accreditation is granted every 10 years, and NYU is accredited through 2024.

The master of science (MS) education program in speech-language pathology (residential and distance education) at New York University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD, 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

Help people in your community live healthier lives as a speech-language pathologist. Earn your master’s in speech-language pathology online from NYU Steinhardt. Have questions about Speech@NYU? Contact an admissions counselor at  888-698-0462  or  by email at  [email protected] . Help people in your community live healthier lives as a speech-language pathologist. Earn your master’s in speech-language pathology online from NYU Steinhardt. Have questions about Speech@NYU? Contact an admissions counselor at  888-698-0462  or  by email at  [email protected] . Help people in your community live healthier lives as a speech-language pathologist. Earn your master’s in speech-language pathology online from NYU Steinhardt. Have questions about Speech@NYU? Contact an admissions counselor at  888-698-0462  or  by email at  [email protected] .

1   Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Speech-Language Pathologists. (Retrieved October 6, 2021) arrow_upward Return to footnote reference

2   100 Best Jobs , U.S. News & World Report. (Retrieved August 2024) arrow_upward Return to footnote reference

3   Best Health Care Jobs , U.S. News & World Report. (Retrieved August 2024) arrow_upward Return to footnote reference