How to Become a Speech and Language Pathologist
Becoming a speech language pathologist (SLP) requires earning a master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) and meeting the requirements for professional licensure. Many SLPs hold an undergraduate degree in speech-language pathology, while others have bachelor’s degrees in other fields and transition into the profession by earning a master’s in CSD.
SLPs help their patients with communication, eating, and swallowing issues that can severely impact their quality of life when they aren’t corrected. Becoming a speech and language pathologist is an excellent way to develop a fulfilling career in a healthcare specialty that has a large impact on patients and their families.
What Is a Speech and Language Pathologist?
A speech and language pathologist diagnoses and treats issues related to communication and swallowing, including issues such as stuttering, speech delays, and swallowing disorders. SLPs work with children and adults in a range of environments, including hospitals, clinics, schools, and private practices.
Understanding the Role
SLPs work with all types of patients, including those with developmental disorders, degenerative neurological conditions, and brain injuries that are the result of traumatic accidents. Speech and language pathologists work alongside all manner of healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, physical therapists, caregivers, and rehabilitation specialists.
Why Choose a Career in Speech Pathology?
Speech pathologists may choose careers as an SLP for a range of reasons. However, a desire to help people lead happier, fuller lives, no matter what their circumstances and physical challenges, is often at the core of this decision.
Speech pathology has an impact well beyond the mechanics of speech and swallowing. When patients are better able to speak, swallow, and eat, their quality of life improves dramatically. Being able to communicate needs to caregivers and families can be life changing, just as the ability to eat and drink more independently is life changing.
In addition to substantial patient impact, speech pathology is a career choice that is in high demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for SLPs is expected to grow by 18% between 2022 and 2032, which is much faster than the average for all other professions and represents more than 30,000 new jobs with a median pay of $89,290 per year. These facts make this career a financially lucrative choice as well as an emotionally rewarding one.
The Educational Pathway to Becoming a Speech and Language Pathologist
How long does it take to become a speech and language pathologist? That depends on the background of the aspiring SLP as well as where they plan to practice. Those who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree should start by seeking a relevant undergraduate degree in speech-language pathology. From there, applying to accredited master’s programs is the next step. Graduates of master’s programs in communication sciences and disorders are eligible for licensure as an SLP.
What Degree Is Needed for Speech Pathology?
To qualify for SLP licensure in the state of New York, applicants must have a minimum of a master’s degree from an accredited program, such as the Masters of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) degree from Iona University. A bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology is typically a good starting point, although it is not strictly required to become licensed as long as graduate requirements are met. Students who have completed an undergraduate degree in something other than speech-language pathology can still pursue the SLP career but will need to complete prerequisite coursework prior to applying to their graduate program. Although requirement may vary between master’s programs, at Iona, prerequisite courses include:
- Introduction to Communication Disorders
- Normal Acquisition of Speech and Language
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism
- Speech and Hearing Science
- Clinical Phonetics
- Audiology
- Biological Science
- Physical Science
- Social Sciences
- Statistics
Earn a Master's in Speech Pathology
A master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) is the most common graduate degree leading to a career as a speech-language pathologist. Some schools do offer master’s degrees in speech-language pathology, which is also an appropriate degree for aspiring SLPs. Notably, while undergraduate degrees are granted in speech-language pathology, graduate-level programs are typically labeled CSD. Like many master’s programs, a master’s in CSD typically takes just two years to complete, followed by supervised work experience that is necessary for licensure.
Timeline of Education and Post-Graduate Requirements
The education timeline for an aspiring SLP is straightforward. Those applying to undergraduate programs knowing they want to pursue SLP careers can complete an undergraduate degree in four years, followed by two years in a graduate program for a total of six years pursuing the necessary education. If an individual completes a bachelor’s degree in a subject other than speech-language pathology, additional time may be necessary to complete master’s program prerequisites.
Certification and Licensure Requirements
Although SLP licensure can vary from state to state, in New York, SLPs must earn a minimum of a master’s degree to be qualified for state licensure as well as meet state testing and clinical experience requirements.
Passing State Licensure Exams
Prior to licensure in NY, SLP applicants must take and pass the Specialty Area test of the Praxis Series, Praxis II, administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). As of 2025, the SLP exam is Praxis Examination 5331, which is scored on a scale of 100-200. A score of 162 is the minimum passing score for licensure.
Earning a Certificate of Clinical Competence
New SLPs who complete licensure requirements, including a graduate degree, practicum, and licensure examination, are also eligible to apply for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) credential from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). There are no further requirements for the CCC-SLP, and it is not required for licensure in the state of New York.
Building Experience in Speech Pathology
In addition to educational requirements, licensed speech language pathologists must complete at least 36 weeks of supervised experience in speech-language pathology. Qualifying experience cannot begin until all graduate degree program requirements are met, including final exams and any thesis projects. At least two-thirds of these hours must include direct clinical work with patients who have communication disorders.
Completing Clinical Fellowships
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association maintains its own clinical experience requirements under the heading of clinical fellowship (CF). In the case of SLPs seeking licensure in New York, the ASHA CF requirements are largely the same as the experience requirements for NY licensure, including at least 36 weeks of supervised SLP experience. ASHA guidelines indicate that during the clinical fellowship, “80% of the CF experience must be spent in direct clinical contact related to the management of disorders that fit within the ASHA Scope of Practice in Speech-Language Pathology.”
Clinical fellowships must be completed under the supervision of an approved mentor. CF mentors must meet all the required qualifications listed in Standard VII-B:
- Holds a current CCC-SLP
- Has at least nine months of full-time clinical experience after earning the CCC-SLP
- Has completed at least two hours of professional development around supervision after earning the CCC-SLP
Career Opportunities for Speech and Language Pathologists
The best SLP career path for a new pathologist depends on the type of patient population they want to work with as well as their educational background. Specialization can always help narrow down potential career opportunities, and geographic location may also determine which opportunities are available.
Where Do Speech Pathologists Work?
According to the BLS, 40% of speech language pathologists work in state, local, and private educational services such as schools. An additional 20% work in offices of physical, occupational, and speech therapists and audiologists, while 15% work in hospitals. An additional 7% of speech language pathologists work in nursing facilities or are self-employed.
Specializations Within Speech Pathology
Speech language pathologists may choose to specialize in certain disorders or certain patient populations. ASHA currently recognizes SLP specialization certification through the following organizations:
- American Board of Child Language and Language Disorders (Specialist in Child Language (BCS-CL) credential)
- American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders (Board Certified Specialist in Stuttering, Cluttering, and Fluency Disorders (BCS-SCF) credential)
- American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (Board Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (BCS-S) credential)
Apply to the Necessary Programs to Begin Working Toward an SLP Career Path
Becoming an SLP can be extremely rewarding, but this career starts with the right education. Iona offers both bachelor’s and master’s degrees that can provide the necessary foundation for a long, fulfilling career that can have a major impact on people’s lives. Explore the possibilities and apply to one of these programs today to get started or to continue to advance down your career path.