How to Become a Speech-Language Pathologist


Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are master’s-prepared healthcare professionals with advanced training in speech, language, social communication, cognitive communication, and swallowing disorders. Read on to learn exactly how to become a speech-language pathologist.
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How to Become a Speech-Language Pathologist
Becoming an SLP takes extensive education, fellowship experience, and state licensure. In this section, we'll explore speech-language pathologist requirements.
Step 1. Earn an Undergraduate Degree
The first step in becoming an SLP is to earn a bachelor’s degree. You can major in anything as long as it meets the requirements for an SLP master’s program.
Relevant undergrad degrees include a Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology or a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders.
Step 2. Attend a Master’s Program
Next, you will enroll in a graduate speech-language pathologist school accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA). The most common graduate speech therapist degrees are:
- Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology
- Master of Science in Communication Science and Disorders
Some programs will require minimal experience, which might include working as a speech-language assistant or volunteer hours.
Step 3. Pass the PRAXIS Exam in Speech-Language Pathology
The PRAXIS Examination in Speech-Language Pathology is a standardized test from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). It includes 132 exam questions that test you in the following areas:
- Foundations and Professional Practice
- Screening, Assessment, Evaluation, and Diagnosis
- Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation of Treatment
To pass the certification, you must earn a score of 162 on a 100-200 scale. The Praxis exam is a requirement for the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology and state professional licensure.
Step 4. Complete a Post-Graduate Clinical Fellowship
Fellowship and clinical hours vary from state to state. However, most states ultimately follow the minimal hours needed to earn the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
- To complete a fellowship, you must work at least 36 weeks and 1,260 hours.
- To be able to count your hours toward the minimum requirement, you typically must work at least 5 hours per week.
Step 5. Pass the ASHA Exam & Obtain State Licensure.
After applying for state licensure, take the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology.
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Prepare for a career in the growing health care field at Purdue Global. Purdue is committed to helping you find the most efficient and affordable path to your goal by applying work experience, prior learning credits, and military experience.
Enrollment: Nationwide

Walden’s online programs for healthcare meet rigorous standards for academic quality and integrity, and students learn from distinguished faculty with professional experience. Focus your career goals by choosing one of our several specializations of online Health Sciences programs.
Enrollment: Nationwide

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, non-profit, accredited institution with more than 3,000 on-campus students, over 170,000 online learners and an alumni network of over 300,000. Improve day-to-day operations in the healthcare industry with an online degree in healthcare from SNHU.
Enrollment: Nationwide

Gain the industry knowledge and transferable skills you need to make a difference in people’s health and well-being at Rasmussen University. Our Health Sciences programs and training help you take the next step in becoming the professional you were meant to be.
Enrollment: Nationwide

GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
Enrollment: Nationwide
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BS - Health Care Admin
-
BS - Health Information Management
-
BS - Health Sciences
-
BS - Public Health
-
MS - Health Informatics
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MS - Health Admin
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MBA - Health Systems Management
-
MPH - Health Care Management
-
DHA - Operational Leadership: Qualitative Research
-
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South University has the focused degree programs, personalized support, and subject matter expertise you need to make your goals a reality. Here you can develop the skills and knowledge to pursue a new career or enhance your existing one while learning from an experienced faculty.
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What Do Speech-Language Pathologists Do?
According to ASHA, SLPs “prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults.”
More specifically, SLP duties include the following:
- Provide training and education to family and caregivers
- Work with other healthcare professionals
- Treat speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders
- Evaluate and diagnose speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders
- Help individuals communicate more effectively in social settings
- Open new communication possibilities
- Help the patient swallow safely
- Help the patient improve vocabulary and sentence structure
- Create individualized treatment plans that address specific functional needs
- Identify goals for treatment
Who Do Speech-Language Pathologists Work With?
Speech Pathologist Patient Population
SLPs can work with pediatric and adult patients suffering from:
- Speech sound disorders
- Language delays
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Stutters
- Down syndrome
- Genetic conditions
- Hearing loss
- Stroke
- Brain injury
- Seizures
- Dysphagia
- Dementia
- Cancer
Speech Pathologist Work Environment
The BLS reports that in May 2024, roughly 180,800 SLPs were working in the profession. Employment location breakdown includes:
- Educational services; state, local, and private - 40%
- Offices of physical, occupational, and speech therapists, and audiologists - 24%
- Hospitals: state, local, and private - 15%
- Nursing and residential care facilities - 4%
Is Becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist Worth It?
Becoming an SLP is an excellent way to help patients and make a lasting impact. From the high salary potential to significant career growth opportunities and various workplace options, speech language pathology can be a gratifying career.
Speech Pathologist Salary
SLPs are among the highest-paying medical jobs nationwide. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the average annual salary of $95,410 per year or $45.87 per hour for SLPs. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $60,480, and the highest 10 percent brought in over $132,850.
Career Outlook
From 2023 to 2033, the BLS reports a projected growth of 18% for SLPs. This growth is much faster than the average for all other professions. There will be an additional 33,300 jobs available during that period. U.S. News & World Report ranks SLPs as the #3 best health care job.
Popular Online Healthcare Programs

Prepare for a career in the growing health care field at Purdue Global. Purdue is committed to helping you find the most efficient and affordable path to your goal by applying work experience, prior learning credits, and military experience.
Enrollment: Nationwide

Walden’s online programs for healthcare meet rigorous standards for academic quality and integrity, and students learn from distinguished faculty with professional experience. Focus your career goals by choosing one of our several specializations of online Health Sciences programs.
Enrollment: Nationwide

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, non-profit, accredited institution with more than 3,000 on-campus students, over 170,000 online learners and an alumni network of over 300,000. Improve day-to-day operations in the healthcare industry with an online degree in healthcare from SNHU.
Enrollment: Nationwide

Gain the industry knowledge and transferable skills you need to make a difference in people’s health and well-being at Rasmussen University. Our Health Sciences programs and training help you take the next step in becoming the professional you were meant to be.
Enrollment: Nationwide

GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
Enrollment: Nationwide
-
BS - Health Care Admin
-
BS - Health Information Management
-
BS - Health Sciences
-
BS - Public Health
-
MS - Health Informatics
-
MS - Health Admin
-
MBA - Health Systems Management
-
MPH - Health Care Management
-
DHA - Operational Leadership: Qualitative Research
-
DHA - Operational Leadership: Quantitative Leadership

South University has the focused degree programs, personalized support, and subject matter expertise you need to make your goals a reality. Here you can develop the skills and knowledge to pursue a new career or enhance your existing one while learning from an experienced faculty.
Enrollment: Nationwide