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FAQ
Why Choose a Career in Speech-Language Pathology?
Pick a reason or choose all of them (from ASHA Reward Yourself Brochure)
- To serve members of your community
- To be an independent, responsible professional
- For opportunities to be creative
- To earn a good living
- For the option of different work settings
- Because you like asking questions and finding answers
- Because you want academic and intellectual challenges
- To contribute to a growing and vital body of language
- For the personal satisfaction that comes from making a positive difference in people's lives
Can I get a job in this field?
Speech-Language Pathology is a rapidly growing field. The increased recognition of communication problems in preschool and school-aged children, medical advances in saving the lives of those individuals with congenital and acquired disabilities, and the increasing population of older citizens has created a growing need for speech-language pathologists and audiologists. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) ranks speech-language pathology among the top 30 (of 700) fastest growing occupations over the next decade. The BLS also reports that the national employment rate of SLPs is expected to demonstrate average growth (i.e., reflecting an increase of 7% to 13% through the year 2016. It is predicted that 12,000 additional SLPs will be needed to fill the demand between 2006 and 2016 - and 11% increase in job openings. Furthermore, according to the BLS, occupational projection estimates for 2004 to 2014 ranked speech-language pathology 17th out of the 20 large-growth occupations that usually require a master's, doctoral, or first-professional degree.
In ASHA's 2008 Schools Survey, the majority of respondents(72%) reported that job openings for SLPs in their type of employment facility and geographic area were more numerous that job seekers. Likewise, in ASHA's 2009 Health Care Survey, 47% of respondents reported that job openings were more numerous than job seekers and 26% reported they had funded, unfilled positions.
How do these classes impact my current GPA?
Successful completion of these slponline courses will not guarantee admission to graduate school. Your performance in these courses will not affect your undergraduate GPA, unless you are enrolled in a bachelors' program at Longwood University. If you are transferring these courses to another university, you should contact that university to understand the impact of your grade(s) on your GPA at that university.
Do I have to apply to Longwood University to take the classes?
No, you do not have to apply to Longwood to take the on-line classes. Just complete the registration process listed under "How do I get Started".
Is financial assistance available for graduate programs?
There are many opportunities for financial assistance in graduate school. Grants, scholarships, and loans are available through a variety of sources. For more information about financial assistance, visit ASHA. Gayle Covington, the Sr. Assistant Director of Financial Aid, is also very willing to answer questions regarding financial assistance available for this program. She can be reached at 434-395-2210 or by e-mail at covingtonjj@longwood.edu.
Is there a certain sequence that must be followed in the coursework?
There is a recommended sequence of courses. Though you may enter the program at a different time, some courses will require a pre-requisite.
Where are graduate programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders offered in Virginia?
There are currently six universities in Virginia that offer master's degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders. They are
- Longwood University
- University of Virginia
- James Madison University
- Radford University
- Old Dominion University
- Hampton University
How long will it take me to complete a graduate program in Communication Sciences and Disorders?
Master's programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders can generally be completed in two calendar years for full-time students. Some universities offer part-time programs.
Where do speech-language pathologists work?
There are a wide variety of work settings in which SLPs are employed. These settings include public and private schools, hospitals, community clinics, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, infant intervention programs, private practices, and universities.
What can I expect to earn as a speech-language pathologist?
ASHA reported in their 2009 Health Care Survey that the median annual salary for SLPs working in health care facilities was $70,000. In ASHA's 2008 Schools Survey, the median salary for SLPs working 11-12 months was $65,000 while the salaries for those working 9-10 months averaged $57,000.
Did You Know?
- Communication Sciences and Disorders are among the most common disabilities in the United States.
- About 700,000 Americans suffer from a stroke annually.
- An estimated 1.5 to 2 million individuals each year in the United States sustain a Traumatic Brain Injury
- Several studies suggest that 8 to 12 people per 1,000 experience severe communication impairments that require Augmentative Alternative Communication
