What are the requirements to become a speech-language pathologist?

Entry-level requirements for employment as a speech-language pathologist include a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology, also called Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Many individuals who apply to graduate school in Communication Sciences and Disorders have an undergraduate degree in this field. However, others have an out-of-discipline bachelor's degree but not the necessary pre-requisite coursework in Communication Sciences and Disorders. The courses in the Longwood Online Speech-Language Pathology Pre-Requisites Program are designed for these individuals who want to apply to graduate school but need the pre-requisite coursework.

Other necessary coursework includes courses in Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences and Mathematics. These courses are usually taken during undergraduate preparation, and individuals with bachelor's degrees in a variety of disciplines frequently have already taken these courses.

Clinical education is a large component of the graduate program in Communication Sciences and Disorders. ASHA requires that students complete 400 clinical clock hours of practicum experience, which includes 25 hours of observation.

In order to obtain the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC), individuals must pass the national exam and complete a Clinical Fellowship (CF) during their first employment after graduate school. The CF offers the new speech-language pathologist the opportunity to be mentored by an ASHA certified speech-language pathologist during the first year of employment.

Learn the benefits of ASHA certification at ASHA.