Speech Language Pathology

Career Info

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) states that speech language pathologists (SLPs) work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults.

Speech disorders occur when a person has difficulty producing speech sounds correctly or fluently (e.g., stuttering is a form of disfluency) or has problems with his or her voice or resonance.

Language disorders occur when a person has trouble understanding others (receptive language), or sharing thoughts, ideas, and feelings (expressive language). Language disorders may be spoken or written and may involve the form (phonology, morphology, syntax), content (semantics), and/or use (pragmatics) of language in functional and socially appropriate ways.

Social communication disorders occur when a person has trouble with the social use of verbal and nonverbal communication. These disorders may include problems (a) communicating for social purposes (e.g., greeting, commenting, asking questions), (b) talking in different ways to suit the listener and setting, and (c) following rules for conversation and story-telling. All individuals with autism spectrum disorder have social communication problems. Social communication disorders are also found individuals with other conditions, such as traumatic brain injury.

Cognitive-communication disorders include problems organizing thoughts, paying attention, remembering, planning, and/or problem-solving. These disorders usually happen as a result of a stroke, traumatic brain injury, or dementia, although they can be congenital.

Swallowing disorders (dysphagia) are feeding and swallowing difficulties, which may follow an illness, surgery, stroke, or injury.

Additionally, SLPs provide aural rehabilitation for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. They provide augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems for individuals with severe expressive and/or language comprehension disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder or progressive neurological disorders. They also work with people who don't have speech, language, or swallowing disorders, but want to learn how to communicate more effectively (e.g., work on accent modification or other forms of communication enhancement).

SLPs are required to prepare reports summarizing patient diagnostic or care activities, to analyze patient data to determine patient needs and goals, to maintain medical facility records, monitor patient progress, also work collaboratively with a team of providers. Per o.net, this profession is considered to have “constant contact” with patients, with SLPs reporting they usually work face to face with others and are “very close (near touching)” to their patients. 

SLPs work with the full range of human communication and swallowing disorders in individuals of all ages. SLPs:

• Evaluate and diagnose speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders.
• Treat speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders.
• Provide training and education to family/caregivers and other professionals.
• Work collaboratively with professionals from many other disciplines.

Additionally, SLPs may:

• Prepare future professionals in colleges and universities.
• Own or run clinics or private practices.
• Work for national, state, or local associations or agencies.
• Supervise and direct public school or clinical programs.
• Engage in research to enhance knowledge about human communication processes and develop new assessment and treatment methods that may lead to more effective outcomes.
• Provide counseling and consultative services.
• Train and supervise support personnel.

Employment Settings

SLPs work in many different research, education, and health care settings with varying roles, levels of responsibility, and client populations. Because of the high demand for speech-language pathology services, part-time, full-time, and PRN (literally, pro re nata—in medicine, on an "as needed" basis) opportunities may be available depending on location, desired facility, employment flexibility, and other factors. In many settings, SLPs often work as part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team, which may include teachers, physicians, audiologists, psychologists, social workers, physical and occupational therapists, and rehabilitation counselors.

Salary Information

Salaries of SLPs depend on educational background, experience, work setting, and geographical location.

Market Trends in SLP

Of the 247,000 members and affiliates whom ASHA represents, 218,646 are certified SLPs and 575 hold dual certification as both audiologists and SLPs. The profession continues to grow for a variety of reasons, including the rapid increase in aging populations, medical advances that improve the survival rate of preterm infants as well as trauma and stroke patients, growth in elementary- and secondary-school enrollments, and increasing demand in health care and private practice settings.

For more information about the job outlook for speech-language pathologists, visit the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook .

More Information

ASHA: https://www.asha.org/slp/

Outlook: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm  

O*NET: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1127.00  

 

Education & Training

Applicants for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) must earn a graduate degree, successfully complete the required clinical experiences, and pass a national examination. In some areas, such as college teaching, research, and private practice, a PhD is desirable.

To earn the CCC-SLP, individuals must complete graduate course work and a clinical practicum at a college or university whose program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA). This assures graduates that their academic and clinical experience meets nationally established standards. Visit EdFind for more information.

The Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CFCC) is the council that carefully writes the rules and regulations for certification in audiology and speech-language pathology (SLP). The CFCC revised the SLP Standards for Certification, which outline exactly what is needed to receive the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC), a voluntary certification showing that you have met rigorous academic and professional standards, and have the knowledge, skills, and expertise to provide high quality clinical services. These requirements must be met by all applicants, whether educated in the United States or internationally. The Certification Department at ASHA ensures that all standards are equally applied to, and met by, all applicants.

SLP Semester Course Recommendations

Cal Poly currently does not offer core/essential required prerequisite coursework such as: phonetics, language acquisition, introduction to speech sound disorders, developmental speech/language disorders, acquired speech/language disorders, introduction to audiology, and aural rehabilitation. The best way to complete prerequisites for a master’s program is through an extended SLP program that provides a year of prerequisites before starting the SLP program, or through a post baccalaureate program that offers SLP prerequisites.

 

ASHA Required Courses:

Biological Sciences (one course):
Acceptable courses in biological sciences should emphasize a content area related to human or animal sciences (e.g., biology, human anatomy and physiology, neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, human genetics, veterinary science), and NOT specific to speech/hearing.   Recommendation:   BIO 1111, BIO 1151
Physics or Chemistry (one course):
Acceptable courses in physical sciences must be in Physics or Chemistry only. Astronomy, geology, etc. will NOT be accepted.   Recommendation:   CHEM 1110 or CHEM 1120   Or   PHYS 1104 or PHYS 1121 or PHYS 1141
Statistics (one course):
Recommendation:   STAT 1100   For applications submitted on or after August 1, 2027, Research Methods can also be used to satisfy the requirement. It is important to note that Research Methods coursework must include both qualitative and quantitative content to meet the requirements.
Social Sciences and Behavioral Sciences (one course):
Recommendation:   PSY 2201 Introductory Psychology   SOC1110 Comparative Societies   ANT 2201 Cultural Anthropology

Additional preparation:

Education Related Coursework (not all programs require this, check schools):

EDUC2207 Children’s Learning and Development in Educational Settings

EDUC3300 Historical, Philosophical, and Social Foundations of Public Education

EDUC4440 Educating Individuals with Exceptional Needs

 

For more information on course requirements.

Observation Hours

Most programs require at least 25 hours of guided observation under a licensed and certified SLP. This site can help you find SLPs in your local area.

CA Speech Language Pathology Programs

These are the California schools that offer either postbaccalaureate or certificate programs for students with undergraduate degrees outside of SLP, or the program offers a longer pathway (typically three years) to complete degree requirements. There are many other online leveling programs. Be sure to check that the programs are accredited. Be sure to check postbac/essential course content if you plan to apply to a SLP master’s program at another institution.

 

Preparation Programs:

Biola University — Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Communication Sciences and Disorders

California State University, Dominguez Hills (Cal State, Dominguez Hills) — Communication Sciences and Disorders Certificate

California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State, Los Angeles) — Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Speech-Language Pathology

California State University, Northridge (CSUN) — Certificate of Preparation for Advanced Studies in Speech-Language Pathology

California State University, San Marcos (Cal State, San Marcos) — Online SLP Preparation Program

Chapman University — Communication Sciences and Disorders Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program

Pepperdine University — Online Post-Baccalaureate Foundations Program

San Diego State University Global Campus — SLP Essentials

California University State, Fullerton (CSUF) — Master’s Preparatory
Certificate Program

 

Master’s Programs:

Biola University — Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

California Baptist University (Cal Baptist) — Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

California State University, Long Beach (Cal State, Long Beach) — Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology

California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State, Los Angeles) — Master of Arts in Communicative Disorders, SLP Emphasis

California State University, Northridge (CSUN) — Master of Science in Communicative Disorders

California State University, San Marcos (Cal State, San Marcos) — Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

Chapman University — Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Loma Linda University — Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders

San Diego State University — Master of Arts in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences

San Francisco State University — Master of Science in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences

San Jose State University — Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

University of the Pacific — Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (offers extended program for students with non-SLP undergraduate degrees)

California State University, Chico (Chico State) — Master of Science in
Communication Science and Disorders

California State University, East Bay (Cal State, East Bay) — Master of
Science in Speech-Language Pathology (offers extended program for
students with non-SLP undergraduate degrees)

California State University, Fullerton (Cal State, Fullerton) — Master of
Science in Communicative Disorders

California State University, Monterey Bay — Master of Science in Speech-
Language Pathology

California State University, Sacramento (Sac State) — Master of Science in
Communication Science and Disorders

University of Redlands — Master of Science in Communicative Disorders
(offers extended program for students with non-SLP undergraduate
degrees)

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences — Master of Science in
Speech-Language Pathology

Professional Association Links

For more information, visit the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association website.

Cal Poly SLP Club

**Coming soon. If you are interested in getting involved, please email Laura Wilson at lwilso14@calpoly.edu