Do have to go to college to become a speech therapist?

Answer 1

Technically, your undergraduate degree can be in any field, but for certification as a speech-language pathologist, you need at least a Master's degree with a prescribed range of courses in the speech sciences. Certification requires at least 75 semester hours, with at least 36 at the graduate level. Unless you have take some basic speech science courses as an undergraduate, you may have to take all 75 semester hours at the graduate level; some of them will be prerequisite to your qualifying for admission to the Master's program. The following link explains the standards for certification in speech-language pathology by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: http://www.asha.org/about/membership-certification/handbooks/slp/slp_standards.htm#Std_I The next link shows graduate programs in speech-language pathology in the U.S. (and worldwide). Investigate the programs that interest you so that you can plan your undergraduate degree as preparation for the graduate program. Faculty at the colleges and universities that have programs in speech-language pathology will usually be happy to help you. http://www.gradschools.com/programs/speech_pathology.html

Answer 2

A master's degree is the required minimum level of education to practice speech-language pathology in Canada and the United States. Licensure or certification requirements also exist, but vary by Province/Territory or State.

Education and training. All speech-language pathology jobs in Canada and the United States currently require at least a master's degree. In 2007, more than 230 colleges and universities offered graduate programs in speech-language pathology that were accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, a committee of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). In contrast, there are just nine universities in Canada that offer graduate programs in speech-language pathology, and three of them offer instruction primarily or only in French!

(A) Undergraduate Preparation. There are two main models for undergraduate or preclinical preparation for speech-language pathology that largely differentiate Canadian from American graduate programs in speech-language pathology. Most Canadian universities that offer a graduate program in speech-language pathology do not specify a required or preferred undergraduate major; they accept applications from anyone who has successfully completed a list of prerequisite courses, and has met other requirements. That is, so long as applicants have successfully completed courses such as linguistics, phonetics, statistics, and child development, they could have majored in English, Psychology, Linguistics, Biology, or History.

In contrast, most American graduate programs in speech-language pathology require (or prefer) that applicants have majored in Communication Disorders, Speech Science, or Speech and Hearing Sciences (or a major that is equivalent in their judgment). Applicants who graduate from this type of major normally have completed the prerequisite courses that most (American) graduate programs list.

No matter which of the two types of undergraduate preparation an applicant has, he/she must have obtained some hours in observation and/or volunteering, and have competitive grades for admission into any graduate program in speech-language pathology.

(B) Graduate Education. Speech-language pathology courses at the graduate level normally cover anatomy, physiology, and the development of the areas of the body involved in speech, language, and swallowing; the nature of disorders; principles of acoustics; and psychological aspects of communication. Graduate students also learn to evaluate and treat speech, language, and swallowing disorders and receive supervised clinical training in communication disorders.

Licensure and certification. In 2007, 47 States regulated speech-language pathologists through licensure or registration. A passing score on the national examination on speech-language pathology, offered through the Praxis Series of the Educational Testing Service, is required. Other usual requirements include 300 to 375 hours of supervised clinical experience and 9 months of postgraduate professional clinical experience. Forty-one States have continuing education requirements for licensure renewal. Medicaid, Medicare, and private health insurers generally require a practitioner to be licensed to qualify for reimbursement.

Only 12 States require this same license to practice in the public schools. The other States issue a teaching license or certificate that typically requires a master's degree from an approved college or university. Some States will grant a provisional teaching license or certificate to applicants with a bachelor's degree, but a master's degree must be earned within 3 to 5 years. A few States grant a full teacher's certificate or license to bachelor's degree applicants.

In some States, the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) offered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association meets some or all of the requirements for licensure. To earn a CCC, a person must have a graduate degree from an accredited university, 400 hours of supervised clinical experience, complete a 36-week postgraduate clinical fellowship, and pass the Praxis Series examination in speech-language pathology administered by the Educational Testing Service. Contact your State's Licensing Board for details on your State's requirements.

Other qualifications. Speech-language pathologists should be able to effectively communicate diagnostic test results, diagnoses, and proposed treatment in a manner easily understood by their patients and their families. They must be able to approach problems objectively and be supportive. Because a patient's progress may be slow, patience, compassion, and good listening skills are necessary.

Advancement. As speech-language pathologists gain clinical experience and engage in continuing professional education, many develop expertise with certain populations, such as preschoolers and adolescents, or disorders, such as aphasia and learning disabilities. Some may obtain board recognition in a specialty area, such as child language, fluency, or feeding and swallowing. Experienced clinicians may become mentors or supervisors of other therapists or be promoted to administrative positions.

For the source and more detailed information concerning your request, click on the related links section (U.S. Department of Labor) indicated below.

Answer 3

The following is written by and according to the U.S. Department of Labor and particular to the education and training required for a speech therapist. A master's degree is the most common level of education among speech-language pathologists. Licensure or certification requirements also exist, but vary by State. Education and training. Most speech-language pathologist jobs require a master's degree. In 2007, more than 230 colleges and universities offered graduate programs in speech-language pathology accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. While graduation from an accredited program is not always required to become a speech-language pathologist, it may be helpful in obtaining a license or may be required to obtain a license in some States. Speech-language pathology courses cover anatomy, physiology, and the development of the areas of the body involved in speech, language, and swallowing; the nature of disorders; principles of acoustics; and psychological aspects of communication. Graduate students also learn to evaluate and treat speech, language, and swallowing disorders and receive supervised clinical training in communication disorders. Licensure and certification. In 2007, 47 States regulated speech-language pathologists through licensure or registration. A passing score on the national examination on speech-language pathology, offered through the Praxis Series of the Educational Testing Service, is required. Other usual requirements include 300 to 375 hours of supervised clinical experience and 9 months of postgraduate professional clinical experience. Forty-one States have continuing education requirements for licensure renewal. Medicaid, Medicare, and private health insurers generally require a practitioner to be licensed to qualify for reimbursement. Only 12 States require this same license to practice in the public schools. The other States issue a teaching license or certificate that typically requires a master's degree from an approved college or university. Some States will grant a provisional teaching license or certificate to applicants with a bachelor's degree, but a master's degree must be earned within 3 to 5 years. A few States grant a full teacher's certificate or license to bachelor's degree applicants. In some States, the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) offered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association meets some or all of the requirements for licensure. To earn a CCC, a person must have a graduate degree from an accredited university, 400 hours of supervised clinical experience, complete a 36-week postgraduate clinical fellowship, and pass the Praxis Series examination in speech-language pathology administered by the Educational Testing Service. Contact your State's Licensing Board for details on your State's requirements. Other qualifications. Speech-language pathologists should be able to effectively communicate diagnostic test results, diagnoses, and proposed treatment in a manner easily understood by their patients and their families. They must be able to approach problems objectively and be supportive. Because a patient's progress may be slow, patience, compassion, and good listening skills are necessary. Advancement. As speech-language pathologists gain clinical experience and engage in continuing professional education, many develop expertise with certain populations, such as preschoolers and adolescents, or disorders, such as aphasia and learning disabilities. Some may obtain board recognition in a specialty area, such as child language, fluency, or feeding and swallowing. Experienced clinicians may become mentors or supervisors of other therapists or be promoted to administrative positions. For the source and more detailed information concerning your request, click on the related links section (U.S. Department of Labor) indicated below this answer box.

Answer 4

You can obtain this information by clicking on the related links section (College Board) indicated at the bottom of this answer box and using the sites College MatchMaker search engine. You can research colleges and universities by name, or by programs of study, or by geographical location, size, or combinations of part or all of them. The site will provide you with a list of institutions based on your request. It will give you the schools background, accreditation, degree offerings, programs of study, entrance requirements, tuition and fees, financial assistance, room and board, athletic programs etc. and a link to each institutions official web page. Practice navigating this site. It will be well worth the time and effort.

WARNING!!!

When choosing a college or university, make sure the institution has a regional accreditation. With a regional accreditation you can be assured the coursework and degree you complete will be recognized by all other colleges and universities as well as employers. Below I have listed the six accrediting agencies and their geographical areas of responsibility. I am disclosing the below so you do not become a victim of educational scams, and institutions that are nothing more than diploma mills, where they are eager to take your money for a degree that is worthless. Make sure the institution is accredited by one of following responsible agencies.

Regional Accreditation Agencies

· Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools - Educational institutions in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, as well as schools for American children in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

· New England Association of Schools and Colleges - Educational institutions in the six New England states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont).

· North Central Association of Colleges and Schools - Educational institutions in Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, New Mexico, South Dakota, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

· Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities - Postsecondary institutions (colleges and universities) in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.

· Western Association of Schools and Colleges - Educational institutions in California, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Micronesia, Palau, and Northern Marianas Islands.

· Southern Association of Colleges and Schools - Educational institutions in Virginia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and Texas.

Answer 5

what qualififctaions do you need

well obviously you would need an MFL (a modern foreign language) and probably also English

Answer 6

Yes you do. Typically, the minimum educational requirement is a master's degree in speech therapy - speech-language pathology.