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Becoming a therapist of any kind requires schooling and working at jobs related to the field. There are different levels of therapy that people can meet, each requiring a certain amount of skill and education.
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs or speech therapists) all have a master’s degree; the standard educational obligation for this position. Some states employ different licensing or certification prerequisites, but all states regulate their SLPs.
Courses that must be taken to become an SLP include anatomy with emphasis on the parts of the body that perform speech and language, including swallowing. There are classes in the makeup of disorders, why and how they develop, as well as courses in sound and the principles of acoustics. Also taken are courses in the psychological side of language disorders and the effects they have on communication.
This is a Good Job to Have, if You Can Get It
People in speech pathology positions get good pay and work in clean, comfortable surroundings like an office, classroom, or at the chair side or bedside of a patient at home or in a clinical setting.
A dedicated student must work hard to get to fill one of these positions. But, finishing college and earning the degree isn’t the end of class. There are programs beyond college that many states require SLPs to enter as a prerequisite for licensure, and they are necessary for all qualified credentialing by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASLHA).
Different states have different rules, and some require certain tests be taken in order to get a job. Also, some states require previous experience before granting a license. There’s always continuing education in any kind of medicine. It’s worth it in the end, but don’t expect to take any short cuts.
