National Student Speech Language Hearing Association
What does a Speech Language Pathologist do?
A speech-language pathologist (SLP) is the professional who engages in clinical services, prevention, advocacy, education, administration, and research in the areas of communication and swallowing across the life span from infancy through geriatrics.
An SLP addresses typical and atypical communication in the following areas: Articulation Resonance (nasality) Voice (pitch, loudness) Fluency (stuttering) Language (social aspect of communication, literacy) Cognition (attention, memory) Feeding and swallowing
SLPs must have a Masters’ degree in Communication Sciences, perform 400 supervised clinical hours, pass the Praxis II for SLPs, and complete a Clinical Fellowship (9 months, paid) before acquiring their Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC).
Where can a Speech Language Pathologist Work?
Public and Private Schools
Early Intervention, preschool, day care centers
Hospitals
Private Practice
Universities and University Clinics
Rehabilitation Home Health Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Mental Health Facilities
Individual Homes and Communities
Correctional Institutions
State and Federal Agencies
Corporate and Industrial Settings
Research facilities