What is a Speech Therapist?
- Do you enjoy working with kids?
- Do you want to help people?
Speech therapy might be the right career for you. Contact us to learn more!
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If you have any questions or want to learn more about the field, please contact us:
What do speech therapists do?
Speech therapists diagnose and treat communication and speech disorders. They also conduct assessments to determine if the patient needs speech therapy services. If they do, they then conduct evaluations to determine what types of therapy they need and come up with goals and therapy plans for the patient.
Speech therapists work with different populations, such as pediatric or adult. to help with:
- Speech disorders
- Language disorders
- Social communication disorders
- Cognitive communication disorders
- Swallowing disorders
Speech Pathology Job Outlook
Employment of Speech Language Pathologists is projected to grow 21% from 2021 to 2023, much faster than the average for all occupations!
Different Employment Settings
Private Practices
Schools
Hospitals
In-home
Difference Between SLP & SLPA
The main difference between a speech language pathologist (SLP) and s speech language pathology assistant (SLPA) is their qualifications.
SLP’s must receive a master’s degree along with a license from the state in which they wish to practice.
SLPA’s need an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree in a related subject to qualify for a SLPA job. Depending on the state they are practicing, SLPA’s might be required to have a valid license in the state.
- SLP's can diagnose & conduct evaluations
- SLP's can supervise SLPA's, Students, and Clinical Fellows
- SLPA's must be supervised by an SLP
How to Become a Speech-Language-Pathology Assistant (SLPA)
Route #1:
- Attend a 4-year university
- Major in Communication sciences & disorders
- Apply for a SLPA program
- Complete 70-100 hours of field work experience
- Apply for a SLPA license
Route #2:
- Attend a community college with a speech pathology program
- Complete 70-120 Hours of field work experience
- apply for a SLPA license
Approved SLPA Programs
- American River College
- Cerritos College
- Madera Community College
- Santa Ana College
- San Joaquin Delta College
- Pasadena City College
- Orange Coast College
- Loma Linda University (Not approved by the Board)
Online Bachelors Programs
- Emerson College
- Northern Arizona University
- Eastern New Mexico University
- Arizona State University
- Utah State University
Schools with Bachelors Degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders
- California State University of Fullerton
- California State University of Los Angeles
- California State University of Long Beach
- California State University of Sacramento
- California State University of San Marcos
- California State University of East Bay
- California State University of Chico
- University of the Pacific
- University of Redlands
- Loma Linda University
- San Francisco State University
- San Jose State University
- Biola University
- California Baptist University
- Chapman University (Post-Bach only)
How to Become a Speech-Language-Pathologist (SLP)
- Get a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders
- Earn a master of science in speech-language-pathology
- Incorporates the required 400 clinical hours of experience
- Complete a clinical fellowship
- Requires 1,260 hours of mentored clinical experience
- Pass the Praxis exam
- Must score 162 points or higher out of 200 points
- Get certified by ASHA & the state
- Make sure to check the state requirements
- Gain more skills through CEU’s
Schools in California That Offer a Master's Degree in Speech Pathology
- CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY OF LOS ANGELES
- CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY OF LONG BEACH
- CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY OF SACRAMENTO
- CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY OF SAN MARCOS
- CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY OF EAST BAY
- CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY OF MONTEREY BAY
- CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY OF FRESNO
- CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY OF FULLERTON
- CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY OF NORTHRIDGE
- CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY OF CHICO
- UNIVERSITY OF THE PACIFIC
- UNIVERSITY OF REDLANDS
- LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY
- SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY
- SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY
- SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- BIOLA UNIVERSITY
- CALIFORNIA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
- CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY