About The Bachelors In Speech
Speech-language pathologists assess, diagnose and treat disorders related to speech and language, including cognitive communication, vocal, swallowing and fluency conditions. Your undergraduate studies anticipate this pathway. Courses across general education, speech-language pathology, teaching and electives expose you to the academic rigor, theories and clinical experiences you should expect in a corresponding graduate program.
Getting you here, UCO structures the bachelors in speech-language pathology as a successive sequence, with each course functioning as a prerequisite of the next. In the process, subjects cover related special education, early childhood, family relations, child development and psychology topics, as well as technical competencies youll need in your graduate studies and eventually as a practicing speech-language pathologist in various settings.
In addition to preparing to you to apply to a masterslevel speech-language pathology, communication sciences and disorders or audiology program, your undergraduate studies:
Experience and Practicum Assignments
Each student must complete 30 hours of directed observation of clinical evaluation and treatment procedures prior to enrolling in a practicum assignment. While there is no required minimum for a given disorder or age group, students must observe a variety and range of clinical procedures related to each disorder area and age group, as well as including evaluation and treatment procedures.
Speech Language Pathology Assistant
The Elms Speech Language Pathology Assistant degrees and certificate are school focused, preparing you to assist speech-language pathologists with improving childrens ability to learn, read, write, and communicate with others in the classroom.
Our programs online delivery method is designed to prepare you for the job market wherever you live. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in speech-language professions is expected to grow 19 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average of all occupations.
The 20- and 21-month online SLPA programs include plans of study for earning an associates degree, second bachelors degree, or certificate, or completing a bachelors degree. Individuals must have an associates degree in order to apply to the SLPA bachelors degree completion program.
in which you plan to seek employment before beginning this program.)
You may apply to a program with the required official high school or GED transcript or an associates degree, or bachelors degree, satisfy Elms core requirements, and complete the prescribed curriculum of your specific degree program. When you finish the degree or certificate program, you will be awarded the appropriate degree or certificate.
All classes are held online and taught by Elms faculty. By completing your coursework in a 20- or 21-month period, you can save thousands of dollars by completing your degree in this uniquely affordable program.
Whats The Market Outlook For Bs In Communication Sciences And Disorders Graduates
High growth potential
While salaries vary depending on factors like setting, experience, and which field you pursue, employees in the communication sciences industry report higher-than-average salaries in careers like speech-language pathology assistant ,* speech-language pathologist ,* and audiologist .**
Additionally, with the right blend of education and experience in SLP, you can ultimately qualify for roles like speech-language pathology director where average salaries can range between $79,000 and $110,000.
Rising industry demand
Demand for professionals with expertise in language disorders is on the rise. One reason is the countrys aging population. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that the number of people 65 and older will reach 98.2 million by 2060, and increased age can mean more hearing and speech issues. Additionally, advancements in technology and patient care have improved early detection of hearing and speech disorders especially in infants and children.
Its easy to see why jobs in speech, hearing, and language development are projected to grow between 2019 to 2029, including for speech-language pathologists and audiologists .**
Diverse career paths
Its a career path with incredible potential and this is your chance to make a lasting impact in the lives of others.
Don’t Miss: What Is The Language In Ukraine
What Is Speech Therapy Influence On Communication
People that have voice, speech, comprehension, or feeding issues can seek support from trained and licensed professionals in speech language pathology. Speech therapy is a form of therapeutic intervention that can help individuals develop better habitual functioning in communication, which can allow for better learning opportunities and better vocalizations and language development.
Speech therapists can be found in a wide variety of settings. In the field of education, speech therapists can work with students that have been identified as having language delays or problems with language comprehension. In this setting, students can work individually with speech therapists as well as in groups with other learners.
Children and adults can also utilize speech therapy services through language centers within their community. Professionals in speech therapy can assist clients with normal physical development or even individuals that have been diagnosed with physical or mental disabilities.
Our team of experts has reviewed the area of speech therapy in order to provide you with more information into what this practice actually is and the people that can be affected by it. Read more in the guide below to learn more about this fascinating field.
Speech Pathology Certifications To Advance Your Career
While a graduate degree and state licensure are required to work as a speech pathologist, specialized certifications can benefit professionals in many ways. Certification tells potential employers and clients that a practitioner has the professional training and experience to provide quality care. Some certifications also require practitioners to continue their education, ensuring they are up to date on best practices and scientific research in their field. Below are two certifications you can get with an online bachelor’s in speech pathology.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association C-SLPA certification: You can become a certified SLPA after getting an online bachelor’s, associate degree, or certificate in a related speech therapy area from an accredited institution. Individuals may also apply if they have a minimum of a 2-year degree with relevant coursework in communication disorders or language development. They must pay a one-time fee, submit their application materials, and pass the Assistants Certification Exam.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association C-AA certification: Those who don’t meet the C-SLPA criteria can still become certified audiology assistants. Applicants must have either a bachelor’s degree, high school diploma, GED, or a military job series certificate in audiology. Practical hour requirements for certification vary based on the applicant’s educational qualifications.
Read Also: Father’s Speech At Son’s Wedding
Clinical Field Placement Services For Speech Pathology Degree Students
The practicum is an integral part of a masters in speech pathology, often requiring 400-plus hours of work in clinical settings. Depending on the program, placement services typically offered to on-campus students may not always extend to online speech-language pathology students living further away from campus. Online SLP programs offer varying levels of field placement services to help secure clinical sites for online students. Some programs will require that these students find placements on their own. Other programs will use the connections they have to find placements for online SLP students who are geographically close to the school but may not have the ability to place students who are farther away. There are also programs that are able to place students in a practicum site no matter where the student is located.
Some online SLP graduate programs require that a certain amount of practicum hours are completed at on-site clinics, so students may need to travel to the school for up to several weeks to complete those portions of the practicum. Think about what level of assistance you will want when securing your placements and how much you are able to travel if you do indeed need to go to campus for portions of the online program. These speech pathology clinical experiences may affect your preferred speech pathology job setting for your speech pathology career
Career Options For A Speech Pathologist
- Private Practice: Speech pathologists in the private setting can evaluate and provide treatment to a wide range of patients in a clinical setting. In private practice, you can choose to work with individuals presenting specific symptoms or work with clients with varying speech and language needs.
- Education: In the field of education, speech and language pathologists can work with children that have been diagnosed with speech related issues and have been identified as needing speech services in an individual education plan. Speech specialists may have their own classroom or work with children during normal school hours in the school setting.
- Rehabilitation/Residential Care Centers: Some specialists in speech pathology may work in residential centers that focus on care for the aging population or people with disabilities. Assisting people communicate in these areas can improve their overall quality of life, as well as the accuracy of their treatment services.
You May Like: Speech-language Pathology Assistant Programs Online
Finding The Right Graduate Program For You
For your future certification by ASHA, you must complete your graduate coursework and clinical practicum at an institution whose program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology . The CAA establishes accreditation standards for both academic coursework and clinical practicum experiences to prepare students to work independently as clinicians.
All CAA-accredited graduate programs in audiology and speech-language pathology must meet the same standards for required coursework and clinical practicum experiences. Each program has flexibility in how they meet those standards and may offer different options for specialty areas. For example, some programs may offer a multicultural or bilingual emphasis or may offer opportunities to carry out research projects as part of the program or as a paid assistantship.
Visit EdFind to search institutions that have graduate CSD programs. EdFind can help you search for facets that are important to you, including
- location by state
- prerequisites not required for admission or offered online
- online options/distance learning and
- multicultural or bilingual emphasis.
Establish a personal criteria. ASHA does not rank accredited programs, so think about what is important to you. Establishing your criteria will help you decide which program is best for you. For example, does the program . . .
Essay Or Writing Sample
An essay or writing sample gives you the chance to add depth to your application while also demonstrating your writing talents. CSD masters programs may require that your essay include elements such as a statement of purpose or a description of how your personal history ties into helping those with communication disorders.
Your writing gives admissions counselors insight into who you are as a person and how youve been working toward your career goals. When writing a statement of purpose, you may choose to include details about your interests, your background with speech-language pathology, and how your career goals align with the graduate program.
You May Like: Wise Guy Text To Speech
What To Expect From An Online Bachelors Degree In Speech Pathology
An online bachelor’s degree in SLP covers topics in liberal arts and sciences, as well as those related to speech, language, and hearing. Programs typically require 120 course hours, about 30 of which typically focus on language development, speech and language disorders, anatomy, physiology, and diagnostic procedures. Most programs also require supervised clinical placements where students observe professional speech pathologists conduct diagnostic and treatment sessions. For online students, these can usually be arranged at facilities nearby. Full-time students can complete an online speech therapy degree in four years, usually at their own pace within the program.
Most programs also require supervised clinical placements where students observe professional speech pathologists conduct diagnostic and treatment sessions.
Why Earn Your Bachelors In Communication Sciences And Disorders Online
Communication-based impairments in the United States are far more common than you think. In fact, an estimated 40 million Americans struggle with speech, language, and/or hearing disorders.* The numbers speak volumes: Expertise in communication sciences is needed now more than ever.
Earn your bachelors in communication sciences and disorders online from Maryville, and you can build your foundation in speech science, language development, and audiology. From there, you can pursue a masters degree or qualify to work as a speech-language pathology assistant **. Whatever path you choose, were here to make sure you gain the specialized knowledge and clinical skills to help patients of all ages develop, or regain, the ability to communicate.
When you pursue an online bachelors degree from Maryville, you earn a highly respected credential from a private, four-year institution thats ranked as one of Americas best colleges by U.S. News & World Report and Forbes.
More importantly, we designed our online bachelors programs to work around your schedule so you can change your life without disrupting it.
*American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Identify the Signs**Obtaining SLPA licensure or certification in any state is not guaranteed, students need to research their states specific licensing requirements
Flexible, affordable, and highly personalized
Benefit from streamlined admissions. Apply with no application fee or entrance exams, and choose from three start dates.
Also Check: Abc’s In Sign Language
Don’t Meet Admission Requirements
You can still gain admission to ASU through Earned Admission. Through this pathway, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.
To begin, submit an application to ASU. An enrollment coach will reach out with more information if the Earned Admission Pathway is right for you.
How We Rank Schools
Each year, the BestColleges Ranking Team evaluates hundreds of programs to produce our annual Best Bachelor’s in Speech Pathology ranking. In 2022, the team sourced the most recent data available from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Navigator, both of which are hosted by the National Center for Education Statistics. We identified 157 schools that qualify for our ranking list based on the following criteria.
- Each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution.
- Must offer a bachelor’s degree program in the given subject.
- Must submit an annual report to the National Center for Education Statistics.
To ensure the accuracy and quality of our final ranked list, the ranking team reviewed each qualifying school to ensure it met the criteria for our ranking, and then applied our proprietary ranking methodology to identify the best schools offering this program in the nation. Each school is ranked based on a formula measuring academic factors and affordability .
The BestColleges Ranking Team is made up of contributors from our data science and product management teams. These contributors operate independently from the editorial team. All BestColleges school rankings are produced by the ranking team and are free of editorial influence. Read our Editorial Policy and Standards to learn more.
Read Also: Sign Language For Hearing Impaired
Learning Goals And Objectives
Goal 1
Students will learn the concepts, theories, and findings pertaining to human communication in preparation for graduate study in speech-language pathology or audiology.
- Student Outcome 1.1 Demonstrate knowledge of biological, neurological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, linguistic, and cultural bases of basic human communication and swallowing processes.
- Student Outcome 1.2 Demonstrate beginning knowledge of the etiologies and characteristics of speech, language, swallowing, and hearing development and disorders.
- Student Outcome 1.3 Demonstrate knowledge of the general principles of prevention, assessment, and intervention of speech, language, swallowing, and hearing disorders.
Goal 2
Students will develop critical thinking, analytical and reasoning skills.
- Student Outcome 2.1 Demonstrate basic understanding of the general principles and practices of evidence-based practice, theoretical models, and their clinical applications.
- Student Outcome 2.2 Demonstrate an integrated basic knowledge of neurological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, linguistic, and cultural bases of basic human communication disorders and swallowing processes into written clinical observation reports and/or writing assignments.
Goal 3
Students will develop their written and oral communication skills and information literacy.
How Can I Build On What I Learn In A Speech Pathology Bachelors Degree Program
While a bachelors degree in speech-language pathology prepares students for a nice variety of careers, build upon it with a masters or doctoral degree and youll be eligible for the lead role as either a speech-language pathologist or audiologist, and the top salaries that come with it.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , SLPs earned an average salary of $83,240 as of May 2020. Top earners in this profession earned about $122,790 during this time. During the same period, the BLS reported an average salary of $89,230 for audiologists and a top salary of about $128,160.
Although the BLS does not maintain salary stats for SLPAs and audiologist assistants, ASHA reports that these professionals earn about 60 70% of what SLPs and audiologists earn.
SLPs also enjoy opportunities to earn specialty certification, specialize their area of practice according to patient type , disorder , and setting , and branch out as independent practitioners.
EXPLORE SLP BACHELORS PROGRAMS!
Also Check: Speech Therapy Online Free For Adults
What Are Online Speech Pathology Programs
In higher education, institutions are constantly seeking ways to draw in more students to innovative degree programs. In the most recent years, colleges all over the country have found unique ways to make gaining a higher degree even more convenient for students within very specific convenience needs.
Online degree programs are those that require students to attend their courses via the internet. Most schools have their own websites that include a link to the online classroom, which can look different depending on the type of degree program you are enrolled in.
Does My Speech And Hearing Science Degree Say ‘online’
No, Arizona State Universityâs diplomas donât specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say âArizona State University.â Thatâs because ASU Online students learn from the same faculty and receive the same course content as in-person students receive.
You May Like: Thrive And Shine Speech Therapy
Already Have Your Bachelors Degree In A Different Subject
Earn your online certificate in communication sciences and disorders instead.
If youre hoping to pursue a career in speech-language pathology or audiology, youll need to earn a masters degree. But graduate programs in the field require a bachelors-level understanding of speech, language, hearing, and swallowing disorders.
If you already have a bachelors degree in another subject, we can help you bridge the gap between undergraduate and graduate studies. With your 100% online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Communication Sciences and Disorders, you can build the foundational knowledge to qualify you for a graduate degree in this rewarding and growing field.
In this 47-credit certificate program, youll have the opportunity to work with industry-experienced professors in a practical, project-based curriculum, so you can build the real-world skills and experience to hit the ground running when you begin your masters program. Participate in guided observation and build your clinical skills in speech-language pathology through coursework in areas like anatomy and physiology, speech and hearing science, speech development and disorders, speech pathology, audiology, and neurological causes of communication disorders.
At Maryville, were focused on your future. With this streamlined certificate program in communication sciences and disorders, we can help you get there quicker.