SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY
Speech-language pathologists assess and treat
patients who have speech, language, voice,
fluency, or oral motor disorders. They also
assist people who wish to improve their
communication skills through changes in vocal
pitch, quality, or accent. Speech-language
pathologists utilize special instruments and tests
to develop individualized treatment plans for
patients.
Prevention
Screening
Assessment
Treatment
Follow-up
Administration
Supervision
Teaching
Research |
- Schools, K-12
- Universities and colleges
- Hospitals
- Physicians' offices
- Speech, language, and hearing centers
- Home healthcare offices
- Nursing homes
- Residential facilities
Federal agencies including:
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- National Institutes of Health
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Department of Education
- Armed Services
- Health Maintenance Organizations
- Private individual or group practice
- Public health departments
- Rehabilitation centers
|
A master's degree from an accredited speechlanguage
pathology program is required to enter the field.
Forty-five states require licensure or certification of
speech pathologists.
Obtain the Certificate of Clinical Competence in
Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) offered by
the American Speech-Language-Hearing
Association.
A passing score on the national examination and postgraduate supervised clinical experience are
required for certification.
Some states may require additional certification to
work with special education populations in public
schools.
Approximately one half of speech-language
pathologists work in schools and another half are employed in healthcare institutions.
A doctorate is required for university teaching and
research positions.
Speech pathologists may work closely with physicians, social workers, psychologists, and other therapists in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
Supplement coursework with classes in anatomy, physiology, psychology, and personal communication. |
AUDIOLOGY
Audiologists identify, diagnosis, and treat people
experiencing disorders associated with the ear
and hearing. These disorders may include
hearing loss or balance problems. Audiologists
utilize technical equiptment such as
audiometers and computers to assess a patient's
ability to hear sounds of varying volume levels
and to distinguish sounds of varying difference.
Audiologists are also concerned with the nature
and extent of hearing loss.
Prevention
Screening
Assessment
Treatment
Follow-up
Administration
Supervision
Teaching
Research
|
- Schools, K-12
- Universities and colleges
- Hospitals
- Physicians' offices
- Speech, language, and hearing centers
- Home healthcare offices
- Nursing homes
- Residential facilities
- Federal agencies including:
- Department of
- Veterans Affairs
- National Institutes of Health
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Department of Education
- Armed Services
- Health Maintenance
- Organizations
- Private individual or group practice
- Public health departments
- Rehabilitation centers
|
Most states require a Master's degree in audiology to be eligible for licensure.
Doctoral degrees are becoming more crucial for
clinical practice opportunities.
Forty-seven states require licensure or certification of
audiologists to practice.
Obtain the Certificate of Clinical Competence in
Audiology (CCC-A) offered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
A passing score on the national examination and postgraduate supervised clinical experience are
required for certification.
Doctoratal degree required for university teaching and
research positions.
Supplement coursework with classes in science, math, physics, genetics, and normal and abnormal
communication development |
