At the same time, the population is aging and is better educated about the impact of communication disorders, so the need for speech therapists will continue to increase. From understanding the physiology of speech to learning about specific disorders, these classes will prepare you for a successful career. A degree in speech pathology will teach you about the anatomy and physiology of speech, rehabilitation, and more. BYU's degree in communication disorders teaches students the anatomy and essential processes of language, speech, and hearing.
Earning your bachelor's degree is a fundamental first step in becoming a speech-language pathologist. Then, you must earn a master's degree in speech-language pathology (MS-SLP) in an accredited program or in a state of accreditation by the Academic Accreditation Council (CAA), depending on state requirements. Speech-language pathologists (SLP) diagnose and treat patients who have speech disorders and communication problems related to speech and language, whether on a physical or cognitive level. With the help and guidance of a speech-language pathologist, a patient's quality of life can be dramatically improved through better social interaction, educational growth, and career opportunities.
Your tasks may include maintaining medical records, preparing diagnostic equipment, and implementing therapeutic programs as prescribed by the speech therapist. Speech-language pathologists use standard methods, such as articulation therapy and language intervention activities, to help patients overcome their communication problems. If possible, choose a specialization that relates to your career goals, such as communication sciences and disorders (CSD), psychology, education, linguistics, English, or language development. Speech therapists, or speech-language pathologists (SLP), work with patients who have one of the eight most important speech disorders.
After finishing your master's program in speech therapy, you must complete 1260 hours of clinical experience and a minimum of 36 weeks of full-time experience (or its part-time equivalent) working under the guidance of a mentor certified by the Certificate of Clinical Competency in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) over a two-year period. Instead of focusing on general education requirements, you'll attend classes in speech and hearing science exclusively for four intensive quarters.
