Speech Language Pathologists : How Long Does It Take to Become a Speech Pathologist?

To become a speech pathologist, one must complete a four-year bachelor's degree as well as a master's degree, which could take anywhere from three to five semesters. Discover how long it might take to get into the field with information from the owner and operator of a speech and language therapy clinic in this free video on speech pathologist careers.

Expert: Amy Howard
Contact: www.speech4kidz.com
Bio: Amy Howard is a speech and language pathologist in Wilmington, N.C.
Filmmaker: Rendered Communications

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• therapy
• careers
• speech
• therapist
• pathologist
• therapists
• language

[frightenedrabbitfan]

ummm you have to have the undergrad in Communication Disorders. Plan on having above a 3.5 to get into grad school. Take that gosh darn GRE exam (take a prep class), then it's about 2-3 years in a masters, which for a lot of programs includes the clinicals, then you take that ridiculous exam. It's a major hassle - you have to love it! Job placement is outstanding but grad school is very competitive. Personally - worth it!

[lovelivelaugh004]

I thought you had to have your masters to become a speech and language pathologist?

[CarlyKnowles]

@Fawnonthelawn Three to four years for a masters??!?

[Ruthlyn]

@carboner10 omg I HATE her accent too...god please stop talking!! *COVERS EARS*

[FawnontheLawn]

@alwayzdaydreamin17

It's 4 years for a bachelors (some people take longer because they don't pass all of the required courses). Then it's 3-4 years for a masters degree. Make sure you research and understand how much all that school is going to cost and how much in loans you will have to take out. Weigh that in when you decide if you want to be a SLP.

[DggydgJill]

@carboner10 If you knew anything about the scope of practice for a speech-language pathologist, you would know that dialect is not a disorder. Therefore, she probably does a perfectly fine job as an SLP. Also, while working with clients, (if you really try) you can shape your own speech to be more Standard American English and drop any accents/dialects that you feel my inhibit progress with a client. Her dialect is not even THAT bad.

[alwayzdaydreamin17]

can someone tell me how long does it take to become a speech pathologist? im17, and she didnt really tell me what i needed to know because im seeing other things that i would have to do when im researching this. Im guessing 4 years for bachelors and 1 for masters? so 5?...im just confused , i read somewhere that your masters could take 3 years!

[zjscott88]

You totally missed the part about passing the ASHA exam after youve completed your masters degree. After all that, then you do your clinical fellowship hours. After that, then you get licensed and you work in ur state and field (school setting, nursing home, hospital, rehab) of choice.

[carboner10]

People are coming to this woman for learning how to speak? God help her, she needs a speech pathologist of her own to get rid of that horrendous accent.

[SpeechCoach1]

Maybe I missed the part when you explained the process of "license and certification" and whether or not you need a license to work in the school setting.