| Being a speech pathologist is a very rewarding | | | | are completed, those applying for certification |
| career. Unfortunately, there are many children | | | | must complete the Speech-Language Pathology |
| who have speech problems that must be rectified. | | | | Clinical Fellowship (SLPCF) experience. This |
| The good thing is that those speech problems can | | | | experience is acquired by completing 36 weeks |
| be fixed with speech therapy, which is the main | | | | working full time in a clinical practice. After that, |
| duty of a speech pathologist. When the problem is | | | | the Praxis exam in Speech-Language Pathology |
| caught early, fixing it isn't too much of a problem. | | | | must be completed. Once this is completed, it is |
| Speech pathologists also work with adults who | | | | then up to the individual to comply with the |
| have had some sort of brain trauma that has | | | | Certification Maintenance requirements that are |
| affected their speech. They can be rehabilitated | | | | outlined after certification is acquired. Certification |
| so that they can communicate. | | | | Maintenance is where you are able to maintain |
| If you are entertaining the idea of becoming a | | | | your certification after it is awarded to you. This |
| speech pathologist, it is important that you know | | | | is so you can continue to practice as a Speech |
| the requirements. The requirements are: | | | | Pathologist. |
| Biological Science | | | | It may seem like there is a lot involved in |
| Physical Science | | | | becoming a Speech Pathologist, but it is important |
| Mathematics | | | | that a Speech Pathologist be very well trained in |
| Behavioral Sciences | | | | helping people to speak properly. It is a very |
| Social Sciences | | | | rewarding career that can help a lot of individuals |
| These are the courses that must be completed | | | | both big and small. |
| before applying for certification in speech-language | | | | As for where you can be employed, you can find |
| pathology. | | | | jobs in school systems, in hospitals, and in clinics. |
| If you attend a graduate program that holds | | | | You may even wish to have your own practice |
| accreditation from the Council on Academic | | | | where individuals can bring their children to have |
| Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language | | | | you help them to develop their speech skills. |
| Pathology (CAA), then you shouldn't have an issue | | | | There are many possibilities for you and it is a job |
| meeting those requirements. The coursework | | | | that comes with great pay and it is very |
| usually has you completing the requirements that | | | | rewarding. Someone who is able to communicate |
| are set forth by the CAA. They are embedded in | | | | is someone who will have a much better quality |
| the coursework. You can look at your syllabus | | | | of life. If a child grows up not being able to speak |
| and more or less bet that what you complete will | | | | properly, this severely hampers them socially. |
| help you to complete the knowledge | | | | When they are compromised socially, it does not |
| requirements. | | | | do much for their self-esteem. For adults who |
| There are also skills requirements. Those | | | | have had neurological issues that have resulted in |
| requirements are usually completed by doing | | | | speech problems, being able to speak improves |
| clinicals through your college or university. There | | | | their quality of life and also does well for their |
| are 400 clinical hours that are required. You have | | | | self-esteem. |
| 25 hours in which you must observe and 375 | | | | So if you're looking for a great career, this is |
| hours in which you are in contact with the patent. | | | | definitely one that you can get involved in. It may |
| 325 of those hours are completed when you are | | | | seem as if it takes quite a while to break into the |
| at the graduate level. | | | | world of Speech Pathology, but you'll be glad once |
| Once the academic coursework and the clincals | | | | you are there. |