speech-language pathologist
Are you patient and compassionate? Are you an effective communicator? Can you approach problems objectively? Do you have good listening skills? If so, speech pathology might be the career choice for you.
Speech-language pathologists work with people who cannot produce speech sounds or cannot produce them clearly; those with speech rhythm and fluency problems, such as stuttering; people with voice disorders, those with problems understanding and producing language; and those with cognitive communication impairments such as attention, memory and problem solving disorders. They also work with people who have swallowing difficulties.
Check out a day in the life of Rush University Speech Pathology Student, Lauren Mueller.
Watch a video on a Day in the Life of a Speech-Language Pathologist.
First Steps:
Enroll in various science classes, including biology and anatomy. Look for opportunities to volunteer with people who have speech, language or voice disorders.
Earnings:
Listed below are hourly/annual wages for both entry level and experienced speech language pathologists and the annual median hourly/annual wage.**
| Entry Wage |
Median Wage |
Experienced Wage |
| Hourly |
Annual |
Hourly |
Annual |
Hourly |
Annual |
| $20.67 |
$42,991 |
$31.84 |
$66,231 |
$38.45 |
$79,980 |
**Wage Data 2009, State of Illinois Department of Employment Security
Work Environment:
Although the work of a speech-language pathologist is not physically demanding, attention to detail and intense concentration is required. The emotional needs of clients and their families may be demanding.
Job Outlook:
The combination of growth in the occupation and an expected increase in retirements over the coming years should create excellent job opportunities for speech-language pathologists. As the members of the baby boomer generation continue to age, the possibility of neurological disorders and associated speech, language and swallowing impairments increases. Medical advances also are improving the survival rate of premature infants and trauma and stroke victims, who then need assessment and sometimes treatment.
Education:
- Eastern Illinois University, Charleston (Master's Degree)
- Governors State University, University Park (Master's Degree)
- Illinois State University, Normal (Master's Degree)
- Northern Illinois University, DeKalb (Master's Degree)
- Northwestern University, Evanston (Master's Degree)
- Rush University, Chicago (Master's Degree)
- Saint Xaivier University, Chicago (Master's Degree)
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale (Master's Degree)
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville (Master's Degree)
- University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Champaign (Master's Degree)
- Western Illinois University, Macomb (Master's Degree)
Licensure Requirements:
- Certification of a doctoral degree from an approved program.
- Passage of the PRAXIS examination or certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or from the American Board of Audiology.
- Certification of completion of the equivalent of nine months of full-time supervised professional experience.
- Complete work history since completion of a doctoral degree program.
- The fee for application for initial audiologist license of $90. Additionally, applicants for any examination shall be required to pay a fee covering the cost of determining an applicant's eligibility and providing the examination.
Professional Organization: