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Are you interested in learning how to become a speech therapist? Speech therapists, more properly called called speech-language pathologists help people who have mental or physical impediments that cause problems with vocal communication. This page will show you how to become a speech therapist.
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A Day In The Life Of A Speech Language Pathologist (Pt 1)
The best way to learn about a career is to job shadow someone working in that field. If you can't find a Speech-Language Pathologist to shadow, this video may help you learn about the field. It features interviews with several school based speech language pathologists, describing the different things they do during the day.
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Introduction
Speech therapy is a field with excellent job prospects, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos099.htm After deciding that speech therapy is right for you, you'll need to attend school, probably earning a master's degree, and get licensed to practice. -
Step 1: What Does a Speech Therapist Do?
Speech therapists work with patents who have difficulty using the muscles of the throat of mouth. These difficulties can be congenital, or occur as the result of a stroke, accident, or disease. Some of their patients have cognitive difficulties as well. In addition to problems communicating, speech therapists also work with people who have trouble swallowing.Speech therapists work in hospitals, schools, rehabilitation facilities, public health, and private practice.
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Step 2: Education Required to Become a Speech Therapist
Although there are undergraduate programs in speech pathology, most speech therapists continue on for a master's degree, ans most jobs require a masters.http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos099.htm#training Speech pathology programs generally include courses in:- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Course work in speech, language, and swallowing
- Acoustics
- Psychology of communication
Graduate programs also usually include clinical training.
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Step 3: Speech Therapist Certification and Licensing
47 states require speech therapists to be licensed.http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos099.htm#training The requirements for licensing vary by state, but may include:- Graduation from an accredited program
- Passing a national certification exam
- 300-375 hours of clinical training
- 9 months of post graduate work experience
Some states have a lower level of licensing available to speech therapists who work in pubic schools.
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Step 4: Find Work
Once you have completed the above for the particular state you wish to work in, it is time to start searching for a job. Speech therapists may seek work in:
- Rehabilitation centers
- In schools, which may require additional certification for teaching credentials
- Hospitals
- Private practice
- Clinics
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