When you think of speech-language pathology, what comes to mind: children with a lisp, a stutter or hearing loss? Sure, speech-language pathologists help people with these problems but they also treat the elderly and other adults, people with Parkinson’s, autism, swallowing disorders, brain injuries, and cleft palate. Some additional areas include working with an ear-nose and throat doctor to provide therapy for people with voice disorders and working with people who have had strokes to help them recover communication abilities. Some SLPs assist children with articulation issues from preschool through high school. They are often part of a team that can include psychologists and social workers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, surgeons and other medical professionals. Serving so many different populations, it’s no wonder that speech-language pathologists are in such great demand.
- From 2018 to 2028, the job market for SLPs is expected to grow by 27%, much faster than the average profession.
- Compensation has begun to keep pace with the 2019 median salary near $80,000 a year.
- Flexible full and part-time schedules make the field accessible to a wide range of candidates, who will also have the option of Telepractice (providing services on screen).
Speech-language pathology is an attractive profession requiring a balance of “left” and “right” brain attributes and a master’s degree. Whether your goal is to work in education or healthcare, our combination of classroom preparation and field experience helping students and patients will provide you with everything you need for a rewarding career as a speech-language pathologist.
A Program That Speaks To You
You’ve made the decision to pursue Speech-Language Pathology as a profession and now, you need to decide where to pursue your training and your advanced degree. So, what’s the biggest difference between programs?
Think of it this way: SLP is an inherently personalized profession. We commonly work with clients one-on-one developing treatments for their individual needs. So, when we looked at many of the large graduate SLP programs offered by New England state and Boston private colleges and universities, we opted for a different approach with smaller class sizes and more personalized attention to students. By crafting a customized program, we can accommodate non-traditional students such as career-changers with late afternoon and evening classes and offer a structured part-time option. Your learning experience as a graduate student will mirror your future work in the profession: created for the individual.
As a Speech-Language Pathologist, you will be able to work with clients of all ages and backgrounds, within a wide array of settings including hospitals and clinics, nursing homes, private practices, and schools. The mission of our program is to prepare you to enter the field of speech-language pathology with the skills necessary to assess and to treat a diverse population of individuals, to Integrate Scholarship and Policy into Practice and To Serve and Lead in the Community.
Speech-Language Pathology Outcomes
Upon completion of the MS in Speech-Language Pathology, students will demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and professional standards:
- Knowledge of anatomical and physiological aspects of typical and atypical speech, language, hearing, cognition and swallowing processes, and genetic and pathophysiological processes affecting these functions.
- Clinical skills to screen, assess, diagnose and provide appropriate interventions for individuals with communication and/or swallowing disorders across a diverse population, as well as develop programs to prevent loss of communication functions.
- Ability to critically evaluate research, integrate theory, and apply evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning skills in order to problem solve within practical and clinical settings.
- A professional code of conduct within the field of speech-language pathology and audiology that is commensurate with the standards of the profession, including integrity, accountability, ethical conduct, communication, cultural competency, and patient care.
- Knowledge of interprofessionalism in healthcare, and be able to collaborate with other health professionals to provide quality comprehensive services to individuals with diverse needs and backgrounds.
Where do Speech Language Pathologists work?
Speech-Language Pathologists work with clients of all ages and backgrounds, within a wide array of settings including hospitals and clinics, nursing homes, private practices, and schools.
The master of science program in speech-language pathology at Regis College is an Applicant for Candidacy by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 1.800.498.2071 or 1.301.296.5700.
