How to Become a Speech Pathologist: A Step-by-Step Guide

Before filling out your application, double-check that you meet all the criteria needed to be eligible for the program. Some programs require completed coursework, degrees or even volunteer and work experience.

Prerequisite Coursework for Speech Pathology Degree Programs

If your bachelor’s degree was in an area other than communication science and disorders (CSD), you may need to take CSD-related prerequisites before applying to your desired graduate speech-language pathology programs. A few online master’s in speech pathology programs offer these as optional courses that can be taken during your first semester or before application. However, many speech pathology master’s programs require completion of this coursework before candidates apply.

Additionally, applicants to online speech pathology graduate programs accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) must complete undergraduate coursework in biology, physics, chemistry, statistics, social sciences and behavioral sciences. The specific course requirements are explained in ASHA’s course content standards. In some cases, physics requirements can be fulfilled by coursework in either chemistry or physics. Be sure to check with the specific schools to see how many credits you’ll need.

Some programs may also require 25 ASHA-certified observation hours before applying, though typically, these hours will be part of your master’s in SLP curriculum.

Speech Pathology Program Application Requirements

Speech pathology graduate programs often have application requirements that include:

• A bachelor’s degree
• Completion of prerequisites
• Strong GPA: Many online programs require a 3.0 GPA and are competitive even if the requirement is lower
• GRE test scores
• Transcripts
• A résumé
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal statement

Once you confirm that you can fulfill these requirements, you can choose the best speech pathology school program for you and complete your master’s in speech pathology application.

After getting into speech pathology school, a graduate degree in speech-language pathology will typically take about three years to complete, though some can be completed in less time. SLP programs have two main components: coursework and practicum or fieldwork requirements.

Speech Pathology Coursework

Speech pathology graduate programs typically cover topics such as:

• Fluency
• Voice and resonance
• Articulation
• Receptive and expressive language
• Swallowing
• Hearing and its impact on language
• Cognitive and social aspects of communication
• Augmentative and alternative methods of communication

Your program may also require you to take other courses or electives. If you speak more than one language, you may wish to enroll in a speech pathology program that offers a bilingual speech pathology concentration. Make sure you choose a program that offers you the opportunity to pursue your preferred specialty.

Speech Therapy Master’s Programs Clinical Practicum and Field Placement Components

All ASHA-accredited programs require a minimum of 400 hours of supervised clinical experience. You must dedicate at least 375 hours to direct client contact, while a minimum of 25 hours must be clinical observation experience. Of the 400 hours, 325 must be completed at the graduate level. Supervision must occur at least 25% of the time you work with each client or patient. Some programs may require you to complete observation hours before applying to the program.

Most speech pathology master’s programs distribute clinical experience over several semesters. While many programs allow students to work while in school, you must be available for various practicum requirements. Some programs may require you to be on campus to complete clinical hours; others may place you in clinical settings near your place of residence. Some programs require students to complete all their practicum hours consecutively for several weeks, while others allow you to complete these hours over a longer period, such as a couple of days each week. Depending on the program you choose, you may be required to spread these hours across different sites or populations.

Once you have your speech pathology degree and have completed the practicum, you are ready to complete your clinical fellowship year. 

Learn about scholarships to help finance your education.

After earning your master’s in speech pathology, your state will likely require you to complete a clinical fellowship year. You may need to apply for a temporary or intern license to do this in some states. Learn more about SLP internship opportunities. Check your state’s requirements to see if this is a step you need to complete.

To become a licensed SLP, you must complete a clinical fellowship (CF) year if required by your state. ASHA requirements typically are the basis of many state requirements. You’ll also need to meet ASHA’s requirements if you apply for an ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence–Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). 

The fellowship typically consists of at least 1,260 hours of professional experience (35 hours per week over 36 weeks or equivalent). You must complete it under a supervisor holding an ASHA CCC, according to ASHA. Specific requirements can vary in some states. At least 80% of your major responsibilities as a fellow should involve direct client contact and relate to managing communication and swallowing disorders. Weeks where you work fewer than five hours will not contribute to the experience requirement in states that defer to ASHA requirements. For ASHA certification, you must complete your fellowship within 48 months of starting.

During the CF experience, you must continue to receive mentoring and evaluation. Your mentor must complete at least 36 supervisory activities, including 18 one-hour, on-site observations (a maximum of six may be completed in one day). Six must be completed during each third of the fellowship experience. The other 18 monitoring activities are divided throughout the experience in the same fashion and include evaluations of written reports and conferences with your supervisor or colleagues.

At the end of the clinical fellowship, your mentor will submit a report and rating form. This confirms you have acquired the necessary skills. This form will be submitted to ASHA if you decide to apply for your CCC.

ASHA recommends you take the exam during your clinical fellowship or within a year of beginning postgraduate clinical experience. A passing score for ASHA certification is 162 on a 100-200 scale.

All states require licensure to practice as a speech pathologist, but requirements for licensure varies from state to state.

In many states, obtaining the ASHA CCC can fulfill many of the requirements for becoming a speech therapist. The same criteria for the CCC are often the standard for state licensure, but a CCC isn’t usually required to obtain state licensure. However, requirements for state licensure may change if you hold a higher degree in the field. There may be other exceptions, with certain states waiving requirements for physicians, federal employees and other professionals. It’s always best to check with your state licensing board to ensure you meet all requirements or qualify for the available exceptions.

Additionally, some states may require those for whom English is a second language to demonstrate proficiency in English. If you speak more than one language fluently, you may also want to explore becoming a bilingual speech pathologist.

If you need or want to obtain your CCC-SLP, you must submit an application with the following to ASHA:

• Passing praxis exam scores
• Graduate transcript
• Clinical fellowship report and rating form
• Disclosure documents
• Fees

ASHA fees by applicant type:

• National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) conversion: $286
• Certification and ASHA membership: $511
• Certification without ASHA membership: $455
• Dual certification: $256

Data from ASHA, last updated September 2023.

Once you are certified and licensed, you will need to maintain these credentials through continued education and renewal fees. Learn more about state requirements for maintaining licensure from ASHA.

Requirements for maintaining a CCC-SLP:
• 30 hours of certification maintenance each three-year cycle, submitted via a compliance form, including one hour in ethics and at least two hours in cultural competency, cultural humility, culturally responsive practice or diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)
• Abiding by the ASHA code of ethics
• Payment of annual dues or annual certification fee

Annual dues by member type:

• Certified member: $225
• Graduate student certified member: $135
• Member without certification: $84
• Certified nonmember: $199
• Life member: $64
• International affiliate: $75
• Assistants: $125

Data from ASHA, last updated September 2023.