About the Profession of Speech - Language Pathology

• National projections show a growing need for speech-language pathologists (SLP) in all settings.
• SLP's are knowledgeable about the nature, evaluation and treatment of all types of communication problems that affect interpersonal communication.
• SLP's work with speech, language, cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders in individuals of all ages. 
• SLP's determine the extent to which they can provide and/or recommend adequate services for habilitation or rehabilitation of persons with the following disorders:
  • Articulation
  • Fluency
  • Voice and resonance (including respiration and phonation)
  • Receptive and expressive language
  • Hearing (including the impact on speech and language)
  • Swallowing (oral, pharyngeal, esophageal, and related functions, including oral function for feeding;  orofacial myofunction
  • Cognitive assessments of communication (attention, memory, sequencing, problem–solving, executive functioning )
  • Social aspects of communication (challenging behavior, ineffective social skills, and lack of communication opportunities)
  • Communication modalities (including oral, manual, augmentative and alternative communication techniques, and assistive technologies.

In addition, SLPs conduct research, supervise and direct clinical programs, develop new products and methods, manage agencies, clinics or private practices, and teach in universities and other settings.

SLP’s work in many settings, including:

• Public schools
• Hospitals
• Private Clinics
• University Centers
• Health Centers
• Government Agencies and many other settings

ASHA

The American Speech-Language Hearing  Association  (ASHA) sets the standards for attainment of the Certification of Clinical Competence (CCC).  To be eligible to apply for the CCC, students at TWU must:

Complete ta Master’s Degree in SLP which includes at least 44 hours of academic coursework.

• Clinical coursework and practicum which includes 400 practicum hours across all disorder types and ages
• Completion of a professional clinical case study or other research project
• Passage of a comprehensive examination
• Passage of the PRAXIS National Examination in Speech-Language Pathology
• Completion of 9 months (full-time) externship

For more information about the profession see the ASHA  website’s Fact Sheet for Speech-Language Pathology,