SLP and Audiology: The Basics
- Speech-Language Pathology (SLP)
- SLPs evaluate, diagnose, and treat people of all ages with speech, language, cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders.
- You must have a clinical Master's degree, with certification from ASHA, in order to be a practicing SLP.
- Once you earn the degree and ASHA certification, you are qualified to work in any setting (hospital, school, nursing home, clinic, etc.) with any age group.
- SLP Master's programs are typically two years if you have completed the prerequisite coursework.
- Otherwise (as will probably be the case for most St. Mary's grads), the programs are typically three years.
- In this case, the first year of the program is usually comprised of the undergraduate coursework.
- The undergraduate coursework is then streamlined into the graduate coursework for the second and third years.
- Note that not all schools offer a three-year program. Make sure you do your research before choosing the schools you will apply to!
- You can also choose to pursue a post-bac, or take undergraduate classes part-time, and then apply to a two-year graduate program once you are finished the prerequisites.
- [Be aware that doing the coursework on your own may be difficult logistically, as you may not get accesss to / priority for classes as a part-time student.]
- Audiology
- Audiologists identify, evaluate, and manage patients with disorders of the hearing or vestibular system (resulting in hearing and/or balance problems).
- You must have a Au.D. (Doctor of Audiology), with certification from ASHA, in order to be a practicing audiologist.
- Typical Program Length: 4 years full time, including summers.
- There are also combined Au.D. / Ph.D. programs with an additional focus on research, for those looking for both clinical and research opportunities.
- Typical Program Length: 6-7 years full time, including summers.
- If you are looking solely into audiology research without the clinical component, you can opt for a straight Ph.D. program.
- This is a great resource for deciding which type of audiology program you should pursue: Audiology.org's resource for students
- Once you complete the program and obtain ASHA certification, you are eligible to work in a variety of settings.
- Many programs have prerequisites, and these prerequisites are not available at St. Mary's. Click here for a listing of some of the common required courses.
- Audiologists identify, evaluate, and manage patients with disorders of the hearing or vestibular system (resulting in hearing and/or balance problems).
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