<p>I just became really interested in this field. I've been doing some research on it, and I know that I'll need a MA in Speech-Language Pathology to work in the field, but does anyone know if it's absolutely necessary to have an undergrad degree in something like speech pathology or communication disorders to get into a masters program? Or if it's possible but really difficult? My school doesn't have any classes in speech pathology/communication disorders or anything like that (except for one education course on language development but you need to be an education major to take it...). </p>
<p>Anybody else interested in this field? Or is in this field already? I'm really interested in possibly becoming a speech therapist, it sounds really rewarding and sounds like something I'd be interested in doing, but I guess I don't really know a ton about it as a career. If anyone has any information in general about speech language pathology, it would be awesome to hear from you!</p>
<p>This is something I was thinking about as well. I already have a bachelors (non-science). There were approximately 13 prerequisite courses I would have to take before the Masters, so I’m not sure if I will go through with it or not.</p>
<p>Hi
I am a speech therapist. However I went back to get my masters approx. 10 yrs after my undergraduate degree. I did have to take the undergraduate courses before the graduate courses, so it took me longer than 2 years to get my masters.
Its a great field though…and there is a huge shortage of speech therapists, at least in CA. PM me if you have any questions.</p>
<p>Does your college offer linguistics classes? I would suggest taking them. A linguistics background would be very helpful for applying to language pathology because much of the vocabulary and theory overlap. I’m a linguistics major at my college and I know that many of my fellow majors are hoping to go to graduate school for language pathology. They are also taking courses in the Education department…</p>
<p>If you want to be a SLP in the school system, take as many special ed. classes as you can fit in as well as psych, educational statistics and anatomy and physiology. You will have to take certain prereqs. as well, but there is such demand in the field that even if it takes you an extra year or so, the payoff will be worth it.</p>
<p>I don’t have a speech-language pathology/communication disorders major either (psychology). The route I am planning to take is to apply to grad schools that accept non-SLP majors (some even emphasize on their website that they encourage different majors to apply) and allow them to take the prerequisites a graduate student. This does limit me in which schools I can apply to, but I personally did not want to go through the application process twice. However, the other route (taking prerequisites, then applying to grad program) does allow you to get a feel for what the classes are like before you enter the master’s program. londob posted the link to ASHA’s website, which was super useful for me in researching graduate programs.</p>
<p>I am planning to volunteer or observe speech therapists in at least 2 different settings. You can look up professionals on the ASHA website and contact the ones in your area. I think this would be a really helpful way to determine if you can see yourself in this career, as well as show graduate schools that you have some hands-on experience related to SLP! One of the aspects of SLP that interested me most was that you can work with diverse populations (infants, children, adults, stroke patients, etc) and diverse settings (schools, private clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, etc). </p>