Speech-Language Pathology

<p>I'm interested in Columbia, but I'm also very interested in going into Speech-Language Pathology (also called communication disorders).</p>

<p>I don't need to major in communication disorders to get into a graduate school, but I should major in something somewhat related.</p>

<p>Do you know if any of the majors offered at Columbia are remotely connected to Speech, and if so, which ones?</p>

<p>Thanks for all your help.</p>

<p>here’s a list of all the majors in Columbia College (as opposed to SEAS, the engineering school): [Majors</a>, Concentrations, and Programs of Study | Columbia College](<a href=“http://www.college.columbia.edu/academics/programs]Majors”>Majors, Minors, and Special Programs | Columbia College)
you can click on one to find out more about it, and although it says there’s a speech thing, the link from that is weird so…idk, maybe check out linguistics?</p>

<p>also consider reading up on a select grad program in speech pathology - </p>

<p>[Program</a> of Speech and Language Pathology @ Teachers College](<a href=“http://www.tc.columbia.edu/bbs/speech-language/]Program”>Communication Sciences & Disorders | Biobehavioral Sciences | Teachers College, Columbia University)</p>

<p>“Students in the program come from a variety of backgrounds. Some have undergraduate degrees from departments that have focused on normal and disordered speech, language, and hearing; others have degrees in such varied fields as linguistics, psychology, education, biology, theater, Spanish–to name only a few.”</p>

<p>I was thinking about Linguistics. I know there are definitely course overlaps with a Communication Disorders major, but I’m concerned I’d have a difficult time getting into a grad program (since I’d assume a linguistics major is less desirable than someone who majored in speech pathology to begin with).</p>

<p>I know a lot of grad schools have specific course requirements that I may not have covered as a linguistics major.</p>

<p>Also, at the link admissiongeek posted it says this:
Students with undergraduate preparation in communication sciences and disorders typically have completed the foundation courses. Students who choose to take the foundation work at Teachers College should plan on ex-tending their master’s program as appropriate, usually one semester and a summer session.</p>

<p>Even if I get into a masters program, it could very well take me a while longer to graduate since I have a different major.</p>

<p>Linguistics is definitely something to look in to, but I’m a little concerned it’ll put me at a disadvantage.</p>

<p>Thanks for your input :)</p>

<p>I guess the best thing for you to do at this pint to help figure stuff out would be to call the linguistics department Monday (they should have a phone number on the page, if you can’t find it just say so and I should be able to direct you to somewhere that does have a number for them), you should get the secretary, and ask her if there’s anyone currently there who can answer some questions about the department for you. Then pretty much just ask them whatever questions you have, I’d suggest something along the lines of “do students who graduate from Columbia with a linguistics degree ever go into speech pathology and communication disorders?”. They should be more than willing to answer stuff if you tell them you’re a prospective student.</p>

<p>Good Luck!</p>

<p>Mary1237:</p>

<p>SPL programs don’t specify a major, but…
If you major in something other than comm disorders then be prepared to spend up to a year bringing yourself up to speed for grad level courses. You might do this as an post-bac student and pay undergraduate tuition or enroll as a grad student with deficiencies. This depends on the institution. </p>

<p>Make careful selection of your math and science courses (see standard III-A on the ASHA website here: [2005</a> Standards and Implementation Procedures for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in SLP](<a href=“http://www.asha.org/certification/handbooks/slp/slp_standards.htm]2005”>Sorry! That Page Cannot Be Found)) during your undergrad program.</p>

<p>Be prepared to take the GRE up to year before you apply to a grad program.</p>

<p>Just my opinion, but I would suggest majoring in what you enjoy (this will help your GPA and hence your application!) and not sweat spending a little more time getting your master’s. Again, just my take on matters!</p>

<p>Best!</p>