Are you interested in the ways we communicate? Would you like to help those who cannot communicate as easily? Do you see yourself in the health field? If so, consider studying speech-language pathology and audiology in college! Students in this major study the difficulties in communication and help different people learn how to communicate more effectively.
Education
According to the College Board, this major most often leads to the bachelor’s degree. To be ready for the college program, consider taking classes like speech, chemistry and AP Biology in high school. Typical major courses for speech-language pathology and audiology majors include phonetics, speech and voice science, and anatomy and physiology of speech/hearing.
What to know before you apply
Before choosing a college, find out if you will be accepted into the SLPA program as a freshman, or whether you will have to apply to it during your sophomore or junior year. You don’t want to set your heart on the program and then not be a part of it. Also, ask whether you will be studying children’s disorders, adult’s disorders, or both. If you have a preference, this will make a huge difference. Finally, research whether you will be able to minor in something like linguistics or neuroscience. The expansion of your studies can only help your career prospects.
Colleges offering a related field of study:
• Butler University: Indianapolis, Ind.
• Keuka College: Keuka Park, N.Y.
• SUNY Fredonia: Fredonia, N.Y.
Salary
A degree in speech-language pathology and audiology will prepare you for careers in occupational therapy, special education, speech-language pathology, and audiology According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupational therapists earned an average salary of $74,970 in 2011, while special education teachers earned a range from $56,460 to $59,080. Speech language pathologists earned an average of $72,000 in 2011, while audiologists earned $71,000.
> For more information about careers check out NextStepU.com!
