Audiology and Speech Pathology

Question: I am changing majors and have become interested in speech pathology and audiology, but I don't have much information. Can you tell me about the demand, salary and places where I could work as well as places where I can get more information? I want to make sure that this will be a good career for me before I change my major.
— Janet

Response: Speech pathologists and audiologists help adults and children with speech, language or hearing problems. They first determine the existence of a disorder and then provide treatment.

Speech pathologists specialize in diagnosis and treatment of speech and language problems. Audiologists specialize in diagnostic evaluation to prevent hearing loss and rehabilitative services for auditory problems.

Speech pathologists and audiologists may conduct programs to improve communication skills, provide counseling, teach or direct research. Tools include sensitive electronic instruments and equipment used to test speech and hearing responses.

Employment Outlook:
Much faster than average growth is projected through 2008 for speech pathologists and audiologists. They are employed by school districts, colleges, health care programs, clinics, and hospitals.

While declining enrollment may decrease openings in schools, there is an emphasis on early detection of speech and hearing problems, which will likely continue demand. Currently job prospects are better for speech pathologists than for audiologists. Turnover is low for audiologists and competition for beginning audiologists is keen.

Salary Range:
In California, pay varies and depends on whether workers are in private practice or salaried and level of training and experience.

SPEECH PATHOLOGIST projected 2002 annual salaries in the Los Angeles area:
YEARS EXPERIENCE	10th PERCENTILE	TIME SERIES MEDIAN	90th PERCENTILE
10	$ 52,687	$ 59,716	$ 73,156
5	$ 45,726	$ 51,795	$ 63,491
1	$ 39,567	$ 44,787	$ 54,939

AUDIOLOGIST projected 2002 annual salaries in the Los Angeles area:
YEARS EXPERIENCE	10th PERCENTILE	TIME SERIES MEDIAN	90th PERCENTILE
10	$ 54,771	$ 62,809	$ 77,953
5	$ 44,346	$ 50,808	$ 63,115
1	$ 35,622	$ 40,766	$ 50,700

Preparation
A master's degree in speech pathology or audiology is required for employment by the state of California, by most public schools, private clinics and federal programs. Pre-professional undergraduate programs as well as graduate programs in speech pathology and audiology are available at several California State universities.

Training Options & Costs

California State University, Northridge

Communication Disorders and Sciences Department

www.hhd.csun.edu/comdis/

Department Secretary (818) 677-2852

Dr. Aker (818) 677-2822

The Master's Degree is the professional entry-level requirement for employment as an audiologist or speech language pathologist. Completion of the baccalaureate and master's degree programs enable students to satisfy the academic requirements for:

• licensing in all states to practice in medical, rehabilitative, or private practice settings

• education credentials in all states for employment in public schools and

• professional certification by the American Speech Language-Hearing Association.

The department's curriculum is conducted through classroom instruction and experiential learning, including intensive student participation in the clinical programs of the CSUN Language, Speech and Hearing Center. Advanced graduate students obtain additional clinical experience through placement in the department's affiliated medical centers, professional practices, and public schools.

Graduate fees for in-state residents for 0-6 units are $631 per semester. Full-time students taking between 6.1 and 12 units pay $946 per semester.

30 units of undergraduate prerequisite units are required for department admission in the following areas: 12 units of basic coursework, 4 units of observation, 9 units in management and communicative disorders, 3 units in auditory rehabilitation, and 2 units in clinical practice. There are an additional 30 units to complete the Master's degree, M.S., program in speech pathology with additional clinical requirements. Finally, there is a comprehensive exam or thesis required to complete the M.S. program.

Minimum Requirements for Consideration for Graduate Department Admission:

1. Completion of a BA degree;

2. Completion of 30 units of approved undergraduate courses in Communicative Disorders, including the specific course prerequisites described below;

3. Submission of the department graduate application;

4. Submission of three letters of recommendation on departmental forms;

5. Submission of scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT); and

6. Passing score on the CSU Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam

It is understood that some of the required courses may be in progress at the time of application, but would be completed before the anticipated starting date.

Students with an undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders and Sciences from a university other than CSUN may have minimal deficiencies in meeting the above requirements, and may be considered for admittance as a Conditionally Classified Graduate student. For example, an applicant with a baccalaureate degree from an institution outside of California is not expected to pass the CSU Upper Division Writing Proficiency Examination at the time of application. In this case, if admitted, the applicant would complete this state-mandated requirement during the first semester of graduate studies as a condition of admission.

California State University, Long Beach
My research indicates that CSU-Long Beach also offers a Master's and a credential program in speech pathology, which is offered through the Communicative Disorders department.

The telephone number for the department is:

(562) 985-4594

www.csulb.edu

Resources for more information

Speech Paths

www.speechpaths.com

Speech Paths is a speech pathology community informational resource on the Internet for speech and language professionals. This website is dedicated to providing information to speech language pathologists and audiologists.

There is access to continuing education, academic resources, links to associations, industry experts, bookstore, a calendar of events, online forums, and a classified section.

California Speech-Language-Hearing Association

825 University Avenue

Sacramento, California 95825

(916) 921-1568

www.caspeechhearing.org

This is an association for professionals who work with individuals with communicative disorders. The site gives information about mandatory state licensing continuing education requirements and lists job and career opportunities.

The association publishes a quarterly Magazine-style journal, and offers a forum to network with peers to share ideas and to help manage change, an online membership directory listing member specialties and other resources, and is a liaison with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and with the State Licensing Board.

Student members are actively pursuing college or university training in speech and language pathology, audiology, or speech and hearing sciences.

Student membership costs $25 per year.


— • —  
Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.

You may e-mail questions to swmcareer@aol.com.