Priya Patel is interested in becoming a speech pathologist after learning about the field from a client's story. She explores the history and requirements of graduate programs in speech pathology. Programs typically require a bachelor's degree, minimum 3.0 GPA, and GRE scores. Cost for out-of-state programs is around $14,000 per semester. The career offers growth opportunities like private practice or specialization. Average salary is $73,931 annually. Patel has relevant experience working with children with autism and believes her interests in social careers make her a good fit for the field. She recognizes need to improve her qualifications for graduate school acceptance.

1. P R I Y A P A T E L
SPEECH AND LANGUAGE
PATHOLOGY

2. INTRO
• Speech pathology definition: the study and
treatment of speech and language problems
• When I was first introduced to the field of speech
pathology I was working at a nail salon in high
school. A client shared a story about her son who
fought overseas in the army who now needed
speech therapy. I did not know much about the
program therefore researched it and fell in love with
it! From that day I have always had my mind set on
becoming a Speech Pathologist to help veterans or
special needs children.

3. HISTORY
• Known as “quacks” – people who falsely claimed to
have a secret technique to cure speech disorders
• First prolonged speech treatment was in 1872 by
Alexander Melville Bell and his son Alexander
Graham Bell
• American clinicians learned from “speech doctors”
in Europe
• Stuttering was the first speech disorder recognized
• Special interest groups and programs, etc. turned
into the forming of ASHA

4. GRADUATE PROGRAMS
• University of West Georgia
• Master’s of Education with a major in Speech-Language
Pathology
• Requirements
• Minimum 3.0 GPA and GRE score of 147 Verbal/ 147
Quantitative
• Three letters of recommendations from university professors
• Immunizations
• Cost:
• $13,561.00 for a 12 credit semester – out of state

5. GRADUATE PROGRAMS CONT.
• University of South Carolina
• Master’s in Speech – Language Pathology
• Requirements:
• College-level coursework: human biological science,
social/behavioral science, physics or chemistry, and statistics
• Four speech related courses the summer before entering fall
semester of graduate program
• Aim for 1000 in verbal and quantitative for GRE and 3.5 GPA
(minimum of 3.0 required)
• Three letters of recommendations
• Cost:
• $14,185.00 per semester – out of state

6. GROWTH POTENTIAL
• Own a private clinic
• Further education with by obtaining a PhD
• Specialize in children, adults, or special needs
• Certificates of completion can be obtained

7. SALARY
• $67,515 - $80,718 per year
• Average: $73,931
• $33.59 per hour- average

8. SKILLS
• Studied and learned American Sign Language for
the past year
• Worked 400 plus hours at a private speech clinic
geared towards kids with autism
• Took group of children with autism in public areas to
engage their speech skills to everyday life
• Planned and taught 1st grade children daily lesson
plans for two months
• Have observed in-house sessions and one on one
sessions at the clinic
• Scored highest on the social level for the O*Net
profiler

9. SKILLS CONT.
O*Net Scores
Realistic
Investigative
Artistic
Social
Enterprising
Conventional
Scoring high on the social and artistic regions I think Speech Pathology is a
great career for me. Speech therapy works to improve social skills of the
clients and requires creative ways of helping the clients, especially children.

10. RELEVANT EDUCATION
• American Sign Language
• Intern at Speech Pathology private clinic for
children with autism

11. WHY I AM A GOOD CANDIDATE
• According to the O*Net profiler I am more
interested in a social career then any other type of
career; I like to work with, communicate with, and
help teach others.
• I have worked with special needs children and
adults on multiple occasions.
• I have a passion for helping people.
• I have experience with working with speech
programs and therapists.

12. CONCLUSION
• After researching about a career in Speech and
Language Pathology I am more certain than ever
this is the career I should pursue. I have also learned
that I am not prepared as I should be for graduate
school. I need to raise my GPA, visit graduate
schools, take the GRE, etc. I also realized that I am
on the right track to attending a graduate program
in Speech Pathology. I have interned at a speech
clinic, taken ASL courses, worked with special needs
children and adults, etc. I am glad to have
researched my career more in depth.

13. CITATIONS
• Speech-Language Pathologists. Bureau of Labor
Statistics.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-
language-pathologists.htm
• Summary Report for: 29-1127.00 – Speech-
Language Pathologists. O*Net Online.
http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1127.00
• The ASHA Leader: What Do You Know About Your
Profession’s History? December 24, 2002. Judith
Felson Duchan.
http://www.asha.org/Publications/leader/2002/021
224/021224a.htm