Speech-Language Therapist: Executive Summary
Imagine the embarrassment of being a stutterer. Or the frustration of speaking so unclearly that people can't understand you. Speech therapists try to help. Typical clients are people who are hearing impaired, autistic, brain injured, stroke victims, or mentally disabled, as well as ordinary people who have speech impairments. Speech therapists may work with infants in their homes, children in school, and elders in hospitals and nursing homes. Progress is often slow, but this career has many advantages: You work with patients one-on-one, in a pleasant environment, and the work hours are regular and not overly long. Plus the job market is expected to remain strong, especially if you speak Spanish.
$58,475. More specific salary data, provided by salary.com
Training
In most states, a master's degree in speech-language pathology is the standard credential required for licensing. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association publishes a complete list of accredited schools, plus guidance for choosing one and gaining admission.
Other Resources
Department of Labor profile: Speech-Language Therapist
Speech-language-therapy.com
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
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Speech-Language Therapist: A Day in the Life
Expert Opinion: Lemmietta McNeilly
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