How to Become a Speech Pathologist in Mississippi

Want to become a speech pathologist in Mississippi? The career outlook looks bright with an 18% job growth expected from 2023 to 2033—much faster than average. The University of Mississippi’s top programs boast a 100% employment rate for their graduates who work in their fields. The financial benefits make it even more attractive, as speech-language pathologists earned a median income of $89K in 2022.

Speech-language pathologists help people who struggle with speech, language, voice, fluency, and swallowing problems. The path to this rewarding career requires a master’s degree in speech pathology that teaches you about speech production, perception, articulation, and language disorders. Mississippi’s state licensure comes with specific requirements that protect public health and safety. The state also belongs to the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC). This membership lets licensed professionals work across member states. This piece walks you through every step to become a licensed speech pathologist in Mississippi, from education requirements to job opportunities.

Education Requirements for Mississippi SLPs

A master’s degree in speech-language pathology from a Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) accredited program of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) starts your journey as a speech-language pathologist in Mississippi. The state has four ASHA-accredited SLP graduate programs.

Competition for admission runs high at these programs. Most schools look for a minimum 3.0 GPA, while top programs accept students with 3.8-4.0 GPAs. Programs have different requirements, but many ask for official GRE scores (some programs dropped this requirement), three recommendation letters, and a personal statement or writing sample.

Students need specific undergraduate prerequisites for a master’s program. Those with bachelor’s degrees outside Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) must complete these foundational courses:

• Phonetics
• Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing
• Normal Speech and Language Development
• Introduction to Audiology
• Speech and Hearing Science
• Clinical methods courses

Students also need coursework in statistics, biological sciences, physical sciences, and social/behavioral sciences. These courses build a strong foundation for graduate studies.

The state’s SLP master’s programs need 51-61 credit hours, split between 36-46 hours of academic coursework and 15 hours of clinical practicum. Students typically complete these programs in 5-6 semesters or about two years of full-time study.

Clinical experience plays a vital role in your education. You’ll need 400 clinical clock hours – 25 hours watching professionals and 375 hours of hands-on clinical work. Students must get malpractice insurance, CPR certification, and pass a criminal background check before starting clinical experiences.

After finishing your master’s program, you can apply for ASHA certification, state licensure, and Mississippi Department of Education certification based on your career goals.

Getting Your Licensure and Credentials

Getting your Mississippi SLP license after completing your master’s degree in speech-language pathology involves several steps. The Mississippi State Board of Health manages the licensing process. Their Professional Licensure division handles all applications.

Your journey begins with a temporary license after graduation. This license lets you start your Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY), which Mississippi calls the Supervised Professional Employment Plan (SPEP). You’ll need to submit your application online with a $75.00 application fee and your official graduate program transcript. The temporary license stays valid for two years.

The SPEP/CFY requires nine months of full-time professional experience with a licensed SLP supervisor. You must document your plan with a Supervised Professional Employment Plan Agreement. The schedule can be flexible:

• 36 weeks at 30+ hours per week
• 48 weeks at 25+ hours per week
• 60 weeks at 20+ hours per week
• 72 weeks at 15+ hours per week

You’ll need at least 36 supervisory activities during this time. These include 18 hours of onsite observation and 18 other monitoring activities.

While completing your SPEP, take the Praxis Exam 5331 for Speech-Language Pathology. The national exam costs $146.00 and needs a minimum score of 162. You’ll face 132 multiple-choice questions about speech-language diagnosis and treatment.

The full license application comes next, after finishing your SPEP and passing the Praxis. Submit these through the online portal:

• Official graduate program transcript
• Proof of completed clinical fellowship
• Praxis exam scores
• Proof of state residence
• $100.00 application fee

A criminal background check comes standard with the process. This includes checks against Mississippi’s criminal history records, sex offender registries, and FBI databases.

License renewal happens every two years, with June 30th of even years as the expiration date. You’ll need 20 continuing education hours every two years. At least 10 hours must directly relate to clinical speech-language pathology practice.

The Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC) includes Mississippi. This gives licensed SLPs another way to provide services in member states.

Salaries for SLPs in Mississippi

Speech pathologists in Mississippi earn competitive salaries, though the exact amount varies by source. Their average yearly income ranges from $61,790 to $76,680. New professionals start at $38,430, while experienced SLPs can make up to $100,730 per year.

The hourly pay for SLPs falls between $41.59 and $42.85. Glassdoor shows much higher rates at $58 per hour.

Location plays a big role in how much these professionals earn across the state. Jackson’s metro area leads with the highest pay at $83,770 yearly. SLPs in Southaven make $45.21 per hour. Other well-paying areas include:

• Pascagoula: $91,581 yearly
• Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula metro area: $79,720 yearly
• Ocean Springs: $44.97 hourly

The workplace setting affects pay rates too. SLPs working in outpatient care facilities earn 10% more than average. Those in general medical and surgical hospitals make 5% more than other settings.

Mississippi ranks 50th nationwide for SLP salaries. Even with lower state rankings, job satisfaction stays strong. About 71% of Mississippi’s speech pathologists say they’re happy with their pay.

Careers in Mississippi

Speech-language pathologists in Mississippi have excellent job prospects. The state projects a 28% growth by 2030, which exceeds the national average of 19%. The state creates about 130 new positions each year.

Mississippi’s SLPs work in several key settings:

• Educational settings (40% of all SLPs)
• Therapy offices (24%)
• Hospitals (15%)
• Nursing facilities (4%)

The state’s job market looks promising. Biloxi Public Schools, Mid South Rehabilitation, and Mississippi State Department’s Early Intervention Program actively recruit professionals. Mid South Rehabilitation even offers sign-on bonuses up to $15,000. At any time, you can find more than 320 speech-language pathologist positions available statewide.

Rural areas need more qualified professionals, which creates great opportunities for new graduates. The Mississippi Speech-Language-Hearing Association works to expand services, especially for children who have hearing impairments.

SLPs can grow their careers in many ways. They can supervise junior therapists, manage programs, or focus on specific treatment areas. Specialized clinics like MUW Speech & Hearing Center in Columbus and Mississippi Speech Therapy in Jackson offer additional career paths.

Start Today

Speech pathology in Mississippi offers a rewarding career with great growth potential and stability. You’ll need a master’s degree from an ASHA-accredited program to start this trip. The well-laid-out licensure process includes temporary licensure, supervised professional work, and passing the Praxis examination.

The money is good even though Mississippi ranks lower nationally for SLP pay. You can expect to earn between $61,790 and $76,680 yearly. These numbers change by a lot based on where you work and your location. The best pay packages come from Jackson, Pascagoula, and the Gulf Coast region.

Jobs are growing faster across the state. Schools, therapy offices, and hospitals need speech pathologists. Rural areas face big shortages, which creates great opportunities for new graduates. Your career can grow beyond clinical work into supervision, program management, or specialized treatment.

Mississippi’s participation in the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact gives you a great advantage. You can work across member states easily. This flexibility and the field’s expected 28% growth by 2030 set you up for long-term success.

Becoming a speech-language pathologist in Mississippi takes dedication and perseverance. The combination of job security, competitive pay, and the chance to change patients’ lives makes this career path worth achieving. Your trip to becoming a licensed speech pathologist starts with getting the right education and follows a clear path to a stable, rewarding profession.

Looking to start your speech pathology career in Mississippi? Professional organizations are a great way to get networking opportunities and resources that support your career experience. The Mississippi Speech-Language-Hearing Association (MSHA) hosts annual conferences where you can meet experienced professionals and learn about the latest research and techniques in the field.

A strong professional network is crucial for career growth, alongside formal education and licensure. Here are practical steps to develop your career:

• Join regional workshops and continuing education events at Mississippi universities with speech pathology programs
• Build relationships with clinical directors at potential workplaces during your graduate studies
• Find mentors through state professional organizations
• Check job boards for healthcare professionals in the Southeast region

Your masters in speech pathology becomes more valuable when you have specialized skills in areas like pediatric feeding disorders, augmentative communication, or dysphagia management. These high-demand specialties can boost your marketability.

Your success as a Mississippi SLP depends on staying current with evolving practices through professional journals and continuing education.