How to Become a Speech Pathologist in Arkansas

Speech-language pathologists have a vital role in helping people communicate better. Understanding Arkansas’s specific state requirements will help you plan your career path as a speech pathologist.

The path to becoming a licensed speech-language pathologist in Arkansas starts with an undergraduate program in communication sciences and disorders. This is followed by a competitive master’s degree program. The speech language pathology program at the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences takes only 24 students each fall semester. Students complete this program in two years. Getting your Arkansas speech pathology license needs specific clinical practicum hours. You must complete a minimum of 25 clock hours of observation and 30 clock hours of direct clinical practicum training. The state has reduced application fees from $100 to just $5 since July 16, 2023. This makes the licensing process more available to aspiring professionals.

This guide covers everything you need to know about becoming a qualified speech pathologist in Arkansas. You’ll learn about educational requirements, licensing procedures, salary expectations, and career opportunities.

Education Requirements for Arkansas SLPs

A career as a qualified speech-language pathologist in Arkansas demands specific educational credentials that align with state and national standards.

Arkansas speech-language pathologists must hold a master’s degree in speech-language pathology or communication sciences and disorders. This advanced degree forms the core of professional practice and is a mandatory requirement for state licensure.

Master’s programs in Arkansas’s speech-language pathology typically require 51-54 semester hours. Students complete these programs in about two years, spread across five to six consecutive semesters including one summer term[64].

Prospective students need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Your undergraduate major doesn’t need to be in communication sciences, but students with degrees in other fields must finish specific prerequisite courses before starting their master’s program.

Students without a communication sciences background need these prerequisites:

• Language acquisition
• Phonetics
• Speech and hearing science
• Clinical methods
• Anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing

ASHA certification requires all students to complete undergraduate coursework in these areas:

• Biological sciences
• Physical sciences (physics or chemistry)
• Social/behavioral sciences
• Statistics

Program accreditation plays a crucial role in your education. Arkansas’s master’s programs in speech-language pathology need accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). This accreditation will give you an education that meets professional standards needed for licensure.

Master’s programs combine academic coursework with supervised clinical practicums. Each program’s clinical experience requirements vary, but students typically complete at least 400 clock hours of supervised practice.

Arkansas offers several accredited speech-language pathology programs. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences accepts 24 students each fall. Students can also choose from Arkansas State University, University of Central Arkansas, and Harding University[63][64].

These programs maintain competitive admission standards. Most successful applicants have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. To name just one example, see Harding University’s program where admitted students had an average undergraduate GPA of 3.79.

Students who complete their master’s program can apply for state licensure and ASHA certification after passing the PRAXIS examination.

Getting Your Licensure and Credentials

Getting your Arkansas speech pathology license requires several steps after you complete your education. The Arkansas Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (ABESPA) manages this process to ensure state residents receive care from qualified professionals.

The application fee for licensure dropped by a lot from $100 to $5 in July 2023. The inactive/reactivation fees also decreased from $40 to $2, which makes getting licensed more affordable under Act 114 of 2023.

Your path to licensure starts with a provisional license that lets you complete required professional experience. You need 36 weeks of full-time work (or part-time equivalent) to accumulate 1,260 hours of direct patient contact. Direct client activities like assessments, diagnoses, and patient management should take up about 80% of your time.

ABESPA needs these documents for your provisional license:

• Completed application form
• Clinical Fellowship Year Plan
• Official graduate transcripts
• Proof of clinical practicum hours
• Application fee

The next step requires passing the national Praxis exam in speech-language pathology with a score of at least 162. This computer-based test costs $146 and covers foundations, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment implementation.

Your full licensure application should include:

• Official master’s degree transcript
• Documentation of completed clinical fellowship
• Passing Praxis score
• Background check results

ABESPA gives you a 30-day grace period to start work while they process your complete application. This temporary authorization helps you begin practicing right away.

Your license maintenance requires 10 clock hours of continuing education each year, with five hours minimum from Content Area I. Professionals with dual licensure (SLP and Audiology) need 15 CE hours yearly.

The board accepts reciprocity for SLPs who hold licenses in other states with similar standards. This helps experienced professionals skip certain requirements.

Salaries for SLPs in Arkansas

Your career as a speech pathologist in Arkansas comes with important financial considerations. A good grasp of salary ranges will help you set realistic expectations as you start your professional life.

Speech pathologists in Arkansas earn competitive salaries that change based on several factors. Your potential earnings depend on where you work, your location in the state, how long you’ve worked, and any extra certifications you have.

New speech-language pathologists in Arkansas usually start with yearly salaries between $50,000 and $60,000. Your salary grows as you build experience and add credentials. Most speech pathologists with 5-10 years of experience earn $65,000 to $75,000 per year. Those with extensive experience and special skills can earn more than $85,000.

Where you work shapes your earnings. School positions offer stable jobs with set schedules and great benefits, though pay might be lower than medical settings. Hospitals and rehab centers pay more but might need you to work weekends or evenings. Private practice can pay very well, especially if you own your clinic, but you’ll need to handle business duties too.

Your location in Arkansas affects your pay. Cities like Little Rock, Fayetteville, and Fort Smith pay more than rural areas. Rural jobs sometimes make up for lower pay with loan forgiveness or signing bonuses to attract good professionals.

Your education level is vital in determining how much you can earn. Speech pathologists with doctoral degrees or special certifications in areas like swallowing disorders or neurological conditions often earn top salaries.

Arkansas speech pathologist salaries are somewhat lower than states with higher living costs. The good news is your salary goes further because Arkansas has a lower cost of living.

Extra training and certifications are smart investments. They often lead to big salary increases throughout your career.

Careers in Arkansas

Arkansas has a wide range of career paths for qualified speech-language pathologists.

Speech pathologists can find jobs in several key settings:

• Educational institutions: Public and private schools employ most SLPs in the state
• Healthcare facilities: Hospitals, rehab centers, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient clinics need speech therapy professionals
• Early intervention programs: These programs help children from birth to age three who have developmental concerns
• Home health agencies: Therapists work directly in patients’ homes
• Private practice: You can start your own practice or join an existing one

Speech pathologists are in high demand all over Arkansas. Both cities and rural areas need qualified professionals. Rural communities face staff shortages, which creates great opportunities for professionals willing to work outside major cities.

Your career can grow in many directions. You might specialize in specific disorders like aphasia, dysphagia, or voice disorders. Some professionals move into administration, teach at universities, or focus on research. Many Arkansas speech pathologists add value to their state license by getting specialty certifications in Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) or VitalStim therapy.

The Arkansas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ArkSHA) helps you build professional connections. This network opens doors to continuing education and advocacy opportunities that boost your career growth.

Start Your Career Today

Starting your career as a speech pathologist in Arkansas needs dedication and careful planning. Your educational trip includes earning a master’s degree from an accredited program. You’ll need to complete extensive clinical practicum hours, pass the Praxis examination, and get state licensure through ABESPA.

The career path is now more available to everyone, thanks to reduced application fees now at just $5. This lower fee removes financial barriers for many new professionals who want to enter the field.

Arkansas speech pathologist’s salaries depend on work setting, experience level, and location within the state. The state’s earnings might be slightly lower than national averages. However, Arkansas’s lower cost of living gives professionals good purchasing power in this field.

Job opportunities are plentiful in educational institutions, healthcare facilities, early intervention programs, and private practices. Rural areas need qualified speech pathologists badly. This creates excellent job prospects if you choose to work outside major cities.

Arkansas Speech-Language-Hearing Association membership offers great ways to develop professionally throughout your career. You’ll stay current with best practices and build strong networks with other professionals.

Speech pathology gives you both job security and purpose. You’ll help people overcome communication barriers and explore various career paths. Working with children in schools, adults in medical settings, or running your own practice lets you make real changes in people’s lives. This rewarding field helps you build a lasting career in Arkansas.