How to Become a Speech Pathologist in Georgia

Starting a career as a speech pathologist in Georgia requires the right educational foundation. Georgia Southern University’s Communication Sciences and Disorders program achieved a remarkable 100% Praxis passing rate in 2024. This achievement demonstrates the exceptional quality of speech pathology graduate programs throughout the state.

Students who pursue a master’s program in speech language pathology gain comprehensive skills to assess, diagnose, and treat communication disorders. The state features several top-tier programs. Georgia State University welcomes 30-32 students each fall semester. The University of West Georgia admits between 30-40 full-time students during summer. These programs require 56 semester hours that combine academic coursework and clinical practica. This curriculum prepares students specifically to earn the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence.

Graduates must obtain a speech language pathology license to practice in Georgia. These licenses need renewal every two years by March 31st of odd-numbered years. The application process takes about 20 business days. Licensed professionals can build rewarding careers in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, or private practices across Georgia and nationwide.

Education Requirements for Georgia SLPs

The path to becoming a licensed speech-language pathologist in Georgia starts with the right academic credentials. The Georgia Board of Speech and Language Pathology & Audiology requires you to have a master’s or higher degree from a program accredited by ASHA’s Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA).

A master’s degree requires 75 credit hours of speech and language coursework. At least 36 hours must be at the graduate level. Students with bachelor’s degrees in fields other than Communication Sciences and Disorders need foundational undergraduate courses before advanced studies.

Your graduate program covers these key topics:

• Speech and swallowing disorders
• Language development disorders in children and adults
• Phonological analysis
• Multi-cultural issues in communication disorders

Clinical experience plays a vital role in your education. Georgia’s requirements include 400 hours of supervised clinical practicum divided as follows:

• 375 hours of directly supervised work
• 25 hours observing various cases, ages, and disorders
• At least 325 hours must be completed at the graduate level

After graduation, you’ll need 1,080 hours of Required Professional Experience (RPE) under a licensed speech-language pathologist’s supervision. This period requires a Paid Clinical Experience temporary permit that remains valid for up to 24 months.

The ETS Praxis Speech-Language Pathology exam is mandatory with a minimum score of 162. This national examination applies to all candidates seeking licensure by certification or examination.

Georgia offers several accredited speech pathology programs. To name just one example, Georgia State University accepts about 30 students each fall semester, while the University of West Georgia takes roughly 30-40 full-time students every summer. Most programs need 60-63 credit hours, though students without field background may need up to 90 credit hours.

Programs have specific admission requirements that include prerequisite coursework in biological sciences, physics or chemistry, social sciences, and statistics.

Getting Your Licensure and Credentials

Getting your Georgia speech-language pathology license involves several significant steps after completing your education. The GOALS portal handles all applications for the Georgia Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, and paper applications aren’t accepted anymore.

You’ll need to submit your application and pay the required fee. Your application stays valid for 12 months, which gives you plenty of time to gather all your documents. The required documentation includes:

• Proof of completed education and clinical hours
• National examination results
• Background check documentation
• Evidence of U.S. citizenship or national status

New graduates must obtain a provisional license known as the Paid Clinical Experience (PCE)/Required Professional Experience (RPE) fellowship. This temporary license lets you practice under supervision while you complete your nine-month professional experience. The PCE application remains valid for 24 months and you can renew it once if needed.

ASHA certification can help you speed up the licensing process. The Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) meets Georgia’s licensure requirements. Military spouses and transitioning service members might qualify to get their applications processed faster.

Your license requires ongoing education to stay valid. Licensed professionals must complete 20 clock hours or 2.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) every two years. New SLPs have their requirements adjusted based on their license approval date.

Georgia’s membership in the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC) offers interstate practice options. Telepractice providers still need a Georgia license and must follow in-person practice requirements.

Questions about applying? Reach out to the Georgia Board at 478-207-2440 or through their online portal.

Salaries for SLPs in Georgia

Your Georgia speech-language pathology license opens doors to many career opportunities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that speech-language pathologists in Georgia make around $89,170 per year. This amount sits just below the national average of $92,630 for SLPs.

Several key factors shape your salary in Georgia:

• Where you work in the state
• How long you’ve been practicing
• Your education level
• Extra certifications you hold
• Your workplace (schools, hospitals, private practice)

SLP salaries differ quite a bit across Georgia’s regions. The Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell area pays the best at $92,840 yearly, which beats rural areas by about 10%. Brunswick SLPs earn $96,680, while Valdosta professionals make $72,810 per year.

Rural areas typically pay less. South Georgia’s non-metro regions average $75,840, and Middle Georgia’s non-metro areas reach $87,740. Living costs and local demand create this gap between different parts of the state.

Georgia ranks 18th among all states with an average rate of $39.94 per hour, which comes to about $83,065 yearly. Hourly rates from different sources range between $37.08 and $56.00.

Rome leads the pack with yearly salaries of $91,388, and Sandy Springs follows close behind at $90,689. Atlanta’s core area offers around $87,843 per year. Urban areas tend to pay better, even though they cost more to live in.

Your specialty can boost your earning power as a Georgia SLP. Medical SLPs earn about $77,131 yearly, and bilingual SLPs make around $69,894. These numbers show how specializing affects your income in this field.

Careers in Georgia

Georgia ranks among the top states for speech-language pathologist jobs. The state’s job market looks exceptionally bright for SLPs, with projected growth of 42% through 2030—making it the second-highest nationwide.

The state offers plenty of career options. The Georgia Organization of School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists has helped place more than 600 SLPs in schools across the state since 2000. Several counties now need speech-language pathologists, including Atkinson, Baldwin, Columbia, and Liberty Counties.

Atlanta employs an impressive 1,890 SLP professionals, which substantially exceeds other Georgia cities such as Augusta with its 230 SLPs. This high number shows how much the metropolitan area needs speech therapy services.

Licensed SLPs in Georgia can choose from several career paths. They can start their own practices where community needs exist, which creates chances to mentor graduate students and form specialized teams. Some professionals prefer working within established organizations or school systems.

ASHA’s specialty certifications in child language disorders, fluency disorders, and swallowing disorders provide great ways to advance professionally. With about 400 SLP job openings expected yearly through 2030, this profession remains one of “Georgia’s Hot Careers”. These numbers show excellent job prospects for professionals who complete their speech language pathology license requirements.

Get Your Start Now

Starting a speech-language pathology career in Georgia gives you a fulfilling professional experience with excellent growth potential. This piece has shown you the detailed educational path that includes earning a master’s degree from an accredited program, completing 400 hours of supervised clinical practicum, and achieving a Praxis exam score of at least 162. The licensure process through the GOALS portal involves a Paid Clinical Experience period. You also need continuing education to keep your credentials current.

Georgia offers competitive salaries with annual earnings averaging $89,170 statewide. The highest pay rates come from Atlanta and Brunswick, though compensation varies between urban and rural areas. Your career outlook as a Georgia SLP looks exceptionally promising. The projected growth of 42% through 2030 ranks second nationwide for this profession.

Georgia provides plenty of opportunities for speech-language pathologists who want to work in schools, hospitals, or run their own practice. Atlanta alone has 1,890 practicing professionals, and county positions open up regularly. Your skills will be in high demand. The path through education, clinical training, and licensure helps you build a career where you can make a real difference in people’s lives while enjoying professional stability and growth for years ahead.