How to Become a Speech Pathologist in Illinois
Becoming a speech pathologist in Illinois needs careful planning and preparation. The path from pre-SLP student to licensed professional follows a well-laid-out process. You’ll need both academic excellence and practical experience to succeed.
Students must establish a strong academic foundation through a speech-language pathology concentration. This provides the theoretical and clinical background you need for graduate study. Speech pathology course requirements include 25 clinical observation hours before graduate school begins. The speech language pathology career path takes time – even the application cycle can last up to one year. After earning your master’s degree, you must complete Illinois speech language pathology license requirements. This includes an 18-month Clinical Fellowship Year right after graduation. Understanding Illinois SLP license requirements early in your education plays a vital role in transitioning smoothly into professional practice.
Let me walk you through each step of becoming a licensed speech pathologist in Illinois. We’ll cover everything from educational prerequisites to getting your credentials and learning about career opportunities.
Education Requirements for Illinois SLPs
A solid academic foundation marks the start of your path to becoming a speech-language pathologist in Illinois. A master’s degree serves as the minimum requirement to practice as an SLP in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation must approve this degree program.
Speech pathology degree requirements begin at the undergraduate level. Students can choose between two paths: a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders or a degree in another field with specific prerequisite coursework. The prerequisites usually consist of anatomy and physiology of communication mechanisms, phonetics, speech and language development, speech and hearing science, statistics, and courses in biological, physical, and social sciences. Most programs need a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
The next step involves completing a master’s program with 60 credits of focused study in communicative disorders. The curriculum must cover specific areas such as basic communication processes, anatomic and physiological bases, and speech-language pathology/audiology. Programs with American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) accreditation automatically meet these requirements.
The program requires a 375-hour clinical practicum in at least two separate settings under a licensed speech-language pathologist’s supervision. ASHA certification needs an additional 25 clinical observation hours, which many programs integrate into their curriculum.
Illinois stands out from other states by requiring students to pass the Praxis SLP exam (with a score of 162 on a scale of 100-200) before starting their Required Professional Experience. Students must then complete 9 months of supervised professional experience.
Illinois has many accredited speech language pathology programs at institutions throughout the state, including:
- Augustana College
- Illinois State University
- Northwestern University
- University of Illinois
- Southern Illinois University
Completing these educational requirements prepares you to apply for ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence, Illinois state licensure, and the Professional Educator License needed for Illinois public schools.
Getting Your Licensure and Credentials
Your next crucial step after completing your master’s degree is getting licensed as a speech-language pathologist in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) issues licenses to all speech-language pathologists, whatever their work setting.
You need these requirements to get your Illinois speech language pathology license:
- A master’s or doctoral degree from an IDFPR-approved or ASHA-accredited program
- A passing PRAXIS examination score with a minimum scaled score of 240
- Nine months of supervised professional experience
- Payment of the application fee
The PRAXIS exam features 100 multiple-choice questions with a testing time of 3 hours and 15 minutes. You’ll need to pay USD 110.00 for the examination. The test center provides preliminary results immediately. Official scores come out based on scheduled reporting dates.
A temporary license becomes available after passing the PRAXIS. You can use this while finishing your Clinical Fellowship. This license stays valid for 120 days from when you apply. New graduates can start working under this license as soon as they file their application, even before all paperwork processing finishes.
The highest credential in the profession is ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP). Illinois law doesn’t require this certification except for supervision, but most employers do.
Public school positions need a Professional Educator License (PEL) with a Speech-Language Pathology endorsement through the Illinois State Board of Education. This involves passing both the Basic Skills Test and the SLP Type 73 test.
It’s worth mentioning that all SLP licenses expire on October 31st of odd-numbered years. You need 20 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal cycle to keep your license. School-based SLPs must complete 40-120 professional development hours every five years.
Salaries for SLPs in Illinois
Money plays a big role in choosing a speech language pathology career in Illinois. The state ranks as the second highest paying state for SLPs nationwide, which makes it a great place to work in this field.
SLPs in Illinois take home an average of $87,910 per year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. They earn about $50.78 per hour across the state. Your pay can range from $48,170 when starting out to $118,810 once you’re experienced.
Where you work in Illinois affects your pay by a lot. SLPs in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area earn the best at $90,740 yearly. Other cities offer competitive pay rates too:
- Palatine: $55.50 per hour
- Arlington Heights: $52.77 per hour
- Naperville: $52.41 per hour
- Chicago: $51.77 per hour
The pay is lower in rural areas. East Central Illinois non-metro areas pay $73,770 yearly while Northwest Illinois non-metro regions offer $76,090.
Your workplace type also shapes your earning potential. School-based SLPs earn about 10% below state average, while healthcare settings pay 5% more. Private practice offers the highest earnings—15-20% above average.
Looking at other healthcare jobs in Illinois, SLPs earn more than MRI technologists but less than optometrists. Illinois SLPs earn 19% above the national average, which shows how well the state pays these professionals.
The need for qualified SLPs keeps growing in Illinois, especially in rural areas. Many employers now offer attractive pay packages to bring in skilled practitioners. These salary trends can guide your career planning as an SLP in Illinois.
Careers in Illinois
Illinois presents exciting career opportunities for new speech-language pathologists in many different settings. After completing your speech pathology degree and getting your Illinois speech language pathology license, you’ll find professional opportunities waiting in various environments.
Schools stand out as a major employer, with roles available in public and private institutions, early intervention programs, and special education cooperatives. The healthcare sector also opens many doors – you’ll find positions in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient clinics. Starting a private practice gives you the freedom to build your own clinical services or team up with existing practices throughout the state.
Your career path might naturally lead you toward specific populations or disorders. Pediatric specialists help children with developmental delays, articulation disorders, or autism spectrum disorders. Practitioners who work with adults typically focus on stroke rehabilitation, traumatic brain injuries, or swallowing disorders. Research positions at prestigious institutions like Northwestern University or University of Illinois could also spark your interest.
The Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association helps you grow professionally beyond your original license through networking, continuing education, and advocacy resources. Job opportunities appear regularly on ASHA boards, healthcare systems, and educational cooperatives throughout the state.
Career advancement brings opportunities to supervise and mentor others. This lets you guide future professionals through their speech pathology coursework and clinical experiences.
Take the Next Step
The experience of becoming a speech-language pathologist in Illinois follows a well-laid-out pathway that needs dedication and full preparation. You’ll progress from completing your undergraduate prerequisites to earning a master’s degree. The next steps include passing the PRAXIS examination and getting your professional license. Each step builds on the previous one and creates a solid foundation for your professional practice.
Your educational investment pays off by a lot when you practice in Illinois. The state ranks second highest in SLP salaries nationwide. You can expect competitive compensation averaging $87,910 annually, especially in metropolitan areas like Chicago-Naperville-Elgin. These financial benefits make Illinois an attractive destination for speech pathology professionals who want rewarding careers.
Your Illinois speech language pathology license opens up many career paths. Educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and private practices actively look for qualified SLPs. You might also choose to focus on specific populations or disorders – from pediatric developmental delays to adult rehabilitation services.
Professional growth doesn’t stop with your original license. The Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association provides great resources to network, continue education, and advocate throughout your career. These connections help maintain your credentials while advancing your expertise.
Speech-language pathology offers both stability and purpose. Your work will directly affect the communication abilities and quality of life for countless individuals across Illinois. The path from student to licensed professional needs commitment. The personal satisfaction and professional rewards make this career choice worthwhile. With this knowledge of education requirements, licensure procedures, salary expectations, and career opportunities, you’re ready to begin your speech pathology experience in Illinois.