How to Become a Speech Pathologist in Maryland
Speech-language pathology programs have impressive statistics. Students achieve a 100% pass rate on the ASHA Praxis exam, and graduates enjoy over 95% employment rate. Your path to becoming a speech pathologist in Maryland offers both challenges and rewards.
A Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology is the foundation of this career. This detailed two-year program shapes professional Speech-Language Pathologists. Competition runs high in speech pathology graduate programs. Each year, 250-300 applicants vie for only 25 spots. Most successful candidates maintain at least a 3.5 undergraduate GPA, though most achieve 3.7-3.8. The speech language pathologist education goes beyond classroom learning. Students must complete clinical placements, and programs report 100% success in student placement.
Maryland practitioners need a speech language pathology license after their education. You must score at least 600 on the National Examination in Speech-Language Pathology. Your Master’s Degree should meet the Board’s standards for academic coursework and supervised training. This piece guides you through every step to become a qualified speech-language pathologist in Maryland, from education to licensure and beyond.
Education Requirements for Maryland SLPs
A Master’s degree from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) marks the beginning of your journey as a speech-language pathologist in Maryland. This accreditation will give a solid foundation that meets national quality and rigor standards.
Prerequisite Education
Students must complete specific prerequisite coursework before starting a master’s program. Most programs need:
- Biological sciences (human/animal focused)
- Physical sciences (chemistry or physics)
- Statistics
- Social/behavioral sciences (psychology, sociology, anthropology)
Students without a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders must complete foundational courses in anatomy and physiology of speech, phonetics, speech science, and language development. Towson University, to name just one example, asks students to complete these prerequisites with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
Admission Requirements
Speech pathology graduate programs in Maryland maintain selective standards with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. Many programs no longer require GRE scores. The application package should include recommendation letters, personal statements, and candidates might need to appear for interviews.
Master’s Program Structure
Full-time students typically complete their master’s programs in speech-language pathology within two years, including summers. The curriculum has sections on speech disorders, language disorders, voice disorders, fluency disorders, and clinical methods.
Clinical Requirements
Clinical practicum hours are a vital part of your education. ASHA requires students to complete 400 supervised clinical hours – 25 hours in guided observation and 375 hours in direct client contact. Students must complete at least 325 hours at the graduate level. Towson University’s first-year students work at university speech centers, while second-year students gain experience at off-campus locations like schools, hospitals, and other settings.
Several CAA-accredited programs exist in Maryland, including Towson University, Loyola University Maryland, and the University of Maryland. These programs boast impressive outcomes – Towson University students achieve a 95% first-attempt pass rate on the National Praxis Examination.
Completing your master’s program prepares you for the next phase: clinical fellowship and licensure through the Maryland Board of Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, and Speech-Language Pathologists.
Getting Your Licensure and Credentials
Your next vital step after completing education is to get proper licensure from the Maryland Board of Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists & Music Therapists. The state regulates this process to ensure you meet professional standards before you start practicing.
You’ll need to get a Limited License for your Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) before getting your full maryland speech language pathology license in Maryland. The board will issue your full license once you meet all requirements.
A Limited License lets you complete your supervised clinical experience. You must meet these qualifications:
- Show good moral character
- Have a Master’s degree in speech-language pathology
- Submit a board-approved supervision plan to the Maryland board of speech language pathology
Start your clinical fellowship within 2 years of finishing your academic coursework. You must complete it within 24 months through:
- Full-time work (30+ hours weekly) for at least 9 months
- Part-time options from 15-19 hours weekly for 18 months to 25-29 hours weekly for 12 months
Your job should include at least 80% direct client contact with assessment, diagnosis, screening, and rehabilitation tasks.
Full License Application Process
The Board’s online website accepts full licensure applications once you complete your clinical fellowship and pass the National Examination. You’ll need:
- $150 application fee
- Proof of education and completed clinical fellowship
- A passing score on the Maryland Law Examination
The Board might waive certain qualifications if you have a license from another state that meets or exceeds Maryland’s standards.
Continuing Education Requirements
Your maryland slp license requirements include:
- 30 continuing education hours every two years
- At least 20 hours directly related to your license
- 1 hour in cultural competency and 1 hour in ethics
- A one-time implicit bias training course
Interstate Practice Options
Maryland’s participation in the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC) lets qualified practitioners work across state lines. You must have a state license for telepractice services that meets the same requirements as in-person practice.
Getting ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) will help you reduce application paperwork and makes interstate practice easier, though it’s not required for Maryland licensure.
Salaries for SLPs in Maryland
Speech-language pathologists in Maryland receive competitive pay in the healthcare field. Their average annual wage reaches $95,310, which is higher than the national average of $92,630.
Pay rates show notable differences across the state. Towson leads with the highest annual salary at $106,080. Pikesville professionals follow with earnings of $101,400. SLPs in Bel Air can earn an attractive $56.65 per hour. Leonardtown speech pathologists receive $31.95 hourly.
Maryland’s salary range starts at entry-level positions paying $59,660. Top earners in the 90th percentile make up to $128,910. The workplace setting affects earnings substantially. Private practice professionals tend to earn more than their counterparts in educational settings.
Experience plays a key role in earning potential. Speech pathologists’ career progression typically starts at $109,850 and can reach $136,299 for senior roles.
Maryland’s aging population creates a bright job outlook. This demographic shift has increased the need for speech and language services across the state. The combination of growing demand and competitive salaries makes speech-language pathology a rewarding career choice in Maryland.
Careers in Maryland
Speech-language pathologists work in professional settings of all types throughout Maryland. Schools and universities employ most SLPs, with about 56% choosing educational settings. Healthcare facilities make up 39% of jobs – nonresidential facilities claim 16%, hospitals take 13%, and residential care accounts for 10%.
Maryland’s SLP job market is booming. The field expects a 25.2% growth through 2032, which is a big deal as it means that the average 7.6% growth rate for other jobs. This creates about 260 new positions each year statewide.
Baltimore stands out as Maryland’s SLP hub with 1,140 professionals calling it home. The state’s notable employers include:
- Kennedy Krieger Institute (specializing in neurodevelopmental disorders)
- Johns Hopkins Hospital
- University of Maryland
- Baltimore County Public Schools
Kennedy Krieger Institute’s clinical fellowship program gives new graduates a well-laid-out path with specialized pediatric care training. These year-long positions help fellows gain supervised experience in clinics, schools, and community rehabilitation centers.
Bilingual SLPs, especially when you have Spanish, Mandarin, or Arabic language skills, enjoy excellent job prospects. Many professionals who ask about becoming speech pathologists in Maryland ended up starting their own practices – nearly one-fifth of SLPs nationwide do exactly that.
Next Steps
A career as a speech-language pathologist in Maryland promises both professional satisfaction and financial stability. This piece has shown you the complete educational trip that starts with a master’s degree from an accredited program and includes clinical experience and licensing requirements. The academic work might look tough at first, but high pass rates on certification exams show that students who prepare well succeed.
Maryland proves to be an excellent choice for SLPs, with average salaries exceeding $95,000 annually and top performers earning close to $129,000. Qualified professionals find especially rewarding opportunities in places like Towson and Pikesville. The job market looks incredibly promising, with a projected growth of 25.2% through 2032—this is a big deal as it means that it surpasses most other professions.
Maryland’s SLPs can work in a variety of settings from schools to healthcare facilities and private practices. Some of the state’s prominent employers include Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins Hospital. Professionals who speak multiple languages are in high demand as the field continues to evolve.
Becoming a licensed speech-language pathologist definitely takes commitment and determination. The mix of job satisfaction, competitive pay, and plenty of employment options makes this career path worth exploring. This step-by-step guide gives you a clear direction to help you become a successful speech-language pathologist in Maryland.