Speech Pathologist Career in Missouri

In Missouri, a Speech-Language Pathologist is the No. 3 best job in healthcare and No. 10 best job overall. Here, we will guide you through your 12-month experience to become a speech pathologist in Missouri.

The path to getting your Missouri speech language pathology license needs careful planning. You must complete a Master’s or doctoral degree and follow it with a clinical fellowship. You’ll also need to keep up with 30 hours of continuing education every three years. The Missouri SLP license application takes about six weeks to process after the Board receives it. Once you submit all required documents, expect a four-week review period.

Let me walk you through the education requirements, licensure process, and career opportunities that come with your Missouri speech pathology license. The MOPRO system makes things easier by providing 24/7 access. You can apply for your license, handle renewals, and track your continuing education hours all in one place.

Education Requirements for Missouri SLPs

Starting your journey as a speech-language pathologist in Missouri requires undergraduate studies. A bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) or Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (SLHS) can help, but it’s not required. Notwithstanding that, graduate programs usually expect a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from your last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework.

Students with degrees in other fields must complete prerequisite coursework about simple communication sciences and communication disorders before starting a master’s program. These prerequisites are available at any college or university that offers a baccalaureate degree in the field.

A master’s degree from a Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) accredited program is the core requirement to get your Missouri speech language pathology license. Missouri features 11 CAA-accredited master’s degree programs. The University of Missouri and Fontbonne University are among these options.

Master’s programs cover advanced topics including:

• Phonetics and phonological disorders
• Language acquisition and development
• Cognitive-linguistic disorders
• Medical speech-language pathology

Program length depends on your background. Students with an SLP bachelor’s degree typically need six semesters, while those needing leveling courses might require nine semesters. International students must show English proficiency with minimum scores: an iBT score of 100 (with at least 28 on the Speaking subtest) or IELTS score of 7 (with at least 8.5 on the Speaking subtest).

Several institutions like Missouri State University and University of Central Missouri run competitive programs. They set January 15 as the application deadline for fall admission. Graduating from an accredited program will give you the coursework requirements needed for ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence, which you need to practice in Missouri.

Getting Your Licensure and Credentials

After completing your master’s degree in speech-language pathology, you need to get your license through the Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts. Starting January 14, 2025, you can create a MOPRO account at mopro.mo.gov/license/s/ to handle your licensing process. The system lets you manage license applications, renewals, and track continuing education hours anytime.

You’ll need several important documents to apply for your license. These include your official graduate transcript, proof that you passed the Praxis examination in Speech-Language Pathology with a score of at least 162, and a completed application form. You also need to submit a non-refundable $50 application fee, a passport-sized photo, and your social security card copy.

The original processing takes about six weeks, and you’ll need to wait another four weeks for review once all documents are in. You should plan your application timing carefully to avoid career gaps.

Your career requires 30 hours of continuing education every three years. The CE cycles end December 31 of every third year, and licenses expire January 31 of every third year. Approved courses that meet these requirements since the Board accepts ASHA-approved continuing education units.

The Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association is an optional certification many SLPs get along with their state license. This certification needs a clinical fellowship of 1,260 hours over at least 36 weeks, plus passing the national exam.

Missouri is part of the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC), which lets qualified professionals work in member states. Telepractice providers must follow the same rules as in-person practice.

Salaries for SLPs in Missouri

Speech-language pathologists with a Missouri license can expect different pay based on their location and workplace. The median annual wage nationally is $95,410, and salaries range from $60,480 to $132,850.

Missouri’s SLPs earn a median annual salary of $83,950, which is 6% lower than the national average. Pay varies by a lot within the state. The Columbia area offers the best median wages at $95,640, while Southwest Missouri pays a median of $74,350.

Your workplace can make a big difference in your earnings. SLPs hired at nursing and residential care facilities nationwide earn the highest median wages at $106,500. Hospital positions come next at $101,560. Educational settings provide lower pay at $80,280 per year.

Saint Joseph tops Missouri’s cities with average hourly rates of $50.46, and Kansas City SLPs earn $45.60 per hour. New graduates with a Missouri SLP license start around $54,350 annually. Their salaries can grow to $113,030 with more experience.

Top earners with speech pathology training from Missouri programs can make up to $161,800 yearly in North Missouri. This field offers both financial rewards and professional satisfaction.

Careers in Missouri

Speech-language pathologists in Missouri have excellent job prospects. Employment is projected to grow by 25% through 2030, which exceeds the national average of 19%. The state expects about 260 job openings each year.

After getting your Missouri speech language pathology license, you’ll find many work settings to choose from. Schools employ 40% of SLPs, while hospitals (15%), therapy offices (15%), and residential care facilities (4%) make up other major employers. Major Missouri employers like CoxHealth, Mercy, Springfield Public Schools, BJC Healthcare, and Saint Luke’s Health System actively seek qualified professionals.

Speech-language pathologists treat communication disorders in different patient groups. Their work ranges from helping children with speech impediments to supporting adults who are recovering from strokes or brain injuries. These professionals assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, and swallowing disorders as part of healthcare teams.

The field offers alternative career paths too. Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant positions require a bachelor’s degree and state licensure. Entry-level salaries start at approximately $50,000 per year.

Most Missouri SLPs work in major cities. St. Louis has 1,760 professionals, while Kansas City employs 1,230 professionals. Missouri’s participation in the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact allows professionals to practice easily across 34 member states.

Start Today

A career as a speech-language pathologist in Missouri offers excellent growth potential and professional satisfaction. The path from student to licensed SLP needs dedication to complete your master’s degree from a CAA-accredited program and clinical fellowship. MOPRO makes managing your license easier by providing quick access to applications, renewals, and continuing education records.

Missouri SLPs enjoy strong financial prospects, though earnings differ by location and workplace. Columbia leads as the highest-paying metro area. Healthcare facilities typically pay better than educational settings. Job security looks bright with growth projections of 25% through 2030. This is a big deal as it means that the growth rate surpasses the national average, creating about 260 job openings yearly across the state.

Your Missouri speech pathology license creates opportunities in various settings – schools, hospitals, private practices, and residential care facilities. The state’s participation in the interstate compact lets you practice in multiple states without extra licenses. This 12-month guide gives you the knowledge to direct each step toward becoming a licensed speech-language pathologist in Missouri. This rewarding career path offers professional growth and stability while you help clients overcome communication challenges and enhance their life quality.

Speech-language pathologists need professional development beyond their original license to grow in their career. The Missouri Speech-Language-Hearing Association (MSHA) is a great way to get networking opportunities and state-specific resources. You can connect with other professionals and earn continuing education credits at their annual convention.

ASHA offers specialty certifications that can boost your credentials. These include Board Certification in Neurogenic Communication Disorders, Child Language, or Fluency Disorders. These certifications prove your expertise in specific practice areas.

Missouri universities host workshops and seminars that count toward your continuing education. Saint Louis University, Maryville University, and Southeast Missouri State University run relevant programs throughout the year.

The Midwest Interprofessional Practice, Education, and Research Center also offers training programs that make shared skills development possible.

Innovative technology continues to reshape the field. You must stay up-to-date with telehealth regulations. The Missouri Board updates remote practice guidelines regularly, so you need to keep track of these changes while developing your clinical knowledge.