How to Become a Speech Pathologist in Montana
Want to become a speech pathologist in Montana? The career path offers exceptional outcomes. The University of Montana’s speech-language pathology program shows remarkable results. Their students achieve 100% completion rates, pass the Praxis examination, and find employment within a year of graduation.
Speech-language pathologists help prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat communication and swallowing disorders across all age groups. This rewarding career needs an accredited SLP grad school program completion and specific license requirements. Montana’s SLP license process will give professionals the qualifications they need to assess and treat patients with acquired or developmental speech, language, and swallowing disorders. The state also provides several license options: Speech-Language Pathologist, Limited Speech-Language Pathologist, and Speech-Language Pathology Assistant.
Let this detailed guide take you through the journey of becoming a licensed speech pathologist in Montana. You’ll learn about education requirements, credential processes, and job opportunities.
Education Requirements for Montana SLPs
Becoming a speech-language pathologist in Montana requires solid educational credentials. A Montana SLP license demands specific requirements at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
Students can choose between two options to start their educational experience. They can earn a bachelor’s degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders (CSD) or Speech-Language Pathology. Another option is completing a bachelor’s degree in a related field and taking CSD leveling courses. Students must complete these prerequisite courses with a grade of B- or above in the last eight years.
The next step requires a master’s degree from a program with Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) accreditation. Montana’s only CAA-accredited master’s program in speech-language pathology exists at the University of Montana. This program requires 65 total semester credit hours.
Graduate programs typically require:
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 for all CSD courses
- Completion of 25 ASHA-certified guided observation hours
- Three letters of recommendation
- Writing sample/essay
- Competitive GRE scores for some programs
Students submit applications through the CSD Central Application Service (CSDCAS). Fall admission deadlines usually fall around January 15.
ASHA’s prerequisite course requirements include:
- Physical Science (physics or chemistry)
- Biological Science (biology, anatomy, physiology, etc.)
- Social/Behavioral Science (psychology, sociology, anthropology)
- Statistics
Master’s program coursework covers speech and language disorders, clinical procedures, and specialized treatment approaches. Students complete at least 375 clock hours of clinical practicum, which prepares them for ground practice.
Graduates can assess and treat individuals with acquired or developmental speech, language, and swallowing disorders. The University of Montana’s program boasts impressive statistics – 100% of their SLP graduates pass the Praxis examination and find employment within one year of graduation.
The University of Montana’s program demonstrates strong competition, with 202 applications received and 108 admissions offered in a recent cycle. Most graduate programs end with either a capstone project or thesis requirement, which provides valuable research experience for future careers.
Getting Your Licensure and Credentials
The path to becoming a practicing SLP in Montana starts right after graduate school. You need to get proper licensure through the Montana Board of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists.
The process begins with a supervised clinical fellowship that lasts at least 36 weeks. During this time, you must complete 1,260 hours of hands-on experience under a licensed Montana SLP. The Department of Labor and Industry Citizen Portal handles applications for Limited Speech-Language Pathologist licenses. Your application should include a Supervised Professional Experience Plan with signatures from you and your qualified supervisor.
Your fellowship requires at least 1,008 hours of direct client contact. This includes assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and family consultation. The limited license lasts two years without renewal options.
The next step requires passing the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s National Examination in Speech Language Pathology (Praxis exam 5331). You need to score at least [162](https://www.speechpathologygraduateprograms.org/montana/) on a 100-200 scale. Test centers are located in Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, Havre, Helena, Missoula, and Pablo.
Montana also requires a jurisprudence exam. This involves reading statutes and rules about speech-language pathology practice and signing a declaration statement.
The full licensure application opens after you pass these exams and finish your fellowship. Use the same portal you used for your limited license. Your supervisor must complete and sign the Supervised Professional Experience Completion Report for the Board.
Licensed SLPs need 10 hours of continuing education each year. License renewal happens every January 31, with the process starting in December. A 45-day grace period exists for late renewals, but late fees double the renewal cost.
Montana’s membership in the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC) makes practicing across state lines easier. Telepractice providers must hold a Montana license and meet the same standards as in-person practice.
The Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) from ASHA can improve your job prospects, though Montana doesn’t require it for licensure.
Salaries for SLPs in Montana
Speech-language pathologists in Montana can expect competitive salaries that change based on where they work, their experience, and their workplace setting. Your career planning and Montana SLP license pursuit will benefit from knowing the financial landscape.
Montana speech-language pathologists earn between $77,540 and $81,970 per year based on recent data. These figures fall below the national median salary of $89,290. The average hourly rate stands at $39.41, while top performers can make up to $51.75 per hour.
Your salary in Montana will vary depending on your location. Billings leads the pack with average yearly earnings of $90,260, which makes it an attractive option for new professionals. Other cities show different ranges – Missoula professionals earn about $79,090 yearly, and Great Falls speech pathologists make $49.12 per hour.
The rural areas pay well too. Speech pathologists in Southwest Montana’s non-metropolitan area earn an average of $81,050 annually, while their counterparts in East-Central Montana make $80,820 per year.
Travel positions in Montana pay an average of $2,148 weekly, just 1% below the national average. Some cities like Kalispell offer travel SLPs up to $3,206 per week.
The job market looks bright for Montana SLPs. Growth projections show a 28% increase through 2030, which exceeds the national growth rate of 19% for the same timeframe. This growth creates about 40 job openings yearly across the state.
Your earning potential depends on several key factors besides location. Your workplace environment, experience level, special certifications, and Montana speech language pathology license status all play a role in your final compensation. Healthcare facilities usually offer the best salary packages, followed by schools and educational institutions.
Careers in Montana
Speech-language pathologists in Montana have excellent career prospects. Job growth looks to hit 28% through 2030, and this is a big deal as it means that the national average of 19% for this profession. The state expects about 40 annual job openings.
These professionals work in a variety of settings. We found them mainly in:
- Healthcare facilities (hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes)
- Educational institutions (public schools, universities)
- Private practices
- Telehealth services
Cabinet Peaks Medical Center, Kalispell Regional Medical Center, St. Peter’s Hospital, Billings Clinic, and many school districts actively hire SLPs. The University of Montana’s graduate program shows impressive results – 100% of their graduates land jobs within a year.
The state needs more speech-language pathologists badly. Experts predict a shortage of about 200 professionals by 2025. New SLPs can take advantage of this gap by starting their own practices or joining healthcare teams.
SLPs find their work deeply rewarding because they help people with speech, language and hearing disorders communicate better. Their work makes a real difference in people’s lives, from helping kids overcome developmental delays to supporting older adults’ recovery after strokes.
Ready to start your career with your Montana SLP license? You can join clinical fellowship providers, look into school district positions, or check out the growing field of telehealth that’s expanded since the pandemic.
Getting Started
A career as a speech pathologist in Montana offers great rewards and room to grow. This piece walks you through what you’ll learn to get started. You’ll start with a bachelor’s degree and move on to a master’s from an accredited program. On top of that, you’ll complete clinical fellowships, pass the Praxis exam, and meet Montana’s specific requirements.
Montana SLPs can expect solid earnings. The state’s average pay of $81,970 per year sits just below national figures. Billings tops the list at $90,260. Your choice of location in Montana will affect your earning potential by a lot.
The job market for speech pathologists in Montana looks bright. Growth projections of 28% through 2030 are nowhere near the national average. This is a big deal as it means that jobs are plentiful in healthcare, schools, private practices, and telehealth. The University of Montana’s track record proves this point – 100% of their graduates pass the Praxis exam and find jobs within a year.
Getting licensed as a speech pathologist takes hard work and dedication. But the rewards make it worth it. You’ll help people of all ages overcome their communication challenges. Once you get your Montana license, you’ll be part of a profession that changes lives. You’ll also enjoy job security and feel good about your work for years to come.