How to Become a School Speech Therapist: An Expert-Backed Career Guide
The job market for speech-language pathologists shows remarkable promise. Between 2022 and 2032, experts predict a 19% growth rate – more than six times faster than the average across all occupations.
These numbers paint an exciting picture. Each year for the next decade, about 13,200 positions will open up for speech-language pathologists. Schools employ more than half of all SLPs and are a great way to get stability while making a real difference in students’ lives. On top of that, it pays well – school-based speech pathologists earn around $75,000 per year nationwide. California tops the list with an average yearly salary of $89,290.
This rewarding career path might be right for you. You’ll need to learn about speech therapist education requirements, get the right speech therapist degree, and master the steps to become a school speech therapist. This piece guides you through everything – from speech therapist schooling to certification. You’ll find a clear roadmap to start your career as a school speech therapist.
Understand the Education Path
Your trip to become a school speech therapist starts with a detailed education pathway. This rewarding career needs specific academic requirements and educational steps. You’ll need prerequisite knowledge that builds a solid foundation for your professional practice.
You need to complete a bachelor’s degree first. Graduate programs don’t always require a specific undergraduate major, but some fields will give a better preparation for your future studies.
Think over degrees in:
- Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD)
- Speech Pathology and Audiology
- Linguistics
- Psychology
- Education
These programs include foundational coursework about speech and hearing anatomy and physiology, normal speech and language development, and diagnostic methods for communication disorders. Students in related majors often take speech pathology courses in their first year, including introductory American Sign Language.
Learn about speech therapist education requirements
A master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) is vital after your bachelor’s degree [link_1] for professional practice. State licensure and certification make this requirement mandatory. Most graduate programs take about two years after your bachelor’s degree.
The Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) must accredit your chosen master’s program. Accreditation is a vital part because you need it for certification and state licensure.
Graduate coursework typically covers:
- Speech and language development
- Age-specific speech disorders
- Alternative communication methods
- Swallowing disorders
- Supervised clinical experience
Prerequisite courses for graduate programs
Master’s programs need specific prerequisite coursework. Requirements vary between schools, but most programs expect similar basic knowledge.
Common prerequisite courses include:
- Sciences: Biological sciences, physical sciences (specifically physics or chemistry)
- Statistics: Research methods and statistical analysis
- Social/Behavioral Sciences: Psychology or sociology coursework
- Communication Sciences: Phonetics, anatomy and physiology of speech mechanism, language development, audiology, and speech science
Accredited institutions must provide these prerequisites at undergraduate or graduate levels. All but one of these requirements can’t come from high school courses, except for advanced placement (AP) courses on college transcripts.
Students with non-CSD undergraduate degrees have several options to complete missing prerequisites:
- Enroll in courses at accredited colleges or universities
- Take classes at community colleges
- Complete online coursework through accredited institutions
- Take “Examination for Credit” options or CLEP exams
- Enroll in intensive prerequisite programs offered by some universities
A competitive GPA is vital in this educational path—most graduate programs need a minimum GPA of 3.0. This well-laid-out educational path will give you the detailed knowledge to excel as a school speech therapist.
Earn a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology
The path to becoming a school speech therapist starts after your bachelor’s degree and prerequisites. Your next vital step is getting a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP). This graduate program serves as the life-blood of your professional training and helps you develop clinical skills.
Choosing an accredited SLP program
The right master’s program needs careful thought about several factors. The program must have accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA). You’ll need this accreditation to get your national certification and state license.
These factors need your attention when picking a program:
- Praxis exam pass rates: High pass rates show quality education
- Clinical opportunities: Look for placements in schools of all types
- Faculty expertise: Teachers with school experience give great insights
- Graduation rates: Better rates mean strong student support
- Cost and financial aid: Look at tuition costs and scholarship options
Most students apply to 4-6 programs to boost their acceptance chances. You’ll need GRE scores, recommendation letters, personal statements, and interviews to apply.
What to expect in coursework and practicum
SLP master’s programs take 2-3 years based on full-time or part-time study. The program combines tough academic courses with hands-on clinical practice.
Your advanced coursework covers:
- Speech sound disorders and articulation
- Language development and disorders
- Voice and resonance disorders
- Fluency disorders (stuttering)
- Swallowing disorders (dysphagia)
- Neurogenic communication disorders
- Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
Clinical practice requires 400 hours minimum with clients of different ages and disorder types. Direct client contact must make up 25% of these hours. Certified SLPs supervise these practicums in various settings. School-based placements are great if you want to work as a school speech therapist.
Programs build clinical experience step by step. Students start with observations, move to assisted therapy, and finish with supervised independent clinical work. This hands-on training builds essential skills for school settings.
Online vs. on-campus options
Speech therapist education now comes in different formats. Traditional campus programs give you direct faculty access, peer collaboration, and established clinical partnerships. But these programs need you to live nearby and follow strict schedules.
Online and hybrid SLP programs have become accessible to more people. These options work well if you have work or family commitments. They include:
- Self-paced online coursework
- Live virtual classes
- Local clinical placements
Some programs let you study mostly online with brief campus visits throughout the program.
All accredited programs must meet the same high standards for academics and clinical experience. Online programs should help arrange clinical placements and work with school-aged kids if that’s your goal.
Your choice between online and campus programs depends on your situation, how you learn best, and your goals as a school speech therapist.
Complete Your Clinical Fellowship
A master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology leads to a vital transitional phase in your career: the Clinical Fellowship. This supervised professional experience connects your academic knowledge with hands-on practice and builds a strong foundation for your future as a school speech therapist.
What is a clinical fellowship year (CFY)?
The Clinical Fellowship (CF) starts after you complete all academic coursework and clinical practicum requirements. This structured period helps you blend theoretical knowledge with practical skills as you grow from student to independent practitioner.
Key elements of the CF include:
- Duration requirements: You must complete at least 36 weeks and 1,260 hours of supervised experience
- Time structure: The experience splits into three segments of at least 12 weeks each
- Clinical focus: You’ll spend at least 80% of your time in direct clinical contact to manage speech and language disorders
- Completion timeframe: The whole CF experience must finish within four years (48 months) from your start date
Your CF journey focuses on assessing your strengths, understanding limitations, developing clinical skills, and moving steadily from supervised to independent practice. This period marks the final step in your professional preparation before certification.
Finding a mentor and placement
The right mentor and placement are vital for a successful CF experience. Your mentor shapes your professional development during this important phase.
Your mentor must meet these qualifications:
- Have a current Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP)
- Have at least 9 months of full-time clinical experience after earning their CCC-SLP
- Complete at least 2 hours of professional development in supervision
ASHA requirements state that mentors must provide at least 18 hours of on-site observation and 18 additional monitoring activities throughout your CF.
Your placement should:
- Let you deliver a full range of speech and language services
- Give you at least 5 hours per week of clinical work
- Provide regular access to your mentor for feedback and assessment
School districts and many organizations actively seek Clinical Fellows and offer structured mentorship programs to support your growth.
Temporary licensing during CFY
You’ll need temporary licensing or provisional certification to complete your CF in most states. This interim credential lets you practice legally under supervision before getting full licensure.
State requirements typically include:
- Proof of completed academic coursework
- Details about your CF mentor and setting
- Application fees that vary by state
- A supervision plan that outlines your CF structure
Temporary licenses come with specific limits:
- Most states don’t allow renewals
- They expire after CF completion
- You must report any changes in supervision or setting quickly
Contact your state’s regulatory agency before starting your CF to learn about specific temporary licensing requirements. Early planning helps you start your clinical fellowship right after graduation without delays.
Your mentor will use the Clinical Fellowship Skills Inventory (CFSI) to assess your performance across all required competencies. You need ratings of ‘2’ or above on all skills by the end of your final segment to complete the CF requirements successfully.
Pass the Praxis Exam and Get Certified
The Praxis examination marks a key milestone in your trip to becoming a school speech therapist. This standardized test shows if you’re ready to practice on your own and opens the door to professional certification.
Overview of the Praxis exam structure
The Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology (5331) comes from ASHA and ETS handles its administration. You’ll face 132 questions on this computer-based test with 150 minutes to finish. The test gives a detailed look at your knowledge in three main areas:
- Foundations and Professional Practice
- Screening, Assessment, Evaluation, and Diagnosis
- Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation of Treatment
Each section has about 44 questions that cover typical development and treatment procedures. The questions test your grasp of core content and current practices you’ll need to work independently in any employment setting, including schools.
Minimum score and preparation tips
You need a minimum score of 162 on a 100-200 scale to get ASHA certification. The good news is wrong answers don’t count against you, so make sure you tackle every question.
These preparation strategies work well:
- Use the official ETS Study Companion and Study Plan materials
- Take practice tests to get familiar with question types
- Focus on content areas where you need extra work
- Look into specialized review guides from providers like TherapyEd
The exam is available before, during, or after you apply for certification. All the same, ASHA suggests taking it after you complete your graduate coursework and clinical practicum or in your first year of practice.
Applying for the CCC-SLP credential
After passing the exam, submit your application for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) through ASHA. Your application needs:
- Passing Praxis exam scores sent straight from ETS to ASHA (use recipient code R5031)
- Official transcripts from your CAA-accredited program
- Completed Clinical Fellowship Report and Rating Form
Note that Praxis scores stay valid for certification purposes for just five years. You must complete the whole certification process, including passing the exam, within two years of applying.
Get Licensed and Start Working in Schools
The final step to become a professional speech-language pathologist requires getting your state license and starting your career in speech pathology education. Each milestone builds on what you’ve learned and experienced.
Applying for state licensure
All states require speech-language pathologists to be licensed, though requirements differ by location. Most states need you to have:
- A master’s degree from an accredited program
- Completion of supervised clinical experience
- Passing score on the Praxis examination
- Application fees (which vary by state)
You’ll apply directly to your state’s licensing board after completing your clinical fellowship. Processing times differ, and some states give temporary licenses during review. To name just one example, California verifies your Required Professional Experience (RPE) first. You’ll then get an application for permanent licensure that takes just days to process.
Additional credentials for school-based SLPs
School settings often need extra credentials beyond standard licensure. SLPs with ASHA certification can get teaching credentials without extra requirements in fifteen states. Other states use a two-tier system:
- State SLP license – Professional licensing agencies issue this (e.g., Indiana Professional Licensing Agency)
- Educational credential – State education departments provide this (e.g., Indiana Department of Education)
California gives a two-year preliminary Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential first. A clear credential follows once you meet all requirements. North Carolina’s education board accepts the state SLP license as enough to practice in schools.
Learning about job options in public schools
Educational settings employ more than half (56%) of all SLPs, with 53% in schools and 3% in universities. Your responsibilities will include:
- Conducting screenings and diagnostic evaluations
- Providing services individually or in small groups
- Cooperating with educators and parents
- Developing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
- Completing documentation for federal, state, and local agencies
School-based positions come with great benefits like academic calendars and steady schedules. You’ll get to help students of all ages with various communication disorders. These jobs remain in high demand across the country.
Next Steps to Becoming a School Speech Therapist
A career as a school speech therapist can change students’ lives while offering great growth prospects. This specialized profession needs detailed preparation, from education to certification.
Your path starts with undergraduate studies and moves to a master’s degree from an accredited SLP program. This foundation will give you the knowledge and skills you need to work effectively. The clinical fellowship year connects your classroom learning to real-life application, and you’ll build confidence with expert mentors by your side.
The Praxis exam is one of the most important steps in your professional experience. This test confirms you’re ready to practice on your own and helps you get your CCC-SLP credential. After that, you can get your state license and other educational credentials needed for schools.
Schools offer great advantages for speech therapists. Regular schedules, academic calendars, and the chance to work with different communication disorders make these roles attractive. The projected job growth of 19% through 2032 shows strong job prospects ahead for qualified professionals.
Speech therapy in schools gives you both stability and purpose. You’ll help students overcome their communication challenges and reach their potential every day. Your investment in education, training, and certification builds a rewarding career with competitive pay that touches many young lives.
Becoming a school speech therapist takes commitment and determination. The joy of helping students find their voice makes every challenge worth it. This piece shows you the steps clearly and might inspire you to join a profession where you can make a real difference daily.