Careers in Speech-Language Pathology

Speech-Language Pathology is an exciting profession.  The employment demand for Speech-Language Pathologists is terrific and is expected to continue to be excellent both in the state of Arkansas and nationally.

Speech-Language pathologists are employed in many settings such as: public and private schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing care facilities, community clinics, private practice, state and local health departments, home health agencies, long term care facilities, centers for persons with developmental disabilities, research laboratories, and colleges and universities.  Median salaries range from $45,000 per academic year to $52,600 per calendar year.  For more information about this exciting profession, go to the web site of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association at www.asha.org.

The Department of Speech-Language Pathology at UCA is the largest in the state.  We offer two degree programs: Bachelor of Science and Master of Science.  A Master’s degree is the entry-level professional degree.  Students must also complete 400 clock hours of clinical practicum and pass the national exam in speech pathology.  The Master’s Program at UCA is a six semester program. UCA students who complete their Master’s degree usually have secured employment before they have officially graduated.

Post-Baccalaureate Track

Students with baccalaureate degrees in fields other than speech-language pathology may apply for the Post-Baccalaureate track. Post-Baccalaureate students must complete a minimum of 15 hours of undergraduate coursework in speech pathology and take the Graduate Records Examination (GRE) before making application to the Master’s Program in Speech-Language Pathology at UCA.  To apply to the Master’s program, a student must have earned an overall minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.7 (A=4) or at least a 3.0 in the last 60 semester hours and take the Graduate Records Examination (GRE).  Admission to the Master’s program is competitive and selective. Selection is based on academic and personal qualifications of the applicant and is granted without regard to race, color, creed or national origin.

The application deadline is January 15.   Post-Bac students who have been accepted into the graduate program must complete a minimum of 30 hours of undergraduate courses in speech pathology before enrolling in graduate school.

REQUIRED UNDERGRADUATE COURSES IN SPEECH PATHOLOGY

SPTH 2322     Phonetics
SPTH 2306     Anatomy and Physiology I
SPTH 3306     Anatomy and Physiology II
SPTH 3321     Normal Language  (recommended before taking 3320)
SPTH 3311     Speech/Hearing Science (recommended before taking 4311)
SPTH 3325     Clinical Methods
SPTH 3320     Language Disorders in Children (recommended taking after 3321)
SPTH  4301    Articulation Disorders
SPTH  4311    Audiology (recommended taking after 3311)
SPTH _3__     Your choice of another 3 hour speech pathology course

TOTAL – 30 hours

ADDITIONAL COURSES IN SPEECH PATHOLOGY

SPTH 2300  Introduction to Communication Disorders
SPTH 2303  Sign Language
SPTH 3300  Phonological Acquisition
SPTH 3326  Diagnostic Methods
SPTH 4115  Clinical Practicum I
SPTH 4230  Fluency Disorders
SPTH 4220  Diagnosis and Planning
SPTH 4310  Assistive Technology
SPTH 4330  Neurogenic Communication Disorders
SPTH 4335  Clinical Methods in Language Disorders

To meet certification requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) offered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) students must complete one course from each of the following areas with a grade of C or better:  Biology, Physical Science, Math, & Behavioral or Social Science.

Students who need more information or who are interested in beginning the Post-Baccalaureate Track should contact:

Sharon Ross, M.S. CCC-SLP                             
Post Bac/Master Student Advisor                                   
sharonr@uca.edu                             
501 450-5489