What is a Speech & Language Pathologist?
Speech and language pathologists teach children and adults with communication disorders. Anyone at any age can develop problems that may affect their ability to swallow, express and understand language or articulate sounds.
These conditions can cause dehydration, malnutrition, asphyxiation, infections, or respiratory problems. These conditions can affect a person’s quality of life and their ability to communicate functionally with others. The life of a speech pathologist includes assessing patient needs, diagnosing conditions, finding treatment plans, and monitoring progress.
Speech pathologists allow children with a disability to talk with their parents and others.
Associations to Support You
How to Start Your Speech & Language Pathologist Journey
Step 1: Earn a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders.
Step 2: Earn a master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders.
Step 3: Earn 1,260 hours of supervised postgraduate clinical fellowship.
- At least 1,008 hours of supervised experience must involve direct client assessment.
Step 4: Pass the National Speech Language Pathology Exam through Praxis.
- Receive a passing score of at least 162.
- To qualify for the exam, you must have proof of graduate transcript and clinical fellowship.
Step 5: Receive licensing through Michigan Board.
Submit the following:
- A completed application.
- Official transcripts from your graduate program.
- A Clinical Fellowship Rating and Report Form, signed and mailed by your supervisor.
These can be mailed to:
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
Bureau of Health Care Services.
Board of Speech-Language Pathology.
PO Box 30670
Lansing MI 48909
Volunteer to Gain More Experience!
Get hands-on experience and find a classroom near you that is in need of a volunteer!
Job Shadow a Speech & language Therapist
To participate in a job shadow, reach out to a school district and request to job shadow a Speech & language Therapist for a day.
Each school district has their own policy when it comes to job shadowing, but you may need a state ID or a driver’s license to participate.
College Program Information
Click a point on the map to find degree programs, scholarships, grants, and organizations to join!
Scholarships & Grants For Speech & Language Pathologists
Free College Opportunities
Allows students to earn college credit (up to 10 courses) while in high school at no cost between 9th-12th grade. The classes that students are eligible for must not be offered by the high school or PSA and must lead towards postsecondary credit, accreditation, certification, and/or licensing.
How to apply – Students are to talk with their high school advisor on eligibility, application, deadlines, and college course options.
A Michigan Department of Education approved five-year program of study.
EMCs work closely with certain colleges to provide students with an opportunity earn a high school diploma and one or more of the following:
- 60 transferable college credits.
- An associate degree.
- A professional certification.
- The Michigan Early Middle College Association (MEMCA) technical certificate.
- Participation in a registered apprenticeship.
The Michigan Achievement Scholarship is designed to help students pursue their dreams, goals, and aspirations in the Mitten State! Graduating high school seniors are eligible to earn a skill certificate or degree at their local community college tuition-free just by filling out the new and simplified FAFSA.
State Scholarships & Grants
Michigan Reconnect is a scholarship program that pays you to attend your in-district community college tuition free or pays up to the in-district rate if you attend a community college where you’re considered out-of-district. Applicants must be 25 years old to apply.
Thirteen Promise Zones have already begun awarding scholarships. Educators, businesses, families and civic leaders are also striving to embed a pervasive culture of learning in these communities – an essential ingredient in any recipe for education success.
Amount: $2,000 – $5,500
Graduate Assistantships
Participating in a graduate assistantship is a great way to cover the financial costs of graduate school while gaining valuable experience in your field of education.
Federal Scholarships & Grants
Colleges and career schools use the FAFSA form to determine how much financial aid you’re eligible to receive, which could include grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans.You must apply for aid every year.
The Federal Student Aid Estimator provides an estimate of how much federal student aid the student may be eligible to receive. These estimates are based on the Student Aid Index (SAI), an index to determine federal student aid eligibility.
Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans are federal student loans offered by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to help eligible students cover the cost of higher education at a four-year college or university, community college, or trade, career, or technical school.
A federal grant for undergraduate students with financial need.
Direct PLUS loans can help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid. The U.S. Department of Education makes Direct PLUS Loans to eligible graduate or professional students through schools participating in the Direct Loan Program.
Grant for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need, administered directly by financial aid office at each participating school, not all schools participate
part-time employment while enrolled in school, available to undergrad, grad, and professional students with financial need, available to full and part-time students, administered by participating schools, emphasizes employment in civic education and work related to course of study or civic education, on or off campus
