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.
Speech & Language Pathologist Jobs
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
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.
Ensures all eligible Detroit residents have a tuition-free path to a degree. The student should check with the school to ensure their degree is pell-eligible. This scholarship cannot cover programs that are not Pell-eligible. Detroit Promise funding is not competitive; every student who registers and meets the requirements will receive funding if their college determines they have an eligible funding gap.
Amount: $2,000 – $5,500
Need help paying for college? Fill out the FAFSA – Federal Student Aid – form each year in October, and you may qualify for loans to help cover college tuition.
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.
Free College Opportunities
Dual Enrollment & Early Middle College Options for High School Students
Dual Enrollment – 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.
Early Middle College (EMC) is 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
Volunteer to Gain More Experience!
Get hands-on experience and find a classroom near you that is in need of a volunteer!
Job Shadowing
To participate in a job shadow, reach out to a school district and request to job shadow a Speech and Language Pathologist 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!
Speech & Language Pathologist Story Tellers
Below are videos highlighting special education teachers throughout Michigan.
Find out why they love the profession.
Early Childhood Consult
Oakland Schools, MI
Special educators benefit from a very diverse career path. Danya Stump explains how her unique profession improves the lives of teachers and students.
Early Childhood Consult
Mona Shores Middle School, MI
Thousands of K-12 general-education students are building friendships with kids that have a disability. What that does will surprise you.
Colleen Hoffer
Mona Shores Middle School, MI
Special Education Teachers are bringing in therapy dogs and seeing the benefit it brings to students.
Central Michigan University Creates Leading Edge Special Educators
Simulation classrooms and real world collaborations are boosting the skills and confidence of newly graduated teachers.
join the success
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from Michigan Speech & Language Pathologists
