How to Become a Speech Language Pathologist in Colorado

Speech language pathologists play an important role in helping children and adults overcome disabilities with regard to their speech, language and hearing. Many speech language pathologists in Colorado work in schools with children while others are employed by hospitals or in private practice assisting both children and adults. Regardless of what type of population you want to assist, here’s how to become a speech language pathologist in Colorado.

Instructions

1. Earn your bachelor’s degree. While most colleges and universities don’t offer a bachelor’s degree in this particular field, you do have the option to major in human development or communication sciences and disorders since these fields are closely related to speech language pathology. You can even major in early childhood , elementary or secondary education if your plans are to work in a school with children who have speech, language or hearing disabilities.

2. Get your master’s degree. The University of Colorado at Boulder and the University of Northern Colorado are the only two institutions to offer master’s degrees in speech language pathology. Generally these programs take two to four years to complete depending upon whether you are enrolled as a full or part-time student.

3. Take the Praxius exam and get ASHA certification if planning to work in a school setting. The state of Colorado does not require speech language pathologists to be licensed unless working in an elementary or secondary school. You can get your license to work in a school by passing the Praxius exam with a score of 600 or better as well as obtaining certification through the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). The latter requires an application and fee as well as proof of graduation from an accredited by master’s program.

4. Join the professional association for Colorado speech language pathologists. Becoming a member of the Colorado Speech-Language Hearing Association (CSHA) is not a requirement to get licensed or practice speech language pathology in the state. However, most people find that it is beneficial in networking and staying current on the latest news and research regarding speech, language and hearing.

Tips & Warnings

• The only doctorate program offered in Colorado in speech language pathology is at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

• Speech-language pathologists working in school settings outside the state can be exempt from taking the Praxius exam to get their license if they have been working as a licensed speech-language pathologist in a school setting for three or more consecutive years full-time.

Resources

• Colorado Speech-Language Hearing Association (CSHA)
• Licensing for Colorado school speech language pathologists