How to Become a Speech Language Pathologist in Chicago

Regardless of whether a person with a speech, language or hearing problem was born with a disability or acquired it through an accident, professionals are needed to help them learn to cope as well as possibly overcome it. Providing assistance to children and adults with these problems is the role of a speech language pathologist.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Complete a bachelor’s degree program. Becoming a speech language pathologist in Chicago requires significant education, and the first step is to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. Most students planning to go into speech language pathology choose communication sciences and disorders as their undergraduate program of study.

2. Graduate from a master’s degree program. The state of Illinois has a number of different colleges and universities that offer programs in speech language pathology where you can obtain your master’s degree. These include Eastern Illinois University, Governor’s State University, Illinois State University, Northern Illinois University, Northwestern University, Rush University, Saint Xavier University, Southern Illinois University (Carbondale and Edwardsville), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Western Illinois University. Admission requirements vary at each university.

3. Pass the national Praxius exam. The Praxius exam is part of the licensing requirements for speech language pathologists in several states including Illinois. A score of 600 or better is considered passing.

4. Apply for a temporary license to practice under a licensed professional. To get your temporary license, you should submit an application form, $75 fee, official transcript showing completion of master’s degree program and scores from Praxius exam to the Division of Professional Regulation. They will issue you a temporary license, which is good for 12 months and can only be renewed once.

5. Complete supervised work experience. To become a speech language pathologist in Chicago, you must complete nine months of full-time work experience under a professional, licensed speech language pathologist. Dedicate time to this step since with a temporary license you only have 12 to 24 months to complete it. After that the state will not grant you a temporary license, and this will prevent you from being able to become a certified and licensed speech language pathologist in Chicago or Illinois.

6. Apply for your professional license. Submit an application, $90 fee, official transcript certifying you have a master’s degree, national exam scores and documentation of supervised experience. This can be sent to the Division of Professional Regulation which oversees the licensing of speech language pathologists in Illinois (see Resources).

7. Renew your license as needed. You will need to keep your license current to work as a speech language pathologist once you have received it. This requires you to obtain 20 hours of continuing education and reapply for your license every two years. The renewal fee for a speech language pathology license is $50.

Tips & Warnings

• There are no doctoral programs within the state of Illinois for speech language pathology. However, you can still obtain this credential outside the state and practice in Illinois as long as you meet the certification requirements.
• The admission deadline for most master’s degree programs in Illinois for speech language pathology fall between January 1 and March 31.
• Speech language pathologists transferring to Illinois from another state must provide licensing documents and credentials from the state where they were most recently practicing in order to get their license for the state of Illinois.
• You must be 21 years of age or older to get licensed as a speech language pathologist in Chicago and the state of Illinois.

Resources

• Illinois Speech Language Hearing Association
• Division of Professional Regulation (Illinois licensing body)

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Advance your nursing credentials with a bachelor’s or master’s degree from University of Phoenix. Get started today.
• 800% Penny Stock Gains? A Mathematician's Secret. PennyStockProphet.com
• Top 10 "Scam Free" Work At Home Jobs For 2010. Weekly-Consumer-Newsletter.com
• Kaplan University offers more than 125 degrees and programs. Online. On campus. On your terms.