How to Become a Speech Therapist Online

Speech therapists must communicate effectively with patients who have difficulty speaking.

Speech therapists diagnose and treat a wide range of speech disorders caused by developmental delays, disease, injury or birth defects. The speech pathology field is a very highly specialized field requiring rigorous education and certification or licensure. Working as a speech therapist most commonly requires a master's degree in speech pathology or audiology. Online programs engage students by combining audio and video presentations, traditional texts, webinars, chat rooms and other learning tools. Students still must meet other in-person requirements in most cases, such as hands-on training or internships.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• High speed Internet access
• Word processing software
• Printer
• Webcam

Instructions

1. Enroll in an undergraduate online bachelor's degree program in speech pathology. Undergraduate programs provide exposure to the field and prepare students for an academically rigorous graduate degree program. Bachelor's degree programs focus on auditory communication, speech development, hearing and language systems, as well as the detection and management of disorders. Common bachelor's level courses include a variety of disciplines including English and speech pathology courses, including multiple communicative disabilities, the basics of Braille and ear anatomy and function. The primary benefit to completing this degree online is the ability to complete coursework on your own time, which is ideal for students who work or have other daily obligations and do not have time to attend regular classes in person. Online programs also allow you to work on your degree from anywhere, even another state or country, so you do not have to move near the school.

2. Take the GRE exam to qualify for a master's degree program. You can take the GRE either as a paper test or on a computer. However, you must take it at a testing center in person; you cannot take the test online from your home. Visit GREguide.com, Number2.com or a variety of other websites to obtain study guides and take practice tests online. This saves time and allows you to prepare for the test online at your own pace and schedule.

3. Enroll in an online master's degree program in speech pathology. There are some schools that offer online master's degree programs in speech pathology. The benefits are the same as earning a bachelor's degree online. Master's degree program prerequisites include a bachelor's degree in a related field such as speech-language and satisfactory scores on the GRE exam. Master's degree programs continue to build upon the principles learned at the undergraduate level. Some aspects of graduate programs are not possible to complete online because students are required to practice in a supervised, clinical environment. However, most of the coursework can be completed online. Courses often cover children and language disorders, basic human communication and disorders and basics of phonetics.

4. Contact your state's licensing board to find out the specific licensing and educational requirements, as they often vary by state. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical licensing requirements include a master's degree from an accredited college or university, passing the speech-language pathology exam offered by the Praxis Series of the Education Testing Service, supervised clinical experience and nine months of postgraduate professional clinical experience.

5. Earn the Certificate of Clinical Competence offered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Visit the ASHA website to begin the process. According to the BLS, most states require speech therapists earn this certification. Those who plan to practice at a public school should contact the state's Department of Education for additional teaching certification requirements/

6. Find out the state's continuing education requirements for licensure renewal to maintain a current license throughout your career.

Tips & Warnings

• Good communication and listening skills are required, as speech-language pathologists must effectively communicate diagnostic test results and treatment plans. Patient progress varies, so patience and compassion are a must.

References

• Education Portal: Online Speech Therapist Degree Program Information
• Education Portal: How to Become a Speech Therapist: Education and Career Information
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Speech-Language Pathologists
• ETS: GRE® General Test Centers and Dates

Resources

• Number 2: Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
• GRE Guide: GRE
• Grad Schools: 5 Online Speech Pathology Graduate Programs
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: How to Apply for Certification in Speech-Language Pathology
• ETS: Overview of American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Certification Requirements