For Those Considering a Career
in Communication Sciences and
Disorders
Joanne P. Lasker, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Department of Communication
Sciences and Disorders
Florida State University
jlasker@fsu.edu
http://www.asha.org/students/professions/overview/slp.htm
http://www.comm.fsu.edu/index.php
Who are audiologists, speech-language
pathologists, and speech/language/hearing
scientists?
professionals in the area of human communication
sciences and disorders who:
evaluate
treat
conduct research
work in schools, hospitals, businesses, in private
practice, universities, research laboratories, and
government agencies
work with infants, children, adolescents, adults and
older people
Audiology
http://www.asha.org/students/professions/overview/audiology.htm
study of:
typical hearing
hearing and balance disorders
habilitation/rehabilitation
work encompasses:
how hearing mechanism works
hearing assessment
treating children and adults with hearing loss
retraining hearing in children and adults, including cochlear
implants
What specifically does an
audiologist do?
identify, assess, and manage disorders of auditory,
balance, and other neural systems
select, fit, and dispense amplification systems
hearing aids
prevent hearing loss by providing and fitting hearing
protective devices and education
involved in auditory and related research
serve as expert witnesses in litigation
More Specific Services from
Audiologists
testing and diagnosing hearing and balance
problems in infants, children, and adults
educating consumers, professionals, government
agencies on prevention of hearing loss
selecting, fitting, dispensing, programming hearing
aids and assistive devices
conducting research on environmental influences on
hearing and cochlear implants
working with adults or children who need aural
rehabilitation - training on hearing and/or
speechreading
Market Trends and Future
Outlook: Audiology
Positions expected to grow 10% from 2006-
2016.
especially for those with the clinical doctorate in
audiology
(Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2008-2009 edition)
U.S. News and World Report ranks
Audiologist as 1 of 30 Best Careers of
2009.
http://www.usnews.com/sections/business/best-
careers/
What does an audiologist
earn?
Salaries depend on educational background,
experience, work setting, and geographical location.
In 2006, median salary:
for clinical service provider was $65,000
$70,000 for university faculty
$85,000 for administrators
http://www.asha.org/NR/rdonlyres/30693BF3-EE28-4074-83BB-
A5F8645F786F/%200/06AudSurvey_Salaries.pdf
employee benefits (e.g., insurance, leave, and
professional development) are very competitive
Importance of Language
language - our most “human” characteristic
the “essence of human life” (Light, 1997)
essential to learning, working, enjoying family
life and friends
multiple ways to express and understand
language
speaking, sign language, informal gestures,
writing, computerized communication
Who are speech-language
pathologists?
professionals educated to assess and treat
speech and language
sometimes called speech therapists
also assess and treat swallowing disorders
because we know the landscape!
SLP’s work with full range of human
communication and disorders
across the lifespan (infants to elderly)
What else do speech-language
pathologists do?
train future professionals in colleges and
universities
manage agencies, clinics, or private practices
engage in research to enhance knowledge
about human communication
develop new methods and assess
effectiveness of treatment approaches
serve as expert witnesses in court
An example of SLP
competencies: the “Big 9”
Articulation
Fluency
Voice and resonance
Language
Hearing
Swallowing
Cognitive aspects of
communication
Social aspects of
communication
Alternate communication
modalities
Future Outlook: Speech-
Language Pathology
Number of positions in speech-language pathology
expected to climb 11% between 2006 and 2016.
(Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2008-2009)
Excellent job opportunities in next 8 years especially
if:
you speak a second language
are willing to work with aging population
are willing to relocate to geographic areas with great need
What does a speech-language
pathologist earn?
Salaries of speech-language pathologists
depend on educational background,
specialty, experience, work setting, and
geographical location.
In 2006, median salary was $57,710
work in nursing care facilities: $70,180
hospitals and medical facilities: $61,970
elementary and secondary schools: $53,110
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos099.htm#outlook
What is a speech, language,
and hearing scientist?
conduct research on which clinicians base
their methods of assessment and intervention
develop evidence-based methods
explore the biological, physical, and
physiological processes involved in
communication
collaborate with related professions
(engineers, physicians, dentists,
psychologists)
train future professionals and scientists
Cycle 1:
Trained vs. Untrained Productions
Academic Preparation:
Audiology
graduate degree required: AuD or PhD
undergraduate degree in Communication
Sciences
anatomy and physiology, basic science, math, auditory processes,
balance, normal and abnormal communication development
auditory assessment and treatment (hearing aids and appliances,
cochlear implants), aural rehabilitation (speech reading, sign), speech
production
Certificate of Clinical Competence
graduate degree
375 hours of supervised clinical experience
36-week postgraduate clinical fellowship
written exam
Academic Preparation:
Speech-Language Pathologist
graduate degree required: MS or MA (or more)
undergraduate degree in Communication
Sciences
linguistics, phonetics, anatomy and physiology, psychology, human
development, speech and hearing science, normal and abnormal
communication development
speech, language, swallowing disorders - assessment and intervention,
clinical and research experiences
Certificate of Clinical Competence
graduate degree
375 hours of supervised clinical experience
36-week postgraduate clinical fellowship
written exam
FSU Program in Communication
Sciences and Disorders
http://www.commdisorders.cci.fsu.edu/
ranked 18th in graduate programs in communication disorders
by U.S. News and World Report
http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/grad/slp/search
we don’t offer graduate work in audiology
Bachelor of Science (BS)
limited entry to program - 47 credit hours
also offer the Master of Science (MS), advance masters, and
PhD
our masters program prepares students for professional
careers in clinical, research, and teaching environments
after completion of our masters in SLP, students typically get
certified and licensed to work professionally
Curriculum Overview
Undergraduates:
designed to be completed in 4 semesters
basic building blocks of speech and language (anatomy,
phonetics, neurological bases)
Masters:
60 credit program - usually takes 6 semesters, including
summers - last summer is internship
program covers all areas needed for certification
some “lateral entry” students admitted but may take longer
Doctoral:
can take 3-4 years depending on mentor
competencies in teaching, research, and clinical
supervision