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Qualifications of Speech-Language Pathologists
Who are speech-language pathologists? Speech-language pathologists are professionals who
are qualified to diagnose and treat communication disorders in children and
adults. Some examples of these disorders include stuttering, language-learning
disabilities, sound production problems, and loss of speech and language
abilities due to an accident or illness.
In
How is national certification earned? Both educational and practicum requirements must be
fulfilled in order to obtain certification from the national certifying board
(the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or ASHA). The first
requirement is a Masters Degree in Communication Pathology, which includes
supervised clinical experience in addition to coursework. Upon completion of the
Masters Degree, the graduate can be employed as an intern speech-language
pathologist. The intern is closely supervised during the first year of
employment (Clinical Fellowship Year or CFY) by a speech-language pathologist
who has already been certified by ASHA. The third requirement for certification
is to pass the national board examination. Once all three of these requirements
have been met, the CCC-SLP is awarded and the intern becomes a fully certified
speech-language pathologist. In order
to maintain the state license and the national certification, continuing
education hours must be earned on a yearly basis.
Valerie
Johnston earned her certification
(CCC-SLP) in January 1979.
If
you have questions or need more information you can contact us at:
Overton
Speech & Language Center, Inc.
4763 Barwick Drive, Suite 103
Fort Worth, TX 76132
(817) 294-8408