Freddie Said:

How much Math is involved in becoming a Speech Therapist?

We Answered:

There would likely be little to no math involved in speech therapy - speech centers around pronunciation and application as well as memory and other things like that. Unless a child was having serious problems sounding out numbers and stuff like that I don't see why math would be involved at all.

Jeremy Said:

Am I on the right path to become a speech therapist?

We Answered:

generlly in NJ--you can only be a st with a grad degree---and a special ed BA is a good undergrad--look into what the requirements are for the masters program--you may wnat to chooses more science as electives

a undergrad in COMMUNICATION disorders is more direct---but a special ed undergrad doesn't rule out a masters in ST
i knew somebody that was going to the ST program with a psych degree

Jacqueline Said:

What type of major is required in college to become a speech therapist?

We Answered:

I didn't investigate perleo's link, but like another person said, speech therapy would be the obvious choice. However, if you don't have that option, I would recommend: communications, English, psychology, journalism, humanities, or even a foreign language if that's the language you will use in therapy. An English or communications major with psychology or some education courses as a minor should prepare you well. Before you commit, talk to an advisor and ask speech therapists what their majors were. Also, if you are a college freshman, just investigate now--don't worry about declaring a major until you schedule for your first sophomore semester. Get your core courses out of the way first; how you do in those courses can help you decide on what you want for the future. Hope that helps.

Minnie Said:

Becoming a Speech Therapist?

We Answered:

Yes, any science will help! I'm a speech therapist in the public school setting and when I was in high school, I contacted the colleges that I was interested in and asked them what pre-requisite classes I should be taking. It was extremely helpful because I had some core classes out of the way.

So, my advice is to call your college of interest and ask them where your high school concentration should be. Best wishes! This is the best field ever!

Sylvia Said:

What are the pros and cons of becoming a physical therapist vs. becoming a speech language pathologist?

We Answered:

Both are very good professions. I would recommend shadowing both in a variety of settings. Both require graduate degrees. Most PT programs are three years after a BS. Speech is 2 past a BS plus a paid clinical fellowship year.

PT has a more diverse patient population-sports, peds, nursing home, industry, peds, homecare, dme, wheelchair sales, cardiopulmonary, ortho, neuro, and integumentary practice area.

Speech is either peds, neuro (swallowing), and a very few that do head and neck surgery, In a school district, a SLP may see 80 kids a week, a PT maybe 40. They do many more groups than PT do.

More kids get speech than PT. In nursing home/hospitals, more patient get PT than speech.

Best ishes.

Andrea Said:

How do you become a Speech Therapist?

We Answered:

A speech therapist has either a BA (bachelor of arts or BS, bachelor of science) degree. A speech pathologist has a masters degree and they will be the therapists supervisor. In the school setting, the therapist (4 yr degree) has the fun job of working directly with the children. the SLP ( speech language pathologist) with the masters, has the job of testing, report writing, ARD meetings, parent conferences, and all evaluations, re-evals, dismissals, etc. . In most cases, the SLP doesn't work with students directly so that job is given to the therapist. In the public schools, they work with reg. ed and special ed children. since you already have special ed. experience, the courses you take in college will be alittle easier or at least understandable. If you want to work with the children , be a therpist. Everyone I know who has the masters degree does not work with the kids. they are in meetings and testing and report writing through out their 8 hour day. The therpists have paperwork too, but the majority of the day is hands on with the kids! Schools need speech therapists. you will always be employed. Go for it!!