Sergio Said:

what is a speech language pathologist assistants salary in atlanta?

We Answered:

If you are graduating with a degree, why do you want to be an assistant?

What classes are you required to take?

Is it hard?

I'm thinking about majoring in it...

Salvador Said:

After graduate school for becoming a speech language pathologist, is the clinical year paid?

We Answered:

The CFY is a paid fellowship. No tuition or fees are paid to anyone, as you will have completed all your academic work and received your degree.
I did my CFY at the Veteran's Administration 25 years ago. In those days, the stipend was only $4000 for the entire 9-month, full time fellowship. I'm sure it's more today.
Clinical placement in a teaching hospital is the way to go, if you can get one. You'll learn pediatric SLP as well as through the lifespan.
Avoid nursing home CFYs. They use you for all they can get from you, and you won't get the broad experience you'll need to be able to switch work settings. You'd be on your own a lot, too; not optimal for a clinical fellow.

Fred Said:

Is the salary of a Speech Language Pathologist worth the amount of school?

We Answered:

Where did you get that $40K number?

"Median annual wages of speech-language pathologists were $62,930 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $50,330 and $79,620. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $41,240, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $99,220." (see below)

The lowest 10% earn more than your $40K and that was early 2008 numbers. And these are employed SLP's - many go into private practice with potential to earn much more.

Worth the amount of school? Some math:
A median HS grad at entry level earns about $18,000 per year with a mid-career of about $38,000 (depending on the individual and the job of course). Let's use the mid-career number as a full career average. $38,000 x 40 working years = $1.520,000

Our median SLP earns about $62,930, assuming that's mid-career and not entry level and that the $41,200 is close to entry level. Same deal on mid-career median and we get $2,517,000

Our SLP earned a full million dollars more than our HS grad. With no other analysis - I'll take that deal. Even though, people are individuals and your mileage may vary - it would appear your chances of a higher income is better with the SLP route.

"SLP's are hugely underpaid"? That median income of $62,930 doesn't support your idea there. The median income for all female workers in the US in 2008 was $35,471. That means that an SLP earns $27,459 more than the median female worker. That's hugely significant. You can't be "underpaid" when you earn almost what two "average" people earn. How much would you like for your time? Would $1,000,000 a year be enough?

Of course, compared to a surgeon - the SLP is not paid too well. But, an SLP isn't a surgeon. Even the SLPs working in public schools have a median at almost $60K

Of course, if you'd rather be a plumber - be one. That's a nice, high demand career field. You'll have to apprentice a few years at near minimum wage though. But once you're a journeyman you can expect to make almost $20 an hour (for those hours you're working) and if you work hard enough, you might own the company one day....

And no, it needn't be about passion because you have to eat and you can't eat passion. There's nothing wrong with looking at careers for the money, that's why we work in the first place. But, if you'd like surgeon pay - become a surgeon.

Deborah Said:

What do you study in college to become a speech language pathologist?

We Answered:

You major in Speech Pathology.

My roommates freshman year were both majors, although they mostly were in college to find their husbands.

Clara Said:

Whose job is better: a physical therapist's or a speech-language pathologist's?

We Answered:

6 digits a month? That's over $100,000 or over $1,200,000. Most physicians don't even make anywhere near that.

In the US, PTs and SLPs both earn graduate level degrees requiring 6-7 years of college education. Yet, PTs, on average, earn slightly more than SLPs...median salaries are $72,000 and 62,000 respectively.

Shawn Said:

Thinking of becoming a Speech Language Pathologist?

We Answered:

You'll need to take classes in phonetics, SLP anatomy/physiology, developmental studies classes (i.e., developmental disorders, language development), communication classes, and general career classes. And most programs require some kind of cumulative project that either involves field work or intensive research.

If you just want to get your general education requirements out of the way, here are some essential classes you should take:

You would definitely want to take Biology and Psychology, if they're not required. This is because a great deal of speech pathology concerns itself with how the brain works (how its wired, how neurons communicate, etc.). If you can only take one, I would take Psychology. Anatomy and Physiology is also crucial if you're not familiar with it already.

A lot of colleges offer medical terminology classes. It would benefit you to take those as you'll hear those terms later on in your career.

Get your writing requirement out of the way. I would venture to guess that almost every 4-year university requires a freshman composition/basic expository writing class. They're a pain in the butt so get them out of the way sooner.

Because a lot of techniques that used to be used in speech language pathology are become digital, taking some computer science classes would help (i.e., assisted technology courses would be helpful).

And just to help you a more rounded education, see if you can take education classes that cover special ed topics. Also, if you can, pick up ASL (American Sign Language). It may even meet a foreign language requirement that you'll probably have when you transfer as well as looking good on your resume.

Best of luck!