Speech Rehabilitation Degrees

School Program Admissions
Emerson College Master's in Speech-Language Pathology
No GRE required, prepares you to pursue certification as an SLP generalist. As few as 20 months to complete. CAA-ASHA accredited.
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The general path for speech language pathologists (SLPs) is to enroll and graduate from SLP degree programs that have been approved for licensing purposes. The best way to determine whether or not a program meets these standards is through verification of its program accreditation.

Programs in SLP that can lead to licensure must have Council for Academic Accreditation (CAA) accreditation from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Within this generalized program, you may also have the opportunity to choose a specialization in speech rehabilitation.

The minimum degree requirement for licensure in speech pathology is the Master's in Speech Pathology degree. After completion of a bachelor's and master's program, you can expect to have spent around 6-7 years within educational programs along the way.

School Program Admissions
Emerson College Master's in Speech-Language Pathology
✓ ASHA Accredited
Website
New York University Online MS Program in Speech-Language Pathology
✓ CAA-ASHA Accredited
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George Washington University Online Doctor of Public Health
✓Accredited
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Russell Sage College Online Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
✓ACOT Accredited
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Arizona State University Online Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science
HLC Accredited.
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Click for more online speech therapy programs that are currently taking applications.

Are There Online Speech Rehabilitation Degree Programs?

Yes! Upcoming professionals that are seeking the perfect master's program may consider both traditional and online programs to meet their requirements. Online degree programs in this field are popular due to the amount of flexibility they offer their students, as well as the comparable quality that they exhibit.

If you enroll in an online Master's in Speech Pathology, you might be responsible for multiple log-ins per week, the completion of assignments prior to pre-established due dates, and even timed testing and discussions as applicable. Students with strong self-motivation may find these programs more stimulating that students that lack the self-starter attribute, so consider what type of learner you are before choosing this route.

A lot of institutions that are offering online programs in this field also offer traditional options to students with differing needs. This often means that the same instructors are teaching both options, which supports the same level of quality regardless of which you choose.

View all online speech pathology programs or online MSLP programs.

What will I learn in a speech rehabilitation program?

It is important for upcoming rehabilitative speech therapist to fully comprehend the diseases, injuries, and illnesses that can contribute to the loss of speech abilities. In your degree program, you may explore:

  • Foundational courses such as head injuries, dementia, stroke, and memory loss as a means for building a foundation for practice.
  • which can introduce you to speech disorders such as aphasia and dysphagia (swallowing disorders). Different assessment and intervention strategies are studied in depth within these programs in order to prepare you for working with a large number of clients with different types of needs.

  • Communication Disorders and swallowing disorders resulting from progressive neurological diseases, strokes, or traumatic brain injuries may also be a large portion of your course work in your program, which can introduce you to speech disorders such as aphasia and dysphagia. Different assessment and intervention strategies are studied in depth within these programs in order to prepare you for working with a large number of clients with different types of needs.
  • The field training requirement of your speech rehabilitation degree program can teach you more about what these disorders look like in the real-world environment. Through hands-on training in clinical practicums, you can conduct assessments, write interventions, and even implement therapies under the supervision of a licensed therapist.
  • This experience requirement can open you up to feedback from your peers and to grow to become a professional in the field of Speech Language Pathology. You will also have the opportunity to observe the nature of working as a Speech Pathologist in a variety of settings, such as an inpatient rehabilitation unit of a hospital and an outpatient rehab center. The accumulation of both educational and practical knowledge supports your successful entry into the field after becoming licensed.

What is Speech Rehabilitation?

There are certain situations and events within an individual's life that can lead to a change in their ability to communicate. Head injury, stroke, or disease can contribute to a loss of memory or muscle strength utilized during the speech process.

When life changing events occur, individuals may seek out qualified professionals to assist them with regaining their previous level of functioning. Speech language pathologists that have specialized in speech rehabilitation can assist their clients in the development of an intervention program that can get them back on track in language utilization.

Certain progressive neurological diseases of brain juries can also cause individuals to have difficulty swallowing due to neurological and muscular impairments. Speech Pathologists who work in rehabilitation settings work on assessing these individual's swallowing abilities and modifying the textures or consistencies of their diets to a level that the individual can safely tolerate (for example, thickened liquids or pureed foods).

This type of speech therapy career field can be found in many different settings within the community. Speech specialists can work in hospitals or other medical facilities that work with patients that have experienced an injury or illnesses that can cause difficulties with their ability to communicate.

How do I become a SLP in Speech Rehabilitation?

Starting in the midst of your master's program, you may also be required to engage in supervised internships in the practical field. These experiences are required for licensure and can help you learn more about what rehabilitative speech therapy looks like in the field. If you are interested in specializing in rehabilitation, you should specifically request or seek out a rehab setting for one of your 3 to 4 clinical practicum internship settings.

Completion of around 400 clock hours of fieldwork and your degree program can lead you into board testing and a fellowship within your field. Your fellowship may require around 1,200 hours for completion, which then allows you to apply for licensure in your state.

You should also pursue any additional research opportunities or courses available as part of your graduate program in Speech Pathology that concentrate in head injury, stroke, or progressive diseases related to communication disorders.

What type of clients would I work with as a speech rehabilitation specialist?

Injuries, diseases, and illnesses that affect speech can take a toll on people within all age groups. Speech therapists in speech rehabilitation might work with children or adults that have experienced accidents or injuries causing a loss of communication or swallowing abilities, or even a combination of both ages and diagnoses.

Some speech agencies that hire upcoming speech pathologists may also have specialized treatment centers that focus on specific age groups or therapies as part of their practice. As you move through your educational program, you might find that a particular group or diagnosis draws you in more than others – making for a great opportunity for you to focus your expertise within these treatment areas.

Career outlook for speech rehabilitation therapy

The rehabilitative speech therapist can be an influential part of teams in hospitals or other medical centers that provide treatment to individuals that have been involved in accidents or that have been diagnosed with different disorders or illnesses. As part of a medical team, you might be brought in to assess damage to a person’s ability to speak or even assess a person’s need for rehabilitative services.

Specialty clinics and schools can also be destinations for you to consider for your career. Each of these areas may provide individualized speech services to a set of clients, some with very different therapeutic needs.

In areas like private practice, you might have the option of operating your own speech therapy center specializing in rehabilitative speech services or even contract with agencies within your community. There are numerous opportunities available for therapists that have achieved licensure and are prepared to work with clients in the field.