How to Become a Speech Pathology Assistant
Becoming a speech pathology assistant requires a two-year degree in most states. Meeting with a practicing speech pathologist can help the person to decide if the field is a good career choice. After working as an assistant, the person can then decide whether to return to school to become a licensed speech pathologist.
- Research what it takes to become a speech pathology assistant to decide if it is right for you. Meet with a speech pathologist in your area to discuss what an assistant’s job entails. You can also talk with an assistant who is currently working with a speech pathologist to get an idea of your future job responsibilities.
- Contact a local community college or university to sign up for a speech pathology assistant program. You can usually complete the required coursework in two years or less, depending on how many classes you can handle at one time. Find out the cost of the tuition and enroll in the school if you decide to enter the program.
- Sign up for a summer internship once your first year of school ends. Ask your academic advisor to help you find a speech pathologist that you can intern for. Learn as much as you can about your pathology assistant duties during the internship so you will be ready to go to work once you obtain your degree.
- Apply for a job as a speech pathology assistant once you graduate and obtain the necessary licensing. Prepare a resume to give to a prospective employer. Search online for jobs and locally through an employment agency. You can also contact speech pathologists directly to try and find an assistant’s position.
- Decide if you want to remain an assistant pathologist after you work in the field for a while. If you enjoy working as an assistant, consider going back to school to become a speech pathologist. Research the pros and cons of both career choices to decide which one is best for you.