Speech Pathology Schools in Idaho - ID

Educational Requirements for Speech and Language Pathologists in Idaho

Speech and language pathology is one of the strongest growth professions in the state of Idaho. Depending upon educational level, practitioners can make up to $70,000, which is a bit more than the average national salary for this position. In 2006, CNN's Money.com listed Speech and Language Pathologist as one of the top 50 best jobs in the United States based on salary and job prospects. Growth across the country in this profession is expected to be 15% in the next ten years.

Although a graduate degree earned online or through campus based speech pathology schools in Idaho is required, prospective speech and language pathologists can begin preparing themselves in high school by taking courses in biology, physics, social sciences, English, mathematics, public speaking, language and psychology. Once you enter undergraduate college, it's best to major in communication sciences and disorders, along with liberal arts courses. Coursework should be focused on linguistics, phonetics, psychology, anatomy, human development, physiology, biology, mathematics, physical science, social and behavioral sciences, and semantics.

The ASHA and the state of Idaho both require graduate education in order to be licensed and certified. Your graduate program can be on-campus or online, but it must be accredited by the ASHA and the CAA (Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology). Graduate education will further your studies into communication disorders and will include a 375 hour clinical practicum. A supervised, full-time Clinical Fellowship of 36 weeks must follow, and then you must pass the national Praxis II examination. While a Master's degree (which takes about two years to receive) is usually sufficient to receive certification and licensure, a Ph.D. is preferable if you plan to engage in research, teaching at a college level, or participate in private practice. This will take up to six years to complete.

The state of Idaho requires 10 hours of continuing education each year prior to license renewal. Questions about approved courses can be addressed to the Board. ASHA requires 30 hours of continuing education over three years. Approved courses can be found at www.asha.org/certification/slp_standards.htm.

Through campus or online programs, aspiring Speech Pathologists in Boise, Idaho Falls, Pocatello and Meridian, Idaho may be able to prepare themselves for the possibility of employment in some of the largest hospitals and healthcare facilities in the state including the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, St. Luke's Boise Medical Center, St. Luke's Children's Hospital and Complex Care Hospital.