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A Major in COSD
Here at Radford University,
students interested in joining the profession of speech-language
pathology and audiology become Communication of Science and Disorders (COSD)
majors. Our major is in the Waldron College of Health and Human
Services.
To find out more about our department
and COSD major here at Radford
University, click
here: http://cosd-web.asp.radford.edu/index.html
So What does a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) do?
SLP’s help:
·
people who cannot make speech sounds, or
cannot make them clearly;
·
those with speech rhythm and fluency
problems, such as stuttering;
·
people with voice quality problems, such
as inappropriate pitch or harsh voice;
·
people who have problems understanding and
producing language;
·
those who wish to improve their
communication skills by modifying an accent;
·
those with cognitive communication impairments,
such as attention, memory, and problem solving disorders;
·
people who have oral motor problems
causing eating and swallowing difficulties
What does an Audiologist do?
Audiologists measure
hearing ability, identify hearing disorders, provide rehabilitative
services, design hearing instruments and testing equipment, prepare
future professionals in colleges and universities, and serve as
consultants to government and industry on issues concerning
environmental, noise-induced hearing loss.
What type of education is
necessary to become an SLP/Audiologist?
Education: About 233 colleges and
universities offer graduate programs in speech-language pathology.
Coursework includes anatomy and physiology of the areas of the body
involved in speech, language, swallowing, and hearing; the development of
normal speech, language, swallowing, and hearing; the nature of
disorders; acoustics; and psychological aspects of communication.
Graduate students receive supervised clinical training in communication
disorders.
Requirements: Forty-six states regulate
the licensing of speech pathologists. Most of these states require a
master's degree or the equivalent. One must also pass a national exam and
complete 300 to 375 hours of supervised clinical experience and 9 months
of postgraduate professional clinical experience. Thirty-eight states
require continuing education for license renewal. Speech pathologists
should be able to explain diagnostic test results, diagnoses, and
proposed treatment to their clients.
What are some typical work settings?
Communication sciences professionals work in a variety of
settings, including schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers,
nursing care facilities, industry, government health facilities, research
laboratories, and private practice.
What is a typical salary?
The median annual salary for SLPs in 2003 (on an 11-month or 12-month
contract) was $52,600. Audiologists earned a median annual salary of
$55,000. Salaries continue to grow
and depend on your work setting.
Are jobs available to SLP’s/Audiologists?
The future of the job market in communication sciences and disorders
appears excellent. Greater public awareness of early diagnosis of speech,
language, and hearing disorders, an aging population, and concern over
occupationally induced hearing disorders, among other factors, combine to
paint a bright future for the professions.
Can students belong to the national organization?
Although undergraduate and graduate students in the human communication
sciences and disorders are not yet qualified to join ASHA (The American
Speech Hearing Association – for professionals), they have their
own organization called the National Student Speech Language Hearing
Association (NSSLHA) that works closely with ASHA. The student
organization has chapters at many campuses around the country. The
National Student Speech Language Hearing Association has over 10,000
members. Radford University has its own NSSLHA chapter.
Where can I find more
information about the COSD program at Radford and about the fields attributed
to Speech Language Pathology & Audiology?
http://www.radford.edu/~cosd-web/
http://www.NSSLHA.org
http://www.ASHA.org
All of the information on this
handout can be found at:
http://www.asha.org/students/professions/overview/slp.htm
http://www.asha.org/students/professions/overview/faq_careers.htm
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