A speech-language pathologist (SLP) helps people communicate and swallow safely. You might work with a toddler who isn't talking, a child who stutters, a teen with a voice disorder, or an adult relearning language after a stroke. In the US you need a master's degree from an ASHA-accredited (CAA) program, a supervised clinical fellowship, a national exam, and a state license. The path takes about 6 to 7 years in total, and this roadmap starts at the very beginning. First you learn how speech, language, hearing and swallowing work. Then you learn to assess, treat and document. Finally you specia
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Stage 1 of 4 · about 40 weeks
Learn the basics: anatomy of speech and swallowing, phonetics and the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), typical language development, and basic hearing science. Get exposure by shadowing an SLP and completing any prerequisite courses for grad school (often called leveling courses if your degree is in another field). Practice transcribing words in IPA daily.
Anatomy and physiology of speech and swallowing
Every evaluation and treatment plan you write later rests on knowing which structure or nerve is doing what. If you know why a tongue weakness changes both speech and swallowing, you can reason through a case instead of memorizing rules.
Phonetics and the International Phonetic Alphabet
SLPs write down exactly what a child or adult said, not what they meant to say. The IPA lets you record errors precisely, spot patterns, and choose the right target sounds. It is also tested in grad school and the Praxis.
Typical language development
You cannot spot a delay or disorder unless you know what typical looks like at each age. Parents will also ask you whether something is 'normal', and you need a confident, accurate answer.
Basic hearing science and audiograms
Hearing underlies speech and language. A child with unnoticed hearing loss can look language delayed, and many adult clients have hearing problems that affect therapy. You will screen hearing and work closely with audiologists.
Shadowing and grad school prerequisites
Admission is competitive. Shadowing shows you the real job, including paperwork and tough days, before you commit years. Meeting prerequisites early keeps you from delaying your application.
Then 3 more stages (about 450 weeks in all) with lessons, drills, projects, 10 interview questions with strong answers and free resources.