Speech-Language Pathology is a healthcare profession that is currently in demand. According to the Department of Labor Statistics, the employment of speech-language pathologists is projected to grow 21 percent from 2021 to 2031. To enter this clinical profession, you are required to have a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology with clinical certification. 

Graduate programs in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) generally have specific course requirements for entry into their programs. Our Pre-Professional Certificate for Speech-Language Pathology is specifically designed to meet the necessary undergraduate course requirements for entry into SLP graduate programs.

In this certificate program, you’ll:

• Gain knowledge and critical thinking skills in speech-language, specifically from courses that are typically required for admission into graduate degree programs leading to a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
• Gain hands-on experience through completing 25 hours of clinic observations.
• Complete the specific courses and clinical experience that are generally required for SLP graduate programs so that you can enter without any course deficiencies.

The certificate requires 22 credit hours and can be completed in three semesters.

Graduate programs leading to a SLP degree generally require a specific group of courses that are expected to have been taken prior to entry into the graduate program. These courses typically include speech anatomy and physiology; phonetics; child language development; acoustics or speech science; and audiological testing and treatment.

If you are admitted to programs without having taken these courses, then you must make-up any course deficiencies, thus extending your graduate program. If you have multiple deficiencies in required courses, then admission may be denied. Although the certificate will not guarantee admission to SLP graduate programs, it will allow you to complete the typical SLHS course requirements for SLP programs.

The certificate is ideal for IU undergraduate students, primarily juniors and seniors, who are non-majors but are too late in their academic career to switch to majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (SLHS). The certificate addresses the SLHS pre-requisite courses and clinical observations that are generally required for SLP graduate programs. Completing the course and clinic requirements of the certificate provides you with the minimum undergraduate credentials to be able to apply to SLP programs.