You can major in psychology and become a speech therapist. This is a career that integrates many of the topics you study as a psychology major: human thought processes, communication and language functions, interpersonal relationships, and behavioral science.
It is possible to major in psychology and become a speech pathologist. However, it may be possible to enter the field with a bachelor’s degree in another field as well. Speech pathologists can work for hospitals or schools in different environments such as pediatric, geriatric and mental health services. This article also discusses best majors for speech pathology, how does psychology relate to speech pathology.
What Do You Need To Be A Speech Pathologist?
To become a speech pathologist you need to complete a bachelor’s degree program or higher. This may include completing an Associate’s or Master’s degree program in speech-language pathology. You must also complete several years of clinical experience before you can apply for certification through ASHA (American Speech-Language Hearing Association). Finally, once you have completed all of these steps you must pass the ASHA certification test! While it may seem difficult at first glance, if you enjoy working with people and helping them achieve their goals then this career path could be perfect for you!
Can You Major In Psychology To Become A Speech Pathologist
Introduction
If you’re passionate about helping people, it’s no surprise that you’re considering a career in healthcare. Becoming a speech-language pathologist can be an extremely rewarding career. However, is it true that you can major in psychology to become a speech-language pathologist? While the two disciplines have some overlap, the answer is no—majoring in psychology will not get you on the right track to becoming a speech-language pathologist.
In a word, no.
In a word, no.
You can major in psychology and become a speech pathologist, but it’s not easy. You’ll have to go through some extra schooling. The good news is that there are many paths you can take to become a speech pathologist—you just need to decide which one works best for your needs and interests.
Can you major in psychology to become a speech-language pathologist?
You can’t major in psychology to become a speech-language pathologist.
The field of speech-language pathology is a specialized one, and to be qualified for it you need to have a bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology or communication sciences and disorders (CSD). A bachelor’s degree can be earned at many colleges and universities across the country by completing certain prerequisites and coursework, taking 1 or 2 years of some combination of liberal arts classes, writing classes and even basic science classes including anatomy/physiology, biology etc.
A different kind of sound.
Speech and language are two different things. Speech is the physical production of sounds, while language refers to the words and phrases that go along with those sounds. The two are linked—a person can’t speak without language—but they’re distinct enough that there’s a difference between speech disorders and language disorders.
Speech problems can happen when someone has trouble forming words or speaking clearly, or if they have trouble pronouncing individual sounds. Sometimes speech issues are related to hearing loss, which makes it harder for the brain to translate sound into meaning (and vice versa).
Language disorders occur when a person has trouble expressing themselves in their native tongue through either written or verbal means. For example, if you have dyslexia (which is actually not technically classified as a language disorder), it’ll be difficult for you to read letters or numbers out loud because your brain doesn’t recognize these symbols as letters at all!
What courses should be in that speech-language pathology degree?
Your speech-language pathology degree will depend on the school you choose. Most schools require at least a bachelor’s degree, but some schools may require a master’s degree and others may have certain certificate or license requirements (or even something more specific like an ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence).
Most people who want to become speech pathologists need to complete their bachelor’s degree first, then apply for graduate school after they’ve finished. If you’re planning on going into medical school, this can be done while completing your undergraduate years—but if not, you’ll have to wait until after graduation before applying for any graduate programs.
Communication sciences and disorders degree programs.
Communication sciences and disorders degree programs are designed to prepare students for careers in the field of speech-language pathology. As such, they often require students to take courses in anatomy, neuroscience, phonetics and linguistics. These types of classes will be helpful when it comes time for you to work with clients who have problems with speech or language skills.
In order to get into these programs:
- You will need either an undergraduate degree or a Master’s degree in communication sciences or a related field (such as psychology).
- You may need experience working in the field as a speech therapist assistant or other related role.
- You will likely need good grades from your undergraduate program because many graduate schools require that you have at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4 point scale (B average).
Many, many paths to the same glorious destination.
If you’re interested in becoming a speech-language pathologist, there are many different options for how to pursue your degree. In fact, it’s possible to major in psychology and minor in communication sciences and disorders (CSD). Or you could major in linguistics and minor in CSD, or even just take classes from both departments as electives. To get an idea of what’s involved with each option, take a look at the list below:
- Majoring In Psychology And Minoring In CSD
- Majoring In Linguistics And Minoring In CSD
- Taking Classes From Both Departments As Electives
What you major in as an undergraduate is less important than making sure you have the requisite courses needed to get into graduate school and on your way to becoming a speech-language pathologist.
One of the things you should know is that what you major in as an undergraduate is less important than making sure you have the requisite courses needed to get into graduate school and on your way to becoming a speech-language pathologist. A lot of people think they can major in psychology, get all those required classes out of the way, then go to graduate school for two years and everything will be good. But it’s not that simple! You need more than just the right courses—you also need good grades, experience (internships), references from professors who know your work well enough to write recommendation letters for graduate school applications, and internships at hospitals or clinics where there are experienced speech-language pathologists who can mentor you along your journey towards becoming one yourself!
best majors for speech pathology
At CollegeRank, we strive to do our best to guide you and your family toward a fruitful academic career. The pursuit of knowledge is a noble one, and we want to help you reach your goals. Please feel free to visit our dedicated methodology page for a step-by-step breakdown. For questions, comments, badge downloads, or data corrections, please feel free to reach out to us at editor@collegerank.net.
1
University of Washington
LOCATION
Seattle, Washington
AVERAGE NET PRICE
$8,701
The University of Washington’s bachelor’s in speech & hearing sciences program caters to students who have already completed a bachelor’s or advanced degree outside of this discipline. If you’re a high school graduate, scroll down to the other full-length degree options. If you’re interested in returning to school, though, this program suits you.
As you’ll have college credits already, this program is far shorter than most undergraduate programs. Rather than focusing on general education requirements, you’ll exclusively take speech and hearing science classes for four intensive quarters. Pretty nice, right? While other programs require years of devotion, you can obtain your bachelor’s in speech & hearing sciences in only one year.
As a student, you’ll take courses like:
- The Nature of Sound
- Introduction to Speech & Hearing Services
- Acquired Communication & Swallowing Disorders
You will take three classes in the summer, fall, and spring, and four courses in the winter quarter.
2
University of Georgia
LOCATION
Athens, Georgia
AVERAGE NET PRICE
$16,902
The University of Georgia’s BSEd in communication sciences and disorders is one of the best of its kind in the country. As such, the program has strict requirements. It’s an upper-level program, meaning students can only enter the school after two years at the University of Georgia. Applying students must have a 3.2 GPA or higher, a well-written essay, and prerequisite classes in English, math, and science.
The program follows a cohort model in which groups of students stick together throughout the degree. Students will take 33 credits related to the major to obtain their degree. Students will learn about:
- the anatomy and physiology of speech, language, and hearing
- speech and language development and disorders
- hearing science and aural rehabilitation
- autism and social communication disorders
If you’re ready to set forth on your path to becoming an SLP, audiologist, or another professional practitioner, this is an excellent option for you.
3
California State University
LOCATION
Long Beach, California
AVERAGE NET PRICE
$9,171
CSULB offers an outstanding speech language pathology, B.A. program. Its goals are to provide students with an understanding of healthy development in:
- speech
- hearing
- language
- swallowing
- communication
Additionally, the school seeks to educate students on the reasons behind speech and language deficiencies, from genetic to neurological to socioeconomic causes. Finally, it aims to prepare students for professional graduate training as speech language pathologists.
Students will take three lower-division courses and 16 upper-level classes. From the former category, students will take Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism, Phonetics, and one elective. Some of the upper-division classes are Audiology and Speech and Hearing Services.
CSULB’s speech-language pathology program is small—there were 27 graduates in the 2018-2019 class. Yet, an excellent faculty and a focused curriculum make this program one of the best in the country. Of the graduating students, 95.8% passed the Praxis test, illustrating the integrity of the program.
4
University of Massachusetts
LOCATION
Boston, Massachusetts
AVERAGE NET PRICE
$17,575
The University of Massachusetts Amherst offers an excellent B.S. in communication disorders program. Much of the coursework focuses on providing students a background to the normal processes of speech, language, hearing, and related functions. Additionally, the school orients students in approaching and assessing communicative disorders.
Students in this program must take 40 credits of required classes. Some of them are:
- Introduction to Audiology
- Phonetic Processing
- Speech and Language Disorders
Students are encouraged to take other courses like Clinical Observation and Theory of Sound, but they’re not mandatory. Still, these courses are integral to any aspiring SLP’s career.
We’ll be honest: The road to becoming a speech pathology professional is long. Thankfully, the Communication Disorders Department offers a letter of specialization to graduating students who wish to become speech language pathology assistants between their bachelor’s and master’s degrees. That way, students can become familiar with the work environment of SLPs, helping patients along the way.
5
Towson University
LOCATION
Towson, Maryland
AVERAGE NET PRICE
$11,076
As the Towson University website advertises, the job market for SLPs and audiologists is flourishing. The population of the United States is aging quickly, and the birth rate is accelerating. Thus, now is the perfect time to become an SLP or audiologist. Towson University is one of the top speech pathology colleges. They offer a fantastic program, notable for small class sizes and excellent faculty.
Prospective students should take note of the fact that the speech language pathology & audiology is a screened major. Hence, not any student can choose the major. Given the selectivity of this program, Towson University only accepts its top applicants into the program. If you want to get your foot in the door, focus on your high school GPA, test scores, and letters of recommendation.
Towson University has designed a four-year program for all SLP undergraduates. First-year courses include classes like Intro to Human Communication & Disorders and Psychology. Second-year courses include Language Development in Children, Phonetics of American English, and more. Upper-level courses are more specific, focusing on research and practice.
6
Brigham Young University
LOCATION
Provo, Utah
AVERAGE NET PRICE
$13,432
BYU’s bachelor’s in communication disorders teach students essential anatomy and processes of language, speech, and hearing. It also introduces students to disorders, instrumentation. and data collection procedures in language, speech, and hearing. Chiefly, this program prepares students for master’s programs in communication disorders and careers beyond school.
To graduate with a communication disorders degree, students must complete 58 credits in the major. Thankfully, students aren’t required to write a thesis, take a comprehensive exam, or supplement their studies with a minor. Besides the 58 credits, students must take three pre-major courses:
- Principles of Statistics
- Human Anatomy (with lab)
- Intro to Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Some major classes are:
- Descriptive Acoustics of Music and Speech
- Speech Anatomy & Physiology
- Clinical Phonetics
- Language Development
Students of the major can join the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, which connects students and professionals, keeps students up-to-date with the field, and informs pre-professionals about available career paths.
7
New York University
LOCATION
New York City, New York
AVERAGE NET PRICE
$50,991
NYU’s B.S. in communicative sciences and disorders is an interdisciplinary degree. It meets at the intersection of linguistics, psychology, and physiology, drawing on each subject to explore and explain communication disorders. With a combination of liberal arts classes and hands-on, clinically focused work, NYU is one of the best colleges for speech pathology.
The communicative sciences and disorders program is a full-time degree, comprising 128 credits. Unlike many schools, this program begins in the spring. Unlike other schools, too, NYU offers tailored coursework to a student’s interests. You’ll be able to choose your specific path with your advisor’s approval.
It’s essential to understand the physiology of the body in this field. Otherwise, how are you going to familiarize yourself with a patient’s struggles? Well, NYU’s program offers a unique way to understand the human body: Its Anatomy and Physiology class includes a cadaver lab at NYU Langone Medical Center.
8
University of Vermont
LOCATION
Burlington, Vermont
AVERAGE NET PRICE
$19,873
All of the schools on this list have fantastic programs, and the University of Vermont is no exception. It also has the added benefit of a stunning campus in an equally beautiful state. There, you can become the professional you want to be while spending your down time hiking in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
UVT’s B.S. in communication sciences and disorders program requires students to have a minor. While students can choose any minor, the program suggests the linguistics and special education minors. Through these minor programs, students can supplement their studies with critical information that will prove invaluable in the workplace.
Entry-level classes include:
- Introduction to Phonetics
- Linguistics for Clinicians
- Development of Spoken Language
More advanced courses include:
- Hearing Rehabilitation
- Culture of Disability
- Mindfulness & Helping Skills
- Augmentative Communication
These classes will teach you crucial tools, orient you to different disabilities, and prepare you for success before your master’s program.
9
Nova Southeastern University
LOCATION
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
AVERAGE NET PRICE
$26,530
Nova Southeastern University is one of the top speech therapy colleges in the southern part of the United States. Students who wish to obtain their B.S. in speech-language and communication disorders are lucky to gain a first-rate education. The program helps students build a research oriented, academic foundation in the concepts and principles in:
- speech
- hearing
- language
- human communication disorders
NSU’s program focuses on developing a scientific and critical understanding of the field. Students will learn about the history of SLPs, recent findings, and the physiology of the human body. Some available classes are:
- Basics of Human Heredity
- Phonetics
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech-Language and Hearing Mechanisms
Nova Southeastern University is noted for its distance learning offerings. Speech pathology students can take classes in-person, online, or both. Additionally, students can video conference to access remote classes, participating as if they were in the course. NSU offers a master’s level program for students who wish to continue their studies.
10
Texas Christian University
LOCATION
Fort Worth, Texas
AVERAGE NET PRICE
$37,344
Texas Christian University provides students with an outstanding and traditional college experience. From its active student community to nationally acclaimed sports teams, TCU is a high-quality school. And thankfully, their speech language pathology program is no exception. Students enrolled in the B.S. in speech language pathology will take a balanced curriculum with 39 or more core credits and 43 credits in the SLP major.
Some required major classes include:
- Evidence-Based Practice in Communication Sciences and Disorders
- Audiology
- Aural Rehabilitation
- Language Disorders in Children
Students must take an additional 18 credits in related electives and six semester hours in supporting areas.
TCU is one of the most rigorous speech pathologist colleges. They have a relatively demanding program compared with many of the programs on this list. Students must graduate with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00, a cumulative 3.00 GPA in COSD courses, and a grade of “C” or above in all COSD coursework. Additionally, speech pathology students must complete at least 25 hours of supervised clinical observation and 20 hours of clinical practice. This program is excellent, though, especially if you want hands-on experience.
how does psychology relate to speech pathology
Speech-language pathology is a growing field in which professionals work with children and adults who have communication and swallowing disorders. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work in educational, health care, academic and private practice settings. Across these settings, SLPs can:
- Work with someone who has a social communication disorder such as autism spectrum disorder
- Assist someone with a cognitive-communication disorder such as aphasia
- Help someone who has issues understanding others or expressing themselves effectively while talking
An undergraduate psychology degree and its focus on understanding and evaluating human behavior in combination with foundational courses in speech, language and hearing sciences provides excellent preparation for future work in the field of speech-language pathology. This dual-degree program provides students with the opportunity to combine the undergraduate Psychology program with automatic admission to the M.S. in Speech-Language pathology program at SHU after meeting specific undergraduate criteria.
Conclusion
Most importantly, be careful not to get too caught up in the “right” major. Your undergraduate course of study is primarily a means to an end, and only one component in your overall educational journey towards becoming a speech-language pathologist. If you are diligent about taking the right classes and getting good grades in them, you will be able to apply for graduate programs with confidence that if you are accepted into one of those programs, it’s because they believe in your ability to succeed as a student. You’ve got this!
