Speech-language pathology is a rewarding career, with a good job market and a great outlook. Before you can embark on becoming a speech-language pathologist, however, you need to pick a program. A lot of things can go into this decision. Finding a program near your home (or far away, depending on your preference) can be very important. (The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has a school finder that can help you there.)
Finding a school in an area where there's a strong need for SLPs can help you start your job search on a strong foot. Finding a faculty that you understand and get along with will make your school experience much more enjoyable. While there are other considerations beyond the strength of the program itself, that's what we're looking at today. Here are five of the best programs for speech-language pathology.
University of Iowa, Iowa City
Ranked number one by U.S. News and World Report's survey of SLP professors, UI is known for its strong theoretical grounding. The emphasis is on making sure that everything done with a client is rooted in good science. Their clinical rotation program is well-rounded and well-structured, and leaves graduates confident and prepared to begin their careers.
Emerson University, Boston
Emerson has several features that make it stand out. It has been praised for its supportive environment. Students are encouraged to work together instead of against each other, and in a group that spends as much time together as a graduate student cohort does, that makes an enormous difference. The placement program is incredibly supervised, and takes full advantage of the wide variety of placement opportunities around Boston.
While Emerson is not a school particularly known for medicine and science, there is a lot of support from the faculty from students hoping to do research. While the program's slight pediatric focus may seem limiting to some, this is a strong program with a unique personality that leaves students feeling supported.
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Nestled in the lakes of Madison, the SLP program at UW is known for its academic rigor. The professors focus on evidence-based practice, and on developing the scientific literacy to keep abreast of journals and draw your own conclusions. The clinical portion is set up in two semesters and a summer session, giving students a deeper, but less broad, look at its subjects than a school like University of Iowa. Research is very much encouraged here. If you're looking to go into pure academics, this would be a good fit, but their core focus is still on equipping practitioners.
University of Arizona, Tucson
Despite its high placement on the U.S. News list, U of A comes across as a diamond in the rough. Students praise the city of Tucson itself - larger and more fun than many expect, highly affordable, and rich in clinical opportunities when the time for placements arises. The speech pathology program has about 25 students a year, and the atmosphere is reportedly very amicable. That said, clinical work is taken seriously - the school boasts its own SLP clinics, with separate clinics for adults and children, and an autism clinic extension.
Northwestern, Evanston
Another strong research school, Northwestern prides itself on accepting the cream of the crop, but it also prides itself on diversity - 25% of its graduate admission slots are reserved for people who don't have a background in SLP or communication sciences. Northwestern does a lot of research in key areas, such as aphasia and autism. Cost can be a factor with this school, but if you're ready for the academic rigor, it has a lot to offer.
