Speech Language Pathology

The Speech Language Pathology program prepares graduates to work under the supervision of a Licensed Speech Language Pathologist who evaluates, diagnoses, and treats individuals with various communication disorders.

Courses provide instruction in following written protocols designed to remediate individual communication problems. Supervised field experience includes working with patients of various ages with communication disorders. 

Graduates may be eligible for registration with the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech Language Pathologist and Audiologists and must be supervised by a Licensed Speech Language Pathologist.

CCC&TI offers the following educational programs in this area:

For more information about course descriptions or required courses, refer to the current CCC&TI Course Catalog and its corresponding Addendum.

Employment Outlook

Graduates may be employed in health care or education settings such as hospitals, schools, private practice, home health and long-term care agencies.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook, "Employment of speech-language pathologists is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2014. As the members of the baby boom generation continue to age, the possibility of neurological disorders and associated speech, language, and swallowing impairments increases. Medical advances are also improving the survival rate of premature infants and trauma and stroke victims, who then need assessment and possible treatment. An increased emphasis also has been placed on early identification of speech and language problems in young children. The combination of growth in the occupation and an expected increase in retirements over the coming years should create excellent job opportunities for speech-language pathologists. Opportunities should be particularly favorable for those with the ability to speak a second language, such as Spanish."

Working conditions

The DOL's Occupational Outlook Handbook states, "Speech-language pathologists usually work at a desk or table in clean comfortable surroundings. In medical settings, they may work at the patient's bedside and assist in positioning the patient. In school settings they may work with students in an office or classroom. Some deliver services in the client's home. While the job is not physically demanding, it requires attention to detail and intense concentration. The emotional needs of clients and their families may be demanding. Most full-time speech-language pathologists work 40 hours per week; about 1 in 5 work part time. Those who work on a contract basis may spend a substantial amount of time traveling between facilities."

(Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Speech-Language Pathologists , on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos099.htm (visited April 13, 2006)).