There are speech pathology programs in Georgia for individuals who are exploring speech language pathology programs that will best suit them.
Going for SLP programs are worth it, but it is essential to go for the programs that will help prepare you to meet state licensing requirements.
In this article, we will be looking at the speech pathology programs in Georgia, as well as the Georgia licensing requirements for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists.
Nature of the Work of speech-language pathologists
Working with the full range of human communication and its disorders, speech-language pathologists:
- Evaluate and diagnose speech, language, cognitive communication and swallowing disorders.
- Treat speech, language, cognitive communication and swallowing disorders in individuals of all ages, from infants to the elderly.
In addition, speech-language pathologists may:
- Prepare future professionals in college and universities.
- Manage agencies, clinics, organizations, or private practices.
- Engage in research to enhance knowledge about human communication processes.
- Supervise and direct public school or clinical programs.
- Develop new methods and equipment to evaluate problems.
- Establish more effective treatments.
- Investigate behavioural patterns associated with communication disorders.
- Speech-language pathologists often work as part of a team, which may include teachers, physicians, audiologists, psychologists, social workers, rehabilitation counsellors and others. Corporate speech-language pathologists also work with employees to improve communication with their customers.
Work Sites of speech-language pathologists
Once you are done with any of the speech pathology programs in Georgia, practice and work of speech-language pathologists may take place in various settings:
- Public and private schools
- Hospitals
- Rehabilitation centers
- Short-term and long-term nursing care facilities
- Community clinics
- Colleges and universities
- Private practice offices
- State and local health departments
- State and federal government agencies
- Home health agencies (home care)
- Adult daycare centers
- Centres for persons with developmental disabilities
- Research laboratories
Licensing Requirements for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists
Knowing the Licensing Requirements for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists will help you in choosing the right speech pathology programs in Georgia.
The information we are about to give below is collected from the state licensure boards or regulatory agencies responsible for regulating the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology.
The information is renewed on an annual basis, therefore, always check with your state for the most up-to-date information as the laws, regulations and policies may change at any time.
Initial Licensure for Speech-Language Pathology
(1) Master’s or higher degree with a major emphasis in speech-language pathology from an accredited program, and that incorporates the academic coursework of 75 semester hours, 36 of which must be earned at the graduate level.
(2) Complete a supervised clinical practicum with experience working with adults and children, in a variety of settings and with a variety of communication problems.
However, it is important to note that the experience must be obtained within an accredited program and amount to 375 clock hours of direct supervision and 25 clock hours of observation.
At least 325 of the 400 hours have to be obtained at the graduate level.
(3) Complete a required professional experience of no less than nine months of full-time or 18 months of part-time paid clinical experience.
(4) Passage of a national examination approved by the Board.
(5) Recency of study must be demonstrated via two CEUs within two years preceding application.
Initial Licensure for Audiology
To be licensed in audiology, the following are required:
(1) Doctoral degree in audiology or completed academic requirement of a doctoral degree program with a major emphasis in audiology from an institution of higher learning that is, or at the time the applicant was enrolled and graduated, was accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or its successor organization.
(2) Clinical practicum: must present evidence of completion of a post-baccalaureate directly-supervised clinical practicum with cases representative of a wide spectrum of ages and communicative disorders within the first three years of the doctoral degree program.
Completion of a clinical externship satisfies the requirement of a required professional experience.
(3) Completed the requirement of full-time professional experience which is equivalent to 12 months of full-time supervised clinical practicum and must be obtained with an accredited program.
(4) Passage of a Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology-approved national examination.
(5) Demonstrated recency of study through 2 CEUs within 2 years preceding application.
There are exceptions also, check out these exceptions. Without much ado, below is the list of speech pathology programs in Georgia.
The List of Speech Pathology Programs in Georgia
- Georgia Southern University’s Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders
- Georgia State University’s Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders program
- The University of Georgia’s Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders
- The University of Georgia also offers a Master of Education in Communication Sciences and Disorders
- The University of West Georgia’s Master of Education with a major in speech-language pathology program
- Valdosta State University’s Master of Education in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Now, let us review these speech pathology programs in Georgia.
Georgia Southern University’s Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders
- Application Deadlines: Jan. 15
- Start Dates: fall
- GPA Minimum: 3.0
- Credit Hours: 54
- Average Program Length: five semesters, including summer
- Accrediting Body: Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA)
Georgia Southern University offers a Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders: The program provides students with the knowledge and skills to prevent, assess, diagnose and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults.
Evidenced-focused, team-orientated, problem-based instruction prepares graduates to enter the workforce as clinical fellowship-ready speech-language pathologists.
Graduates are also prepared to pursue the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC).
The degree includes a total of 54 semester hours of academic coursework and clinical practice.
Georgia State University’s Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders program
- Application Deadlines: Dec. 1
- Start Dates: fall
- GPA Minimum: 3.0
- Credit Hours: Minimum of 63 hours (with a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders) or 90 hours (without a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders)
- Accrediting Body: CAA
The communication sciences and disorders program at Georgia State University offers a unique educational opportunity for students to become highly qualified speech-language pathologists.
Their downtown Atlanta location gives students excellent clinical experiences across the city.
Their faculty’s commitment to student’s success provides an exceptional learning environment.
Cohorts of 30-32 students begin each fall semester and students receive individual attention and work together through the year.
Application Deadlines:
- Fall: December 1 (firm deadline – all requirements must be met by this date)
- Spring: Does Not Admit
- Summer: Does Not Admit
How long will it take? 63 semester hours = Six semesters or two years; 90 semester hours = Nine semesters or three years.
The University of Georgia’s Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders
- Application Deadlines: Jan. 15
- Start Dates: July
- GPA Minimum: 3.5
- Credit Hours: Not specified
- Average Program Length: two years
- Accrediting Body: CAA
The Communication Sciences and Disorders master’s programs prepare students to be evidence-based, client-centred, outcomes-focused speech-language pathologists.
The M.A. program integrates coursework, on-campus clinical practicum, off-campus clinical internships, and completion of a master’s thesis.
Their faculty have research, clinical, and community collaboration expertise across the field of communication sciences and disorders.
You will benefit from this expertise through high-quality evidence-based instruction, clinical opportunities, mentored research, and outreach to the community.
The program begins in July during UGA’s “Short Session II.” Courses and clinical practicum experiences use a cohort model and are required every semester.
You typically graduate in May of your second year in the program.
You are eligible to apply to the CMSD/SLP master’s program if you have completed a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders, speech and hearing sciences, speech-language pathology, or the equivalent, or if you are on track to complete such a degree by the end of the current academic year.
If your bachelor’s degree was in another area, you are eligible to apply if you have completed the prerequisite coursework in speech, hearing, and language sciences.
The University of Georgia also offers a Master of Education in Communication Sciences and Disorders
- Application Deadlines: Jan. 15
- Start Dates: July
- GPA: 3.5
- Credit Hours: Not specified
- Average Program Length: two years
- Accrediting Body: CAA
The MEd in Communication Sciences and Disorders is an ASHA-accredited master’s degree program in speech-language pathology.
This is one of the speech pathology programs in Georgia, where graduates of this program are prepared to serve as licensed and certified speech-language pathologists in clinical, medical, or school-based settings.
Coursework, on-campus clinical practicum, community outreach activities, and off-campus clinical internships provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to begin your career with confidence.
The MEd is a non-thesis master’s degree.
If you are interested in incorporating research into your master’s program, explore their MA program.
Whichever degree you select, you and your future clients will benefit from the program’s overall emphasis on evidence-based practice, client-centred services for diverse families and communities, and lifelong professional growth, from your first supported clinical practicum to your final internship and beyond. The following are the program highlights:
A full-time, 2-year program prepares you to seek state and national credentials to practice speech-language pathology.
Specialized faculty help you develop research-based and theoretically sound knowledge and skills for prevention, assessment, and intervention.
The cohort model supports your development of the interpersonal and inter-professional skills that support all clients’ and families’ backgrounds, identities, and cultures.
Generalist focus emphasizes your well-rounded development as a future clinical professional.
Opportunities to add specialized training in dyslexia or in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The University of West Georgia’s Master of Education with a major in speech-language pathology program
- Application Deadlines: Jan. 15
- Start Dates: Summer
- GPA Minimum: 3.0
- Credit Hours: 60
- Average Program Length: six semesters
- Accrediting Body: CAA
The Master of Education (MEd) education program in speech-language pathology at the University of West Georgia is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
In the graduate program at UWG, students complete closely supervised practical and/or internships in a variety of settings and with persons of varying ages.
The Comprehensive Community Clinic that is housed in the College of Education provides opportunities for students to complete a number of clinical hours on the campus.
However, students are required to complete clinical hours in other settings.
This is one of the speech pathology programs in Georgia that prepares students for a professional career in the identification, assessment, and treatment of all communication disorders, including language, articulation, voice, resonance, fluency, and swallowing disorders.
Successful completion of the program and other professional requirements is designed to lead the applicant toward obtaining a Master of Education degree (M.Ed.) in Speech-Language Pathology, Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC) certification, Georgia Licensure in Speech-Language Pathology, and ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC).
The graduate program currently seeks to admit approximately 20-25 full-time students each summer semester.
Valdosta State University’s Master of Education in Communication Sciences and Disorders
- Application Deadlines: March 1 (fall semester); July 1 (spring semester); Oct. 1 (summer semester)
- Start Dates: fall, spring, summer
- GPA Minimum: 2.75
- Credit Hours: 60
- Average Program Length: five or six semesters
- Accrediting Body: CAA
Valdosta State University’s Master of Education in Communication Sciences and Disorders is one of the speech pathology programs in Georgia that offers a five- and six-semester track, where the six-semester track includes fewer credit hours per semester.
Likely Outcomes of Masters in Speech Pathology Programs in Georgia
Graduates of the speech pathology programs in Georgia will:
Demonstrate the knowledge and principles necessary for the evaluation and treatment of communication impairments across the lifespan.
Analyze factors important to diagnosis and treatment plan development.
Document and effectively communicate their findings to the clients, their families and other professionals.
Meet legal and professional standards of competence and ethics.
Employ active learning methods that encourage self-reliance and promote continuous professional development.
Integrate theoretical knowledge and therapeutic competencies through group discussions, laboratories and clinical practice.
Knowledge of computers and computer software applications.
Demonstrate the highest qualities of character and ethical behaviour as well as the knowledge, skills, and disposition that support scholarship, professionalism, technology, and diversity.
Meet the minimum 400 clinical clock hours as described by ASHA for the Certificate of Clinical Competency.
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