BA unrelated to SLP...

I'm about to become a senior in college. My major is English, but I've decided to take a different route, and I'd like a career in Speech-Language Pathology. The problem is that my university doesn't offer any of the courses required for the major, so I'm stuck. I don't want to take on a second Bachelor's degree. Is it really necessary to have an SLP-related Master's? Can I graduate with a BA in English, and then complete any prerequisites for grad school? Would it be advisable to possibly take on a Linguistics minor in order to become a better candidate? Any advice would be very beneficial. Thank you.

Monika Smith in sanfrancisco said: It is always a good idea to go for courses that are related to the career you want to pursue. If you seriously want a career as SLP. Then I suggest you to go for an SLS related masters and you can have a great career ahead.

Thanks for replying. Would obtaining a BA in English w/a minor in Linguistics make me eligible at all as an SLP Master's candidate? I'm willing to take prerequisites, but I don't want to take on another Bachelor's.

You can have a BA in something else - I did it! It might take you a year of undergrad level courses to "catch up" then a 2 year masters but you dont need to do another bachelors. Apply to grad programs and they will work with you to get you what you need! Good luck!

cyo in Modesto, California said: I'm about to become a senior in college. My major is English, but I've decided to take a different route, and I'd like a career in Speech-Language Pathology. The problem is that my university doesn't offer any of the courses required for the major, so I'm stuck. I don't want to take on a second Bachelor's degree. Is it really necessary to have an SLP-related Master's? Can I graduate with a BA in English, and then complete any prerequisites for grad school? Would it be advisable to possibly take on a Linguistics minor in order to become a better candidate? Any advice would be very beneficial. Thank you.

You will need to take all of the courses related to speech/language/communication to include normal language development, language disorders, articulation and phonology, speech science, fluency, hearing, etc. plus, get experience in doing therapy with clients/students after observing therapy sessions. You will want to see the list of courses required for a bachelor's degree.

How did you pay for those courses at the bachelor's level?

bilingualslp44 in Hendersonville, North Carolina said: You can have a BA in something else - I did it! It might take you a year of undergrad level courses to "catch up" then a 2 year masters but you dont need to do another bachelors. Apply to grad programs and they will work with you to get you what you need! Good luck!