How to Become a Speech Language Pathologist NJ

If you’re passionate about making a difference and helping individuals find their voice, a career as a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) in New Jersey may just be the perfect fit for you. At Horizon Staffing Resources, we specialize in helping connect dedicated SLP professionals with rewarding opportunities in schools across the garden state. Here is our comprehensive guide on how to become a Speech Language Pathologist in NJ.

What is a Speech Language Pathologist?

Speech Language Pathologist, also known as Speech Therapists or SLPs, are professionals who work to assess, diagnose, prevent, and treat language, speech, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders. SLPs work with individuals of all ages, from children to adults to senior citizens. Their expertise ranges from articulation and fluency issues to language comprehension and voice disorders. In school settings, SLPs play a crucial role in supporting students’ academic and social development by addressing speech and language barriers that can impact learning.

What do Speech Language Pathologists Do?

Speech Language Pathologists are experts in communication and treat a variety of swallowing and communication issues. These include treating the following issues:

• Articulation Disorders
• Language Disorders
• Social Communication Disorders
• Cognitive-Communication Disorders
• Swallowing Disorders
• Speech Impairments
• Phonological Disorders
• Voice Disorders
• Resonance Disorders

Speech Language Pathologist Requirements

In order to become a licensed SLP in New Jersey, here’s the requirements you’ll need to meet:

• Master’s Degree or higher in speech-language pathology, or its equivalent, from an accredited college or university.
• A passing score on the Praxis II: Speech Language Pathology #5331
• Complete a clinical internship and obtain a temporary license in order to do so

Where do Speech Language Pathologists Work?

You can find Speech Language Pathologists in a number of settings. With the flexibility of being able to work in diverse settings, below are work settings you can explore as an SLP:

• Schools
• Healthcare Facilities
• Private Practice
• Research and Academia
• Local, State, and Federal Government Agencies

How to Become a Speech Language Pathologist in NJ

In order to become a speech language pathologist in NJ there are several key steps that are required. If becoming an SLP in NJ is your goal, you’ll need to meet a few educational requirements ultimately ending in obtaining a master’s degree. New Jersey is home to a number of Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) accredited speech language pathology programs. The CAA is part of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Below are the steps on how to become a speech language pathologist in NJ and the requirements in order to do so:

1. Obtain a bachelor’s degree: Your journey towards becoming a speech language pathologist starts with receiving a bachelor’s degree. There are a few different options you can pursue. While a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders is ideal, it is not mandatory. If you pursue a bachelor’s degree in another field, you’ll just need to make sure that you meet the prerequisite courses needed to be accepted into the master’s degree program. The master’s degree program prerequisite requirements generally entail the following courses:
   1. Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
   2. Biological science
   3. Physical sciences
   4. Statistics
   5. Social or behavioral sciences
2. Earn a master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology: Enroll in a master’s degree program that is accredited by the CAA. New Jersey has a few SLP programs that are accredited by ASHA such as Kean University and Rutgers University. These programs typically require:
   1. 57-63 credit hours of coursework
   2. A minimum of 400 supervised clinical hours
   3. Completion of a graduate clinical practicum
3. Apply for a temporary license and complete a clinical internship: To obtain a temporary license, you’ll need to complete a clinical internship of 9 months of full-time professional employment under a licensed supervisor unless in an exempt setting; then the supervisor must have ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) or equivalent. You will be required to apply for a temporary license through the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. Getting the temporary license allows you to complete the required CCC.

4. Pass the National SLP Exam: After you complete your graduate program and earn your master’s degree, the next step is to pass the Praxis exam. The Praxis exam tests your skills and knowledge needed to become a licensed SLP. The exam is facilitated by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).
5. Apply for licensing and begin practicing as a Speech Language Pathologist: After passing the Praxis exam, the next step is to apply for a licensure through the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. You’ll need to fill out the online application and pay the fees in order to submit the application. Once you send in your application, you’ll be required to pass a background check and send in all necessary paperwork. After all is said and done, you will receive your SLP license, and it will be valid for two years.
6. SLP license renewal: Keep in mind that your SLP license will need to be renewed every 2 years. The requirement needed to renew your license is to complete 20 hours of continuing education. The CE hours must be approved by the New Jersey Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Advisory Committee. On top of the CE credits, it is required for you to complete an online jurisprudence orientation in order to keep up with the legal aspects of the profession in New Jersey.

Conclusion

Becoming an SLP in New Jersey is a process that combines rigorous education with practical experience. By following the steps provided above and meeting all the necessary requirements, you’ll be well on your way to a fulfilling career helping individuals overcome communication challenges. Navigating the journey to becoming a licensed SLP can be complex, but you don’t have to do it alone. Horizon Staffing Resources is here to support you every step of the way. Our team offers personalized guidance to connect you with a wide range of job opportunities. If you’re looking to become a school SLP in NJ, send us your resume today!