According to The Non-Clinical PT, a career resource and community focused on helping rehab professionals (including SLPs) transition into non-clinical or clinically adjacent roles, one CCC-SLP built a traditional clinical career for several years (including work related to AAC) before realizing the day-to-day pace and logistics of direct care weren’t sustainable long-term.
While on maternity leave, she came across an opening for an AAC Specialist role, work that sits at the intersection of clinical knowledge, customer support, and industry partnerships. Even without a formal sales background, she applied, landed the role, and used her clinical expertise as a foundation to learn the business side. Over time, that initial pivot grew into broader leadership responsibilities, supporting teams and collaborating with AAC manufacturers and partners at a larger scale.
It’s a good example of how a speech pathologist background can translate into clinically adjacent, non-clinical careers, especially in areas like AAC, training, consulting, and leadership, where your clinical reasoning and client-centered mindset still matter, even if you’re not providing therapy sessions.
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- Aspiring SLP generalists are prepared to pursue ASHA certification.
- Students can earn an Emerson Master of Science in Communication Disorders online in as few as 20 months.
- Online classes are taught by expert Emerson faculty—most of whom are practicing SLPs who view students as colleagues and collaborators.
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Online MS in Speech-Language Pathology from Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University’s online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program combines a robust, innovative curriculum rooted in Christian values with a full-time or part-time option that features online learning, on-campus intensive experiences, and comprehensive clinical field practicums to prepare skilled, compassionate students for careers as speech-language pathologists.
- Full-time (five trimesters) or part-time (eight trimesters) options available.
- No GRE scores required.
- 400+ supervised, clinical learning hours are done at schools/clinics local to students
- Three onsite experiences build a sense of camaraderie and community throughout the program
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Want to Become an SLP? Earn an MS Online at NYU
NYU Steinhardt’s online master of science program in Communicative Sciences and Disorders prepares aspiring speech-language pathologists with a comprehensive professional education.
- Prepares students to pursue SLP licensure
- Accredited by ASHA’s Council on Academic Accreditation
- As few as six terms to complete
- Full-time and part-time plans of study
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Speech pathologist job outlook
In May 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimated that jobs for speech language pathologists will grow 15% by 2034, which is much faster than the average for all other occupations.
The primary drivers are an aging population increasingly prone to speech, language, and swallowing problems, along with improved medical survival rates for premature infants, stroke, and trauma victims who require treatment. Growth in school enrollments, including special education, and greater awareness of early identification in young children are also fueling demand, as is the rising use of contract services across hospitals, schools, and nursing care facilities, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
In terms of stress, the role rates above average, which reflects the complexity of caseloads and responsibilities. School-based SLPs, for example, may see 20 to 25 students a day while also managing evaluations, IEP meetings, and paperwork. Speech language pathology is widely described as deeply rewarding. Helping someone, whether a child finding their first words or an adult regaining communication after a stroke, directly improves their quality of life, which practitioners cite as the most meaningful part of the work. Overall, it’s a challenging but fulfilling career with strong job prospects, ranked #3 among U.S. News’ Best Health Care Jobs.
Where do speech language pathologists work?
Speech-language pathologists work across a wide range of settings, including public schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, and private practices. They treat a broad spectrum of conditions throughout the entire lifespan, from babies with swallowing difficulties and children with language delays or stuttering, to stroke victims relearning to speak and older adults facing neurological disorders.
As of May 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), Occupational Outlook Handbook: Speech-Language Pathologists reports that the largest employers of SLPs were the following: worked in the following:
- Educational services; state, local, and private: 40%
- Offices of physical, occupational, and speech therapists and audiologists: 26%
- Hospitals; state, local, and private: 14%
- Nursing and residential care facilities: 4%
- Self-employed workers: 3%
Most speech-language pathologists are full-time, but part-time work is common. SLPs in the school setting may enjoy increased flexibility during summer break or a shorter midwinter break.
The states that employed the highest numbers of SLPs in 2024, according to the BLS, were California, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.
Five alternative career options for speech language pathologists
Additional education beyond speech pathology school is not always necessary for SLPs to make a career change, but taking continuing education in a specialty area can support professional development and a transition into a new niche. To maintain ASHA certification (CCC-SLP), SLPs must complete 30 Professional Development Hours (PDHs) during each 3-year certification maintenance period. Focusing on a preferred area every 3 can help SLPs direct their career path toward areas of interest. Working with mentors, networking, and taking on related projects outside a primary role can also help SLPs transition into new fields where a master’s degree in speech pathology may not be required.
1. Voice coach
Voice and speech coaches can train actors, executives, and others to modify their accents, adapt new dialects, and reduce vocal strain by using their voices more efficiently. There is no single required national credential to work as a “voice coach,” but many SLPs find it helpful to pursue continuing education in voice, motor speech, and accent modification, especially when working with clients who have voice concerns. Some coaches who specialize in accent modification pursue training such as the P-ESL Certification Course (Pronouncing English as a Second Language), also known as the Compton P-ESL method, offered by the Institute of Language and Phonology.
2. Executive communication coach or corporate SLP
Corporate-focused SLPs (sometimes called executive communication coaches) may work with professionals and teams on clearer communication, efficient voice use, presentation skills, pragmatic/social communication, and, when a client specifically requests it, accent modification as an elective service. In addition to speech and voice-focused training, business coursework (or experience in sales/marketing/client management) can help SLPs prepare for the business side of corporate work.
CORSPAN (the Corporate Speech Pathology Network) is a professional community for SLPs interested in applying communication expertise in the workplace and corporate setting, beyond traditional school and healthcare pathways. CORSPAN connects clinicians with networking, mentorship, and professional development tailored to corporate-focused work (e.g., executive communication, training, consulting, and related services).
3. Traveling SLP
Traveling SLPs take on short-term contracts in a range of settings, often schools, hospitals, SNFs, home health, and outpatient clinics, based on where clinicians are needed. Depending on licensure and (for international work) visa requirements, assignments may be domestic or abroad, but the common thread is that travel roles typically move fast: employers often prefer clinicians who can onboard quickly and feel comfortable adapting to new systems, documentation, and caseloads.
A common route into travel work is partnering with a therapy or medical staffing agency, which helps match you with openings and manages contract logistics. Experience expectations can vary by employer and setting, but many travel roles seek clinicians with a solid foundation who can “hit the ground running.”
For a practical, SLP-written look at how travel therapy contracts can work in real life, see The Traveling Traveler blog.
For travel-minded SLPs, the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC) can reduce licensure friction in participating states by allowing eligible clinicians to obtain a “privilege to practice” (in person or via telepractice) in other compact states, while each state still retains its regulatory authority and can share disciplinary/verification information. Compact privileges are rolling out state-by-state; you can check which states have enacted and which are currently issuing privileges on the ASLP-IC Compact Map.
4. Researcher or professor
SLPs who move into academia can teach future clinicians and contribute to research that advances assessment and intervention in communication and swallowing. According to ASHA’s Market Trends report, the future outlook for CSD faculty and speech/hearing scientists is strong, and the field is actively paying attention to anticipated faculty shortages, which ASHA links to factors like growth in the professions, an increasing number of retiring faculty, and fewer doctoral students entering PhD programs.
Because many research-intensive faculty roles (and “speech and hearing scientist” positions) are built around producing and leading research, earning a PhD is often expected. ASHA also notes that careers as teachers, scholars, and researchers exist across many types of colleges and universities, and that PhD-prepared professionals may also work in hospitals/clinics with clinical research missions or in industry (e.g., product research and development).
5. Interpreter or translator
Interpreters and translators support communication across languages, but they are different roles: interpreters work in real time (spoken or signed), while translators work with written text. Certification and training requirements vary by language and setting. For example, the American Translators Association (ATA) offers certification for translators, while sign language interpreters commonly pursue certification through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID).
Sponsored online speech pathology programs
Master’s in SLP: Study Online Full or Part Time
Speech@Emerson enables you to earn an MS online and pursue SLP certification in as few as 20 mos. Learn the same curriculum as the on-campus program. Study FT or PT.
- Aspiring SLP generalists are prepared to pursue ASHA certification.
- Students can earn an Emerson Master of Science in Communication Disorders online in as few as 20 months.
- Online classes are taught by expert Emerson faculty—most of whom are practicing SLPs who view students as colleagues and collaborators.
AD
Online MS in Speech-Language Pathology from Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University’s online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program combines a robust, innovative curriculum rooted in Christian values with a full-time or part-time option that features online learning, on-campus intensive experiences, and comprehensive clinical field practicums to prepare skilled, compassionate students for careers as speech-language pathologists.
- Full-time (five trimesters) or part-time (eight trimesters) options available.
- No GRE scores required.
- 400+ supervised, clinical learning hours are done at schools/clinics local to students
- Three onsite experiences build a sense of camaraderie and community throughout the program
AD
Want to Become an SLP? Earn an MS Online at NYU
NYU Steinhardt’s online master of science program in Communicative Sciences and Disorders prepares aspiring speech-language pathologists with a comprehensive professional education.
- Prepares students to pursue SLP licensure
- Accredited by ASHA’s Council on Academic Accreditation
- As few as six terms to complete
- Full-time and part-time plans of study
AD
Speech language pathology specializations
In addition to alternative careers, SLPs can choose to specialize in particular areas. Specialty certification is voluntary and is not required by ASHA to practice in any disorder area within the ASHA Scope of Practice in Speech Language Pathology. However, ASHA clinical specialty certification allows an SLP with advanced knowledge, skills, and experience beyond the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) to be formally recognized as a Board Certified Specialist (BCS) in a specific clinical area.
SLP specialties include:
Child language and language disorders
(BCS-CL):
Advanced expertise in child language and language disorders (often serving pediatric populations).
Stuttering, cluttering, and fluency disorders
(BCS-SCF):
Advanced knowledge and clinical expertise in evaluating and treating fluency disorders, including stuttering and cluttering.
Swallowing and swallowing disorders
(BCS-S):
Advanced expertise in dysphagia (swallowing disorders), typically demonstrated through advanced clinical practice and related professional activities (e.g., leadership, education/mentorship, scholarship).
Information last updated April 2026.