Guide to Speech Therapy Volunteer Opportunities

Why Become a Speech Therapy Volunteer?

Beyond making a difference in the community, volunteering may also help Master of Speech Pathology students gain the clinical experience needed for SLP certification. Whether you are in an undergraduate program or pursuing a master’s degree, if you want to become a certified SLP, you may benefit from firsthand experience in the field.

Speech-language pathologists typically need a master’s degree in speech-language pathology or a related field to enter independent practice. For ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP), applicants must earn the required graduate degree from a program accredited by, or in candidacy with, the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA). Admission to speech pathology school can be competitive, and relevant volunteer experience may help strengthen an applicant’s overall profile.

Access to professionals in the field may open opportunities for letters or recommendation, which may be required for your admission into a speech pathology program, and firsthand experience may make your application stand out. As a volunteer, you may also be able to form meaningful connections and open doors for future SLP career opportunities.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, speech-language pathology licensure typically requires at least a master’s degree from an accredited program, supervised clinical experience and passing an exam. Although volunteer experience generally does not count toward required supervised clinical training, volunteering in a speech-language pathology-related setting may give prospective students exposure to clinical environments, populations and potential career paths.

Do You Need to be an ASHA-Certified SLP to Volunteer?

Who can become a speech therapy volunteer? For SLP students and professionals, there are plenty of opportunities for volunteering, and you do not need to be an ASHA-certified SLP to get involved.

If you are looking for volunteer opportunities, check with your program or advisor on your campus. They may partner with organizations and foundations in your area to connect you with opportunities. Or, you may find it easier to reach out to volunteer coordinators or organizations directly. They can help you figure out any requirements, such as whether a background check is required, and provide you with relevant information.

You may find that positions may not require ASHA certification, but there are some advantages to being certified. Because clinical experience is required for certification, you may qualify for more volunteer opportunities. Being a member and volunteering for ASHA may also offer additional benefits, such as networking with fellow members, developing technical skills, and more opportunities for career advancement.

Where Can You Volunteer as a Speech Pathologist?

Prospective speech-language pathology students and others interested in the field can find volunteer opportunities in a variety of settings. Depending on where your interests lie, you may find professionals or communities that you form a connection with. Some examples of volunteer work settings for SLPs include:

• Early intervention, preschool, and K-12 schools
• Colleges and universities
• Hospitals
• Residential and nonresidential healthcare facilities
• Private practice
• Corporate settings
• Nonprofits
• Local, state and federal government agencies

Volunteer requirements vary by organization and setting. Depending on the opportunity, volunteers may need to meet requirements such as background checks, health screenings, training or prerequisite coursework. Check with the organization directly before applying.

When choosing a volunteer opportunity, consider which areas of speech-language pathology interest you, the populations you may want to work with in the future and the experiences that could help you learn more about the profession.

Other considerations when looking for speech pathology volunteer opportunities are things like your work schedule, free time and how much of a commitment you want to make to volunteering. If you are balancing school and other commitments with volunteering, your schedule may be something you want to consider. Also, even if a volunteer schedule fits your needs, consider any training or onboarding you will need to complete.

Find Your Perfect SLP Work Setting Through Volunteer Work

With so many options for SLPs, it can be hard to decide where you want to work. Gaining experience in a variety of speech pathology work settings may set you up for your career after graduation. If you are an SLP student who is not sure if they want to practice in schools, hospitals or open a private practice, firsthand experience may lead you to your preferred path.

Just as there are different settings for volunteering, there are many settings to work as a volunteer, and you should consider where you feel comfortable when choosing where to work and gain experience.

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) assess and treat people with speech, language, communication, cognitive-communication, and feeding and swallowing disorders. They may work with individuals affected by conditions such as:

• People who have experienced stroke
• Head trauma patients
• Patients suffering from degenerative diseases like Parkinson’s or ALS
• Patients with cancers of the mouth or throat
• Individuals with autism
• Individuals with Down syndrome
• Dementia patients

SLPs work in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, outpatient clinics, residential healthcare facilities, universities and private practices. Exploring different volunteer settings may help you learn which populations and work environments interest you most. For example, you may discover that you prefer working with children in educational settings or adults in healthcare environments.

What Volunteer Opportunities in Speech Language Pathology are Available?

There are many ways to get involved in speech-language pathology-related volunteer work. Opportunities may be available locally, virtually or through organizations that offer international service experiences. If you are interested in getting involved, the following organizations and resources may help you identify speech-language pathology-related volunteer opportunities.

Speech Therapy Organizations to Research

• ASHA offers a range of volunteer opportunities, including service on committees, boards and councils, convention-related roles and other association activities. Opportunities vary by interest, level of effort and time commitment.
• The National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) supports students studying communication sciences and disorders through more than 350 chapters at colleges and universities nationwide. Students can get involved through local chapters, volunteer and leadership activities, and other professional development opportunities.
• The American Academy of Private Practice in Speech Pathology and Audiology (AAPPSPA) is a professional association focused on private practice. Its resources, events and member network may help students learn more about private-practice careers and identify professionals or practices to contact about observational or volunteer opportunities.
• State speech-language-hearing associations may also offer volunteer, leadership and networking opportunities. For example, organizations such as the California Speech Language Hearing Association and Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association serve professionals and students within their states. ASHA also maintains a list of volunteer opportunities available through state associations.
• You can also check with your university’s career center, community engagement or service-learning office, CSD department, or local NSSLHA chapter for volunteer opportunities with healthcare, education and community organizations.

Speech Therapy Volunteer Programs Abroad

• Therapy Abroad offers international programs for undergraduate, post-baccalaureate and graduate students interested in communication sciences and disorders and speech-language pathology. Programs include clinical observation, professional development and supervised learning experiences in countries such as Belize.
• Smiles for Speech is a nonprofit organization that provides speech, language and related services to communities with limited access to care. Speech-language pathologists and other professionals can explore volunteer opportunities through the organization.
• Trinh Foundation Australia supports the development of speech-language therapy services and education in Vietnam. It offers volunteer opportunities for experienced speech pathologists, including in-country clinical education placements and online mentoring opportunities.
• Projects Abroad offers international speech therapy internships, including current placements in countries such as Ghana and Vietnam. Eligibility varies by program, so prospective participants should check individual program requirements.
• Alliance for Smiles recruits medical and nonmedical volunteers for international cleft-care missions. Speech pathologist volunteer positions require experience working with people affected by cleft conditions.
• Speech Therapy Cambodia supports the development of speech-language pathology services and professional education in Cambodia. Current volunteer opportunities primarily target experienced SLPs, including clinicians with expertise in dysphagia.
• The International Stuttering Association (ISA) is an international organization advocating for people who stutter. Its International Speech Project–Stuttering has worked to expand access to support, self-help resources and specialist speech-language pathology expertise in underserved countries.
• Speech Pathology Group: Children's Services International (SPG) is a nonprofit organization focused on improving access to speech and language services in underserved communities in the United States and internationally.
• Volunteer Forever publishes guides and directories covering international volunteer and internship programs, including speech therapy opportunities. Verify eligibility, supervision and current program details directly with any organization you find through a third-party directory.

Other Ways to Help

If in-person volunteering is not feasible, some organizations may offer virtual volunteer, mentoring or professional-development opportunities. ASHA offers several mentoring programs that connect students, early-career professionals and practicing SLPs. For example, the Student to Empowered Professional (S.T.E.P.) program connects students preparing for careers in communication sciences and disorders with experienced audiologists and SLPs for virtual one-on-one mentoring.

You can also contact professional associations, university programs, nonprofits and other organizations directly to ask whether they offer virtual volunteer, mentoring or educational opportunities. Students can participate in online CSD communities and professional networks to connect with peers, learn about the profession and discover volunteer or leadership opportunities.

Things to Consider Before Volunteering as a Speech Pathologist

Before choosing a speech-language pathology-related volunteer opportunity, consider factors such as cost, time commitment, location and eligibility requirements.

1. Pay

Volunteer positions are generally unpaid, which may not be feasible for every student. If unpaid volunteering isn't an option, consider paid work in a related setting that still provides experience with populations or environments relevant to speech-language pathology. For example, students interested in working with children may consider jobs in childcare, schools or community programs.

2. Schedule

Consider the time commitment and schedule each volunteer opportunity requires. Some organizations may require volunteers to commit to specific days, hours or minimum periods of service. Availability may also vary by setting or time of year.

3. Location

Consider transportation, travel time and any costs associated with reaching the volunteer site. International opportunities may require additional planning for passports or visas, airfare, lodging, insurance and other travel requirements. If travel is a barrier, look for virtual volunteer, mentoring or professional-development opportunities.

4. Requirements

Check directly with the organization about eligibility and onboarding requirements before applying. Depending on the opportunity, requirements may include background checks or fingerprinting, health screenings, orientation or training, minimum age or student status, or specific education or professional credentials.