Speech Therapy is an Allied Health Science subject that has good scope. Medical advancement in this field, awareness of the need for early intervention etc has increased the scope of Speech Therapy. A number of Speech Therapy courses are available now in India and abroad.

Speech Therapy Courses

Speech Therapy courses are available at various levels. Candidates can start from under graduation and follow it up with a postgraduate programme. Aspirant can opt for the following Speech Therapy courses:

• Bachelor of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology Course (BASLP)
• Bachelor of Science in Audiology
• Bachelor of Science in Audiology and Speech Rehabilitation
• Bachelor of Science in Hearing and Language
• Bachelor of Science in Hearing Language and Speech
• Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing
• Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology or audiology
• Bachelor of Science in Audiology and Speech & Language
• Bachelor of Science in Speech Therapy and Hearing
• Diploma in Audiology and Speech Therapy
• Diploma in Hearing Language and Speech (DHLS)
• Master of Science in Audiology
• Master of Science in Audiology and Speech Rehabilitation
• Master of Science in Audiology and Speech Therapy
• Master of Science in Hearing Speech and Language
• Master of Science in Speech and Hearing
• Master of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology
• Master of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (MASLP)
• Post Graduate Diploma in Audiology, Speech and Hearing

Aspirants can also pursue M. Phil and Ph. D in related areas after post graduation. Research allows the candidate to pursue an academic career or take up jobs in research organisations.

Career Prospects after Speech Therapy course

Candidates who have completed a speech therapy course can work in various capacities. They can find employment as speech therapists and speech-language pathologists. Teaching is another area that has plenty of job opportunities. Aspirants can also work as administrators of speech and hearing programmes.

Job opportunities are available re mostly in the health care services. One can look for jobs in the following centers/institutions:

• Centre for the developmentally disabled
• Clinics and heath centers
• Community care centers
• Government/Private Hospitals
• Governmental and Non Governmental Organizations
• Healthcare offices
• Nursing care facilities
• Rehabilitations centers
• Special schools
• Training institutions
• Universities and Schools

Candidates can expect a starting salary of Rs 5,000 per month. The salary can go up to Rs 20,000 with 2 or 3 years of work experience. The pay scale will be different in the private and public sector organizations. There is much scope abroad for aspirants who have completed speech therapy courses. The remuneration is also significantly higher for aspirants employed abroad.