English Education to Speech Pathology?

[daf718]

Hello. 

I am currently an English Education major actually in my last week or so of student teaching. I can say the experience has definitely been rocky I walked in unprepared and not knowing what to expect and now I'm currently grinding to pass this placement and on the verge of submitting my edTPA. While, the people in my department want to see me succeed I can't fight the feeling that I have fallen out of favor in the department/major. In my teaching experience I have thrived in terms of building relationships with students, I write well-thought out lessons, I know the content well, I work well in small groups and one-on-one with students but have really struggled with classroom management often times too lax, I have struggled with preparation and organization. I've had a lot of personal issues that have affected my drive and performance, my heart is in teaching and education but my mind just hasn't been. Over this placement I have strong doubts about myself and my supervisor has picked up on it as well as whether this is the route I'm going to take. I thought I always wanted to be a teacher, after all there aren't too many male teachers of color. However, I just don't enjoy the day-to-day work and politics that come with this career and I can see myself burning out. I'm 22 years old and I'm extremely stressed out about my future. I wasted my TAP and PELL eligibility as my student teaching semester brought me over 4 years. I know pretty much from now on it's going to be straight loans. 

I've been thinking of going to grad school I'm going to have to do it anyway within 5 years even if I want to be a teacher. But I'm considering going to become a literacy specialist or speech pathologist. I recall growing up with an IEP and being pulled out of classes for speech. I feel like I would thrive in a more intimate environment with students. I see it as another way to make a positive impact. I also like the fact that I am not limited to schools but can also work in clinical settings as well, it seems like a more versatile career. It seems to be a lot more flexible and less stressful than teaching. I hear there is also a shortage of jobs in speech pathology. I also see that speech pathologists earn more money than teachers. 

The grad program at my school would probably accept me. I may have some coursework done as well I took Methods, Special Ed, and Foundations of Language with some Speech Pathology students. My school does require 25 credits in undergraduate speech pathology courses, and some classes that I have not taken such as statistics and a physical science. So all in all it seems like it would take some time to just get into the program. 

My question for you guys is what do you think or my situation would this be a good alternate route for me? What should I expect in the speech pathology program and career? What is the purpose of the Math classes? Are there any alternate routes suggested? 

As soon as the semester ends I'm going to have a meeting with my department head to discuss this and I also want to head over to the speech pathology program to speak to someone and see what they tell me. But I'd like to hear from you guys as well. 

Edited December 5, 2018 by daf718

[Rezzy S.]

You’ll need a lot of pre-reqs, but your background is fine. Don’t stress too much, I switched to SLP and went back to school at 25.

[daf718]

13 minutes ago, Rezzy S. said:

You’ll need a lot of pre-reqs, but your background is fine. Don’t stress too much, I switched to SLP and went back to school at 25.

Yes, 25 credits in my case it may be a little less due to my background. So that's at least two semesters. Maybe one if I can take some winter or summer classes on top of a full semester taking 15-18 credits. But I'd have to speak with an advisor. 

Edited December 5, 2018 by daf718

[samiamslp]

I was an English and education double major and switched to speech midway through college. While I’d say both education and speech pathology are stressful careers and I still plan to work in schools, I really did want to have a more personal relationship with my students, as you’ve alluded to. I’m hoping to also get some literacy aspect into my speech sessions, but that’s up to the school and state! Anyway, my advice to you would be to make totally sure you’re changing paths for the right reasons— it’s totally okay if you’re still on the learning curve for teaching! If you’re definitely set on speech— welcome to the dark side ? Speak to admissions within your program— some schools don’t require prereqs to be taken ahead of time, especially if they are a three year program. They’re your best bet to find out what you have and what you need. How far along are you in your education major? If you’re doing EdTPA, I’d assume you’re either a senior or junior? If you’re not a senior, it could make sense to try to fit some CSD prereqs into your schedule for next semester and onward. If you are a senior, would it make sense to take some time off to take the prereq classes? Is there a physics or stats class you can take over winter break to get one more prereq done? Everything’s up to you and what makes you feel comfortable, and how long you have left in undergrad! Have you done any observations of speech sessions? Also- feel free to message me with questions or for info— I’ve been where you are! Best of luck!!

[daf718]

11 minutes ago, samiamslp said:

I was an English and education double major and switched to speech midway through college. While I’d say both education and speech pathology are stressful careers and I still plan to work in schools, I really did want to have a more personal relationship with my students, as you’ve alluded to. I’m hoping to also get some literacy aspect into my speech sessions, but that’s up to the school and state! Anyway, my advice to you would be to make totally sure you’re changing paths for the right reasons— it’s totally okay if you’re still on the learning curve for teaching! If you’re definitely set on speech— welcome to the dark side ? Speak to admissions within your program— some schools don’t require prereqs to be taken ahead of time, especially if they are a three year program. They’re your best bet to find out what you have and what you need. How far along are you in your education major? If you’re doing EdTPA, I’d assume you’re either a senior or junior? If you’re not a senior, it could make sense to try to fit some CSD prereqs into your schedule for next semester and onward. If you are a senior, would it make sense to take some time off to take the prereq classes? Is there a physics or stats class you can take over winter break to get one more prereq done? Everything’s up to you and what makes you feel comfortable, and how long you have left in undergrad! Have you done any observations of speech sessions? Also- feel free to message me with questions or for info— I’ve been where you are! Best of luck!!

I'm in my final semester of undergrad about to start working on the edTPA and wrapping up my final student teaching placement. Literally a week left in the semester. I am hopeful to achieve certification after this. My plan was to gain some experience through subbing which can also help get some money in my pocket directly after graduation. Take a semester off weigh my options. 

I'm unsure if there is a stats or physics course I can take. I'm just wondering what the purpose of these courses are? Are these things used in speech pathology? Math has never been my strong suit and I literally took one Math class throughout my whole college experience in which I earned a C+. 

I have not observed any speech sessions in college or anything like that. But for many years of my life I was a speech student! I remember a man named Mr. Grover would pull me out of class on occasion and me and some other peers would play UNO and do worksheets and converse with him. 

Edited December 5, 2018 by daf718

[bibliophile222]

3 minutes ago, daf718 said:

I'm unsure if there is a stats or physics course I can take. I'm just wondering what the purpose of these courses are. Are these things used in speech pathology? Math has never been my strong suit and I literally took one Math class throughout my whole college experience in which I earned a C+. 

The purpose of these courses is just because ASHA requires them. ?

Actually, the main reason for the stats class is because you have to be at least a little familiar with standard deviations, a bell curve, and other statistical data that you will see on standardized speech and language assessments. While you won't have to do the calculations yourself, you at least need to know what this stuff means, and there may not be time in your grad classes to go super in-depth.

I'm not as sure why a physical science course is necessary. My guess is that it can help with some other prereqs and a basic understanding of the concepts involved, such as how physics relates to sound waves or how chemistry relates to neurotransmitters. Because it is more of a science-ish degree, I guess they want us to be well-rounded in different types of science.

I'm in my first semester of grad school and still haven't taken my physical science requirement. I'm kind of annoyed that I have to take a course that will have no real purpose, especially since I've taken the rest of the prereqs already. But such is life.

On the plus side you don't have to take a lab for the physical science, and you don't need to get a fantastic grade--just try for a C or better.

[samiamslp]

20 minutes ago, daf718 said:

I'm in my final semester of undergrad about to start working on the edTPA and wrapping up my final student teaching placement. Literally a week left in the semester. I am hopeful to achieve certification after this. My plan was to gain some experience through subbing which can also help get some money in my pocket directly after graduation. Take a semester off weigh my options. 

I'm unsure if there is a stats or physics course I can take. I'm just wondering what the purpose of these courses are? Are these things used in speech pathology? Math has never been my strong suit and I literally took one Math class throughout my whole college experience in which I earned a C+. 

I have not observed any speech sessions in college or anything like that. But for many years of my life I was a speech student! I remember a man named Mr. Grover would pull me out of class on occasion and me and some other peers would play UNO and do worksheets and converse with him. 

Yeah, in regard to the courses, pretty much just what @bibliophile222 said. I personally find statistics to be helpful for data and research purposes (and totally different from "normal" math), and I took an anatomy course for the biology requirement which I found relatable, but I think it's just ASHA's way of wanting us to be well-rounded. 

Check out this link for non-CSD ASHA requirements:  https://www.asha.org/certification/course-content-areas-for-slp-standards/

I think subbing is a great idea! You would be doing something you enjoy, and while maybe it may not be what you enjoy the most, it will get you closer to that goal! I think trying to fit in some observations in the meantime would also be a great thing to do if you can fit them in. Can you find out if there is a speech pathologist at the school where you're student teaching? Maybe you can watch her sessions for a few hours, see what you get to see and what you think? 

[daf718]

7 minutes ago, samiamslp said:

Yeah, in regard to the courses, pretty much just what @bibliophile222 said. I personally find statistics to be helpful for data and research purposes (and totally different from "normal" math), and I took an anatomy course for the biology requirement which I found relatable, but I think it's just ASHA's way of wanting us to be well-rounded. 

Check out this link for non-CSD ASHA requirements:  https://www.asha.org/certification/course-content-areas-for-slp-standards/

I think subbing is a great idea! You would be doing something you enjoy, and while maybe it may not be what you enjoy the most, it will get you closer to that goal! I think trying to fit in some observations in the meantime would also be a great thing to do if you can fit them in. Can you find out if there is a speech pathologist at the school where you're student teaching? Maybe you can watch her sessions for a few hours, see what you get to see and what you think? 

Thanks for your response. I'll look into observing a speech pathologist. 

For you guys who have been in undergrad and grad programs for speech pathology what should I expect in my classes?

Edited December 5, 2018 by daf718

[samiamslp]

 

35 minutes ago, daf718 said:

I'm in my final semester of undergrad about to start working on the edTPA and wrapping up my final student teaching placement. Literally a week left in the semester. I am hopeful to achieve certification after this. My plan was to gain some experience through subbing which can also help get some money in my pocket directly after graduation. Take a semester off weigh my options. 

I'm unsure if there is a stats or physics course I can take. I'm just wondering what the purpose of these courses are? Are these things used in speech pathology? Math has never been my strong suit and I literally took one Math class throughout my whole college experience in which I earned a C+. 

I have not observed any speech sessions in college or anything like that. But for many years of my life I was a speech student! I remember a man named Mr. Grover would pull me out of class on occasion and me and some other peers would play UNO and do worksheets and converse with him. 

(I just reread your post and WOW you are in your final semester of undergrad! You go, bro!! You're in the homestretch until graduation! That's a serious accomplishment. Even if you decide you want to change tracks a bit your life, don't forget to give yourself a GIANT pat on the back ? )

Edited December 5, 2018 by samiamslp

[daf718]

8 minutes ago, samiamslp said:

 

(I just reread your post and WOW you are in your final semester of undergrad! You go, bro!! You're in the homestretch until graduation! That's a serious accomplishment. Even if you decide you want to change tracks a bit your life, don't forget to give yourself a GIANT pat on the back ? )

Thanks. It's pretty surreal. I thought I'd be a lot happier honestly but finishing undergrad has seemed to bring more stress, questions, problems to life. I forget how big of an accomplishment this is. 

I finish hopefully next week, graduation ceremony in May. Wanna take this semester off to get right mentally, get some paid in field experience in any way, and see how I wanna move forward. 

If I am to fail this placement I would graduate as an English major with an Education minor which doesn't make much of a different as far as me getting into speech pathology. I refuse to student teach again. 

Edited December 5, 2018 by daf718

[samiamslp]

20 minutes ago, daf718 said:

Thanks. It's pretty surreal. I thought I'd be a lot happier honestly but finishing undergrad has seemed to bring more stress, questions, problems to life. I forget how big of an accomplishment this is. 

I finish hopefully next week, graduation ceremony in May. Wanna take this semester off to get right mentally, get some paid in field experience in any way, and see how I wanna move forward. 

If I am to fail this placement I would graduate as an English major with an Education minor which doesn't make much of a different as far as me getting into speech pathology. I refuse to student teach again. 

Definitely! Take some time and see what's out there. Sounds like you've got a more solid plan now. Best of luck!!