Becoming a speech language pathology assistant. Career change advice.

[cindy38]

Hi guys, I was wondering what is the general pathway to become a SLPA? I'm in Ohio. I have a bachelors in biology with pre-pharm focus, but I've decided to change career pathways. If you have any advice or experience, please let me know. I'm not sure where to start or what to do financially. I have to take pre-requisite courses for the  master programs I've been looking at, but I'd no longer be getting financial grants due to having a bachelor's degree already. Right now, I wish I changed paths during my undergraduate career because now there's pre-requisite classes I need to take and to get experience. Any and all advice would help. Thanks. 

[speech97]

I’m not sure about what it’s like in Ohio but there should be programs listing the requirements if you just google SLPA Ohio requirements. However, some of these programs are lengthy and if I were you I’d just jump into my masters. That’s just me though! There are programs like Columbia and NYU that allow you to take the pre reqs while you are in the program, it will just take you longer to complete it. I’m not sure if you’re looking for out of state schools though! NYU does have an online option for speech. Columbia offers the pre reqs online to be completed the summer before the program start date in the fall if you are accepted. I would look into programs of that sort. Also, community colleges and other state colleges with cheaper tuition should be a fine place to take the pre reqs and there are schools that offer some of the speech courses online. 
 

I know I’m rambling but hope any of this helps!