Certified speech-language pathologists and audiologists serve more than twenty million Americans with disordered communication. Their responsibilities include the identification and evaluation of individuals with communication disorders and the remediation of these disorders. They also work toward the prevention of disorders of speech, language and hearing through public education, early identification of problems, and research into the causes and treatment of disorders. Certified speech-language pathologists and audiologists find employment in a variety of settings, including hospitals, community clinics, colleges and universities, state and federal agencies, industry, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes. Some graduates enter public-school settings, where the mandate of state and federal legislation has made service delivery to all children with communication disorders necessary.
Some graduates establish private practices or become affiliated with physicians.
Currently, employment possibilities are plentiful. Career options are also available for students with a bachelor's degree in speech-language pathology and audiology. They include speech aide, speech assistant, or speech implementer. Some students with a bachelor's degree have found careers in medical sales, medical publications or rehabilitation administration. Others have pursued master's degrees in other areas including special education, other health-care fields, and some have entered medical school.