Speech-language pathologists enjoy the unique rewards that come with a career dedicated to helping diverse patient populations overcome communicative disorders.
With Colorado being home to accredited SLP programs and a growing professional community, the Colorado Speech-Language-Hearing Association (CSLHA) has become highly active, holding an annual conference through which SLPs explore the latest developments in the field. Past conferences have involved the exploration of such topics as treating oropharyngeal dysphagia, the surgical treatment of dysphagia and vocal cord dysfunction, and emerging education technology in speech-language pathology.
- Emerson College - Master's in Speech-Language Pathology online - Prepare to become an SLP in as few as 20 months. No GRE required. Scholarships available.
- Arizona State University - Online - Online Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science - Designed to prepare graduates to work in behavioral health settings or transition to graduate programs in speech-language pathology and audiology.
- NYU Steinhardt - NYU Steinhardt's Master of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders online - ASHA-accredited. Bachelor's degree required. Graduate prepared to pursue licensure.
- Calvin University - Calvin University's Online Speech and Hearing Foundations Certificate - Helps You Gain a Strong Foundation for Your Speech-Language Pathology Career.
- George Mason University - George Mason University's Graduate Programs in Special Education, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Applied Behavior Analysis. - Prepares you for a rewarding career as a Speech and Language Pathologist.
Find out how you can become a speech therapist by earning your speech-language pathologist license through the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies Office of Speech-Language Pathology Certification by following these five steps:
Step 1. Earn a Speech Therapist Degree: Complete an ASHA-Accredited Graduate Program in Speech-Language Pathology
Master’s programs in communicative sciences and disorders generally do not require applicants to hold a degree in closely related major. If you hold a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated major, you would be allowed to complete foundational courses as part of the graduate program before beginning graduate-level coursework.
Standard prerequisite courses include:
- Physiology of Communication
- Phonetics and Phonemics
- Fundamentals of Audiology
- Development of Speech and Language
- Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing Mechanism
- Language Science
To apply to a graduate program, you’ll need to submit:
- A resume of your experience
- A statement of purpose
- Two letters of recommendation from academic references
- An official transcript from your undergraduate program
- GRE scores
Online programs are an ideal option for students seeking an SLP master’s degree. These programs consist of traditional coursework such as problem modules, tests and quizzes online, coupled with clinical practicum hours that would be completed in clinics or hospitals nearby.
In addition to the accredited online programs that are now widely available, the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) also accredits two SLP graduate programs in Colorado.
The graduate program coursework will cover linguistics, psychology, physiology, and physical science.
Core courses typically include:
- Language Dictation
- Communication and Neuroscience
- Articulation and Phonological Disorders
- Fluency Disorders
- Language Learning Disabilities
- Cognitive Disorders
- Intervention and Appraisal
- Neurogenic Speech Disorders
- Advanced Topics in Social Communication
- Complex Medical Cases
- Professional Issues in SLP
- Introductory Diagnostic Procedures
- Motor Speech Disorders
- Disorders of Language & Literacy
- Assistive Technology for Communications Disorders
Electives may include the following courses:
- Voice and Resonance Disorders
- Advanced Diagnostic Procedures
- Acquired Disorders of Language & Cognition
- Voices and Listeners
- Management
- Approaches to Natural Language
- Current Research on Communicative Science and Disorders
Step 2. Gain Required Professional Experience (RPE) Through a Clinical Fellowship
The Colorado DORA requires that SLP program graduates complete a 36-week (1,260 hours) clinical fellowship before becoming licensed in the state.
Oftentimes, SLP graduates find clinical fellowships through sponsors in their graduate program. You may also look for clinical fellowship opportunities here.
During your clinical fellowship you must accomplish:
- 36 weeks of full-time experience (or the equivalent part-time experience), for a total of 1260 hours at minimum.
- Mentoring from an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist
- Passing score when demonstrating core skills in the final segment of the experience
- 80% of your fellowship must be spent in direct clinical contact with patients
Upon completion of the mentorship, your mentor will submit the CF Rating and Report Form to ASHA at:
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
2200 Research Boulevard #313
Rockville, Maryland 20850
These mentored activities will include assessing and diagnosing patients, performing administrative work related to clients, and meeting with clients’ family to discuss progress.
At the end of each segment, you will have a performance feedback session with your supervisor.
Step 3. Pass the National SLP Examination
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) Speech-Language Pathology Exam is offered through Praxis, a third party exam administrator.
Once you’ve passed the national exam, you are eligible to apply for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) credential through ASHA, though it is NOT a requirement for state licensure in Colorado.
When registering for the national exam, you’ll be required to send an official graduate transcript and provide proof of completion of a clinical fellowship by submitting the speech-language pathology clinical fellowship report and rating form.
The test is scored on a 100-200 point scale, with the required minimum score being 162.
For preparation, you may purchase a Praxis study guide or review the speech-language pathology exam’s study companion.
The test is made up of 132 questions covering the methods of practice, screening, assessment, diagnosis, and evaluation of treatment, among other topics.
In Colorado, you may take the exam at a Praxis test center in one of the following cities:
- Boulder
- Colorado Springs
- Denver
- Fort Collins
- Grand Junction
- Greenwood Village
- Longmont
Step 4. Earn Your License and Begin Your Career as a Speech-Language Pathologist
Once you’ve passed the national exam, you’ll be ready to apply for licensure through the Colorado DORA.
You’ll need to submit:
- The application form
- A $145 fee
- Official transcripts from graduate program
- Successful completion of a clinical fellowship with CF rating and report form
- National Examination scores
You can mail the application and required documents to the Colorado DORA at:
Division of Professions and Occupations
Office of Licensing—Speech-Language Pathologist
1560 Broadway, Suite 1350
Denver, CO 802202
Once licensed, you may start your career in one of three ways:
- Join the Clinic that Provided RPE
- Start an Independent Practice or Partnership
- Pursue Job Openings
Join the Clinic that Provided RPE
Clinics prefer to hire SLPs who have worked under their tutelage to gain required professional experience because they already have internal references and knowledge of the clinic’s clients. Contact your clinical fellowship supervisor for more information about job opportunities.
Start an Independent Practice or Partnership
Once licensed, you may also consider starting your own business in order to practice independently.
Some SLPs choose to work under a more experienced SLP for a period of time to gain experience and a work reference. Other SLPs use their clinical fellowship provider as a reference while they get started in a partnership or independent practice.
Pursue Job Openings
You might also wish to work within the Colorado school system or in hospitals or clinics throughout the state.
Some of Colorado’s top SLP employers include:
- Sava Senior Care
- Community Partnership for Child Development
- University of Colorado Health
- Legacy Healthcare Services
- Interim Health Care
- Supplemental Health Care
- Infinity Rehab
- Therapy Source
- Rehab for All
- Pro Care Therapy
- Cirrus Medical Staffing
- Centra Healthcare Solutions
- Team Select Home Care
Step 5. Maintain SLP Licensure and Complete Continuing Education
As a practicing SLP in Colorado, you’ll need to renew your license every year. You can renew it online through the Colorado DORA.
You’ll also need to complete the continuing professional development program each renewal period. The program includes:
- Participation in a program of continuing professional competency (usually hosted by ASHA)
- Completion of a reflective self-assessment each renewal period (provided by the continuing professional competency director)
- The execution of a learning plan based on the self-assessment tool
- Completion of 10 CE hours by ASHA-approved providers during the renewal period
Speech-Language Pathology Salary in Colorado
When it comes to SLP salaries, Colorado has a lot to brag about. To start with, Colorado ranks second of all states in the nation for offering the highest average SLP salary: $107,780 annually or $51.82 per hour.
Statewide, SLPs on the high end of the salary spectrum take home an amount that starts at $141,490 annually or $68.02 per hour.
Moreover, the number of jobs for speech-language pathologists is projected to increase by 40% between 2020 and 2030—the third-highest rate in the nation, more than double the national average. This level of growth should generate an average of 420 job openings per year.
Nationally, Boulder and Denver both place on the top-10 list of the best-paying cities for average SLP salaries.
Detailed Salary Analysis for Speech-Language Pathologists in Colorado
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics provides hourly and annual salary data for speech-language pathologists throughout Colorado (10th to 90th percentile):
Boulder:
- Annual: $75,780 – $145,330
- Hourly: $36.43 – $69.87
Colorado Springs:
- Annual: $71,470 – $149,060
- Hourly: $34.36 – $71.66
Denver:
- Annual: $79,880 – $141,490
- Hourly: $38.41 – $68.03
Fort Collins:
- Annual: $44,580 – $122,660
- Hourly: $21.43 – $58.97
Grand Junction:
- Annual: $84,640 – $155,230
- Hourly: $40.69 – $74.63
Greeley:
- Annual: $61,480 – $166,400
- Hourly: $29.56 – $80.00
Pueblo:
- Annual: $77,240 – $142,700
- Hourly: $37.13 – $68.61
A High Paying Career that Offers Diverse Opportunities and Job Satisfaction
The Colorado Department of Education provides a rubric to ensure that the state’s SLPs demonstrate a thorough knowledge of current research in the field. Ratings range from basic to exemplary, and a rating of proficient shows that these professionals meet the state’s standard.
Elements of this rubric range from demonstrating knowledge to integrating evidence-based practices into their instruction. In addition, this Department evaluates speech-language pathologists on their ability to support and/or establish a safe learning environment for a diverse population of students.
Two different studies showed a high degree of job satisfaction for SLP professionals. US News & World Report rated the profession as the third-best health care job. In addition, the salary aggregator and job board site PayScale rated speech-language pathology among the 15 most meaningful jobs that pay well in a survey of 2 million workers.
While academic centers and schools offer opportunities for SLPs, a number of private clinics in Colorado specialize in speech pathology:
Colorado Springs:
- Colorado Springs Speech Therapy
- Elizabeth Straka Speech Associates, LLC
- Julie A. Herndon, LLC
- Pediatric Speech and Language Center, LLC
- The Shandy Clinic
- Therapies of the Rockies
Denver:
- Lowry Speech and Occupational Therapy
Aurora:
- Therapies of the Rockies
Greeley:
- Northern Colorado Speech Therapy
Lakewood:
- Therapies of the Rockies
Westminster:
- Colorado Bilingual Speech Therapy, LLC
2023 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures shown here for Speech-Language Pathologists. Job growth projections are from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, CareerOneStop. Figures are based on state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed September 2024.