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A speech therapist is a specialist who treats speech disorders in individuals. Speech therapists hold a degree or diploma in the same domain. Building a career as a speech therapist is proving to have great potential in today’s world. Now a question arises in one’s mind which is “How to become a speech therapist?” Speech therapists at least need a master’s degree. Master’s programs for speech therapists do not require any particular undergraduate degree for admission. Few courses must be done before taking up any master’s program and all these programs vary from institute to institute. Read on to know how to become a speech therapist in India.
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How to Become a Speech Therapist in India?
Speech pathologists, commonly referred to as speech therapists, identify and treat patients with disorders that impair communication and alter speech, such as swallowing issues. This is the career for you if you want to interact with patients regularly and have a direct impact on their lives! The demand for these professionals has increased as more people are becoming aware of the need to treat speech and auditory impairments.
The steps for becoming a speech therapist in India are shown below.
Step 1: Academic Prerequisites for Speech Therapists
Step 2: The Admissions Process for Speech Therapists
Step 3: Develop the necessary speech therapy skills
Academic Prerequisites for Speech Therapists
The prerequisites required for Speech therapists are:
| Course | Eligibility |
| Diploma | Candidates must have passed the 10+2 examination. |
| Undergraduate Program | Students need to pass their 12th class with English, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology with an average of 50% to 60% |
| Post Graduate Program | Students must have completed graduation in the respective subjects. |
Admissions Process for Speech Therapists
Universities admit both undergraduate and postgraduate students based on the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). However, various Universities conduct their entrance test for admissions, for eg:
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research)
- Jawaharlal Institute Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER), and others.
Skills Required for Speech Therapy
An individual needs the following abilities to be eligible for any opportunity to pursue a Program to become a speech therapist:
- Scientific Mindset
- Excellent Interpersonal Skills
- Exceptional Communication Skills
- Kind Nature Sharp Observational Skills
- Ability to Function Well in Teams
Also Read: Psychological Disorders Class 12 Notes
Top Courses in Speech Therapy
Becoming a speech therapist is best suited for individuals with high motivation and energy to work with differently-abled people in society. The courses in speech therapy are both theoretical and also practical. Below listed are the course in both UG and PG:
- BA S.L.P
- B.Sc ASR
- B.Sc (Speech and Hearing)
- M.Sc ASR
| Course | Duration | Eligibility | Course Overview |
| Bachelor in Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology (BA S.L.P) | 4 years | Completed senior secondary education from a recognized board | Permanent 4-year course for elective candidates – Consists of 6 semesters, each lasting 6 months – Last year focused on practical learning through internships |
| B.Sc Audiology & Speech Rehabilitation (B.Sc ASR) | 3 years | Completed secondary education from a recognized board | Full-time three-year Bachelor of Science course |
| B.Sc (Speech and Hearing) | 3 years | Eligibility criteria vary by college | Provides a wide understanding of speech and hearing impairments – Covers treatment systems and methods |
| M.Sc in Audio Speech Therapy and Speech Rehabilitation (M.Sc ASR) | Postgraduate course | Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field | Postgraduate course in Audio Speech Therapy – Focuses on the science of hearing and the study of hearing loss and its variations |
Also Read: Medical Courses – Top Colleges, Scope, Average Salary
Institutes for Speech Therapist Courses
After receiving a required degree in a related subject, one can train to become a speech therapist. At the bachelor’s and master’s levels, a degree in speech therapy and audiology is required. Additionally, a lot of institutions provide postgraduate specialisation in audiology or speech-language pathology.
Below is a list of some well-known organisations that provide services in the area of speech therapy:
- Dr SRC Institute of Speech and Hearing, Bangalore
- All India Institute of Speech & Hearing, Mysore
- Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped, Mumbai and regional centres in Kolkata, Secunderabad, and New Delhi
- Dr MV Shetty Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mangalore
- BYL Nair Hospital and Medical College, Mumbai
Also Read: Different Medical Courses After 12th
Speech Therapist Salary
A speech therapist in India makes between 2.5 and 3 lakhs rupees a year in remuneration. Salary rises as one gains experience. Compared to government hospitals, private hospitals give a higher income. The pay for therapists varies depending on their position and the company they work for. Speech therapists have far higher compensation rates outside of India. The average salary for a speech therapist is $52,000 per year, with the highest salary in the US being $80,000.
The pay for a speech therapist in India is shown below.
| Base Salary | INR 52,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 2.98 Lakh |
| Highest Salary | INR 10 Lakh |
Also Read: Medical Courses Without NEET
Speech Therapists Job Roles
Speech therapists in India have strong work prospects. A clinician at AIMS sees 15 patients every day on average. Speech therapists operate in both public and private hospitals, as well as in specialised schools and non-profit organisations that cater to the needs of people who are deaf or hard of hearing. In many wealthy nations, they are in high demand.
The need for speech therapists is growing in India, yet few students opt to work in this discipline, hence there is a significant demand for professionals in this industry. As a result, depending on their areas of interest, speech therapists can choose from a variety of employment descriptions in India.
One can choose from a variety of popular job profiles for speech therapists, including
| Job Profiles | Salary |
| Audiologist | INR 4.90 Lakhs per annum |
| Teacher/ Lecturer in Special Schools | INR 3.64 Lakhs per annum. |
| Researcher | INR 4.85 Lakhs per annum. |
| Supervisor | INR 4.19 Lakhs per annum. |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | INR 3.08 Lakhs per annum. |
Scope in Speech Therapy
In India, there are numerous employment options in speech therapy, ranging from being a doctor to working as a medical counsellor. Popular industries include speech and hearing centres, clinics, rural health centres, state and district rehabilitation institutes for people with impairments, etc.
FAQs
Ans: In India, there are numerous employment options in speech therapy, ranging from being a doctor to working as a medical counsellor.
Ans: There are job opportunities for speech pathologists and audiologists both domestically and abroad. The different job profiles are Audiologist, Teacher/ Lecturer in Special School, Researcher, Supervisor, Speech-Language Pathologist, etc.
Ans: NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is not often a prerequisite for BASLP programmes, even though it is largely for undergraduate medical and dentistry programmes. Typically, BASLP programmes have their own entrance tests or admission requirements that are exclusive to the speech and hearing sciences.
Hope this blog gave you all the relevant information you need to know about becoming a speech therapist its eligibility criteria, salary and scope in India. Please visit our Careers in India page for more information.