The job market for audiologists and speech-language pathologists is bright. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market for these professions is predicted to climb between 16-29 percent in the decade between 2020-2030. That represents an average of approximately 800 openings for audiologists and 15,200 openings for speech-language pathologists each year over the decade. 

The job market is bright: Within the current decade, job growth is expected to rise by 29% for Speech-Language Pathologists and 16% for Audiologists versus 8% for all other professions.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists work across a wide range of environments, each with a focus on different skills, disorders, technologies, and goals.

A few facts about these careers:

  • Speech-language pathologist was named #8 in Best Jobs in America by Glassdoor (2020)
  • Audiology was ranked #12 in highest-paying jobs working fewer than 40 hours a week by Business Insider (2020)
  • Speech-language pathologist was #6 IN Best Healthcare Jobs by U.S. News & World Report (2020)

Proseminar

The period from 12 to 1 p.m. on Fridays during the academic year is scheduled for Professional Seminars ("ProSem"). The title and abstract of the Prosem talk is announced prior to each week's meeting. Proseminars – located in 308 SHC – provide an opportunity for students, faculty, and guest speakers to present research projects, clinical issues, and other information relevant to the professions. All faculty and doctoral students are expected to present a Proseminar talk at least once per year. Master's students --especially those doing theses--are encouraged to present their work. Undergraduate honors students present their projects near the end of the spring semester. Proseminar is free and open to all who are interested.

Observation Hours

Students must complete 25 hours of clinical observation before they can begin to work with clients themselves at the graduate level at the University of Iowa; many other graduate programs have similar policies. As such, students must have documentation that this requirement has been met. Some hours can be obtained through assignments from undergraduate classes. Another option is independent observations; most students complete all or a portion of their observations in this way.

For those who would like to obtain observation hours through the Wendell Johnson Speech and Hearing Clinic, please read  The Student Observation Protocol and complete and print the Short Term Visitor/Observer Policy form and return to the clinic scheduler, 116 Wendell Johnson Speech and Hearing Clinic.

Career Resources for UI Undergraduate Students

The Pomerantz Career Center provides high-quality resources and services to students, alumni, and employers. The site has information designed to help you move through the various stages of the job search process, including the Handshake@UIowa website as well as information on upcoming employer visits, internships, and careers after college.

Schedule an Appointment with a Career Advisor: https://careers.uiowa.edu/coaching
Attend a Job, Internship, or Career Fair: https://careers.uiowa.edu/career-fairs
Finding and Creating Internships: https://careers.uiowa.edu/internships/finding-your-internship
Interview Practice: https://careers.uiowa.edu/mocks
Job Search and Resume Basics: https://careers.uiowa.edu/resumes
Post-Graduation Placement Information and Statistics: https://careers.uiowa.edu/post-grad-data