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Which classes would be the most beneficial for me to take?
I am interested in becoming a Speech Language Pathologist and I want to take dual enrollment classes next year because presently I'm in 10th grade.
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Updated
Lauren’s Answer
Hey there, Sylvia!
Absolutely, it's a brilliant plan to get a jump on your college journey by enrolling in Advanced Placement (AP) classes and dual enrollment college courses. Sometimes, high school students might find their dual enrollment options a bit limited. As a junior in high school, I'd advise focusing on your core subjects, like English, math, science, a foreign language (if it's required), history, and so forth. These subjects are relevant to all majors and remain pretty consistent across different colleges and universities. So, if you ever decide to switch your major or transfer to a different college, these classes are likely to be accepted and contribute towards your eventual degree.
Hope this advice is useful, and best of luck to you!
Lauren
Absolutely, it's a brilliant plan to get a jump on your college journey by enrolling in Advanced Placement (AP) classes and dual enrollment college courses. Sometimes, high school students might find their dual enrollment options a bit limited. As a junior in high school, I'd advise focusing on your core subjects, like English, math, science, a foreign language (if it's required), history, and so forth. These subjects are relevant to all majors and remain pretty consistent across different colleges and universities. So, if you ever decide to switch your major or transfer to a different college, these classes are likely to be accepted and contribute towards your eventual degree.
Hope this advice is useful, and best of luck to you!
Lauren
Updated
Hasnain’s Answer
Becoming a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) is a rewarding career, and your interest in taking dual enrollment classes is a great step towards achieving that goal. Here are some classes that would be beneficial for you to take, considering your future career path:
𝟭. 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀:
Look for courses that cover the fundamentals of speech and language sciences. These classes may introduce you to the anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanisms.
𝟮. 𝗣𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆:
Courses in psychology, especially those that cover topics like developmental psychology and abnormal psychology, can provide insights into human behavior and mental health, which are relevant to speech-language pathology.
𝟯. 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀:
Linguistics courses can be particularly valuable as they delve into the study of language structure, phonetics, and syntax, offering a solid foundation for understanding language development and disorders.
𝟰. 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆:
Understanding the anatomy and physiology of the human body, especially related to the respiratory and vocal systems, is essential for a Speech Language Pathologist.
𝟱. 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
Courses related to education, particularly special education, can be beneficial for understanding the educational context in which speech-language pathologists often work.
𝟲. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀:
Courses specifically focused on communication disorders will provide in-depth knowledge about various speech and language impairments and their treatment.
𝟳. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀:
Statistical analysis is a crucial skill in research, which is often part of the work of speech-language pathologists. Consider taking a statistics course to develop this skill.
𝟴. 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:
A broad introduction to healthcare professions can give you a holistic understanding of the healthcare system and the role of speech-language pathologists within it.
𝟵. 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁:
Courses in child development can provide insights into the typical development of communication skills in children and help you recognize when there are deviations.
𝟭𝟬. 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
Strengthening your interpersonal communication skills can be valuable for building relationships with clients and collaborating with other healthcare professionals.
𝟭𝟭. 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆:
Understanding cultural diversity and being culturally competent is crucial when working with individuals from various backgrounds. Look for courses that address these topics.
𝟭𝟮. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
Speech Language Pathologists often need strong writing skills for documentation and report writing. Courses in professional writing can enhance this skill.
𝟭𝟯. 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁:
Human development courses can provide insights into the various stages of life, which is valuable when working with clients of different ages.
𝟭𝟰. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱𝘀:
Understanding research methods is essential for evidence-based practice. Consider taking a research methods course to familiarize yourself with research in speech-language pathology.
𝟭𝟱. 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲:
Given the increasing use of technology in healthcare, courses that introduce you to the use of technology in speech-language pathology can be beneficial.
𝗘𝘅ᴛʀᴀᴄᴜʀʀɪᴄᴜʟᴀʀ 𝗔ᴄᴛɪᴠɪᴛɪᴇ𝘀:
𝟭. 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀:
Seek opportunities to volunteer or intern in settings related to speech-language pathology to gain hands-on experience.
𝟮. 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:
Consider joining organizations related to speech and hearing, such as the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA), to connect with professionals and students in the field.
𝟯. 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗲:
Engaging in speech and debate activities can help enhance your communication skills.
Remember, as you progress in your academic journey, consider pursuing a bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders or a related field and eventually a master's degree in speech-language pathology for licensure and certification. Consult with your school's guidance counselor to ensure you're on the right track and to explore additional opportunities for dual enrollment.
𝟭. 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀:
Look for courses that cover the fundamentals of speech and language sciences. These classes may introduce you to the anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanisms.
𝟮. 𝗣𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆:
Courses in psychology, especially those that cover topics like developmental psychology and abnormal psychology, can provide insights into human behavior and mental health, which are relevant to speech-language pathology.
𝟯. 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀:
Linguistics courses can be particularly valuable as they delve into the study of language structure, phonetics, and syntax, offering a solid foundation for understanding language development and disorders.
𝟰. 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆:
Understanding the anatomy and physiology of the human body, especially related to the respiratory and vocal systems, is essential for a Speech Language Pathologist.
𝟱. 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
Courses related to education, particularly special education, can be beneficial for understanding the educational context in which speech-language pathologists often work.
𝟲. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀:
Courses specifically focused on communication disorders will provide in-depth knowledge about various speech and language impairments and their treatment.
𝟳. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀:
Statistical analysis is a crucial skill in research, which is often part of the work of speech-language pathologists. Consider taking a statistics course to develop this skill.
𝟴. 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:
A broad introduction to healthcare professions can give you a holistic understanding of the healthcare system and the role of speech-language pathologists within it.
𝟵. 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁:
Courses in child development can provide insights into the typical development of communication skills in children and help you recognize when there are deviations.
𝟭𝟬. 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
Strengthening your interpersonal communication skills can be valuable for building relationships with clients and collaborating with other healthcare professionals.
𝟭𝟭. 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆:
Understanding cultural diversity and being culturally competent is crucial when working with individuals from various backgrounds. Look for courses that address these topics.
𝟭𝟮. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
Speech Language Pathologists often need strong writing skills for documentation and report writing. Courses in professional writing can enhance this skill.
𝟭𝟯. 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁:
Human development courses can provide insights into the various stages of life, which is valuable when working with clients of different ages.
𝟭𝟰. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱𝘀:
Understanding research methods is essential for evidence-based practice. Consider taking a research methods course to familiarize yourself with research in speech-language pathology.
𝟭𝟱. 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲:
Given the increasing use of technology in healthcare, courses that introduce you to the use of technology in speech-language pathology can be beneficial.
𝗘𝘅ᴛʀᴀᴄᴜʀʀɪᴄᴜʟᴀʀ 𝗔ᴄᴛɪᴠɪᴛɪᴇ𝘀:
𝟭. 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀:
Seek opportunities to volunteer or intern in settings related to speech-language pathology to gain hands-on experience.
𝟮. 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:
Consider joining organizations related to speech and hearing, such as the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA), to connect with professionals and students in the field.
𝟯. 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗲:
Engaging in speech and debate activities can help enhance your communication skills.
Remember, as you progress in your academic journey, consider pursuing a bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders or a related field and eventually a master's degree in speech-language pathology for licensure and certification. Consult with your school's guidance counselor to ensure you're on the right track and to explore additional opportunities for dual enrollment.
Updated
Caitlin’s Answer
Hi Sylvia,
I would look into the curriculum for the college you plan on attending. I wouldn't want you to be taking classes you will never use! If this information is not available online, you can email the college stating that you are interested in attending and they may be able to send it over.
As some others have said, I would recommend taking core classes (english, science, math, history) to get them over with. They are very frustrating to take in college, so if you can get those done in high school it would be very beneficial. These classes are needed at almost any school, so you won't even have to worry about them not transferring.
Best of luck! The world could always use more great SLPs!!
Caitlin
I would look into the curriculum for the college you plan on attending. I wouldn't want you to be taking classes you will never use! If this information is not available online, you can email the college stating that you are interested in attending and they may be able to send it over.
As some others have said, I would recommend taking core classes (english, science, math, history) to get them over with. They are very frustrating to take in college, so if you can get those done in high school it would be very beneficial. These classes are needed at almost any school, so you won't even have to worry about them not transferring.
Best of luck! The world could always use more great SLPs!!
Caitlin
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