Speech and Language Impairment Education: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Prepared for individuals seeking to support learners impacted by speech and language impairments, this program equips educators with the expertise to assess, design, and deliver specialized instruction tailored to students whose communication challenges hinder academic progress. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practices, inclusive education strategies, and collaborative service delivery to foster meaningful learning outcomes across diverse educational settings.
- Identification and Assessment of Communication Disorders: Develop skills in recognizing and evaluating speech and language impairments through standardized tools and observational techniques, ensuring accurate diagnosis and appropriate intervention planning.
- Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Development: Learn to create comprehensive, legally compliant IEPs that align academic goals with functional communication needs, incorporating input from multidisciplinary teams and family stakeholders.
- Specialized Instructional Strategies: Master targeted teaching methods for improving articulation, language comprehension, expressive communication, and pragmatic language skills in students with varying levels of impairment.
- Classroom Management and Supervision: Gain expertise in organizing inclusive learning environments and providing effective supervision for students with complex communication needs, promoting independence and engagement.
- Student Counseling and Social-Emotional Support: Understand the psychological and emotional dimensions of communication disorders, and apply supportive strategies that enhance self-esteem, peer interaction, and overall well-being.
- Legal and Policy Frameworks in Special Education: Study federal and state regulations, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), to ensure compliance and uphold the rights of students with speech and language impairments.
Speech and Language Impairment Education Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Speech and Language Impairment Education Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Speech and Language Impairment Education degrees, including Education Teachers, Postsecondary, Special Education Teachers, Secondary School and Special Education Teachers, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 384,750 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1081 | $72,090 | $38,650 - $126,450 | 59,090 | N/A |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School 25-2058 | $69,590 | $47,930 - $106,050 | 162,780 | N/A |
| Special Education Teachers, All Other 25-2059 | $67,430 | $43,220 - $109,360 | 39,350 | N/A |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School 25-2057 | $64,880 | $48,070 - $102,730 | 95,330 | N/A |
| Special Education Teachers, Preschool 25-2051 | $62,190 | $38,740 - $132,530 | 28,200 | N/A |
Speech and Language Impairment Education Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $49,096 in Mississippi to $98,568 in New York—a 101% difference. The highest-paying states include New York, California, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 384,750 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Speech and Language Impairment Education by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 11 institutions offering Speech and Language Impairment Education programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Speech and Language Impairment Education is found at Chemeketa Community College (58 graduates), Arkansas State University (A-State) (55 graduates), CUNY Lehman College (49 graduates), University of Nebraska (UNO), at Omaha (43 graduates), and Syracuse University (28 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 273 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemeketa Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
58 | Salem, Oregon | Public | chemeketa.edu |
| Arkansas State University (A-State) |
Postbac Cert.
|
55 | Jonesboro, Arkansas | Public | astate.edu |
| CUNY Lehman College |
Master's
|
49 | Bronx, New York | Public | lehman.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNO) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
43 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | unomaha.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Master's
|
28 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| Alabama A & M University (AAMU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Normal, Alabama | Public | aamu.edu |
| University of Arkansas (UA Little Rock) |
Postbac Cert.
|
9 | Little Rock, Arkansas | Public | ualr.edu |
| Ithaca College (IC) |
Master's
|
8 | Ithaca, New York | Private | ithaca.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAA) |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Anchorage, Alaska | Public | uaa.alaska.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| Elmira College (EC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Elmira, New York | Private | elmira.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Speech and Language Impairment Education programs
How much can I earn with a Speech and Language Impairment Education degree?
Salaries for Speech and Language Impairment Education graduates vary by role and location. Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $72,090 annually, while Special Education Teachers, Secondary School earn around $69,590. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New York average $98,568 compared to $49,096 in Mississippi. Approximately 384,750 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Speech and Language Impairment Education programs?
Currently 11 accredited institutions offer Speech and Language Impairment Education degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Chemeketa Community College (58 graduates), Arkansas State University (A-State) (55 graduates), and CUNY Lehman College (49 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Speech and Language Impairment Education growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 504 in 2010 to a peak of 440 in 2020, before declining slightly to 273 in 2023-24. This represents a 46% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Speech and Language Impairment Education degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Education Teachers, Postsecondary, Special Education Teachers, Secondary School, and Special Education Teachers, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 384,750 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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