Friday 5 October 2012

Speech and Language Pathology

I've alluded to the Master's program that I've been eying for a while, and now that I've done a bit of looking into it, I think I can talk about it with a bit of confidence. I'm going to be trying to get into Speech and Language Pathology (as if the title of this post wasn't a dead giveaway).

It's a type of medical therapy and I basically help people with speaking problems. This can range from kids with mental or medical problems, or people who have suffered brain injuries in accidents.

I'm a type of doctor right?

To be honest, I'm really not too picky with what I do. As long as I'm helping someone and it's somehow related to Psychology. I originally got the suggestion from a fellow Psych classmate to enter the field and decided to go to a recent conference held by the department to get a better idea of what it was like.

First thing I notice, there is A LOT of women in Speech Pathology. I mean, there are a lot of women in Psychology to begin with, but it's even disproportionate there. Also, very few Asians. Though it could possibly be because maybe male/Asian speech pathologists don't like conferences? Either way, there was about 100 people there, a dozen males and a dozen Asians.

And only one Asian male, yours truly.



I was there mostly to figure out what I needed to have done in order to get into the program next Fall. First off, I need to do the GRE or Graduate Record Examination. It's a standard test for anyone wanting to get into Graduate studies in many English speaking areas. I'm only required to do the standard one but I've heard a lot of horror stories about the exam in general so not looking forward to that.

I'm also going to need to take Linguistics in the Winter, also haven't heard that many great stories about Linguistics. So fun times with that as well. I didn't think I'd have to keep taking courses after I had gotten my degree but what do I know?

Time to buy more of these.

That is assuming that I get in of course. There were a lot of people at that conference and it's hard to say how many were people trying to get into the program. I'd estimate maybe half of them? There are only 40 spots open a term and it's fairly competitive.

Apparently the minimum GPA requirement changes each year (depending on the students that apply and what not) but last year the minimum was 3.7. I'm sitting at a 3.3, maybe a 3.4? I'm hoping to use the grades from the next two terms to bump it up.

Or maybe they'll let me in because I'm technically a minority in this program. Yay for being the rare Asian male.


If anyone has any suggestions or helpful tips that be great. I think TriGirl is also a Speech Pathologist? And I am vaguely aware of other Bloggers off getting their Masters.

I hope I get in, it be nice having some form of direction once again.

31 comments:

  1. For some reason I never viewed women as being particularly prevalent in psychology but it's pretty interesting that you're unique in your class. Great post as usual man, I love hearing all about your university courses.

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  2. Ooh. One of my distant relatives is doing speech pathology. Sounds fun:) but I'm not a very patient person so I doubt I'd survive.

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  3. You are special. I mean to choose a carrier that will help people with their hardships. It must not be easy for people who cannot talk or even people who can talk but are shy. I wish you all the best. I am sure that you will do a good job. Awesome !

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  4. Wow sounds like a ton of work, but a great goal to go for and use that minority to your advantage haha I would.

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  5. Good luck getting into the program you want!

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  6. Good luck getting into the course! It sounds interesting, a great career to pursue :)

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  7. Sounds like you have some serious work ahead of you!

    Don't know what it's like from a minority standpoint but maybe it could be in your favor.

    Good luck to you!

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  8. Man, I hope you get into the program! It sounds really cool!

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  9. I think speech pathology is a great idea! Actually, I had a speech therapist after a car wreck 11 years ago (she was female, and not Asian :) I didn't really have any speech problems so she spent our sessions rubbing my face with what looked like a mini vibrator, ostensibly trying to stimulate the damaged nerves in my face with electricity.

    It was weird. But I still think you should do it! Just... don't rub vibrators on people's faces in the name of science, ok?

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  10. Brain injuries that affect speech are so interesting (and, you know, horrific). But yeah.

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  11. I don't know anything about it but it seems like such an interesting major.

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  12. Awesome, a direction! I have no tips but whatever, best of luck!

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  13. think twice and do what your heart says

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  14. You're right, I *am* a speech path! I had one male friend from undergrad (in Linguistics) who went on to become one too, but you're right, most of us are women. Feel free to email me anytime you want to chat more about it!

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  15. Good luck! I really hope you get in!

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  16. If I was a doctor, I'd be Dr. Nick from the simpsons.

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  17. so you're the 1% OWS hates so much...

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  18. Yay for flying the flag for the only male asian person there!!! I hope you get in!! You're trailblazing!! Yay! Take care
    x

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  19. What a wonderful field to get into! Good luck with everything and thanks for stopping by to visit Seaside Simplicity :)

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  20. that's an interesting branch of psychology and lots of work since most people who have speech or writing problems don't really try to solve it. It often delves deep into a patient's psyche and traumas.

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  21. Good luck getting in! And it's cool to be unique!

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  22. You are awesome. That is all ^.^

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  23. I know a lot of speech pathologists...it's a wonderful career!!! Good luck!!

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  24. The Asian thing aside, being in a field that has a ton of women in it sounds pretty awesome.

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  25. That is very cool that you want to help people so much, it is amazing to hear such an honest confession!

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  26. Ah wow that sounds really cool, I think that would be a great line of work to go into. It's strange that there aren't more men doing this, and thank you for the luck, I can imagine it's hectic where you are too! xxx

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  27. Good luck for getting into the course. It sounds great!

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  28. I think it's great you know where you're heading. I wish my young ones did as well.

    Now repeat slowly, she sells seashells by the sea shore.

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  29. It appears you are headed in the right direction, I know it takes a lot of hard work and determination to get it done.

    Your grades will improve and you will be one of the 40 chosen, being the 1% can't hurt either :)

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