The vast majority of speech pathology internships are geared toward graduate students, with the majority of them being tailored to the students’ specific research and career goals. Internships in neonatal intensive care units, for example, are common for students interested in diagnosing disorders in newborns. Students interested in working with accent reduction and speech impediments frequently work in schools and clinics, while those interested in facial reconstruction and speech rehabilitation following an accident or illness frequently work in hospitals. Some undergraduate internships may be available depending on the employer, though this is uncommon.
Despite the fact that speech pathologists do not typically hold medical degrees, they are considered medical professionals. Much of their work entails medical screening and rehabilitation therapy, both of which require a thorough understanding of human speech and language development. This knowledge is typically acquired through master’s degree programs. Internships are required in the majority of these programs. As a result, the majority of speech pathology internships are targeted at students pursuing these types of degrees.
Internships are usually divided into two categories: patient types and research areas. Internships are typically applied for based on a student’s master’s thesis research interests. The internship is usually completed during the summer before the final year or during the fall semester of that year. The majority of students use their internship experience to gather research and data for their theses.
Unpaid internships make up the vast majority of speech pathology internships. Students may receive credit hours, but rarely money, for their efforts. Internships are typically hosted by hospitals, clinics, and non-profit organizations with limited budgetary flexibility. Sponsoring organizations frequently make arrangements with local schools to provide a set number of interns on a rotating basis, but paid internships are rare.
Most graduate schools have intern placement programs that help students find jobs that are a good fit for them. Speech pathology internships are typically available to all graduate students. Nonetheless, the application process for internships is usually quite competitive. Many of the world’s most prestigious institutions and hospitals only accept one or two interns per cycle, often from a nationwide pool of applicants.
At the undergraduate level, speech and language pathology is becoming increasingly popular. Many of these students seek summer internships to help them hone their skills and gain insight into their future career paths. However, internships like this are uncommon.
Volunteering with speech and pathology providers is much more common among undergraduate students. Volunteering provides students with practical experience while not putting a strain on the resources of the supporting organizations, as structured speech pathology internships might. Volunteers are rarely able to work directly with patients, but they can gain valuable experience and see a side of the field that is not covered in the classroom.