What Can You Do with an SLP-D Degree? 5 Jobs to Consider

Sometimes it’s hard to know what your next step is—and that’s particularly true when you’re contemplating your career options. For speech-language pathologists pursuing an advanced degree, such as a Clinical Doctorate of Speech-Language Pathology (SLP-D), you may be unsure of what options an advanced degree might provide.

Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of jobs you may pursue with an SLP-D. By advancing your depth and breadth of knowledge related to speech-language, the SLP-D prepares you to reach new professional heights! 

• The SLP-D degree prepares working speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to advance their clinical practice and take on supervisory clinical roles.

• The most common career paths for those with an SLP-D include clinical research, clinical supervision and education, and private practice leadership. 

• While a PhD is still the most common credential for tenure-track faculty, SLP-D graduates may pursue clinical faculty and adjunct positions that involve supervising and teaching SLP students.

We’ve explored the SLP-D degree in past blogs, but let's review its key features. A Clinical Doctorate of Speech-Language Pathology (SLP-D) is an advanced professional practice doctorate.

The degree is ideal for SLPs looking to advance their clinical careers—particularly in clinical research, supervision, and leadership. Additionally, the clinical doctorate is an alternative to pursuing a PhD, which typically takes more time and is geared toward developing and publishing research. 

SLP-D programs explore every aspect of speech-language pathology, emphasizing the evidence behind communication sciences and disorders (CSD) within a variety of clinical settings. Your SLP-D coursework might include:

• Application of Clinical Science to Service Delivery: Interpreting the Evidence

• Epidemiological Trends in CSD: Current State and Future Needs of Clinical Care

• Advanced Application of Research for Clinical Decision Making

• Advanced Assessment and Intervention Strategies for CSD

• Professional Leadership and Mentorship

• Neuroimaging and Neurobehavioral Metrics in CSD

• Ethical Considerations Related to Access & Social Well-Being in CSD

Through offering a wide range of coursework, SLP-D programs prepare graduates to excel in their area of clinical practice. Specific skills can vary depending upon a student’s area of specialization. However, a SLP-D degree ensures that an SLP is proficient in:

1. Evidence-based practice (EBP) outcomes measurement and quality improvement in SLP.
2. Interprofessional collaboration, supervision, and leadership skills.
3. Health care policy and compliance in SLP or educational policy, ethics, and advocacy for communication disorders.
4. Data-informed decision-making and practice management.

Numerous career paths become possible with an SLP-D. While the focus of the SLP-D program is clinical research, a clinical doctorate can also open doors in university teaching and clinical supervision. And with programs that allow you to specialize in areas like healthcare or education, you can further gear your education toward your dream career. 

Here are five careers you can pursue with an SLP-D degree: 

Clinical researchers are tasked with designing, conducting, and analyzing research studies related to speech-language pathology. Other typical duties of clinical researchers include monitoring research efforts, reporting findings to various stakeholders, and proposing research projects in alignment with organizational goals. 

Graduates of SLP-D programs are well-prepared for advanced clinical practice. By emphasizing statistical analysis, research methodology, and interprofessional collaboration, the program’s coursework primes SLPs for success in research-oriented roles. 

Another pathway for SLP-D graduates to explore is becoming an advanced clinical specialist (or master clinician). These SLPs continue their clinical practices but become specialists in a specific area, such as complex or rare communication disorders.

Advanced clinical specialists bring a higher level of expertise to the clinical setting. They’re able to offer second opinions and tackle cases where patients aren’t responding to conventional therapy. The nature of the SLP-D program prepares these specialists for any challenge.  

In the field of speech-language pathology, mentoring other clinicians is a crucial aspect of the clinical landscape. SLPs who excel in both leadership and direct patient care are well suited to clinical supervisor or clinical educator positions. 

By allowing SLPs to utilize their clinical experience, research expertise, and leadership abilities, these roles allow SLPs to shape the future of clinical practice. A large part of this is through their supervision of clinical fellows, interns, and other clinicians.  

A PhD is still the most standard credential for those pursuing tenure-track faculty positions. Nevertheless, an SLP-D degree can also lead to opportunities in academia. SLPs who earn their clinical doctorate are often great candidates for adjunct and non-tenure track teaching roles and are especially poised for clinical faculty positions.

Clinical faculty are often responsible for instructing students in university clinical rotations. These clinical settings are typically less focused on research productivity and instead prioritize the educational and clinical training experience. Emphasizing leadership and supervision, these positions are an excellent match for an SLP-D graduate’s skill set. 

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), nearly a third of SLPs work full or part time in private practice. This doesn’t always look the same for each clinician; some SLPs work as contractors while others are the owners of independent practices. Their daily responsibilities could include clinical, administrative, and managerial services. 

Working in private practice gives many SLPs the autonomy to deliver better patient-centered care and improve outcomes. It also allows them to train clinicians within their practice and develop new ways for patients to access care (such as telepractice expansion). The leadership skills gained from an SLP-D program can help SLPs transition smoothly into private practice. 

Although we highlighted five careers you can pursue with an SLP-D, you aren’t limited to these options. The skills you acquire through an SLP-D program prepare you for a variety of careers, including:

• Interprofessional/Medical SLP Lead 

• Research-to-Practice/Implementation Science

• Clinic Director 

• Quality Improvement and Outcomes Lead

• Rehab Manager or Director 

• Student Services Manager

SLP-D graduates possess a competitive skillset, allowing them to work in numerous settings within the industry. These individuals have gained leadership roles and advanced their careers in, to name a few:

• Educational programs, including higher education 

• Speech and hearing clinics

• Hospitals 

• Private practice

• Schools 

• Governmental health agencies

• Physician's offices 

As you can see, the sky’s the limit after you’ve earned your SLP-D. If you’re looking for flexibility without sacrificing rigor, then consider UC’s online Clinical Doctorate of Speech-Language Pathology. 

At UC, we understand that a major motivator for continuing education is career advancement; instead of asking you to put your career on hold, our SLP-D program strengthens your clinical practice and supports your continued professional development. The program is also part time and 100% online, allowing you to balance school with your job, family, and other responsibilities. 

Still have questions? UC’s dedicated online staff is here to walk you through your options. Contact your Enrollment Services Advisor today and determine if UC’s SLP-D is the right fit for you! 

The most common jobs for SLP-D graduates include clinical researcher, clinic director, clinical supervisor or educator, program director, and rehab manager or director. These roles may be within schools, hospitals, speech and hearing clinics, or private practice. However, the best job for you will depend on your specific interests and goals within the field.

A PhD is the ideal path for those focused on developing their own research or teaching, rather than clinical practice. An SLP-D opens the door to a wide variety of career options, particularly those with leadership opportunities in a clinical setting.

Individuals who hold an SLP-D are well-equipped for university clinical faculty positions. Their clinical experience, research background, and leadership skills make them an excellent fit for clinical education positions.

Yes! UC’s online SLP-D program is designed for speech-language pathologists who want to continue working while advancing their education. Because the program is designed for part-time enrollment, you can fit your coursework into your professional schedule.