With a population of 2.7 million,1 Chicago is a diverse, urban area.2 The healthcare industry is a major contributor to the Illinois economy – hospitals alone contributed $95.3 billion to the state economy and produced 466,000 jobs in 2017, with the majority located in the Chicago area.3
As part of Chicago’s large healthcare industry, SLPs are needed in a variety of capacities to help people of all ages address speech and swallowing disorders that affect their quality of life.
Chicago-based SLPs work with people of all ages, from pre-K–12 students to older adults. Here are some sample professional settings where you could pursue employment as an SLP in the Windy City:
Chicago’s public school system offers audiology and speech and language therapy as part of its related services.
The field of speech-language pathology requires highly specialized knowledge and skills, and aspiring practitioners must obtain an adequate license in their state before they can practice independently.
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation oversees the state’s Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, which determines the criteria for SLP licensure in the state. One of the first steps toward becoming a licensed SLP in Chicago is to earn a speech-language pathology master’s degree from a program accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA).
The NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development offers its ASHA-accredited speech-language pathology master’s program online. This program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Without having to relocate to New York City, you can earn an NYU Steinhardt graduate degree that prepares you to pursue professional licensure as an SLP in Chicago and areas across the country.
NYU Steinhardt helps you take the first step toward employment in SLP settings such as schools and medical facilities.
Earn Your Master’s through Speech@NYU
Learn how NYU Steinhardt’s online program prepares you to advance your SLP career in Chicago.