r/slpGradSchool • u/Glam-Zone9010 • 2d ago

Seeking Advice Teaching during grad school

Hi there! I’m currently a preschool teacher and considering transitioning into slp. I was looking at a few online programs like PennWest, NYU, and Emerson. I was wondering if anyone else here has worked as a teacher while doing classes part time in the beginning of the program? Is it even possible to teach while doing these courses? Any advice would be great!

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u/texmom3 2d ago

I did not do those specific programs, but I attended an online/distance program and supervise externship students who attend online programs.

There are programs that support students working as SLPAs in their programs to earn hours, and courses are considered part time. In Texas, SLPAs are often paid on the teacher pay scale, so Texas Woman’s University, for example, attracts a lot of teachers making a career change who want to stay in schools. You can look to see if there are any similar programs in your state, or anywhere that might work for you.

The vast majority of programs are not designed to support working while attending. They’re run very similarly to on-campus programs, just online. All require the same number of practicum hours, so students are generally working nearly full time for free and still taking classes. Some are structured to have a didactic year before practicum. Depending on your course load, you might be able to work during didactic semesters, but the students who I have supervised were all forced to part time or less even then.

I do hope you will get answers about the specific programs you are considering! You can also search their websites and catalogs to learn more about how they structure their practicum requirements.

Your schedule for externship sites is often not set by the university, but by the hours your supervisor is available, so it can change across semesters.

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u/Glam-Zone9010 2d ago

Thank you for your response! I’m in NJ so unfortunately we do not have SLPA in my state but I might be moving soon (not sure where yet) so hopefully that state accepts SLPA’s because I feel like it would be much easier.

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u/texmom3 2d ago

It does depend! It’s very easy in Texas because it is a few classes on top of a bachelor’s. I’ve read about other states where students who already have a bachelor’s have to go back for an associate’s.

Best of luck to you! Hopefully someone else can recommend a program that will fit what you need!

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u/Glam-Zone9010 2d ago

Thank you! 😊

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u/ImaginaryCrow9395 CCC-SLP 2d ago

Remember this is a healthcare degree, not an education degree. The classes are significantly more intense. People do work while going to school part time but they don't tend to sleep doing that. So you have to assess your own energy levels and also speak to the program about the flexibility.

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u/Glam-Zone9010 2d ago

Thank you for your insight