How to Become a Speech Therapist in France: Complete Guide 2025
Studies, Parcoursup competitions, required skills, job prospects... Everything you need to know to embrace this exciting and meaningful health profession.
Do you dream of supporting patients in their language and communication rehabilitation journey? The profession of speech therapist attracts thousands of candidates each year who are passionate about language sciences and human contact. Between the demanding entrance exam, five years of studies, and multiple career opportunities, this complete guide will accompany you step by step.
🩺 What is a speech therapist?
A speech therapist is a paramedical health professional specialized in the prevention, evaluation, and treatment of communication disorders. Their field of intervention covers all difficulties related to oral and written language, voice, speech, as well as swallowing and associated cognitive functions.
On a daily basis, the speech therapist welcomes patients of all ages, from infants with sucking difficulties to seniors suffering from disorders following a stroke. This diversity enriches the profession.
Evaluation
Conduct speech assessments to evaluate the patient's abilities and difficulties
Diagnosis
Establish a speech therapy diagnosis and define a personalized therapeutic project
Rehabilitation
Implement rehabilitation sessions tailored to each pathology
Support
Support families and caregivers in understanding the disorders
💡 Good to know
The speech therapist is the only health professional authorized to practice speech therapy. This title is protected by law, and illegal practice is subject to criminal penalties. The French diploma is recognized throughout the European Union.
🗣️ Areas of intervention
Speech therapy covers a very wide spectrum of pathologies and disorders, making it a particularly rich and varied profession. Each practitioner can specialize according to their affinities.
Oral language disorders
Language delay, dysphasia, autism spectrum disorder, stuttering, articulation disorders
Written language disorders
Dyslexia, dysorthographia, difficulties in learning to read and write
Voice disorders
Dysphonia, aphonia, vocal rehabilitation for voice professionals
Neurological disorders
Aphasia, dysarthria, cognitive-linguistic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases
⚠️ Diversity of audiences
This diversity enriches the profession and allows each practitioner to specialize according to their affinities: children, adults, seniors, specific learning disorders, neurology, voice... The speech therapist can thus build a tailored career.
🛠️ Discover the tools of modern speech therapists
Professionals today use cognitive stimulation applications to enhance their rehabilitation sessions. Discover our solutions tailored to each audience.
Explore our tools →🎓 The study pathway to become a speech therapist
The training of speech therapists in France is a demanding university program that extends over five years after the baccalaureate. It grants the Certificate of Capacity in Speech Therapy (CCO), a state diploma at the Master's level (bac+5) essential for practice.
Admission via Parcoursup
Since 2020, entrance exams have been abolished in favor of a selection based on application files followed by an oral interview. Admission is now done via the Parcoursup platform.
Parcoursup file
Selection based on a file with a personalized cover letter and academic results
Oral interview
Evaluation of motivation, knowledge of the profession, and interpersonal qualities
Selectivity
About 10 candidates for one place in most training centers
⚠️ Attention - Competitive selection
A solid application, experience in the care or education field, and a thorough knowledge of the profession are major assets to stand out. Consider doing observation internships before applying!
The content of the training
The speech therapy curriculum is organized into ten semesters. It combines theoretical teachings, practical work, and clinical internships to train well-rounded professionals.
Years 1-2
Fundamental sciences: anatomy, physiology, linguistics, phonetics, psychology
Year 3
Study of pathologies: oral and written language disorders, voice disorders, deafness
Years 4-5
Clinical deepening, long-term internships, end-of-studies thesis
💡 Internship tips
Take advantage of your internships to discover the different modes of practice (private, salaried, specialized structures) and various populations. It's the ideal time to refine your professional project and identify your areas of preference.
❤️ Required skills and qualities
Beyond academic knowledge, the profession of speech therapist requires a set of human qualities and essential interpersonal skills.
Empathy
Ability to put oneself in the patient's shoes, understand their difficulties, and establish a trusting relationship
Patience
Progress is often slow and requires long-term support
Creativity
Imagining fun and tailored exercises to maintain engagement
Rigor
Keeping precise records, following protocols, and objectively evaluating progress
Technical skills
- Mastery of evaluation tools and standardized tests
- Ability to write clear and concise assessment reports
- Knowledge of digital tools and rehabilitation applications
- Aptitude for working in a multidisciplinary team
- Communication skills to interact with families
- Scientific monitoring to update practices
💡 Practical advice
The digital tools for speech therapists are now essential in daily practice. Familiarize yourself during your training with cognitive stimulation applications like COCO for children or EDITH for seniors.
🎓 Train in digital tools
DYNSEO offers training to master cognitive stimulation applications and enrich your practice from your first steps in the profession.
Discover our training →🏥 Different modes of practice
One of the attractions of the speech therapist profession lies in the diversity of possible modes of practice. Each practitioner can choose the setting that best matches their aspirations.
Private practice
More than 80% of French speech therapists. Great autonomy, free organization, loyal clientele.
Salaried practice
Hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, medico-social structures. Teamwork.
Mixed practice
Combination of private and salaried activity. Stability + autonomy.
⚠️ Attention point - Mixed practice
Mixed practice requires good organization and rigorous time management. It is important to negotiate your part-time salaried time well to be able to develop your private practice smoothly in parallel.
📈 Career and advancement prospects
The profession of speech therapist offers numerous advancement prospects throughout one's career.
Clinical specialization
Neurodegenerative disorders, deafness, oral language, stuttering, professional voice
Teaching & Research
Training future generations, preparing for a doctorate
Management functions
Coordination or direction of services
Tele-speech therapy
Remote practice in full development
💡 Continuing education
Specialized training allows for acquiring new skills and improving throughout one's career. University diplomas (DU) offer structured specialization paths.
💰 Remuneration
Income varies significantly depending on the mode of practice, experience, and geographical location.
Beginning in private practice
€1,800 to €2,500 net monthly depending on activity volume
Experienced in private practice
€3,000 to €4,000 net monthly with an established clientele
Public salaried
€1,700 for beginners to €2,800 at the end of their career
⚠️ Expenses in private practice
In private practice, expenses generally represent between 40 and 50% of turnover: social contributions, office rent, equipment, professional insurance, continuing education costs.
👨⚕️ Solutions for health professionals
DYNSEO supports speech therapists with cognitive stimulation programs tailored to each population: children, adults, seniors.
Discover our programs →✅ Tips for successfully entering training
Given the selectivity of access to speech therapy studies, serious preparation is essential.
Building a convincing Parcoursup file
- Write a personalized and sincere cover letter
- Highlight your experiences in the care or education field
- Show your knowledge of the profession through observation internships
- Value your associative and volunteer commitments
- Demonstrate your reflective and analytical abilities
💡 Tips for the oral interview
Prepare to present your background in a structured manner, explain your reasons for choosing speech therapy, and respond to concrete situational questions. Practice your speaking skills with relatives and stay authentic on the big day.
🎯 Conclusion
The profession of speech therapist offers a career rich in meaning, serving people facing communication difficulties. If you see yourself in the qualities described and are ready to commit to a demanding training pathway, this profession will open up fulfilling professional prospects for you.
The progress of your patients, their recognition, and the lasting bonds formed over sessions constitute the greatest reward of this exciting profession where each day brings its share of challenges and satisfactions.
Ready to embark on the adventure of speech therapy?
DYNSEO supports professionals with innovative cognitive stimulation tools.
