Fwd: Question regarding applications of linguistics to child development

[Susan Ervin-Tripp]

[This is a forwarded letter. If you have some suggestions for this
student, please reply to
  <s_zarrabi at hotmail.com>]

I am writing to you to enquire if you would be able to advise me on
some career opportunities in Human Development.

I have a MS in Linguistics and another in Translation Studies. My
career objective  is to use my educational experience to enhance the
lives of disadvantaged children as a specialist in cognition and
speech, and conduct research in cognition and communication.

I am contemplating doing a MS in Human Development. However, I am not
sure of the career opportunities in Human Development if I do my
graduate studies with a concentration in speech therapy,
communication disorders, childhood disorders, or cognitive science. I
am not sure if I would have to take special state examinations  after
graduating in order to get a job in the U.S. My understanding is that
medical graduates (or even technicians in the medical field such as
radiologists) are required to take special state exams after
graduation to get a job. Are specialists in Human Development
required to go through the same procedure? Any guidance from you on
this would be deeply appreciated. If you can also take the time to
elaborate on the career paths one could follow after a degree in the
above mentioned fields (speech therapy, communication disorders,
childhood disorders, or cognitive science), I would appreciate it.

I look forward to your response. Thank you very much in advance.

Sincerely,

Shayesteh Zarrabi   <s_zarrabi at hotmail.com>