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Masters in Speech Pathology Online
The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program (SLP Master’s Program) provides a broad-based technical education in speech-language pathology in an environment that supports clinical services and research. Students are exposed to a wide range of approaches towards diagnostic testing, treatment interventions, and clinical methodology in speech-language pathology, coupled with research and scientific foundations that support those approaches. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), the prevalence of speech sound disorder in young children is 8 to 9%. The majority of these speech disorders have no known causes. Therefore, students who wish to engage themselves in rewarding careers that promote health, improve the quality of life, reduce health disparities, and manage disability or injury are certain to benefit tremendously from a Master’s in Speech Pathology online program. While many colleges refer to this program as Master of Science in Speech Pathology, there are even more that go with the title Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. They are both identical degrees.
Featured Online Programs
Best Masters in Speech Pathology Online Programs
Across the United States, Colleges offer Master’s in Speech Pathology degrees, but they vary considerably from state to state because of state government guidelines that need to be adhered to. However, the best Speech Pathology schools offer substantial coursework with additional clinical and research exposure and consider other important factors such as the quality of teaching, infrastructure, access to internships, and cost. A few top Colleges offering the best Speech Pathology graduate programs are:
Link to this Page| College Name & Address | Tuition | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 New York University 70 Washington Sq South, New York, New York 10012 |
$34,704 | 85% |
|
#2 James Madison University 800 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807 |
$10,848 | 84% |
|
#3 Emerson College 120 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 |
$31,104 | 82% |
|
#4 Baylor University Waco, Texas 76798 |
$33,408 | 78% |
|
#5 University of Cincinnati, Main Campus 2624 Clifton Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221 |
$13,224 | 71% |
|
#6 East Carolina University East 5th Street, Greenville, North Carolina 27858 |
$4,749 | 66% |
|
#7 University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire 105 Garfield Ave, Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54701 |
$8,027 | 67% |
|
#8 Nova Southeastern University 3301 College Ave, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33314 |
$20,618 | 58% |
|
#9 California State University, Northridge 18111 Nordhoff St, Northridge, California 91330 |
$7,176 | 55% |
|
#10 University of Northern Colorado Carter Hall - Rm 4000, Greeley, Colorado 80639 |
$10,867 | 52% |
|
#11 University of Akron 302 Buchtel Common, Akron, Ohio 44325 |
$8,306 | 46% |
|
#12 Western Kentucky University 1906 College Heights Blvd, Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101 |
$12,140 | 48% |
|
#13 Texas Woman’s University 304 Administration Dr, Denton, Texas 76204 |
$5,053 | 43% |
|
#14 Idaho State University 921 S 8th Ave, Pocatello, Idaho 83209 |
$7,982 | 36% |
|
#15 Tennessee State University 3500 John A. Merritt Blvd, Nashville, Tennessee 37209 |
$9,276 | 32% |
Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available
Most Affordable Masters in Speech Pathology Online Programs
Pursuing a Master’s in Speech Pathology is, more often than not, an expensive affair. While keeping an eye on the cost of this degree, it is imperative to bear in mind the quality of education too. After extensive research, Online Masters Colleges has prepared a list of some of the most affordable Speech Pathology graduate programs:
Link to this Page| College Name & Address | Tuition | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #1 East Carolina University East 5th Street, Greenville, North Carolina 27858 | $4,749 | 66% |
| #2 Texas Woman’s University 304 Administration Dr, Denton, Texas 76204 | $5,053 | 43% |
| #3 California State University, Northridge 18111 Nordhoff St, Northridge, California 91330 | $7,176 | 55% |
| #4 Idaho State University 921 S 8th Ave, Pocatello, Idaho 83209 | $7,982 | 36% |
| #5 University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire 105 Garfield Ave, Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54701 | $8,027 | 67% |
| #6 University of Akron 302 Buchtel Common, Akron, Ohio 44325 | $8,306 | 46% |
| #7 University of South Florida Online 4202 East Fowler Ave, Tampa, Florida 33620 | $8,350 | 75% |
| #8 Tennessee State University 3500 John A. Merritt Blvd, Nashville, Tennessee 37209 | $9,276 | 32% |
| #9 James Madison University 800 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807 | $10,848 | 84% |
| #10 University of Northern Colorado Carter Hall – Rm 4000, Greeley, Colorado 80639 | $10,867 | 52% |
| #11 Western Kentucky University 1906 College Heights Blvd, Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101 | $12,140 | 48% |
| #12 University of Cincinnati, Main Campus 2624 Clifton Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221 | $13,224 | 71% |
Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available
Understanding Masters in Speech Pathology Programs
A Master’s in Speech Pathology online program (also known as ‘Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology) focuses on teaching and training students who go on to be competent, qualified, and ethical professionals when it comes to assessing, diagnosing, and treating communication disorders. Usually, the program spans two academic years (20 to 24 months) but can take 3 to 7 years for some part-time programs. The program imparts knowledge on speech and other communication disorders in general, and specializations dive deeper into a particular field area. Although a speech pathology degree sounds like a medical degree, it is not classified as medical and is considered more clinical.
Masters in Speech Pathology Degree Types
A Master’s in Speech Pathology online is fundamentally a scientific and technical degree, which is why there seems to be only one flavor of it that almost all colleges offer – the Master of Science or MS in Speech Pathology.
MS in Speech Pathology
MS or Master of Science in Speech Pathology is typically a 2-year program with coursework, research, and hands-on training in clinical, educational, or medical environments through Practicum or Internship. In most cases, application of this degree requires additional certification/s or licensing as well.
Specializations in Speech Pathology Programs
A Master’s in Speech Pathology online is a broad approach to speech impairments. Specializations are therefore essential to focus on one or more key areas and study, research, and work on them. Some specializations that a Master’s in Speech Pathology student would qualify for are:
- Fluency Disorders: those who stutter while speaking.
- Phonological Disorders: Those who have issues with speech and language that stem from the brain.
- Voice/Resonance Disorders: those who need to relearn how to speak due to an injury, disease, or surgical complication.
- Swallowing Disorders: those who need to learn to swallow correctly or regain the ability to swallow after a stroke or brain injury.
- Child Language and Language Disorders: Those having language difficulties typically found in children.
- Feeding Issues: preemies in the NICU who need to overcome breastfeeding or bottle-feeding issues.
- Articulation Disorders: Those who have speech impairments associated with structural issues in the body (motor disorders).
- Aural Rehabilitation: Those who have lost part or all of their hearing and have to learn or relearn speech (usually in partnership with an audiologist).
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Those who find and learn to use adaptive communication methods (often technological).
Students who wish to dedicate themselves to research can also choose from a wide range of specific areas of communication disorders, including but not limited to:
- Language Processing
- Speech Perception
- Speech Science
- Hearing Science
- Bilingualism
- Language and Literacy
- Neurogenetics
- Aural Rehabilitation Methods
- Developmental Disorders
- Neurophysiology
- Autism and Language Development
Curriculum and Skills Gained in Masters in Speech Pathology Online Programs
The Master’s in Speech Pathology degree offers students unique clinical and academic opportunities. The curriculum of this degree is crafted around a core of critical competencies and has a broad array of elective courses as well. In many cases, Colleges allow the use of community resources to provide students with an experience in a variety of real-life scenarios. Additionally, there are also research opportunities available to students in areas such as autism, speech-sound disorders, cognitive neuroscience, and more.
In broad terms, there are common courses in a Master’s in Speech Pathology online program, but they too can vary by college. The list of featured Speech Pathology courses/subjects below is only indicative of what one is expected to learn in this Master’s Program:
- Voice Disorders
- Motor Speech Disorders
- Dysphagia
- Audiology
- Anatomy and Speech
- Stuttering
- Neurogenic Communication Disorders
- Communication Disorders
- Language Development
- Neurology
- Craniofacial Abnormalities
- Phonology
- Language Disorders in Children
- Principles of Intervention
- Assessment and Intervention of Language Impairments in Preschool and School-Age Children
In addition to core courses, students are required to complete at least three elective courses, 2 in the field of language disorders in children and 1 in language disorders in adults. Again, these mandates can vary by college and program.
Many Colleges also insist on some Practicum or Internship in Communication Disorders each semester. (It is recommended for students to check with Program requirements as they differ considerably.)
Graduates of a Master’s in Speech Pathology are trained to handle a complete range of human communication and swallowing disorders across all age groups. Some of the skills students would have learned by the end of the program are:
- How to evaluate, diagnose and treat speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders.
- How to provide training and education to family/caregivers and other professionals.
- How to provide counseling and consultative services.
Accreditation for Masters in Speech Pathology Online Programs
A Master’s in Speech Pathology online program is of no use to anyone if the program is not accredited. Accredited Speech Pathology programs are not only important for further specializations, but they are also usually a basic requirement to work as a Speech-Language Pathologist. Never overlook accreditation for a Master’s in Speech Pathology online Program. Almost all top universities are accredited by the CAA or Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. They are designed to meet the academic and clinical requirements of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA).
Timeline for graduation from Masters in Speech Pathology Online Programs
Most Masters in Speech Pathology online Programs last 2 to 3 years. There are accelerated programs that combine a Bachelor’s Degree with a Master’s Degree, which takes five years to complete, instead of 6 years. Colleges that emphasize credits often require a minimum of 48 semester credit hours, not including fieldwork. If time and money are constraints, students have the option of enrolling for part-time Masters in Speech Pathology online programs that can take anywhere from 3 to 7 years to complete.
Masters in Speech Pathology Online Programs Admission Requirements
The basis for admission to a Master’s in Speech Pathology online program is a BA (Bachelor of Arts) or BS (Bachelor of Science) Degree, usually in Speech-Language Pathology or Communication Science and Disorders. A BA or BS in any other field may require certain prerequisite courses to be undertaken, such as:
- Articulatory Phonetics
- Anatomical and Physiological Bases for Speech & Language
- Speech Science: Acoustic Phonetics
- Language Acquisition Across Life Span: Early Years
- Audiology – Hearing Science
- Introduction to Communication Disorders Across the LifeSpan
In other Speech Pathologist education requirements, students are usually asked to present a brief Personal Statement describing their interest in the field and career objectives, official transcripts, a GRE score, academic or professional letters of recommendation, and sometimes a Résumé as well. Needless to say, a completed application form and its requisite fee are also a must.
Grad school requirements for Speech Pathology vary by program. Therefore, students are advised to conduct their own research on getting into SLP grad school by reading the published program guidelines.
Masters in Speech Pathology Online No GRE Programs
While most colleges require GRE as an admission requirement, few offer SLP Master’s online no GRE programs, but conditionally. For example, GRE scores taken within the last five years are waived by some Universities, and some others do not require the score if the student holds a Master’s Degree or higher from an accredited institution. Without having to go through its rigors, no GRE programs are popular and sought by many students. Some of the Universities that have a Master’s in Speech Pathology online program with no GRE are:
Accelerated Masters in Speech Pathology Online Programs
Unfortunately, there is no way to fast-track a Master’s in Speech Pathology Online Program. The only exception to do so is to take up an accelerated Speech Pathology program or twin-program that combines a Bachelor’s Degree with a Master’s Degree in Speech Pathology. Opting for this will reduce the total duration of the course from 6 years to 5 years. The fastest Master’s in Speech Pathology online program will almost certainly take at least 20 months to complete.
How to Pay for Masters in Speech Pathology Online Programs
How much is grad school for Speech Pathology? Annual tuition fees for Master’s in Speech Pathology can range from an estimated $25,000 to $45,000 or more. Adding living expenses and other educational expenses to these figures is enough for aspiring students to feel dizzy! Unfortunately, with every passing year, the cost of Master’s Programs only goes up, making it a financial burden for most students. Scholarships, Grants, and Government Aid such as FAFSA are some of the ways to ease this burden. Here is a quick list of such options to explore before applying for a Master’s in Speech Pathology online program:
Scholarships & Grants
With a Master’s in Speech Pathology, there is always a chance to bag a scholarship or grant awarded by Colleges, Philanthropists, or Private Organizations.
Federal Loans
The Federal Government offers Unsubsidized Loans and Direct PLUS Loans for qualifying/eligible students.
Payment Plans
Some Colleges offer a flexible payment plan wherein students can stagger their tuition fees over the tenure of their course, rather than paying upfront.
You can get more information on funding with the best Financial Guide and read up on how to avoid being trapped by scholarship scams as well.
Scholarships for Masters in Speech Pathology Students
Since obtaining a Master’s in Speech Pathology online can be an expensive proposition, many students applying for or currently pursuing this degree seek scholarships and grants to help them pay off their debt. The easiest funding option for students is scholarships, only a few of which are listed below:
Graduate Student Scholarship by ASH FoundationAmerican Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation offers a scholarship for students who are undergraduate seniors accepted to a Master’s Program or students currently pursuing Master’s or Doctoral (research or clinical) degrees. Up to 15 scholarships of $5,000 each are available. Application Deadline: May 19, 2023.
American Speech-Language-Hearing AssociationAmerican Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is not a scholarship in itself but a wealth of resources for those looking for Scholarships, Research Grants, Federal, and State-Funded Education Programs, Loans, and Training Grants. The site has all the links to make finding financial aid easy.
EBS Healthcare Scholarships and GrantsEBS Healthcare has school, bilingual, and multicultural-based scholarships and grants, each worth up to $7,500. Application Deadline: Varies
Plural Publishing Research ScholarshipsPlural Publishing Research Scholarships, sponsored by the Council of Academic Programs in Communication and Disorders (CAPCSD), awards Scholarships of $3,000 each to Master’s and Doctoral Degree students every year. Application Deadline: TBA.
Med Travelers Scholarship ProgramMed Travelers offer a $5,000 scholarship (awarded in the form of a check) twice a year to current Speech-Language Pathology, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy graduate students. Application Deadline: May 7, 2023.
FAQs about SPEECH PATHOLOGY Programs
| Q: How long does it take to become a Speech Pathologist? |
| A:Full-time students of Master’s in Speech Pathology typically take between 20 and 36 months to graduate. Part-timers can complete the program from anywhere between 3 and 7 years. Accelerated programs are usually for those who want to do their Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees parallelly, which takes about five years to complete instead of 6 years. |
| Q: What to major in for Speech Pathology? |
| A:Specialization is more important in Speech Pathology than a standalone Master’s Degree. There is a whole range of options to choose from and specialize in, cited in this article. |
| Q: What degree do you need to be a Speech Pathologist? |
| A:In almost all cases, students are required to have a BA (Bachelor of Arts) or BS (Bachelor of Science) degree with a minimum Grade-Point Average (GPA) of 3.2 in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Alternatively, B. or BS degree holders in another field may also apply but may be required to complete prerequisite coursework in speech-language pathology and audiology. Admission criteria vary by college and program, of course. |
| Q: How to become a speech-language pathologist? |
| A:There are three critical components for an individual to become a Speech-Language Pathologist – (a) A Master of Science in Speech Pathology degree, (b) Optional but recommended Certification/s, and (c) Licensing, issued by a State or Federal Government, or licensing authority. All these are required to be a working professional in Speech-Language Pathology. |
| Q: What is the easiest Speech Pathology program to get into? |
| A:In all honesty, there is no such thing as an “easiest Speech Pathology program”. What is easy or difficult depends on an individual’s liking, passion, and even calling. Having said that, there are, of course, specializations that are more technical and complex than some others, but this too is subject to individual opinion. |
| Q: What is SLP? |
| A:SLP is an acronym for Speech-Language Pathologist, a title inferred to a graduate of a Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology program. |
| Q: How long is Speech Pathology grad school? |
| A:Typically, a Bachelor’s Program takes about four years to complete, and a Master’s takes two years (both on average). However, an accelerated program combines both Bachelor’s and Master’s and takes five years to complete. A Master’s Degree alone will require about 2 to 3 years to complete if taken up full-time and from 3 to 7 years if taken up part-time. |
Careers and Salary Outlook for Masters in Speech Pathology Graduates
Graduates of Master’s in Speech Pathology online are typically qualified to work in Clinical, educational, and medical environments as Speech Pathologists. Referred to by the common acronym – SLP (Speech-Language Pathologist(s) – these professionals are trained to treat patients’ communication disorders, some of which include but are not limited to Motor Speech Disorders or Autism. SLPs can also work with people who have challenges such as Down Syndrome, Head and Neck Cancers, Dementia, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Cerebral Palsy, and many more.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Speech-Language Pathology salaries in the United States range from $75,670 to $114,790 (as of May 2020), based on experience and the industry. The Bureau also reports that SLP jobs are expected to grow 25% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. In conclusion, a Master’s in Speech Pathology Program presents tremendous potential for a secure career and enviable remuneration.
Speech Pathology career options are many, and Speech-Language Pathologists can work in many different employment settings: education, research, and healthcare, with varying roles and levels of responsibility.
Certifications and Licensing for Speech Pathology Graduates
Although Speech-Language Pathology is not a medical degree, students who have successfully graduated with a Master’s in Speech Pathology online should have additional certifications, the minimum prescribed clinical experience, and pass a national examination, to qualify as SLPs or Speech-Language Pathologists. One such certification that is required is the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). Based on the chosen career path, students may have to consider an SLP Certification online, a list of which includes:
- Board-Certified Specialist in Child Language and Language Disorders Certification (BCS-CL) by the American Board of Child Language & Language Disorders.
- Board-Certified Specialist in Intraoperative Monitoring Certification (BCS-IOM) by the American Audiology Board of Intraoperative Monitoring.
- Board-Certified Specialist in Fluency and Fluency Disorder Certification (BCS-F) by the American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders.
- Board-Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders Certification (BCS-S) by the American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders.
- Lee Silverman Voice Treatment Certification (LSVT) by LVST Global
- To earn state licensure for teaching, taking up and passing the Educational Testing Service’s (ETS) Praxis II: Subject Assessment in Speech-Language Pathology Exam is necessary. The passing score for this test varies by state. Similarly, licensing is generally required for SLPs to work in certain industries, but again, norms and guidelines for licenses differ from state to state.
Additional Resources for Speech Pathology Professionals
Speech-Language Pathology can be a very demanding job. Sometimes, all the study and experience may not be enough for a Speech-Language Pathologist to find the right approach to a sticky situation. Networking and staying abreast with the latest developments in the field of Speech-Language Pathology can be of immense help when faced with problems that need solving. Joining a community of SLPs and attending virtual events will almost always help one’s career and certainly advance one’s knowledge. Below is a small list of additional resources for Speech Pathology professionals, and students of a Master’s in Speech Pathology online program, to delve into:
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association ASHA – American Speech-Language-Hearing Association – is arguably the best repository for Speech-Language Pathologists to easily find new publications, explore clinical topics and disorders, attend events, connect with special interest groups, join a large community of SLPs, and do a whole lot more.
- Yeshiva University Libraries Yeshiva University Libraries is well stocked with SLP Journals, Databases, and links to useful websites.
- Speechpathology.com Speechpathology.com is a website that hosts articles on Speech-Language Pathology, information on State Licensure Boards, and a tool to consult experts on SLP matters.
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders NIDCD – National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders – provides volumes of information on topics ranging from American Sign Language to Stuttering to Apraxia of Speech. There are articles on Research, Funding, and Training for SLPs as well.
