2020 Best Speech Pathology Online Master's Programs

Students pursuing an online graduate degree in speech pathology may consider Baylor University's Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD). Housed in the Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, this program is appropriate for those interested in becoming speech pathologists. Students learn best practices in assisting patients with disorders associated with hearing, swallowing, and speaking. The online program is a 45-credit degree, with a full-time, five-semester requirement. Students seeking a part-time option may complete their master's degree in six to 10 semesters. There is a mandatory clinical internship and practicum component. The program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.

Western Kentucky University (WKU) in Bowling Green, Kentucky, hosts a distance-learning Master of Science in Communication Disorders through its Communication Disorders Department. Students will learn how to diagnose and treat disorders in patients with speech, language, and other communication issues. The coursework is entirely online, with two exceptions: the clinic internship and clinic externship. The internship is a six-week summer commitment at the Bowling Green campus. Externships are available around the country, though some limitations do apply. This online master's degree requires eight to nine semesters to complete. The program, accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, meets the requirements set by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) for certification and state licensure.

Texas Woman's University (TWU) is a co-educational institution in Denton, Texas. Master's degree candidates interested in communication disorders may pursue a two-year Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology through distance-based education. Students will learn how to prevent, diagnose, and treat common speech and hearing issues in children and adults. The degree requires 61 semester hours, with some room for electives. Classes are held online and at education centers throughout Texas. Students must complete 18 practicum hours as part of their coursework. Students in the program can work as SLP assistants while pursuing their degree. TWU's Department of Communication Sciences and Oral Health also offers a fully online Master of Science in Education of the Deaf. The two-year program prepares graduates for the TExES Deaf and Hard of Hearing state exam.

The College of Behavioral and Community Sciences at the University of South Florida (USF) offers a nine-semester online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. Graduates will be prepared to work as speech-language pathologists in healthcare and education settings. The program's Suncoast track is geared toward working speech-language professionals in the Suncoast Consortium system. The coursework is completed online, with some on-site classes required. Students in the online Suncoast program must remain employed with one of the collaborating school districts while completing their graduate degree. USF also offers the degree through a Post-Baccalaureate track for those with a bachelor's degree in another field. Students in this track will need to complete prerequisite courses, which are offered both on campus and online. 

The Master of Science in Communicative Disorders at California State University, Northridge is a 41-month online program. A clinical practicum and externship is also part of the program. This online master’s in speech pathology prepares students for licensure to practice as speech pathologists in medical and rehab facilities, private practices, and schools. It fulfills the requirements for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) certification. This program is in a cohort format for optimum interaction with faculty and fellow students. New students have an online distance-learning orientation in January and begin their coursework in the spring. Prior to admission, students must have a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders and sciences or speech-language pathology. Students with a bachelor’s degree in a different field must complete two years of prerequisite courses. To apply, students must submit either GRE or Miller Analogies Test scores and have an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5. Students have access to the myNorthridge Portal, where they can access campus resources online. The portal offers degree road maps to help students plan their education. The online speech pathology programs at CSUN are taught by faculty members who possess real-world experience in the speech pathology field.

The Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology Distance Learning Program at the University of Akron is a 74-credit-hour online degree program. The program spans eight semesters; students are required to complete five clinical practicums within six of those semesters. Students learn how to diagnose and treat communication disorders in children and adults. Field work gives students faculty-supervised, hands-on experience in a clinical setting. Coursework, including classes in neuroscience and communicative disorders, is completed in an online format. Admission to the master’s in speech-language pathology online program requires an in-field GPA of 3.0 or higher and a bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology (or students can have completed post-baccalaureate coursework in speech-language pathology and audiology from an accredited university). Students have access to online tech support and the Academic Advisement Center, which offers academic- and career-related guidance. There is also online tutoring and a comprehensive online library available. Students in the on-campus or online speech pathology programs are trained by licensed speech pathology professionals with certificates of clinical competence from the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

The University of Northern Colorado offers an online Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology. This program takes three years to complete and requires 63-75 credits for completion. The program begins in the fall term and requires two weeks at the Greeley campus in addition to the online coursework. During this two-week period on campus, students receive academic advising and complete laboratory experiences in audiology and speech-language pathology. Online coursework includes studies on speech and hearing science, along with classes on fluency and motor speech disorders. To be admitted, students must hold a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology or a related field. To participate in the online program, students also must be employed as an SLPA or have a Temporary Teacher Endorsement. Students who successfully complete the master’s in speech pathology online program can go on to earn their Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology. The college has an online library for students to access, and there is a technical support center with a comprehensive knowledge base. This program offers students the flexibility to balance full-time work with academic study.

The MS in speech-language pathology at Nova Southeastern University requires 53 credits for completion; 42 of those credits are core courses. Students who live within 50 miles of a school campus must complete the program on campus. The online format is available through GoToMeeting for students who live further than 50 miles away. The program curriculum includes an array of courses on speech disorders and language disorders. Students take related electives chosen from a range of options, and they participate in clinical practicums and externships. Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree in the speech pathology field and a cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0. Students must complete all prerequisite courses and two written essays. Three letters of recommendation and 25 guided clinical observation hours are also required. Successful program completion qualifies students to earn their Certificate of Clinical Competence. A variety of resources are available to students, including a help desk to assist with any technical issues, online tutoring, and advisory services. This master’s in speech pathology online program is held on evenings and weekends, so students can continue working. Program faculty consists of academic professionals from NSU and other universities; some are also licensed working professionals in the speech pathology field.

The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology online at James Madison University is a three-year program comprising two to three courses each semester. Courses start in the fall semester. The online MS in speech-language pathology at JMU is a cohort program consisting of online coursework and on-site clinical work at local facilities. Course meetings are held through WebEx on Canvas; courses are both synchronous and asynchronous. Students participate in small group sessions, discussions, and question-and-answer periods. Through coursework and clinical practicums, students learn how to diagnose and address communication disorders in children and adults. The online master’sin speech pathology at JMU is competitive and accepts students every two years. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.25 or higher and successfully complete all prerequisite courses. Upon graduation, students can become certified in speech-language pathology through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. A variety of resources are available to students, including online tech support and academic advisory services. The master’s in speech pathology online program at JMU is flexibly structured so that students can continue to work while pursuing their degrees.