2023 Best Online Master's Degrees in Speech Pathology

Overview of Online Master's in Speech-Language Pathology Degrees

Speech-language pathologists work with both children and adults to resolve many types of communication disorders. Those who aspire to become speech professionals will need to earn a master's degree in the field, which they can accomplish through on-campus or online grad school for speech pathology.

Most colleges that offer master's degrees for speech pathology online require completing 61-64 credit hours, which typically includes about 18 credit hours of clinical practice courses. Some online SLP master's programs are designed to be completed in one and a half years of full-time study, while others cater to working adults and are meant to be completed in two to three years of part-time study.

The master's degree needed to become a licensed SLP goes by a variety of names. For example, it may be a master's in speech-language pathology or a master's in communicative disorders. Furthermore, if the program is part of your school's health sciences department, you'll probably earn a Master of Science because coursework focuses on physical sciences and math. If the program is delivered through the school's department of special education or human services, on the other hand, the degree may be a Master of Arts because coursework emphasizes the humanities.

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Admission Requirements

To be admitted into most SLP graduate programs, applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree, usually with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The bachelor's degree can be in any subject, but students who did not earn an undergraduate degree in speech pathology or a related field may need to take up to nine prerequisite courses in language development, speech and hearing science, and diagnostics. 

When submitting an online application, students may also need to submit GRE or GMAT scores, recommendation letters from previous instructors, a resume of work experience, and a personal statement.

Speech-Language Pathology Courses

In general, SLP master's students learn about anatomy, physiology, and the many types of communication disorders that can affect hearing, swallowing, and speech. Additionally, students learn about early intervention, assessment, diagnosis, and the development and implementation of treatment plans.

Early in an online program, they can expect to take the following core classes:

Later, students take elective courses, such as the following examples:

The Clinical Practice Requirement

Accredited speech pathology programs online also require students to complete hours of real-world experience. These experiential learning activities — known by different names, including clinical internships, clinical externships, practicums, or field experience — are invaluable opportunities to put theory into practice. In addition, students enhance their listening, diagnostic, and collaboration skills by working with children and adult clients. 

Many programs involve a part-time clinical practicum each academic term, plus a one-term, full-time practicum experience, which serves as a capstone to the program. Upon completing their clinical experience, students may be asked to pass an exam or complete a project to document that they have gained the appropriate skill level to become an SLP.

When students complete online master's degrees in speech-language pathology, they'll work with program staff to make arrangements for field placement. The objective is to find a recognized healthcare or educational facility where the student can work under the supervision of licensed speech pathologists.

Accreditation

Students planning to earn a speech pathologist master's degree online will want to enroll in an online program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. The CAA is part of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the leading professional organization for speech-language pathologists and audiologists, so a CAA-accredited SLP program assures students they're enrolled in a credible, quality higher education program. A degree from a CAA-accredited program is also a requirement for licensure in most states, and most employers only consider job candidates who graduated from a CAA-approved program.

Students should also focus on schools that have earned institutional accreditation for the quality of their programs, faculty, and services. For a list of accredited online programs, students can visit the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or the U.S. Department of Education.

Further Education

To work as a licensed speech-language pathologist, you must have a master's degree, which is also a prerequisite for earning a doctorate if you decide to continue your education. To qualify for a doctoral program, you must be familiar with the field so you're prepared for advanced research methodology, cutting-edge issues in speech and language, and organizational leadership.

Doctoral degree programs come in two varieties:

• Clinical doctorates prepare you for a role as an advanced practitioner by requiring more research on a focused specialization than a master's program. Such programs have no standardized title, although "Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology" is common.
• PhD programs are for students who want to become professors of speech-language pathology. If you go this route, you'll write a dissertation based on an original research project.

What to Know Before Entering the Speech-Language Pathology Field

It can be hard to understand an SLP's potential education and career choices outside the field. However, as an experienced practitioner, Carrie Clark offers insight into her journey and those of her classmates and colleagues. Below are a few of the key points that Clark thinks prospective students should consider:

Careers With an Online Master's in Speech-Language Pathology

Even an entry-level position as an SLP requires a master's degree and some type of state licensure or certification. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the demand in this field is expected to increase by 21% through 2030, a projected growth rate much higher than that of other professions. The median annual income for speech-language pathologists is $79,060, with the highest-paid practitioners earning more than $125,560 annually.

The best-paying opportunities for SLPs are in nursing homes, residential care facilities, and hospitals, but there are many additional openings in private practices and schools. Unfortunately, SLPs in schools tend to earn the least. Clark says these SLPs usually earn salaries and raises on the same schedule as a school's teaching staff. "The mean salary for this profession is great," she says. However, addressing the pay variance, she notes that "the medical setting pushes it up because you can work in a nursing home for $90,000 a year right out of the gate, but the schools are going to start you with $30,000 or whatever's the range for your area."

Clark acknowledges the differences in duties among patient care settings, which may influence where students apply for jobs once they graduate. For example, SLPs in hospitals "may be evaluating someone to see if they've had a cognitive change or if they're having language problems. They also may be working with somebody who has hearing loss. So it's very different based on who's in the hospital that day." SLPs generally don't treat hospital patients longer than a few weeks, whereas school SLPs "have the same set of clients for maybe the entire school year. You might have some clients that you even see for multiple school years, so you have much more consistency."

An online speech pathology master's program prepares graduates for many other occupations as well.

Licensure and Certification

To legally practice as a speech-language clinician, individuals must obtain a license from their state. Licensing requirements vary by state but typically include a master's degree or higher in speech-language pathology and 375-400 hours of supervised clinical experience. Some states also require applicants to complete a six- to nine-month full-time, paid clinical internship after earning their master's degree. 

The final step in obtaining licensure is to pass the national Praxis exam in speech-language pathology, usually within one year of graduation. The fee for the initial licensing application also varies by state, ranging from about $105 to $220, and the Praxis exam fee is $146.

After earning a master's degree, most SLPs pursue ASHA's Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) by taking a standardized Praxis exam. Certification fees vary from $286 to $511, depending on the applicant's circumstances. This certification indicates a deep knowledge of the profession's best practices. Employers typically don't require this credential for new hires, but it can signal your dedication to upholding the latest standards of practice. 

You can also obtain one of three Board Certified Specialist (BCS) certifications to show your expertise in fluency disorders, child language disorders, or swallowing disorders. Each of these requires you to first hold the CCC-SLP.

Funding a Speech-Language Pathology Program

Most college and graduate students take out at least some loans to fund their education. Federal and state government loans typically have the best terms and interest rates. But before you begin loan applications, it's a good idea to apply for all available financial aid. The best forms of aid — grants and scholarships — take money off your total expenses without requiring repayment.

FAQs About Online Master's Degrees in Speech-Language Pathology

Bottom Line

An online master's degree in speech pathology is designed to help students develop the skills to become speech therapists or speech pathologists. Each program explores language disorders, audiology, and articulation, to name a few areas. A career in speech pathology is not only a fulfilling role for those who aspire to help patients with communication issues, but it can also be a lucrative profession.