Best Online Speech Pathology Master's Programs

The online Master of Science in Communicative Disorders degree at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is a 41-month program that prepares students to go into the field of speech-language pathology. A clinical practicum and externship are also part of the program, and online students are placed at sites near their communities. A total of 63 semester units are required,... and include coursework and clinical practicum. 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 online program, delivered through Canvas, is in a cohort format for optimum interaction with faculty and fellow students. Students can be eligible for financial aid, including loans, grants, and scholarships. Special benefits are available for veterans and other special groups. Students have the option to transfer 75 clocked hours of clinical practica if the student has already completed these hours at CSUN or another accredited university. The online speech pathology programs at CSUN are taught by faculty members who possess real-world experience in the speech pathology field.

To apply, students submit an online application. 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 Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology degree at James Madison University (JMU) is a three-year program composed of two to three courses each semester. Through coursework and clinical practicums, students learn how to diagnose and address communication disorders in children and adults. In addition to coursework, online students are required to attend a two-day... orientation at the JMU campus, complete a six-week clinical on campus, and complete four additional clinical placements in the field in order to graduate. Upon graduation, students can become certified in speech-language pathology through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

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, and courses are both synchronous and asynchronous. Students participate in small group sessions, discussions, and question-and-answer periods. Financial aid is available to students, and assistantships are available to full-time students.

To apply, students complete an online application due in February. The online master's in speech pathology at JMU accepts students every two years. A variety of resources are available to online students, including online tech support and academic advisory services.

Texas Woman's University (TWU) offers an online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. During this 61-credit hour online program, students will study prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of common speech and auditory issues in children and adults. The program, which includes 18 practicum hours, can be completed in as little as 27 months. Students in the program... can work as school-based licensed speech-language pathology assistants while pursuing their degrees. The program prepares students to apply for a Certificate of Clinical Competence with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and for a Speech Language Pathology intern’s license with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations. Students must commit to working as an SLP in the schools of Texas for a period of time following graduation. All students must successfully complete a comprehensive exam for degree completion and graduation.

Classes are held online and at education centers throughout Texas, with the curriculum's online component delivered through the Canvas learning management system. Canvas supports streaming pre-recorded lectures, video conferencing, discussion forums, interactive virtual activities, quizzes, and assignments. The program has an exceptional Praxis exam pass rate for graduates, and several scholarships are available for current students.

Students can apply online by October 15 for the summer semester during even years only. Resources for online students include academic coaching, career development services, tutoring, writing assistance, and technical support.

Baylor University (BU) offers an online Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences. Students learn best practices in assisting patients with disorders associated with hearing, swallowing, and speaking. Students are required to complete 45 credit hours, including required courses and electives. The online program... can be completed in five semesters on a full-time basis or up to 10 semesters on a part-time basis. In addition to the online program, students are required to complete 400 field hours through a clinical practicum and internship. Online students can be placed in an internship close to their homes or up to 100 miles away. The program prepares students to earn licensure after graduation. BU is a Christian university, but students do not need to be Baptist in order to attend.

The online portion of this program is delivered using the Canvas learning management system, accessible to students 24/7. Financial aid is available for students through federal loans, private loans, and repayment plans. Military education benefits are also available.

Those interested in applying can do so by submitting an online application for upcoming cohorts. Each cohort has various start dates and various application deadlines. BU offers distance learners support services that include academic advising, learning resources, and student wellness services.

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. The program's Suncoast track is geared toward working speech-language professionals in the Suncoast Consortium school system. Students in the online Suncoast program must remain employed with one of the collaborating... school districts while completing their graduate degrees. 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. Students will learn about neuroanatomy, language development and disorders, and more, which will prepare them to work as speech-language pathologists. The program is accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. There has been a 100% success rate for completion, exam passage, and employment within one year over the past three years.

The coursework is completed online, with some on-site classes required. Online coursework is accessible through the Canvas learning management system, and each year consists of an average of 14 students. M.S. students are eligible for graduate assistantships, fellowships, scholarships, and research assistantships as sources of funding.

Interested students can apply to either program online. Applications are due by January 15 of each year. Resources for enrolled distance learners include academic advising, IT support, and access to the school’s library system.

The online Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Rhode Island supports students with advanced academic training in pathology and speech therapy. Accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the program takes two years (including one summer session) on a full-time basis or four years on a part-time basis. Classes include introduction... to speech disorders, gestural communication, phonetics, hearing and speech science, and language development. Graduates from the speech pathology program can pursue new responsibilities as speech pathologists, or can work as school administrators, program planners, or private consultants who work directly with parents.

The University of Rhode Island uses the Brightspace learning management system for asynchronous course content. The university offers only a few scholarships to help with financial aid, but students can apply for Rhode Island grants and other grants for tuition assistance.

The University of Rhode Island accepts the Common Application, and provides technical assistance during its submission from the online solutions center. Online students have access to many digital resources, such as time management apps, one-on-one tutoring, the university writing center, and digital textbooks.

The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) offers an online Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology. This program requires 63-75 credits and takes three years to complete. To participate in the online program, students also must be employed as an SLPA or have a Temporary Teacher Endorsement. Students who complete the master’s in speech pathology online program can go on to earn... their Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology. Students are required to spend two weeks at the Greeley campus during their third semester (summer) in addition to the online coursework. Students receive academic advising and complete laboratory experiences in audiology and speech-language pathology during this two-week period on campus. Online coursework includes studies on speech and hearing science and classes on fluency and motor speech disorders.

Students complete their coursework on their own schedule using the Canvas online classroom. Here, they will find the materials, assignments, feedback, discussion groups, collaborative project rooms, and more. UNC offers financial aid specifically for graduate students, and has a Veterans Services Office with the most up-to-date information on military credits, benefits, and aid.

Applications are accepted online.The college has an online library, and there is a technical support center with a comprehensive knowledge base.

The online Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is a part-time, three-year program designed to give speech pathologists the tools and academic pedagogy needed to advance their careers. The program requires 54 graduate credit hours in total, including 40 hours of coursework and 14 hours of clinical application.... Topics in the degree program include anatomy, human development, statistics, sign language, neurology, voice assessments, child language, and hearing disorders. Graduates of the program can pursue careers as speech coaches, audiologists, and school administrators.

Students at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire use the Canvas learning management system to access course materials, lectures, and PowerPoint slides. Scholarships are available, including scholarships that students are automatically entered for simply by applying to the school using the Admissions Scholarship Application. Students who meet minimum requirements for the Midwest Student Exchange Program may be able to receive as much as $24,000 over the course of four years.

Applications to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire must be submitted digitally on the university website. Online students can access resources like the LTS Help Desk, the Academic Skills Center, the Career Center, and the Financial Aid office.

The Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology program at the University of Akron is a 74-credit hour online degree program. Students who have completed post-baccalaureate coursework in speech-language pathology and audiology from an accredited university can enter the program, which spans eight semesters. Beginning in the third semester, students must complete five clinical practicums.... Students learn how to diagnose and treat communication disorders in children and adults during their online coursework, which includes classes in neuroscience and communicative disorders. Fieldwork gives students faculty-supervised, hands-on experience in a clinical setting, and is arranged in their hometown. Students in the online speech pathology programs are trained by licensed speech pathology professionals with clinical competence certificates from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Coursework is done asynchronously on the Brightspace learning platform. It involves occasional live chat discussion and group work. There are no program-specific scholarships, but financial aid can be applied.

The program begins in January of each year, with applications being accepted online through mid-June. 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.

Nova Southeastern University (NSU) offers an online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. The online program requires 53 credits for completion, including 42 credits for core courses. 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. To graduate, students need to complete 400 clinical hours, and the school will work with distance learning students to find suitable practicum sites close to their homes. Successful program completion qualifies students to earn their Certificate of Clinical Competence.

The online format is available for students who live further than 50 miles away, and coursework includes synchronous discussion forums, real-time classrooms, and online assignments. 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.

To apply, students complete an online application. Application deadlines vary depending on the term start dates. A variety of resources are available to students, including a help desk to assist with any technical issues, online tutoring, advisory services, and access to the library database.