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,
Best Online Speech Pathology Master's Programs

The 11 schools offering top online master's degrees in speech pathology have ROIs ranging from $440,200 to $658,300. We calculated ROI by looking at earnings among graduates over 10 years and subtracting student debt payments. By evaluating income and debt over time, ROI indicates whether earning a degree may be profitable in the long term. California State University-Northridge is the top-ranked school on our list with an ROI that is higher than the national average by $137,800.
ROI amounts are based on data reported by the U.S. Department of Education. Tuitions are manually researched in order to determine tuition amounts specific to online degrees. Read our methodology for more details.
Rank | School | Annual Tuition | Median Starting Salary | Median Debt | 10-year ROI |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
California State University-Northridge | $17,472 | $68,931 | $41,244 | $658,300 | |
James Madison University | $23,389 | $59,756 | $30,500 | $577,200 | |
Texas Woman's University | $19,445 | $58,823 | $41,000 | $554,500 | |
Baylor University | $41,055 | $57,318 | $42,950 | $536,600 | |
University of South Florida Online | $23,945 | $57,149 | $50,160 | $525,900 | |
University of Rhode Island | $27,214 | $56,867 | $49,000 | $524,400 | |
University of Northern Colorado | $12,600 | $52,733 | $48,152 | $482,900 | |
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire | $12,600 | $50,717 | $36,438 | $476,800 | |
Western Kentucky University | $10,605 | $49,572 | $41,000 | $459,300 | |
University of Akron | $14,147 | $47,520 | $34,495 | $446,300 | |
Nova Southeastern University | $25,977 | $53,384 | $87,796 | $440,200 |
Best Master's Degrees in Speech Pathology Rankings Details
#1
California State University-Northridge
- 10-Year ROI: $658,300
- Median Salary: $68,931
- Annual Tuition: $17,472
- Median Debt: $41,244
#2
James Madison University
- 10-Year ROI: $577,200
- Median Salary: $59,756
- Annual Tuition: $23,389
- Median Debt: $30,500
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
#3
Texas Woman's University
- 10-Year ROI: $554,500
- Median Salary: $58,823
- Annual Tuition: $19,445
- Median Debt: $41,000
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
#4
Baylor University
- 10-Year ROI: $536,600
- Median Salary: $57,318
- Annual Tuition: $41,055
- Median Debt: $42,950
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
#5
University of South Florida Online
- 10-Year ROI: $525,900
- Median Salary: $57,149
- Annual Tuition: $23,945
- Median Debt: $50,160
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
#6
University of Rhode Island
- 10-Year ROI: $524,400
- Median Salary: $56,867
- Annual Tuition: $27,214
- Median Debt: $49,000
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
#7
University of Northern Colorado
- 10-Year ROI: $482,900
- Median Salary: $52,733
- Annual Tuition: $12,600
- Median Debt: $48,152
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
#8
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
- 10-Year ROI: $476,800
- Median Salary: $50,717
- Annual Tuition: $12,600
- Median Debt: $36,438
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.
#9
Western Kentucky University
- 10-Year ROI: $459,300
- Median Salary: $49,572
- Annual Tuition: $10,605
- Median Debt: $41,000
Western Kentucky University (WKU) offers an online Master of Science in Communication Disorders at the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Students will learn how to diagnose and treat disorders in patients with speech, language, and other communication issues. This online master's degree requires 60 semester hours, 400 clocked hours of clinical experience, and 25
#10
University of Akron
- 10-Year ROI: $446,300
- Median Salary: $47,520
- Annual Tuition: $14,147
- Median Debt: $34,495
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.
#11
Nova Southeastern University
- 10-Year ROI: $440,200
- Median Salary: $53,384
- Annual Tuition: $25,977
- Median Debt: $87,796
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
Online Master's in Speech Pathology Overview
Curriculum
Students in an online speech pathology master's program can expect to take classes like Models of Language, Language Disorders, Pediatric Audiology, Voice Disorders, Evaluation and Diagnosis in Speech Pathology, Aphasia, Neuromotor Speech Disorders, and Language Sampling Analysis. Most master's programs will also require clinical placements to provide students with experience working as a speech pathologist. The curriculums for many master's programs are also set up to prepare students to apply for licensure or certification after graduation.
Program Requirements
Students can graduate with an online master's degree in speech pathology in as little as a year and a half, but it may take up to three years. Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree and will need to submit transcripts from their undergraduate institutions. Some schools offering online master's degrees in speech pathology have a minimum GPA requirement and specific course prerequisites. Other application requirements include GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.
Frequently Asked Questions About Speech Pathology Degrees
How much can I earn with a master's in speech pathology?
Even an entry-level position as a speech-language pathologist will require a master's degree in speech pathology as well as some type of licensure or certification. With such advanced credentials, it is not surprising that the median annual income for speech-language pathologists is $79,120, with the highest-paid practitioners earning more than $120,000 per year. The best opportunities for speech pathologists are in nursing homes, residential care facilities, and hospitals, and the demand in this field is expected to increase by 27% through 2028, a projected growth rate that is much higher than that of other professions.
Will I need to get a doctoral degree to practice as a speech pathologist?
No, but the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association recommends certified graduates with master's degrees in speech pathology consider pursuing one of the two types of doctoral degrees in speech-language pathology, depending on their career goals. A clinical doctorate prepares speech pathologists for advanced leadership roles in a clinical setting, such as a master clinician or clinical administrator. By contrast, a PhD in speech pathology prepares students for research and teaching roles in academia.
How can I fulfill the clinical practice requirement for a master's in speech pathology program if I'm going to school online?
Various master's in speech pathology programs label this requirement by different names—clinical internships, clinical externships, practicums, and so on—but in most cases the school requires students to complete a minimum number of hours of real-world experience as part of the curriculum. When students are completing their degrees online, they may have to work with their advisor or another faculty member to make arrangements to complete this requirement at a recognized healthcare or educational facility that is convenient to the student. Students will need to work under the supervision of licensed speech pathologists at the chosen facilities. The purpose of a practicum is to give students valuable experience in diagnosing and treating communication disorders, and students may be asked to pass an exam or complete some kind of project to document they have gained the appropriate level of skill from the experience.