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Earning a master’s degree in speech pathology can help you develop the skills, knowledge and clinical training to become a speech language pathologist (SLP). SLPs work with speech, language, communication and swallowing disorders to provide preventative measures, assessments, diagnoses and treatments.
Speech language pathology is a highly skilled career that requires advanced education and clinical training. To become a speech pathologist and earn a license in most states, you must complete an accredited master’s degree in speech pathology.
Keep reading to learn more about speech language pathology master’s programs, including admission requirements, common courses and potential job prospects for graduates.
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What Is a Master’s in Speech Pathology?
A master’s degree in speech pathology is a graduate-level program that combines academic coursework and clinical training to prepare graduates for professional practice as speech language pathologists. A master’s degree usually takes two years to complete for full-time students. If you choose a part-time program, expect to spend longer in school.
A typical speech pathology master’s curriculum explores speech and language development and disorders, swallowing difficulties and alternative communication forms. Coursework may cover bilingual practice issues in speech language pathology, language disorders in school-aged children and ethical issues for SLPs.
In an SLP master’s program, you’ll learn how to diagnose and treat disorders that make it difficult to speak correctly, understand others, use verbal and non-verbal social communication, or organize their thoughts and pay attention. Speech pathology programs also cover aural rehabilitation for deaf and hard-of-hearing people, and better communication techniques for people in general.
As a speech pathology major, you will complete a supervised clinical experience to develop real-world skills. The American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) requires prospective SLPs to complete 400 hours of supervised clinical experience to qualify for certification. Depending on your program, you may also complete a master’s thesis, capstone project or comprehensive exam.
You can find accredited speech language pathology graduate programs online, including at California State University San Marcos and New York University. Many universities also offer their SLP programs on campus.
Admission Requirements for a Master’s Degree in Speech Pathology
Admission requirements for a master’s program in speech language pathology vary by school, but most are fairly selective. ASHA reports that since 2010, 24.5% of applicants on average have received admission to speech language pathology master’s programs. The admission rate has increased in recent years, however; 41.6% of applicants were admitted in the 2021-22 academic year.
You will need a four-year degree to qualify for admission, but not necessarily a speech pathology bachelor’s degree. However, if your undergraduate degree is unrelated to communication sciences and disorders, expect to complete prerequisite coursework in biology, healthcare and related subjects.
We outline common admission requirements below.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Completion of prerequisite coursework in areas like statistics, biology, social or behavioral sciences, and physical sciences
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Answers to essay questions
- Résumé or CV
- GRE scores
- Admission interview
Common Courses in a Speech Pathology Master’s Program
Curricula for SLP master’s programs vary by school. However, most explore topics like communication disorders across the lifespan, evidence-based practice and professional ethics. We describe some common courses below.
- Language disorders in school-aged children and adolescents: You’ll learn about diagnosing and treating language disorders that commonly appear in school-aged children and adolescents.
- Research methods in communication sciences and disorders: This class explores popular evidence-based research methods used in the field of communication sciences and disorders. Topics include data collection, research design and analysis.
- Supervised clinical experience – clinical internship: You’ll develop clinical skills by completing a supervised internship. Depending on your internship site, you may have opportunities to diagnose and treat communication disorders, complete data analyses and write reports.
- Dysphagia: This course covers disorders that can impact the swallowing process. You’ll learn evidence-based evaluation and treatment processes for these conditions.
Accreditation for Speech Pathology Master’s Degrees
Choosing an accredited speech pathology master’s program is crucial for becoming a certified speech language pathologist. The Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of ASHA provides voluntary accreditation to speech language pathology and audiology graduate programs. CAA sets standards for education in audiology and speech language pathology.
Find out if a prospective speech pathology master’s program is accredited by looking up the school on the CAA program list.
What Can You Do With a Master’s Degree in Speech Pathology?
A master’s degree in speech pathology prepares you to work as an SLP in various education, research and healthcare environments, including K-12 schools, hospitals, universities and long-term care facilities.
Speech-Language Pathologist Role and Responsibilities
Speech language pathologists assist patients with communication and swallowing issues. SLPs diagnose and treat conditions impacting social communication, fluency, speech sounds and voice. SLPs also work with clients on feeding and swallowing, cognitive communication, fluency and language disorders.
Common SLP job tasks include assessing, counseling and creating treatment plans for clients. Speech language pathologists may specialize in a specific client population, research or type of communication or swallowing disorder. Depending on their specialization, an SLP might help a stroke survivor learn to swallow food safely again, teach a child tips and tricks to speak without a stutter, or work with autistic clients on recognizing social cues.
Speech-language pathologists need state licensure to practice, and most state licenses require a master’s degree in speech language pathology from an accredited program.
Salary and Job Outlook for SLPs
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that speech-language pathologists earn a median annual salary of $84,140. The BLS also projects a 21% growth in employment for SLPs from 2021 to 2031—much faster than the national average projected growth rate for all jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Master’s Degrees in Speech Pathology
What is the best degree for speech pathology?
If you want to become a speech-language pathologist, you must earn a master’s degree in speech pathology from an accredited program to qualify for licensure.
How hard is it to get into an SLP master’s?
ASHA reports that of all applicants to speech language pathology master’s programs, an average of 24.5% have gained admission since the 2010-11 academic year. More recently, 41.6% of SLP master’s program applicants gained admission in 2021-22.
What is the difference between a master’s and a doctorate in SLP?
A master’s in SLP offers a broad graduate education, preparing you to become licensed and work as a speech-language pathologist. A doctorate in SLP focuses on advanced clinical practice, allowing students to delve into a particular specialization area. Graduates with a doctorate in SLP can work in advanced clinical roles.
Is a master’s in speech pathology worth it?
A master’s degree in speech pathology is necessary for you to meet the requirements to become an ASHA-certified SLP, so if you plan to pursue this career path, the degree is worth it. The BLS reports that speech language pathologists earn a median annual salary of $84,140, significantly more than the average U.S. worker.
