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2023 Best Online Master's Degrees in Speech Pathology

By OnlineU Staff Writers | Updated 2/13/2023
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Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are the key to helping individuals master their language disorders. For those who are interested in pursuing a career in this field, an online master's degree in speech pathology can help students develop advanced skills to understand social behaviors and physiology to help patients overcome their hearing, language, and speech impediments. This online graduate program is designed to prepare prospective practitioners for the required examinations they will need to pass in order to become an SLP.  

We've ranked schools by enrollment, so you can see which programs are most popular with students to help you choose the right program. View our methodology for more details about our list, or learn more about OnlineU.

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List Of Accredited Online Speech Pathology Schools

School Online Enrollment Annual Tuition
Nova Southeastern University 5,532 5,532 $32,110 $32,110
University of Cincinnati 3,731 $26,994
University of South Florida Online 2,739 $17,324
Texas Woman's University 2,677 $18,055
Baylor University 1,214 $47,364
University of Northern Colorado 1,186 $22,245
California State University - Northridge 917 $18,857
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire 467 $17,115
James Madison University 364 $29,106
University of Akron 263 $17,765
Tennessee State University 256 $21,732
Calvin University 10 $36,300

Nova Southeastern University

  • Annual Tuition: $32,110
  • Locations: Fort Lauderdale (FL)
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is a nonprofit institution with a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. Through 54 credit hours and 400 clinical hours, students learn a variety of technical and social skills to aid those with speech impediments, language disorders, and swallowing issues. The curriculum includes Communication Disorders in Infancy through Preschool, Language Disorders in Adults, and Voice Disorders, among other courses. Students will also have to complete an online capstone project aimed at reviewing important areas of content in the field.

NSU uses Canvas for this fully online program, which can be completed in three years on a flexible schedule. Keep in mind, students must also complete in-person clinical work in order to move forward with certification and become a professional SLP. Online student resources include an online bookstore, writing services, and tutoring.

University of Cincinnati

  • Annual Tuition: $26,994
  • Locations: Cincinnati (OH) (and 1 other)
  • Accreditation: HLC

The University of Cincinnati (UC) is a large, public, four-year institution that offers an online Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology, and the aim of this degree is to prepare students in the program for becoming SLPs. The online program is designed for working professionals to continue their employment during the first half of their program if they choose. It takes part-time students approximately three years (eight semesters) to finish. Importantly, a requirement for admission into this master's program is that prospective students must live within four hours of the university.

This online master's program in speech-language pathology delves into various communication disorders and includes some practicum experience, so students can apply the skills they learn. Graduates end up working in a wide array of settings, from hospitals and schools to government health agencies and rehabilitation centers. Some required classes include Syntax of Language, Language Disorders in Early Childhood, Advanced Phonetics, and Neurogenic Speech Disorders.

University of South Florida Online

  • Annual Tuition: $17,324
  • Locations: Tampa (FL)
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

The University of South Florida (USF) Online is a large, public institution offering a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (Post-Baccalaureate Track), which has students taking core classes such as Dysphagia, Advanced Vocal Disorders, and Aphasia. On a full-time schedule — over the course of two years, 62 credits, and in-person clinical practicums — students study alongside experienced clinicians and scientists in the field of pathology to identify and assess communication disorders in patients.

USF Online offers coursework through Canvas. While the program is mostly online, the clinical practicums require local, in-person learning. Online students have access to the career resource center as well, where they can learn how to transition into full-time work as an SLP.

Texas Woman's University

  • Annual Tuition: $18,055
  • Locations: Denton (TX)
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

Texas Woman's University (TWU) is a public institution with a two-year Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. Students are required to finish 61 credit hours, which include courses such as Phonetics, School-Age Language, and Audiology. Students must also take a clinical practicum, which helps prepare them for clinical work in language and communication with adults and children.

TWU's online program can be completed in two years on a full-time schedule through their Canvas learning platform. Most work is completed digitally, but some in-person clinical work is also required. Online students have access to TWU's academic and career advising along with mental health counseling. With this degree, alongside the appropriate certificates, graduates can become working SLPs.

Baylor University

  • Annual Tuition: $47,364
  • Locations: Waco (TX)
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

Baylor University (BU) is a private institution with a Master of Science in Communication - Sciences and Disorders requiring 45 credit hours. Some of the core classes include Speech and Sound Disorders, Aphasiology, and Dysphagia. Each class is designed to train you to become a professional clinician in speech pathology, priming you to assess, diagnose, and treat speech disorders. This program requires time spent in a clinical practicum and a clinical internship, which may take students up to three years to complete on a full-time schedule.

At BU, students use Canvas to access their fully online coursework, save for internships and practicums. These require in-person learning. Student resources include tutoring and counseling services.

University of Northern Colorado

  • Annual Tuition: $22,245
  • Locations: Greeley (CO)
  • Accreditation: HLC

The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) has their own master's pathology program, which requires a minimum of 63 credits over the course of three years. The Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology is designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of the field through a clinical model of teaching. The courses are primarily online through Canvas and require laboratory and clinical practicum experiences among core classes, such as Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology of Communication and Articulation and Phonological Disorders in Children.

As a medium-sized, public university, UNC offers student resources including digital libraries and career readiness advice. Graduates may go on to accept entry-level work as an SLP.

California State University - Northridge

  • Annual Tuition: $18,857
  • Locations: Northridge (CA)
  • Accreditation: WSCUC

California State University-Northridge's (CSUN) Master of Science in Communicative Disorders is a full-time, three year clinical study program requiring pediatric clinical practicums and an externship over the course of 63 credit hours. Students learn the fundamentals of speech pathology alongside scientific studies in related pediatric fields. Foundational classes include Voice and Disorders of Voice, Research in Communication Disorders, and Pediatric Audiology.

As a large, public institution, CSUN uses Canvas for their 100% online programs, including this master's degree. They also provide their online students with access to a range of services, such as academic advisement. Students may go on to pursue SLP certification.

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

  • Annual Tuition: $17,115
  • Locations: Eau Claire (WI)
  • Accreditation: HLC

University of Wisconsin (UW) - Eau Claire is a medium-sized, public university offering a Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders, with a focus on speech-language pathology. This is a part-time, 54-credit-hour program that students can complete online within three years. Among the core classes — such as Aphasia and Related Disorders, Motor Speech Disorders, and Fluency Disorders — students must also complete 10 externship credit hours in a clinical setting as well as one residency program on campus.

UW uses Canvas as their primary digital learning management system. As a service, mental health counseling is also available for online students.

James Madison University

  • Annual Tuition: $29,106
  • Locations: Harrisonburg (VA)
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

James Madison University (JMU) has a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, which focuses on teaching the certification requirements for the Council for Clinical Certification of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Forty-five credit hours are required alongside 375 hours of supervised clinical work as an SLP. Physiological & Acoustical Phonetics, Language Disorders in Adults, and Aging & Communication are all a part of the core curriculum which students can finish in three years on a full-time schedule.

JMU is a large, public university offering all students career and academic counseling. Canvas is their main learning management system, which allows students to take 100% online classes. Graduates of this online program may apply for certification as an SLP.

University of Akron

  • Annual Tuition: $17,765
  • Locations: Akron (OH)
  • Accreditation: HLC

The University of Akron (UA) is a public institution offering an online Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology in collaboration with the University of Cincinnati (UC), enabling students to complete courses from each school to fulfill degree requirements. This is a competitive 74-credit program, with each school accepting a maximum of 22 students. It generally takes full-time students three years to graduate. The program is designed to create a pool of culturally-responsive SLPs who are competent in areas of communication, cognition, and swallowing.

UA uses Brightspace to deliver its online coursework and instruction, while UC uses the software Canvas. The online speech-language pathology curriculum includes the following courses: Language Disorders in Early Childhood, Speech Sound Disorders, Neuroscience for Communicative Disorders, and Advanced Phonetics. Students must also complete externships and an externship seminar.

Tennessee State University

  • Annual Tuition: $21,732
  • Locations: Nashville (TN)
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

Tennessee State University (TSU) is a public institution offering an online Master of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences for students who have completed either a bachelor's degree in speech-language pathology or at least 15 hours of prerequisite coursework in the discipline. Graduating from TSU with this online degree requires completing 53 credit hours, which may take a little over two years of full-time attendance.

TSU delivers its online curriculum via eLearn. Distance learners completing the online master's degree in speech and hearing sciences take courses such as Studies in Language Disorders, Organic Speech Disorders Dysphagia, Multicultural Literacy and Cultural Diversity, and Adult Aphasia. Coursework helps prepare students for career advancement and it's required to obtain the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology and become a licensed SLP. Students must also complete a practicum before they can graduate.

Calvin University

  • Annual Tuition: $36,300
  • Locations: Grand Rapids (MI)
  • Accreditation: HLC

The Master of Speech-Language Pathology from Calvin University (Calvin U) is a 72-credit-hour program that students can take on a full-time schedule over the course of three years. It offers real clinical experience through a practicum, which participants can set toward their certification to become a professional SLP. Core classes for this fully online program include Phonetics, Speech Science, Hearing Science, and Aural Rehabilitation — all of which are aimed at teaching students about language, neurological, and speech disorders.

Calvin U is a medium-sized, nonprofit, Christian university, which utilizes Moodle for its online learning coursework. Online students have access to a 24-hour technical support service.

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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.

Expert Advice

Headshot of Carrie Clark

Carrie Clark

Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and Founder

Throughout this guide to online speech-language pathology master's degrees, we've included expert analysis from Carrie Clark, who is the founder and owner of Speech and Language Kids, a website focused on the pediatric side of speech-language pathology. She has worked with children of all ages and ability levels for 13 years and has experience working in early intervention, early childhood education, private practice, and teletherapy. Through her membership program at The SLP Solution, Carrie helps thousands of speech-language pathologists by researching various topics or therapies in the field and creating quick and simple resources that break them down. Carrie and her team of mentors further support members by answering questions in the exclusive member groups and brainstorming ideas and solutions for challenging cases and situations.

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:

Language Disorders

This course introduces students to normal and disordered speech, hearing, writing, and language among adolescents and adults. Students may examine case studies and complete projects to get a more in-depth overview of the patterns of language disorders.

Pediatric Audiology

This course explores the various methods to work with deaf or hard-of-hearing children. In addition, students often learn the history of pediatric audiology and the experts who have contributed to EHDI (Early Hearing Detection and Intervention).

Articulation

This introductory course provides a basic overview of advanced speech and sound production studies among adolescents. Students also examine articulation disorders' etiology, diagnosis, and treatment.

Voice Disorders

This course provides real-life examples of what speech therapists and speech pathologists may encounter when providing therapy to patients with voice disorders. Students examine various case studies and learn the proper methods for assisting patients with speech-language disorders.

Evaluation and Diagnosis in Speech Pathology

In this course, students can expect to learn the principles and practices for performing in-depth diagnostic evaluations for patients with speech and language disorders. In addition, students examine intervention methods, diagnostics, and much more.

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

Pediatric Dysphagia

This comprehensive course provides students with the knowledge and skills to properly assess infants and children showing signs of feeding and swallowing challenges. In addition, students research case studies on pediatric dysphagia and engage in lab practices.

Autism

This course gives students an overview of what autism is and how it applies to speech pathology or speech therapy. In addition, students will learn about the latest autism research and practices or interventions to address mental health conditions.

Augmentative Communication

This course allows aspiring speech pathologists to get an overview of augmentative communication. Students can expect to learn about the various communication tools used to provide therapy to adolescents and adults with speech and language disorders. At some schools, students may use this course to obtain the Augmentative and Alternative (AAC) certificate.

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:

Patience and resilience are the most important skills for an SLP to develop and nurture. Clark notes, "Everyone is so unique. And even if they have the same disability or disorder, they present differently." SLPs may need to attempt multiple interventions before finding one that works, which requires patience and the fortitude not to get discouraged: "It's about trying something and failing and then trying something different and then failing and trying something different."

For a flavor of what speech-language pathology involves, Clark says, "the best thing you can do is get some real-world experience as early as possible." She suggests asking to shadow an SLP or volunteer to work with special needs children and adults. Because the demand for SLPs is outpacing supply, many in the profession are happy to introduce potential SLPs to the job. Clark recommends observing multiple SLPs who work within different settings and populations because "you might find your preferences are actually different from what you thought, and then you can guide your study in terms of which electives you take earlier on."

Speech-language pathology needs more diverse practitioners, starting with recruiting more diverse students to these programs. The field is 92% white and 96% female, which doesn't reflect the potential client pool. Clark offers, "We can't treat diverse populations if we are not a diverse workforce." Students from underrepresented backgrounds can seek support from minority student groups, trusted faculty members, and current practitioners. They can also contact professional groups, such as the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing or the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, which hosts the Minority Student Leadership Program as a way to diversify the SLP workforce.


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"When I see new speech-language pathologists coming into the field, what they struggle with is thinking that they should have all the answers. And you don't, you don't know what that client's going to need when they sit down in front of you. You really have to have patience with yourself and with your clients and then be able to try multiple things and not get discouraged when something doesn't work the way you thought it would right off the bat."

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.

  • SLPs can work as voice coaches and teach executives, politicians, and entertainers to speak well and use their voices frequently without straining their vocal cords.
  • Those who enjoy working with children may want to become special education teachers.
  • Graduates willing to pursue doctoral degrees can become academic professors, researchers in university or commercial laboratories, or audiologists, who treat hearing and balance problems.
  • ASHA notes that bilingual SLPs are in demand and may find additional job opportunities.

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.

Our ranking of the most affordable online speech pathology master's degrees is designed to help students find a low-cost program.

Is a Master's in Speech-Language Pathology Worth It?

For students who want to make a difference in people's lives by becoming licensed speech-language pathologists, a master's degree from an accredited graduate school is essential. But is entering the profession worth the effort? Clark says she thinks it's "so worth it" but advises prospective students to examine the data around SLP education and employment.

For her part, Clark describes therapy breakthroughs as the most rewarding aspect of her work: "I can still remember every time that a child has spoken their first word in my session, because it moves you. I love being able to experience the joy that they experience."


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"The breakthroughs make everything worth it because communication is key to life. If you're having trouble with it, or if you can't communicate, it breaks down everything. So being able to help people improve such a big, important part of their life is incredibly rewarding."

The worst part of the job, says Clark, is the tendency for employers to assign too many clients and the hefty workload that comes with this practice. SLPs usually have extra administrative hurdles depending on their care setting. "If you're a school SLP, there's paperwork and the IEP (Individualized Education Program) and bus duty and lunch duty and all of the other things that come along with working in a school setting," most of which don't involve speech therapy at all. "In the medical field, SLPs have certain kinds of paperwork and billing and insurance" along with other administrative tasks. "I typically see that described as the worst part of our profession," she says.

Before choosing a program, particularly an online program in speech-language pathology, prospective students may want to weigh some of the pros and cons of earning a speech pathologist master's degree online:

Potential Benefits

  • SLPs earn considerable salaries. Once they've obtained a license to practice, SLPs can expect to earn salaries from approximately $51,310 to upwards of $125,560, which includes the lowest and highest 10% of earners in the field. Depending on where they live, they could earn even more.
  • SLPs face a bright job outlook. Due primarily to an aging population needing treatment for speech impairments following medical emergencies, like strokes, as well as medical advances improving survival rates, the BLS predicts that about 14,000 openings for SLPs will emerge over the next decade.
  • Online SLP programs give prospective students more options. By opting to pursue a speech-language pathology degree online, full-time working students can choose from a broader selection of SLP programs and price points without having to relocate and find a new job.

Potential Drawbacks

  • Connecting with peers can be more challenging in online programs. Due to the constraints of the distance learning environment, some online students may find it challenging to build a professional network that can be useful later in their careers.
  • Completing practicum requirements may require extra effort. Some online SLP students may have to work more diligently with program staff to find appropriate venues for meeting their supervised clinical practice requirements close to home.
  • SLPs usually don't have one single work environment , as their job often requires daily travel, like going from school to school. This may not be a good fit for those who like stability and their own workspace.

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

Which State Pays Speech Pathologists the Most?


According to the BLS, the state that pays the highest salary for SLPs is California. In this large coastal state, there are currently 14,150 employed speech pathologists, with the median annual wage being $102,650 among these professionals.

Is There a Difference Between a Speech Therapist and a Speech Pathologist?


No, there isn't any difference between speech therapists and speech pathologists. The terms are used interchangeably in this field, as they hold the same job responsibilities. Both speech therapists and speech pathologists require the same educational background and certifications to work. However, some professionals in this field prefer to be called speech therapists, as they provide forms of speech therapy.

Should You Get an MA or MS?


When pursuing speech-language pathology, you may want to consider whether you want your diploma to read as a Master of Arts or a Master of Science. These delineations typically mean that your degree focused more on the humanities or the sciences, respectively. If you want to take more language courses, a Master of Arts may be your best bet. But if you prefer to take more science classes, a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology may be more relevant to your interests. In general, your future employers likely won't be looking at your diploma's official title this closely, so it may not make a difference to them in terms of credibility.

Do I Need a Doctoral Degree to Practice as a Speech Pathologist?


No, graduate students don't need to earn doctoral degrees to practice as speech pathologists. However, depending on their career goals, students who have earned master's degrees may want to consider pursuing one of the two types of doctoral degrees available in speech-language pathology — a clinical doctorate, which prepares speech pathologists for advanced leadership roles in clinical settings such as master clinician or a clinical administrator, or a PhD in speech pathology, which prepares students for research and teaching positions in academia.

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.

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