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What To Know About Online SLP Master’s Programs

CEO of Speech and Language Kids

Carrie Clark earned her Master of Arts in Communication Disorders and earned The Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in SLP. She founded Speech and Language Kids, where she leads a national support network for SLPs. She also has over a decade of clinical experience under her belt across early intervention, private practice, and public education.

Throughout this guide to online speech-language pathology master's degrees, we've included expert analysis from , who is the founder and owner of , 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.

What Admission Requirements Should You Compare for SLP Master’s Programs?

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.

What Online Courses Should You Look for in an SLP Master’s Program?

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:

What Clinical Practice Requirements Should You Compare Between Online SLP Master's Programs?

Accredited speech pathology master's 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.

What Accreditation Should You Look for in an Online SLP Master’s Program?

Students planning to earn a speech pathologist master's degree online will want to enroll in an online program accredited by the (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 or the .

Should You Plan on Pursuing a Doctoral Degree After Your SLP Master’s Online?

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:

Exploring Speech-Language Pathology Online Education and Where It Can Lead

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 , 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 or the , which hosts the as a way to diversify the SLP workforce.

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 (BLS) reports that the demand in this field is expected to increase by 19% through 2032, a projected growth rate significantly higher than that of other professions. The median annual income for speech-language pathologists is $84,140, with the highest-paid practitioners earning more than $126,680 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 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 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 () 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 () 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.

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... 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 a median salary of $84,140 per year — well above the median annual wage for all U.S. workers of $46,310. Depending on where they live, SLPs 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 will emerge each year through the end of the 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 Choosing the Best Online Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology