Helping people communicate is just one of the many rewarding aspects of being a speech-language pathologist. Earning a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (sometimes referred to as SLP) allows you to work in the vast field of speech, communication and swallowing disorders, and to specialize in different components of speech and language development. Since these skills are developed during infancy and childhood, speech therapists are commonly hired in school settings.

Jumpstart Your Career in Speech Pathology, Explore Online SLP Programs

Online MS: Pursue SLP Certification. Study FT/PT

Speech@Emerson enables you to earn an MS online and pursue SLP certification in as few as 20 mos. Learn the same curriculum as the on-campus program. Study FT or PT.

• Prepares you to pursue certification as an SLP generalist
• In-person clinical placements at faculty-approved partner sites
• As few as 20 months to complete

Request more info from Emerson College.

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Want to Become an SLP? Earn an MS Online at NYU

NYU Steinhardt’s online master of science program in Communicative Sciences and Disorders prepares aspiring speech-language pathologists with a comprehensive professional education.

• Prepares students to pursue SLP licensure 
• Accredited by ASHA’s Council on Academic Accreditation 
• As few as six terms to complete 
• Full-time and part-time plans of study

Request more info from New York University.

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Earn Your CSD Master’s Online From Baylor

Baylor’s CSD master’s program online can be completed full time in 20 months or part time in 25 months. Bachelor’s required. No GRE required.

• Part-time and full-time options: 20 and 25 months
• Industry-leading curriculum in a faith-based environment
• Bachelor’s Degree Required

Request more info from Baylor University.

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In searching for the best online speech pathology programs across the United States, it’s important to take into account the instruction method, the type of degree, and the credit requirements necessary to complete the program.

We’ve compiled a list of the online speech pathology programs across the United States along with instructional and curriculum information. The difference between asynchronous and synchronous is that synchronous coursework takes place in a live classroom as opposed to a video lecture recording.

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20-Months to Complete

Clinical Placement Assistance

Speech Language Pathologists, also commonly called SLPs for short, are healthcare professionals who work with people from varying populations to improve communication techniques and treat swallowing disorders. What do Speech Pathologists do? SLPs can work in many different settings but one of their main job responsibilities across all environments is to conduct a speech language assessments aimed at coming up with a treatment plan for any speech disorders within a particular patient. Learn more about what SLPs do on a day-to-day basis and discover the path professionals typically take to a career in speech therapy.

The job titles speech therapist, speech pathologist, and even speech-language pathologist are all technically interchangeable, although those within the field sometimes have a preference for one over the other. It is common for patients to refer to professionals in speech pathology as their “speech therapists”, however many maintain that the title that best encapsulates the career field is speech-language pathologist, often abbreviated as SLPs.

Perhaps a more interesting comparison is between the career fields of speech pathology and audiology. What’s the difference between a speech-language pathologist and an audiologist? Check out the career profiles below to learn more!

The curriculum and number of credits required to complete an online SLP programs vary widely depending on your school and specialization. A typical program includes foundation coursework, practice dealing with language disorders, clinical practicums, and elective courses. Standard online SLP programs might include courses in:

Another important component of SLP education and the path to starting your career is obtaining your certificate of clinical competence in speech language pathology’ (CCC-SLP). This certification, managed by the American Speech-Language-Hearing-Association (ASHA) helps provide credibility to aspiring speech pathologists. Learn more about certification for SLPs

Some speech pathology graduate programs offer specializations for students who would like to concentrate on a particular topic within the field. One of the many specializations offered is a certificate in bilingual speech language pathology, where an emphasis is placed on wbaerbaerbaseb. Bilingual SLPs are equipped with the language skills to cross cultural barriers in performing their professional duties.

Each online speech pathology master’s program has its own prerequisites, so you should contact your accredited institution for detailed information regarding its policies. Depending on your school, you will be required to submit some or all of the following:

It’s also worth noting that many speech pathology masters degree programs require prerequisite courses. SLP prerequisite courses might include biology, statistics, and social/behavioral sciences, to name just a few.

In searching for the online speech pathology program that meets your needs and requirements, two factors that must be considered are the program’s accreditation status and their ability to prepare you for SLP licensure.

Learn more about ASHA accreditation for Speech-Language

Often, online slp programs that have been accredited and properly examined by the authoritative accrediting body, the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA), will be the best suited to prepare you for certification and licensure.

The CAA operates under the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) as the accrediting branch that oversees many degree programs – online speech pathology programs included. ASHA is the overarching organization that oversees both program accreditation and clinical certification in the field of speech language pathology. ASHA issues Certificates of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP), a standard licensing requirement and professional credential, to worthy SLP professionals.

There are many benefits to gaining a speech pathology masters degree online as opposed to the more traditional on campus format. For one, online slp degrees allow for the flexibility to take classes on your own schedule, often integrating class times that allow for students to hold full or part-time jobs on the side. Other reasons include being to access top tier universities regardless of location and commuting time savings.

One of the main concerns students might have about enrolling in an slp program online is their inability to gain clinical training due to not being “on-location”. However, with the recent advances in online education, many programs now offer clinical field placement support systems that will work to place you in clinical settings near where you live. This is vital to developing competencies as a speech therapist and towards getting certified.

After completing an online master’s degree in speech pathology, the next step is to get certified. The speech pathology certification will enable you to work with individuals who experience difficulty with verbal communication, disorders with fluency or swallowing and addressing speech impediments. Speech pathologists can work in elementary and secondary schools, occupational therapist practices, hospitals, nursing facilities or in their own private practice. Every state has its own certification requirements to become a speech therapist.

In addition to these common speech therapist roles, there are also specializations and different roles that a graduate from an online slp program can pursue, including:

Discover more about how to start your career in Speech-Language Pathology and learn about the career outlook and earning potential for SLPs.

The median annual salary for a speech therapist was $77,510 in 2018, according to the BLS. A variety of factors might influence the salaries of speech pathologists including location of practice, years of experience, and education level.