Guide to Affordable Online Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology Programs
Imagine struggling to speak or swallow. Now, picture a professional who can help. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) do just that, aiding patients of all ages.
A master’s in speech-language pathology can lead to a rewarding career. But the degree isn’t always cheap. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the cost of graduate tuition averaged $20,513 in 2021-2022.
Choosing a cheap online SLP program can help you save on your education while preparing you for an in-demand healthcare career.
What Is a Speech Pathology Master’s Degree?
A master’s in speech-language pathology, or speech pathology, is a graduate degree that prepares you to work with people who have speech, language, cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders.
Speech-language pathologists diagnose, assess, and treat these disorders to help patients express themselves more clearly and consistently.
A master’s in SLP program combines coursework, clinical practice, and research.
After graduating, you can earn certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), which could lead to jobs in schools, hospitals, clinics, and private practices.
Speech Pathology Master’s Degree Courses and Concentrations
Coursework in an online SLP program provides a comprehensive understanding of the field.
Classes cover the fundamentals of speech-language pathology, including the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders.
Here are some examples of courses you might take:
Phonetics and Phonology
Helps you understand how to analyze and transcribe speech sounds.Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing Mechanisms
Explores biological structures and functions involved in speech production and hearing.Language Development and Disorders in Children
Provides insight into the various language disorders that can affect children and goes over how to develop effective treatment plans.
Some master’s programs offer specialized tracks in SLP. For example, the University of Washington‘s master’s in speech-language pathology program offers three tracks: educational speech-language pathology, medical speech-language pathology, and clinical research speech-language pathology.
How to Get an Online Speech Pathology Degree
Here are the basic educational requirements and steps to become a certified speech-language pathologist.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Speech Pathology Degree?
An online master’s program in speech-language pathology usually takes 2-3 years to complete, depending on whether you enroll as a full-time, part-time, or accelerated student.
While credit requirements vary, most online SLP programs require 50-60 credits.
How to Apply for an Online Speech Pathology Master’s Program
Admission requirements for online SLP programs vary depending on the school. Typically, you’ll need the following:
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as communication sciences and disorders, linguistics, or education
- Prerequisite coursework that meets ASHA undergraduate requirements for graduate study and clinical certification
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
Some programs may also require GRE test scores, a personal statement, and/or letters of recommendation.
Be sure to research each program’s admission requirements so you can boost your chances of admission.
How Much Does an Online Master’s in SLP Program Cost?
The total cost of a speech-language pathology master’s degree is generally higher than that for other master’s degrees.
According to 2020 data from the NCES DataLab, the average cost of a healthcare master’s degree — which includes speech-language pathology — is $23,540 per year in tuition and fees.
In comparison, the average master of science degree costs $15,467 per year, or about $8,000 less than a healthcare master’s degree.
What Can I Do With an Online SLP Degree?
A master’s in speech-language pathology prepares you to work with patients of all ages in various settings, from schools to hospitals.
Speech Pathology Degree Jobs
Becoming a speech-language pathologist is the most common path for online SLP program graduates. In this role, you’ll assess and treat people with communication disorders.
SLPs can work in schools, hospitals, clinics, research, private practices, and telehealth, working under titles such as:
- Bilingual speech-language pathologist
- Pediatric speech-language pathologist
- Speech therapist
- Speech and language teacher
- Speech pathologist
Speech-language pathologists can enjoy a promising future. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that jobs for SLPs will grow 19% from 2022-2032 — that’s much faster than the average rate for all jobs.
This growth translates to around 13,200 SLP job openings each year over the next decade.
How Much Money Can I Make With an Online SLP Degree?
According to the BLS, the median annual salary for speech-language pathologists is $89,290 as of May 2023.
That said, salaries for speech pathologists can vary depending on what industry they work in. For example, SLPs who work at nursing and residential care facilities earned a median salary of $105,030 in 2023, while those working in educational services earned $79,960.
| Industry | Median Annual Salary (May 2023) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing and residential care facilities | $105,030 | SLPs in nursing and residential care facilities help patients and residents return to a higher level of function or stabilize after a decline in health. |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | $100,130 | In hospitals, SLPs may help patients regain communication skills after a stroke, traumatic brain injury, or other medical condition. |
| Offices of physical, occupational, and speech therapists; and audiologists | $94,990 | SLPs in physical, occupational, and speech therapy offices, as well as in audiology settings, help people with injuries, illnesses, and/or disabilities. |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | $79,960 | In schools, SLPs may assess and treat students with communication disorders, such as stuttering, apraxia, and language impairments. |
How to Find the Cheapest Online SLP Programs: 3 Tips
You can still get a great education without spending a fortune. Here are some tips for finding the best quality, cheapest online SLP programs.
Tip 1: Choose Public Over Private
Public schools tend to have lower tuition rates than private schools. According to the NCES, public schools cost an average of $12,596 in tuition and fees in 2021-2022, whereas private nonprofit schools cost nearly $30,000, or over twice as much.
You can also save money on your SLP master’s by looking for public schools in your state. This can help you qualify for in-state tuition.
Tip 2: Check Financial Aid and Scholarship Offerings
Try to look for SLP programs at schools that are known for offering a lot of financial aid. These types of aid could be anything from graduate assistantships to institutional scholarships.
Regardless of where you apply, you should also look for external healthcare scholarships you qualify for to help you save money.
The National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation (ASHFoundation) offer scholarships specifically for SLP students. Many other organizations also actively award SLP scholarships.
- The ASHFoundation and NSSLHA award annual scholarships of up to $5,000 to SLP students who meet application requirements. One scholarship each prioritizes a student with a disability, an international student in the U.S., or a U.S. citizen from a racial/ethnic minority.
- The ASHFoundation offers a$2,000 grant for SLP graduate students involved in early childhood language development research.
- Med Travelers offers a $5,000 scholarship twice a year to current graduate students studying speech-language pathology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or school psychology.
Tip 3: Consider Enrolling Part Time
A part-time program can reduce upfront costs for your online SLP master’s degree. Full-time programs cost more in a shorter amount of time, which can put more strain on your budget.
With a part-time online SLP program, you can spread out how much you spend on your degree over the course of 3-4 years instead of just two.
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