At a Glance: Top Online Speech Pathology Programs
#1: The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio — The university's program includes coursework in head and neck cancer, fluency disorders, and speech neurological bases.
#2: James Madison University — The university offers graduate assistantships without requiring any extra application.
#3: University of Wisconsin-Madison — Students can choose a clinical degree or a non-clinical master's degree in the normal aspects of speech, language, and hearing.
Speech-language pathologists are needed now more than ever.
Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment for speech-language pathologists to grow by 15% from 2024 to 2034, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) reports a critical shortage of speech-language pathologists all over the country — especially in school settings. A 2023 ASHA survey found that there were more job openings for speech-language pathologists than there were job-seekers in both school and healthcare settings.
You can help fill the need — and benefit from flexibility — by enrolling in one of the best online speech-language pathology master's programs.
Start Your Master's in Speech Pathology Todays
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Speech Pathology Master's Programs
Why You Should Get a Master's in Speech Pathology Degree
Speech-language pathologists are in demand. The BLS projects employment for these professionals to grow by 15% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than the average projected job growth rate for all jobs.
You'll learn key strategies and pedagogies for how to treat speech impairments and learning disabilities related to speech, allowing you to improve the lives of clients and their families.
Earning the degree can open the door to other health professions and doctoral studies, should you want to focus further on your area of expertise.
Benefits of Getting a Master's in Speech Pathology Degree Online
BestColleges' 2024 Online Education Trends Report found that 98% of online nursing and healthcare students and graduates surveyed said they would recommend online education to others.
In that same report, 60% of online nursing and healthcare students and graduates surveyed said their online classes included assignments they could use to explore future career options.
An online master's in speech pathology program gives you the flexibility to take courses whenever and wherever you want, as well as letting you complete in-person clinical hours in your area.
How to Choose the Best Online Speech Pathology Program for You
Cost is often one of the biggest factors in determining whether to pursue an online speech pathology master's degree. But you should also consider program length, accreditation, and earning potential.
How Much Does an Online Speech Pathology Master's Program Cost?
Online Master's in Health and Related Fields, 2019-2020
Avg. Tuition & Fees
$11,229
Avg. Net Price
$9,621
Source: NCES PowerStats
An online master's program in a health field — which includes speech-language pathology — costs an average of just over $11,200 in tuition and fees, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Fortunately, financial aid can help lower this cost. Most students in an online master's program in health or a related field pay a net price of around $9,600.
Be sure to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) so you can try to get federal financial aid. You may be eligible for grants, scholarships, and/or loans.
Find Financial Aid for Your Master's in Speech Pathology
How Long Does It Take to Get an Online Master's in Speech Pathology Degree?
Typical # of Credits
45-70+ Credits
Typical Program Length
2-3 Years
An online master's program in speech pathology typically takes 2-3 years and 45-70 (or more) credits to complete.
But you may be able to shorten your time in school by completing dual undergraduate and graduate classes as an undergrad, taking graduate-level courses before starting your master's program and/or seeing if you can apply professional exams and certifications toward your program.
While instruction is typically fully online, speech-language pathology, like other health-related degrees, requires you to complete supervised clinical hours in person at a local institution.
Master's in Speech Pathology Program Application Requirements
Bachelor's degree, ideally in speech pathology or a related field like biology or health
Science and audiology prerequisites (varies by program)
Transcripts
Personal statement or essays
Accreditation for Online Speech Pathology Master's Programs
Before applying to an online speech pathology master's program, ensure it's received programmatic accreditation from ASHA's Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA).
The CAA is the leading accreditor for speech-language pathology programs. You must graduate from a CAA-accredited program to qualify for certification and state licensure.
Check to see whether a speech pathology master's program is accredited on the CAA website.
What Can You Do With a Master's in Speech Pathology?
Most people who earn a master's in speech pathology degree become speech-language pathologists.
To do this, you must:
Have a master's degree in speech pathology
Complete at least 400 supervised clinical hours
Meet all other licensure requirements for your state, such as passing the national Praxis exam
Once you've earned your license, you can work in a variety of settings and industries, such as private practice outpatient services, early intervention and K-12 schools, nursing homes, hospitals, and colleges.
Speech-language pathologists can earn a six-figure salary or close to that, depending on their experience, location, and work setting.
According to the BLS, speech-language pathologists working in nursing and residential care facilities earned a median annual salary of $106,500 in 2024, compared to the median annual salary for all speech pathologists of $95,410.
| Industry | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) |
|---|---|
| Nursing and Residential Care Facilities | $106,500 |
| State, Local, and Private Hospitals | $101,560 |
| Offices of Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapists and Audiologists | $98,470 |
| State, Local, and Private Educational Services | $80,280 |
Learn More About Speech Pathology Jobs
Is an Online Speech Pathology Master's Degree Worth It?
Whether earning an online master's in speech pathology degree is worth it for you will depend on your learning style and academic and career goals.
Online programs are generally more flexible than in-person programs. Your program may offer asynchronous courses that allow you to work and take lessons whenever you like.
Even in-person components like clinical experiences and labs can often be completed in your hometown at a local site.
If you're still on the fence about an online health degree, know this: 98% of online nursing and healthcare students and graduates BestColleges surveyed in 2024 said they would recommend online education to others.
What's more, in that same report, 95% of nursing and healthcare students and graduates surveyed said they think earning an online degree has had or will have a positive return on investment. After all, speech pathologists can make an impressive income, with many taking home six figures a year, according to the BLS.
Education Beyond a Master's in Speech Pathology Degree
There are two main doctorates speech-language pathologists can earn: a doctor of speech-language pathology (SLPD) — what ASHA calls a "clinical doctorate" — and a Ph.D. in speech-language pathology or audiology.
Earning a clinical doctorate helps prepare you for more advanced clinical roles as a speech pathologist. This program will help prepare you to specialize in a particular area, whether you want to work with a specific client demographic, a particular therapy, or a certain disability.
By contrast, a Ph.D. in speech-language pathology and/or audiology helps prepare you for academic and research roles. While these programs also allow you to specialize, they focus less on clinical practice and more on how you can contribute to the existing body of knowledge.
Two additional options for speech pathology master's graduates are doctor of psychology (Psy.D.) and Ph.D. in clinical psychology programs. These programs focus on treating and researching cognitive disorders and learning disabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Speech Pathology Master's Programs
According to the Communication Sciences and Disorders Education Survey, about 45% of applicants across the country were offered admission into a speech-language pathology master's program for the 2023-2024 academic year.
More than 52,000 applications were received, and the average GPA among accepted applicants was between 3.08 and 3.98.
