speech language pathologist masters

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Master of Science Communicative Sciences and Disorders Online Degree

Earn your master’s in speech-language pathology online.

Designed for aspiring speech-language pathologists (SLP), Speech@NYU is the online SLP master’s program offered by the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders (CSD) at NYU Steinhardt. As a student, you will learn methods of prevention, assessment, and intervention, and research principles for working with people who have speech, language, and swallowing disorders.

Degree Details

Official degree title.

Master of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders

Want to Study On Campus?

This degree offers an on-campus option.

What You'll Learn

Learning online, careers and outcomes.

Upon graduation, you'll be positioned for eligibility for professional licensure as a speech-language pathologist. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of:

• The principles of biological sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, and social and behavioral sciences
• How to integrate research principles in evidence-based clinical practice
• Prerequisite skills in oral and written communication sufficient for entry into professional practice
• Basic human communication and swallowing processes, including their biological, neurological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, linguistic, and cultural bases
• The nature of speech, language, hearing, and communication disorders and differences and swallowing disorders, including etiologies, characteristics, anatomical /physiological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates
• Principles and methods of prevention, assessment, and intervention for people with communication and swallowing disorders, including consideration of anatomical/physiological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates of the disorders
• Standards of ethical conduct
• Contemporary professional issues
• Certification, specialty recognition, licensure, and other relevant professional credentials

A Comprehensive SLP Master’s Curriculum

The Speech@NYU curriculum prepares you to become a well-rounded speech-language pathologist able to treat a variety of communication disorders. In addition to core courses, Speech@NYU offers a diverse set of electives, allowing you to tailor your educational experience to your interests. View a full list of course descriptions .

Hands-On Clinical Training Experience

We designed our in-person practicums and field placements to help you learn what it’s like to be a speech-language pathologist. You will work with diverse client populations under an experienced, licensed, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) certified SLP field placement supervisor. You will master the professional competencies set forth by the Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CFCC). Your dedicated placement specialist will help you identify an NYU Steinhardt, CSD-approved clinical site near you. Learn more about clinical practicums and field placements .

Support and Resources for Aspiring Speech-Language Pathologists

As an online SLP student, you will have access to many of the same resources as on-campus students, including the NYU Bobst Library , Wellness Exchange , and Writing Center . The Wasserman Center provides one-on-one coaching, webinars, and virtual career fairs to help you succeed in your career as a speech-language pathologist.

You will receive mentorship from NYU Steinhardt faculty, as well as help from placement specialists, academic advisors, and a tech support team throughout the program.

Courses Taught by Award-Winning Faculty

Your classes will be taught by the same scholars, published researchers, and active clinicians as the on-campus programs. 

Our faculty members have received extensive research funding from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation, and have been honored with numerous teaching awards.

Read why students chose Speech@NYU .

Why Become a Speech-Language Pathologist?

Speech-language pathologists are compassionate problem-solvers, who seek to understand, assess, and treat a variety of speech, language, voice, and swallowing disorders in individuals of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds. You may work in a variety of environments, including healthcare and educational settings.  

NYU Steinhardt CSD alumni have found successful careers in many clinical and non-clinical locations such as: 

• Hospitals and medical centers
• Early intervention settings
• Rehabilitation centers
• Skilled nursing facilities and long-term care centers
• Specialized centers for children with autism, language impairment, and developmental disabilities
• Academic settings, including private and public schools and universities
• Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technology companies

Learn more about the demand for speech-language pathologists .

Study Abroad

Learn more about global study opportunities for students pursuing an MS in Communicative Sciences and Disorders in Lund, Sweden, and Accra, Ghana.

Accreditation Information

The master of science (MS) education program in speech-language pathology (residential and distance education) at New York University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology  of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD, 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

Take the Next Step

Earn your SLP master’s degree online from NYU Steinhardt.

Celebrating Speech Language and Hearing Month : Raising Awareness, Changing Lives

• Online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology
• Career Resources
• Message From the President
• State Authorization
• Why Ithaca College
• Accreditation & Recognition
• Online Experience
• Student Testimonials

Clinical Placement Services

• Get Started
• Program Overview
• Curriculum Sample

Apply by 6/1/24 for Fall 2024 - Seats Limited

We have had a much larger number of applicants than expected and are no longer accepting regular-entry student applications for Fall 2024. We ARE still accepting applications for leveling students (who haven’t completed any background courses in communication disorders).

If you have any questions, please complete the form below for more program information and to register for our next live webinar information session. For those who have already taken this step, please reply to your email from Yesenia Baez, Admissions Advisor, with any questions you may have.

Get Started Now

Get more information so you can make the decision that’s right for you. Learn more about:

• Admission Requirements
• Clinical Placement
• Enrollment Support
• Program Features

An Online Pathway Designed for Your Success in Speech-Language Pathology

As the areas of professional practice for speech-language pathologists are rapidly expanding, so are the types of clients they are expected to serve. Ithaca College's online SLP program will equip you with broad clinical experience as well as academic instruction to be workforce ready.

About Ithaca's Online SLP Program

With more than 100 years of experience in SLP education, Ithaca College supports your journey to practice through fully online coursework and prerequisites (alongside in-person clinical experiences). The online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) is a competitively priced, accredited program designed to provide the same level of engagement and support you’d receive in an on-campus program. Here, you’ll benefit from: 

• Degree completion in less than 3 years 
• Our history of  exceptional program  outcomes 
• Immersive virtual simulations 
• Ongoing student support 
• No travel requirements (outside of in-person clinical experiences) 
• Clinical placement support in your local area 
• The opportunity to earn your degree while maintaining work/life balance 
• A connected learning environment 
• Engaged faculty dedicated to student success 
• A diverse community of peers from across the country 
• 53 total credits without prerequisite courses 
• 71 credits with prerequisite courses 
• 100% online coursework 
• No on-campus residency requirement 
• Accredited by the  Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association  
• 8 semesters, part-time (2.7 years to complete), without prerequisite courses 
• 11 semesters, part-time (3.7 years), with prerequisite courses 
• Two intakes per year (Fall and Spring) 
• Tuition: $53,000 (without prerequisite courses) 
• Tuition: $71,000 (with prerequisite courses)
• Bachelor’s degree with 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) 
• 2 letters of recommendation 
• 25 observation hours (non-levelling students)
• Prerequisite courses 

Speech and Hearing Prerequisites (offered online)

• Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanisms 
• Child Language Development 
• Basic Audiology 
• Basic Speech Science 
• Clinical Observation 

Other Prerequisites

One college-level course in each of the following:

• Physics or Chemistry
• Social or Behavioral Science

Students from a number of states are welcome to apply to Ithaca College’s online SLP program. Please see our  State Authorization page  for more detailed information. 

Licensure Requirements: 

For SLP licensure, every state requires a graduate degree and a passing* score on the  Praxis Examination  in Speech-Language Pathology. Licensure requirements by state can be viewed  here.  Please see our state licensure disclosure  here . 

*Each state determines its passing score for professional licensure and teacher credentialing 

Accreditation

Ithaca College is accredited by The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Ithaca College's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (CAA)*.

*The Master’s of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (distance education) at Ithaca College is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association , 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, Maryland 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

Our current accreditation period extends through January 31, 2027.

A copy of our department's vision, mission, and strategic plan is available for review .

Online SLP Program Curriculum Sample

Information is provided about the development of normal and disordered communication in children from 3 to 21 years of age. Includes material regarding important theories, legislation, service delivery models, assessment, remediation, literacy, and specific populations of special-needs children.  Attributes: TE. (3 Credits)

Objectives are to help the student understand basic statistical concepts utilized in research design and in speech-language pathology and audiology. Focus will be on the scientific method as a problem-solving process, developing experimental procedures for answering research questions, learning to establish and test hypotheses, and summarizing and interpreting data. (3 Credits)

Introduction to augmentative communication with discussion of its impact on individuals who are severely speech and language impaired. Students are familiarized with augmentative communication techniques and strategies. Assessment and intervention options are covered. Students have an opportunity for hands-on experience with a variety of augmentative communication devices and other adaptive equipment. Attributes: TE. (3 Credits)

Prepares students to identify, differentiate, and contrast the phenomenology, symptomatology, and diagnostic and therapeutic processes of adult aphasia, apraxia of speech, and related disorders. (S) (3 Credits)

Ready to Speak with an Advisor?

If this program seems right for your SLP future, simply click below to get started.

Take the First Step

STEP 1 Complete the Form  Enter your information and instantly access your digital program guide.

STEP 2 Speak with an Advisor An advisor will reach out to you, or you can schedule a call at a time that is right for you.

STEP 3 Submit Your Application Gather the information you need and get started on your application.

STEP 4 Get Started on Your MS SLP Degree Confirm your admittance and earn your online SLP master’s degree in 3 years or less.

How will I secure clinical experience placements?

Our dedicated placement team will help you find an appropriate clinical experience so you can save time and focus on your studies.

When do the clinical experiences take place?

Throughout your program, you will have four clinical practica, as well as two full-time externships in the final semester. These experiences will prepare you for a career in speech-language pathology.

What is involved with clinical experiences?

The clinical experiences are designed to provide you with real-world, hands-on experience to complement your classroom learning. These off-campus experiences in practice settings near your home enrich your graduate experience by preparing you for action in the field in a variety of settings.

How far will my clinical experiences be from my home?

Our dedicated placement team will work with you to secure a clinical placement as near to your home as possible.

"Today at my externship, I received the coin of excellence from the Commander of the hospital. This coin is given to recognize personnel who performed to excellence far beyond what is normally expected...I would not have been able to accomplish something like this if it was not for the speech-language pathology department at IC. Thank you."

- SLP Student

"Ithaca College is a community that helps you flourish and discover your true potential. I am the person I am today because of IC."

A Supportive Online Pathway to a Fulfilling SLP Career

With more than 100 years of experience in SLP education, Ithaca College supports your journey through fully online coursework with no travel requirements, clinical experience placements near your home, the same level of support you’d receive in an on-campus program, and exceptional program outcomes .

An Immersive and Connected Online Experience

Designed with the same rigor as a campus program, our online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program provides immersive virtual simulations, dedicated faculty attention, and the ability to connect with a diverse community of peers from across the country.

Why Ithaca College?

U.S. News & World Report (2023)

*Ithaca College has offered Speech-Language Pathology programs for more than 100 years as a campus-based program

Online SLP Program FAQs

The program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (CAA)*.     *The Master’s of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (distance education) at Ithaca College is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association , 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, Maryland 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.     Our current accreditation period extends through January 31, 2027.      A copy of our department's vision, mission, and strategic plan is available for review .    

The degree can be completed in 8 semesters (2.7 years) without prerequisite courses or 11 semesters (3.7 years) with prerequisite courses.

Yes! Ithaca College has a more than 100-year legacy in SLP education, so you can expect a quality education taught by expert faculty dedicated to student success.

Yes! This program is designed specifically for working professionals to maintain work/life balance. No campus visits or travel are required. However, in your last semester you will be expected to dedicate time to clinical experiences and work commitments may need to change.

SLP By the Numbers

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Lightcast.io (2022)

The demand for speech-language pathologists is one of the fastest growing in the United States. SLPs work in a variety of environments, including education and healthcare, across the lifespan with individuals who are experiencing communication and/or swallowing disorders, including such positions as:  

•  Special education teacher  
•  Administrator  
•  College faculty  
•  Researchers  
•  Doctoral candidates  
•  Consultants  

What Can You Do With a Master's in Speech-Language Pathology?

Speech is the most basic form of communication and a critical part of our development — it makes us uniquely human. From infancy to the end of life, we use speech and language to learn, develop our personalities, and communicate our ideas and emotions. Language helps us view and adapt to the world around us.

Student Support

Get more information to make the decision that's right for you. Learn more about:

How to Become a Speech-Language Pathologist

A career in speech-language pathology requires a master's degree and a clinical fellowship.

How to Become a Speech Pathologist

Getty Images

Speech-language pathologists specialize in treating various speech impediments and addressing language comprehension difficulties.

Humans use their mouths and throats constantly, often unconsciously, to perform basic tasks like swallowing food or speaking aloud, so problems within this section of the body need to be addressed immediately and thoroughly.

Speech-language pathologists assist in these situations, and demand for their services is growing rapidly. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment within this profession will grow 25% through 2029, partly as a result of the aging American population and health ailments that are common among seniors that hinder talking and eating, such as strokes and Alzheimer's.

The median annual wage among U.S. speech-language pathologists in May 2020 was $80,480, according to the BLS, which notes that the usual entry-level academic credential within this field is a master's degree . Licensing requirements for this profession depend upon the state where a person practices, and many jobs within this field require national certification.

What Is Speech Pathology and What Does a Speech Pathologist Do?

The field of speech-language pathology encompasses much more than just communication disorders. The area of study also includes lessons about accent reduction and how to encourage children who are extremely picky eaters to consume food so that they are well-nourished, for example.

Speech-language pathologists specialize in treating various speech impediments and addressing language comprehension difficulties. They teach social skills to people with developmental disabilities, provide guidance to individuals with cognitive disorders and intervene when a person struggles to swallow food or beverages.

These clinicians routinely advise people who cannot hear well on how to understand others and express themselves, and they also show people who cannot speak how to communicate using picture boards and technological devices.

"Speech therapists help toddlers say 'mama' for the first time, assist teenagers who have a fluency disorder (stutter), and help adults who have suffered strokes be able to eat on their own again," Kassie Hanson, a Nebraska-based certified pediatric speech-language pathologist, wrote in an email.

Hanson recalls the beginning of her career and how working with a 2-year-old girl who was unable to talk solidified her career path. "After many sessions with the little girl, she said some of her very first words," Hanson says. "Just months later, she was talking in short phrases and sentences. Getting to help a little girl say her first words was life-changing and confirmed for me that I was in the right career!"

Steps to Become a Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech-language pathologists recommend that people who want to join their field complete all of the following tasks:

• Pursue a bachelor's degree and take college courses that relate to speech-language pathology.
• Search for accredited speech-language pathology master's programs using the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's EdFind Tool .
• Gain relevant work experience and prepare a strong graduate school application with solid grades, essays and recommendation letters.
• Excel on the GRE General Test if the targeted graduate school considers GRE scores.
• Get into a master's program, ideally with a generous scholarship to reduce the cost.
• Obtain a master's degree in speech-language pathology.
• Complete a clinical fellowship in speech-language pathology.
• Take and pass the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology, a national test that assesses understanding of key content and current practices within the field.
• Secure a state license to practice independently if it is offered or required by your state.
• Get certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, or ASHA.

An undergraduate education in a related subject, such as communication sciences and disorders, may be mandatory for admission into a master's program in speech-language pathology, though academic prerequisites depend upon the graduate school, and some programs have a more flexible policy on college majors .

Speech-language pathology master's students learn about the many health conditions that can interfere with a person's ability to swallow, communicate or eat, including ailments that primarily affect children and diseases that are common among seniors.

Jolene Hyppa-Martin, an associate professor and a speech-language pathologist with the University of Minnesota—Duluth 's Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, notes that master's programs in speech-language pathology generally include lessons about how people who are unable to talk can express themselves via various alternative and augmentative communication devices.

Hyppa-Martin, who has a Ph.D. in speech, language and hearing sciences, adds that speech pathology students often have coursework where they learn how to counsel patients.

Standards set by ASHA's Council on Academic Accreditation mandate that all entry-level speech-language pathology programs allow students to accumulate at least 400 hours of supervised clinical practice experience. These rules also require faculty at such programs to focus on teaching certain core values like accountability, concern for patients, cultural competence and professional duty.

Hawaii board-certified speech-language pathologist Julia Kuhn explains that speech-language pathologists are expected to do a clinical fellowship – which is usually a paid, entry-level job immediately after graduation – so they can supplement their broad academic training with hands-on experience in a particular focus area, such as swallowing disorders or pediatric language issues, before they practice independently within that specialty.

Isa Marrs, a board-certified speech-language pathologist in New York, says that licensure helps to ensure that speech-language pathologists are trained thoroughly enough to care for vulnerable people. "There are so many important things that you are doing in somebody's life that having the proper training is crucial," she says.

What It Is Like to Work as a Speech-Language Pathologist

Although other health care providers such as physicians and nurse practitioners tend to earn higher wages than speech-language pathologists, there are many perks to this profession, including a solid work-life balance and a strong sense of purpose, according to experts.

But Kuhn warns that there are some hassles that come with the territory of speech-language pathology, such as a reliance on government payouts from social welfare programs like Medicare, which occasionally reduce compensation rates substantially.

Another downside to the field is the heavy caseloads that many speech-language pathologists carry, Kuhn says. Pathologists may feel frustrated by a limited amount of upward mobility since they rarely ascend to management positions, and their pay rates don't necessarily increase steadily over the course of their career, she notes.

An interest in social interaction is necessary to enjoy a career in this field, Kuhn says, as is genuine enjoyment of therapy sessions, which encompass the majority of a pathologist's workday.

Most speech-language pathologists emphasize the meaningful nature of their work. Marrs notes that there is a particular satisfaction that comes from teaching a person with a lisp to speak in a way that makes the individual feel proud rather than self-conscious.

She recalls teaching a child with autism how to chew so he could eat food that wasn't pureed. "When we accomplished that, it opened up so much for this child, as far as learning how to eat things other than baby food," Marrs says.

Hyppa-Martin says she uses voice banking tools to record those who will lose their voices due to degenerative health conditions. The software programs produce simulations of patients' voices and can be used to converse with others. Hyppa-Martin notes that one of her former clients who had a terminal illness was able to use voice bank technology to deliver a speech at his oldest daughter's wedding before his death.

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Online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

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Contact Information

Pursue a meaningful career.

We designed our program based on the Big 9 areas of expected competencies established by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the Council on Academic Accreditation for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) .

Speech-language pathology can be a rewarding career. In fact, U.S. News & World Report ranked it the No. 11 best job in America for 2023 . This is your chance to help patients find their voice and make meaningful connections — and we can help you do it. Let’s be brave together.

Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700

Admission requirements​:

• Verified CSDCAS application​
• Official transcripts from each institution attended​
• Relevant bachelor’s degree or certificate from a regionally accredited institution. Approved bachelor’s degrees include:​
• B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders​
• B.S. in Communication Disorders​
• B.S. in Speech-Language Pathology​
• Another bachelor’s degree or certificate with a communication sciences and disorders/speech-language pathology bridge or leveling program that meets prerequisite course requirements​
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale)​

* Applicants that don’t meet GPA may be considered provisional admission.

The Master’s of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology {residential, distance education} at Maryville University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700

Dynamic, affordable, and highly streamlined.

• Apply with ease  via the Centralized Application Service for Communication Science & Disorders Programs (CSDCAS).
• Get the support you need.  Whether you need advising, tutoring, counseling, financial aid, or tech support, we’re with you the whole way — from application through graduation.
• Enjoy a dynamic, project-based curriculum.  Complete practical experiences and build real-world skills through simulation using innovative programs such as Simucase and MBSImP.
• Learn from industry leaders.  Work with our dedicated faculty of experienced, practicing clinicians who help you connect the curriculum to real-world outcomes.
• Prepare for a rewarding career.  Get ready to become a state-licensed, ASHA-certified SLP-CCC, and qualify for MBSImP certification.

A New Career

With your speech-language pathology master’s degree, you can work in a variety of settings, including:

• Hospitals and health clinics
• Schools and childcare settings
• Early intervention centers
• Rehabilitation centers
• Skilled nursing centers
• Nursing homes
• Research centers
• Private practices
• Communications-based corporations
• Home health

Why Maryville Online?

We’ve been progressively challenging the norms of higher education for nearly 150 years. We started as one of the first universities to educate women. Today, we continue to push the boundaries and prepare students like you for a digital world. At Maryville, we understand what it takes to step beyond your comfort zone.

Maryville University is a nationally ranked private college recognized for comprehensive and innovative education focused on student learning, outcomes, and success — both online and on campus. We’re located just 22 miles from downtown St. Louis.

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Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) Graduate Program

Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Ranked No. 3 by U.S. News & World Report, highest ranked program in Indiana

The clinical master’s program in speech-language pathology (MS-SLP) at Purdue is designed so graduates can meet all academic, clinical certification, licensure and credentialing requirements of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the Indiana Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board (ISLPAB) and the Indiana Department of Education Communication Disorders License. 

The Master of Science (MS) program in speech-language pathology (residential) at Purdue University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, Maryland, 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

Program Highlights

• The MS-SLP graduate program prepares you to provide independent clinical services in speech-language pathology to individuals of all ages through coursework, clinical experiences and research.
• High-quality clinical education is integral to the MS-SLP program. You will have opportunities to work under the direct supervision of clinical faculty members in the M.D. Steer Speech, Language and Swallowing Clinics to diagnose, assess and treat communication and swallowing disorders and acquire the skill sets needed to become a licensed, certified speech-language pathologist.

Program Quick Facts

Degree Type : Master’s (MS-SLP)

Program Length : 2 years (5 semesters)

Location : West Lafayette, IN

Department/School : Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Admissions/Requirements

Applications for admission to our clinical programs (AuD, MS-SLP) require materials to be sent both via the Centralized Application Service for Communication Science & Disorders (CSDCAS) and via Purdue’s online systems.

Application Materials to Be Submitted to CSDCAS

To be considered for admission, your application should be marked by CSDCAS as “ Complete”  or as  “Verified”  before January 15.

Material to be submitted to CSDCAS:

• Application submitted and fee paid
• Official transcripts received from all universities granting any credit
• Official evaluations of any international transcripts,   that are not originally in English and/or do not follow the 4.0 GPA scale.
• Three letters of recommendation *
• CV or resume . Please be sure to include relevant experience in the areas of leadership, collaboration, critical thinking and community advocacy.
• Personal essay –  Used for admission purposes. Please follow the prompt in the CSDCAS application.
• Other Additional Essay – Optional. Please follow the prompt in the CSDCAS application.
• Video response to question prompt .

*You will not be penalized if the recommendations you requested are not received by the deadline date.

Please contact the  Graduate Program Secretary  with any questions.

Application Materials to Be Submitted to Purdue University

• Application submitted and fee paid  ( Click here for the Purdue Graduate Application )
• Copies of official transcripts as directed in the Purdue Graduate School application
• For those whose first language is not English, official English proficiency test scores less than 2 years old
• CV or resume
• Academic Statement of Purpose – Used for award considerations. Please follow the prompt in the Purdue Graduate Application.
• Personal History Statement – Used for admission and award consideration. Please follow the prompt in the Purdue Graduate Application. Any questions you have can be directed to the Graduate Program Secretary .

Prerequisite Courses for MS-SLP Clinical Degree

Minimum undergraduate course requirements.

Students who plan to achieve professional clinical certification through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) in Speech-Language Pathology will be expected to take all of the following prerequisite undergraduate courses prior to the beginning of the graduate program.

• 1 course in normal anatomy & physiology for speech and hearing
• 1 course in acoustics or speech science
• 1 course in normal language development
• 1 course in aural rehabilitation other than sign language
• 1 course in hearing disorders and hearing evaluation
• 1 course in phonetics
• 1 course in biological sciences
• 1 course in physical sciences
• 1 course in behavioral/social sciences
• 1 course in statistics covering at least t-tests, analyses of variance, regression (correlation) and non-parametric statistics (e.g., chi-square). This should be a stand-alone course in statistics. Research methodology courses may not be used. The courses offered at Purdue University that are acceptable are: STAT 30100, STAT 50100, STAT 50300, PSY 50000, and SOC 38200. Other Purdue courses and all transfer courses must be approved by the Graduate Committee. AP credit cannot be used to meet the statistics requirement.

For questions about the prerequisite requirements, applicants should contact the graduate program secretary, Vicki Black, at [email protected] as soon as possible.

Prerequisite Students

We accept students with a bachelor’s degree in other areas. We consider this type of student a prerequisite applicant. Students accepted into the prerequisite program will take an extra year to complete. All applicants are evaluated equally regardless of their degree area. Students with bachelor’s degrees in other areas may also take the prerequisite courses prior to applying to our program.

Completion of 25 Observation Hours

Graduate students do not participate in a clinical practicum until they have completed 25 clock hours of ASHA certified, supervised guided observation. Therefore, students entering the MS-SLHS clinical program must complete 25 clock hours of ASHA certified, supervised guided observation prior to the beginning of the program. These guided observation hours must be accumulated through observation of evaluation and treatment of children and adults with disorders of speech, language, swallowing, or hearing.  The guided observation experience must be signed by a Speech-Language Pathologist or Audiologist with current certification (CCC-SLP or CCC-A) status. For students who did not complete 25 clock hours of observation, an online option will be offered, to be taken by the students during the summer before they begin the graduate program. Students should reach out to the Director of Clinical Education as soon as possible.

Applications for International Students

Please note, the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences has higher minimum requirements for English language proficiency for a clinical degree than the Purdue University Graduate School. Also, SLHS does not waive this requirement even if you have earned a degree within the past 24 months from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction.

To be eligible for admission into the clinical programs, or to be eligible for departmental funding as a PhD student (unless other arrangements are made with the students’ PhD supervisor) all international applicants must meet the higher department standards.

English proficiency test scores are required of all international applicants whose first language is not English.

TOEFL Ibt: a minimum total score of 100 with minimum individual scores of 28 for speaking; 22 for writing; 22 for listening; and 22 for reading.

IELTS: a minimum score of 7.5 with no single band score lower than 7.0. International transcripts must be uploaded or submitted in their original form and in translation, along with copies of any diplomas awarded. Please send any paper transcripts to the Graduate Program Secretary .

The department has a long record of significant contributions to research and professional education. Because of this the MS-SLP program offers opportunities for students to explore research alongside faculty across a variety of topics to address speech, language and swallowing disorders.

Research Opportunities

• Autism spectrum disorder
• Language development
• Language disorders
• Linguistics
• Sign language
• Neurogenic disorders
• Speech sound disorders
• Voice disorders

Research Areas

• Language Science; Language Disorders and Disabilities
• Speech, Swallowing, and Voice Science; Speech, Swallowing, Voice Disorders

Research Facilities

• Aphasia Research Laboratory
• Attention and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Lab
• Child Language Research Lab
• Child Phonology Lab
• Language Learning and Meaning Acquisition Lab
• Motor Speech Lab
• Neural Systems for Language Processing Lab
• Purdue Infant Speech Lab
• Sign Language Research Lab
• Voice Lab —Sivasankar Research Group
• Jaime Bauer Malandraki
• Arielle Borovsky
• Françoise Brosseau-Lapré
• Tamar Greenwell
• Michelle Gutmann
• Natalya Kaganovich
• Brandon Keehn
• David Kemmerer
• Lydia Kruse
• Arianna LaCroix
• Laurence B. Leonard
• Chenell Loudermill
• Georgia Malandraki
• Christi Masters
• Allison Schaser
• Preeti Sivasankar
• Dawn Wetzel
• Ronnie Wilbur

Program Director

Chenell Loudermill, PhD, CCC-SLP, has nearly twenty years of experience as a Speech-Language Pathologist, thirteen of which were obtained working as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the public schools before moving to higher education.