Speech Language Pathology Graduate Programs By State

Last Updated on July 28, 2023

There are more Speech Language Pathology graduate programs than you might realize. If you are toying with the idea of getting your Master’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders (in other words, speech pathology) it is important to be aware of the SLP graduate programs available in your state.

Speech pathology is a vital field in the health sector. If you are looking for good colleges for speech pathology undergraduate in your state, reading this post will help you find out about the best colleges in your state.

Speech pathologists, also referred to as speech therapists, evaluate and treat speech disorders in people of all ages. They also identify issues with swallowing, often resulting from things like brain injuries, neurological issues, and other disorders. Speech therapists treat people with language issues, including social and cognitive communication, and provide support and rehabilitation.

Earning a speech pathology degree serves as the first step to entering a rapidly growing field. Careers in speech pathology require each candidate to possess a graduate degree from an accredited institution. National certifying agencies also require students to hold accredited degrees, making accreditation a crucial factor in choosing the right program.

best colleges for speech pathology undergraduate

A master’s degree is the minimum degree required to become a speech pathologist; however, some schools also offer undergraduate programs in fields related to speech pathology. Research-based PhD programs are available as well.

Some of the top schools for speech pathology include the University of Wisconsin – Madison, the University of Washington – Seattle, and Arizona State University. These universities offer both undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the field. Each school was also nationally ranked for its graduate-level speech pathology programs by U.S. News & World Report in 2016.

University of Wisconsin – Madison

In 2016, U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of Wisconsin – Madison tied for 3rd among the best speech pathology graduate schools in the nation. Its Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is a clinical degree program that prepares students for speech pathology practice or doctoral study. Students learn how to diagnose and treat communication abnormalities, including traumatic, cognitive, and swallowing disorders.

Students interested in pursuing doctoral work in speech language pathology can apply to the university’s Master of Science in Normal Aspects of Speech, Language, and Hearing program, a non-clinical degree that serves as a foundation for those wishing to go on to Doctor of Philosophy programs. The school also offers two bachelor’s degrees in communicative disorders through its College of Letters & Science and School of Education.

University of Washington – Seattle

U.S. News & World Report ranked the graduate speech pathology programs at the University of Washington in Seattle as tied for 3rd in 2016. This school offers a Bachelor of Science and two Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology programs. The two master’s degree programs include one that prepares students to work in medical settings like hospitals and rehab centers, and one that focuses on training students for clinical practice in schools, community, clinics, and private practice. Students pursuing the latter option are required to gain clinical experience through a part-time pre-internship and a full time internship, both at community facilities.

Faculty members in the University of Washington’s Speech and Hearing Sciences department focus on a number of specialized research areas under three general categories: hearing science and audiology, language science and disorders, and speech science and disorders.

Arizona State University in Tempe

In 2016, Arizona State University was tied for 17th on U.S. News & World Report‘s list of the top speech pathology graduate programs. Its department of speech and hearing science offers several programs that are relevant for students interested in studying speech pathology. At the undergraduate level, students can pursue a bachelor of science or a minor in speech and hearing science. The department also offers a speech-language pathology assistant certificate for bachelor’s degree program graduates and currently-enrolled students who want to prepare for licensure as assistants.

Additionally, American Sign Language training is available to students interested in supplementing their degree program while also meeting the university’s foreign language requirement. At the graduate level, students can earn a Master of Science in Communication Disorders, which prepares students for speech-language pathologist certification, or a Doctor of Philosophy in Speech and Hearing Science, which prepares students for research careers in the field.

best speech pathology graduate programs

These schools also offer great speech pathology programs:

College/University Name	Location	Distinction
Florida State University	Tallahassee, FL	Students can gain experience by working at the school’s annual summer speech and hearing communication camp
Indiana University – Bloomington	Bloomington, IN	Offers a bilingual (Spanish-English) track in its Speech-Language Pathology master’s degree program
Purdue University	West Lafayette, IN	Offers a study abroad program in Zambia to undergraduate and graduate hearing and speech students
The University of Texas at Austin	Austin, TX	Reported a 100% pass rate on the speech language pathology Praxis exam for program graduates during the 2017-2018 academic year
University of Florida	Gainesville, FL	The Department of Speech Language and Hearing Sciences supports seven research labs
University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign	Champaign, IL	From 2017-2018, the university reported a 100% Praxis exam pass rate and a 90% employment rate for graduates of its Master of Arts in Speech Language Pathology program
University of Iowa	Iowa City, IA	Tied for 1st on U.S. News & World Report‘s list of top speech-language pathology programs in 2016
University of Kansas	Lawrence, KS	Speech-language programs are administered through an inter-campus collaboration between the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City and the main campus in Lawrence
University of Maryland – College Park	College Park, MD	Students can work in an on-campus preschool known as the Language-Learning Early-Advantage Program

Whether students want to become speech pathologists, assistants, or academic researchers, there are top-ranked schools with relevant educational offerings in this field.

CSU Ranked Among Top 10 Schools in U.S. for Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Program | Cleveland State University

affordable speech pathology graduate programs

Rank	School	Annual Tuition
# 1	Tennessee State University	$4,068
# 2 (tie)	University of Northern Colorado	$12,600
# 2 (tie)	University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire	$12,600
# 4	University of Akron	$14,538
# 5	Texas Woman’s University	$15,362
# 6	California State University-Northridge	$17,472
# 7	University of South Florida Online	$18,538
# 8	James Madison University	$22,496