Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) FAQs

Applicants must complete:

• Basic science courses required by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): biology, chemistry or physics, statistics, and a behavioral/social science course.
• For more imformation find Prerequisite page: https://www.usa.edu/college-of-rehabilitative-sciences/master-science-speech-language-pathology-ms-slp/ms-slp-admission-requirements/

No. A bachelor’s degree is required, but it does not need to be in CSD or SLP. If you don’t have an undergraduate degree in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) or speech-language pathology (SLP), you may need Leveling Courses. If you need four or more prerequisite courses, you may be eligible to apply for our SLP Preparatory Pathway and receive a tuition credit towards your USAHS MS-SLP.

A minimum 3.0 GPA on prerequisite coursework is preferred, although USAHS also considers grade trends and the overall application.

A minimum of 25 guided observation hours with an ASHA-certified SLP is required. Applicants may apply with hours still in progress if they meet specified conditions and complete all hours before orientation. Link to Admission Requirements and Prerequisite page. If you need observation hours, you can complete them by taking one of our leveling courses (SLP 5014 – Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders).

We recommend that prerequisites for the MS-SLP program be completed no more
than 5 years prior to enrollment—but contact an enrollment advisor to discuss your situation.

No. The GRE is not required for admission to our MS-SLP program.

The hybrid online speech pathology program is competitive, as is the field of SLP in general. You can meet with an enrollment advisor to discuss any specific questions.

Yes, The program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

There are two program lengths available. Our MS-SLP program can be completed in approximately 1 year and 8 months (5 trimesters)* or, for our MS-SLP (Part-time) format, it can be completed in approximately 2 years and 8 months (8 trimesters).*
* Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred and other factors.

The MS-SLP is a hybrid program featuring primarily online coursework with weekly live synchronous sessions and 3-day on-campus residency experiences that take place during four terms of the program.

The MS-SLP program is a full-time program and should be considered the student’s priority. Students needing a more manageable academic pace in the early part of the program should consider the MS-SLP (Part-time) offering. But all students should expect that the program’s coursework, residencies, and clinical experiences can make a work schedule challenging, and in the terms with clinical placements, students should expect a daytime schedule and limit outside work. Prospective students should discuss their work plans with an enrollment advisor.

The curriculum includes courses in communication disorders, diagnostics, evidence-based intervention, swallowing disorders, clinical practicum, and related SLP topics.  You can see our curriculum here: View the MS-SLP Curriculum Drawer

All our campuses offer a unique and vibrant experience. Starting in summer 2027, the MS-SLP 5-term format will be offered on our San Marcos, CA; St. Augustine, FL; and Austin, TX, campuses. The MS-SLP (Part-time) 8-term format will be offered on our Dallas, TX, campus.
Take our virtual tours of the San Marcos, St. Augustine, Austin and Dallas, campuses to see the difference for yourself! Link to campuses page

Students participate in on-campus residency experiences and Pro Bono Telehealth clinical experiences throughout the program. Through on-campus residencies, students work closely with faculty and clinical educators to bridge academic learning with clinical application in fully scaffolded and supported learning environments. Students also complete supervised clinical education experiences through participation in our Pro Bono Telehealth clinic, providing opportunities to develop and apply foundational clinical skills while serving clients under faculty supervision.

Students complete supervised clinical education experiences called externships across a variety of community-based settings throughout the program. These experiences provide opportunities to develop and refine skills in assessment, intervention, and clinical decision-making while working with clients across the lifespan.

USAHS supports students in securing and coordinating clinical placements through its dedicated Clinical Education Placement Team, which partners with students and clinical sites to facilitate a broad range of learning experiences that align with program requirements and professional competencies.

Students participate in a variety of supervised clinical education experiences throughout the program, including on-campus residency experiences, Pro Bono Telehealth clinical experiences, simulations, and community-based externships. These opportunities provide exposure to assessment and intervention across diverse populations and settings while helping students build clinical skills under faculty and site supervision. USAHS supports students in securing and coordinating externship placements through its dedicated Clinical Education Placement Team, which partners with students and clinical sites to facilitate a broad range of learning experiences.

By the completion of the MS-SLP program, graduating students will have completed approximately 400 total clinical contact hours. Those clinical hours include 25 observation hours that are required before admission into the program. The remaining 375 direct clinical contact hours will be earned during the program.

Graduates who successfully complete the accredited MS-SLP program and fulfill all ASHA certification requirements—including supervised clinical hours, passing the Praxis examination, and completing any additional ASHA requirements—may pursue the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP).

Recent Praxis pass rates are available for students that have graduated campus . Most recent student outcome data is located on our program page (https://www.usa.edu/college-of-rehabilitative-sciences/master-science-speech-language-pathology-ms-slp/) and listed under “MS-SLP Student & Learning Outcomes.”

SLP licensure is issued by individual states. Graduates may pursue licensure in states where they meet that state’s licensing requirements. Applicants should verify requirements with the state licensing board where they intend to practice. State approval information is located on our program page (https://www.usa.edu/college-of-rehabilitative-sciences/master-science-speech-language-pathology-ms-slp/) and listed under “MS-SLP Accreditation & State Approvals/Post-Graduate Licensure”

For the MS-SLP 5-term format, clinical placements take place in trimesters 3–5 and for the MS-SLP (Part-time) format, clinical placements take place in trimesters 6-8. Students may have one or more clinical externship experiences in a trimester, which require 3-5 days per week during standard clinical hours, as determined by the site. The program works to secure externship placements within 75 miles of a student’s home address. If a placement is not available within this distance, students should plan for the possibility of travel or temporary relocation to meet clinical education requirements. For more details, please see MS-SLP Clinical Practica.

SLPs commonly work in:

• Schools*
• Hospitals
• Rehabilitation centers
• Skilled nursing facilities
• Private practices
• Early intervention programs
• Home health settings

* Some states require an additional certification or license in order to work in a school setting. Students should be advised that the program is designed and intended to prepare graduates for SLP licensure in many states. However, graduates may need to complete additional requirements to be eligible for a license or certificate to work in a school setting or to have the ability to complete practicum in a school setting in his/her particular state of residence or school district, depending on the state and/or school district’s unique requirements. Students should contact the state board of education or his or her school district directly to determine if the program meets the requirements for state SLP certification or licensure in a school setting.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, speech-language pathologists earn a median annual salary of $95,410 in 2024 for practicing SLPs. This data represents national figures and is not based on school-specific data and represents national median annual wages, not starting pay for recent grads. Conditions in your area may vary. USAHS does not guarantee salary levels.

Tuition information can be found here.

Yes. USAHS participates in federal financial aid programs, including federal student loans and military educational benefits for eligible students. Private loan options, as well as payment plan options, are also available. Our Financial Aid information can be accessed here: https://www.usa.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid/

You will want to budget for books, fees, materials & associated school fees. Depending on your living situation, you may also want to budget for housing, food and transportation costs.

• Link to Cost of Attendance Page