How to Choose an Online Speech Pathology Program

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Online Master of Speech Language Pathology CAA Accreditation

A majority of states require an aspiring speech-language pathologist (SLP) to get their master’s in speech pathology from a program accredited by or equal to standards set by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and its accrediting body, the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA). It is important to know what your state requires in terms of accreditation so that you can choose a program that is valid for speech-language pathologist (SLP) licensure in your state.

Also, if you are interested in earning ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP), you will need to attend a CAA-accredited graduate SLP program. The CCC-SLP is only required by a handful of states, but there are benefits to ASHA certification. The Association indicates it could make you eligible for salary supplements in some states and school districts even if it is not required.

Not all online speech-language pathology master’s programs are created equal, so accreditation or pending accreditation is an indicator that the program you are applying to has met certain standards.

Online Speech Therapy Master’s Program Admissions Requirements

Before you start applying to online SLP programs, make sure you meet the program’s admissions requirements. Requirements vary by school but will often include:

• Prerequisite coursework (some institutions either have a separate program for completing prerequisites or offer them as part of the master’s program).
• Bachelor’s degree
• GPA (online SLP programs are competitive and many require a 3.0 GPA)
• GRE test scores
• Transcripts
• Recommendation letters
• Résumé
• Personal statement

Learn more about how to become a speech-language pathologist.

Accredited Online SLP Programs Offer Flexibility

Online speech pathology master’s programs offer you the flexibility to go to class wherever you are. Online SLP curricula offer a more manageable balance between class and work commitments, especially during semesters without clinical hours. Many programs have options to go to school full or part time, so you can choose a schedule that works best for you.

Full-Time vs. Part-Time Online Speech Pathology Master’s Programs

Part-time online SLP master’s programs spread coursework over more semesters as a way to allow you more time for work or other commitments. No matter what type of online program you choose, there is usually less flexibility during practicum components. You may need to either be away from work for several weeks at a time to complete clinical hours or be able to work at a practicum site multiple days per week over a semester. Each program is different.

Non-Live vs. Live Online Master’s in Speech Pathology Classes

While some classes are taught in real time with active participation and opportunities to ask questions, others follow an asynchronous format where you can access pre-recorded lectures or engage in non-lecture-based learning. There are also a few hybrid options available where online learning and in-class lectures are part of the program. Think about how you learn best and choose an online SLP program accordingly.

Clinical Field Placement Services for Speech Pathology Degree Students

The practicum is an integral part of a master’s in speech pathology, often requiring 400-plus hours of work in clinical settings. Depending on the program, placement services typically offered to on-campus students may not always extend to online speech-language pathology students living farther from campus. Online SLP programs offer varying levels of field placement services to help secure clinical sites for online students. Some programs will require that these students find placements on their own. Other programs will use their connections to find placements for online SLP students who are geographically close to the school but may not have the ability to place students who are farther away. There are also programs that can place learners in a practicum site no matter where the student is located.

Some online SLP graduate programs require that a certain amount of practicum hours are completed at on-site clinics, so learners may need to travel to the school for up to several weeks to complete those portions of the practicum. Think about what level of assistance you will want when securing your placements and how much you are able to travel if you do indeed need to go to campus for portions of the online program. These speech pathology clinical experiences may affect your preferred speech pathology job setting for your speech pathology career.

Information last updated: December 2025