Guide to Applying to Speech Pathology School

Education and Professional Requirements for Speech Language Pathologists

In the United States, speech language pathologists (SLPs) prepare for clinical practice with a graduate degree: ASHA’s guide to planning your education describes the master’s degree in speech language pathology as the degree that prepares students for practice as an SLP. For ASHA certification (CCC-SLP), the current 2020 standards require a master’s, doctoral or other recognized post-baccalaureate degree, with all graduate coursework and graduate clinical experience completed in a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) or in CAA candidacy. Certification applications received on or after August 1, 2027, must meet the 2027 standards, which require a master’s or doctoral degree. State licensure laws determine the legal requirements to practice and can vary by state.

Many aspiring SLPs entering a master’s program have an undergraduate degree in CSD. While having foundational knowledge in CSD can be helpful, students with undergraduate degrees in other subject areas can enter a CSD master’s program. Depending on the program, students may be required to complete some CSD coursework, according to ASHA’s educational pathways guide.

To practice clinically, SLPs typically must be licensed in the state where they work. Licensure requirements vary by state, so check the rules with the licensing authority in the state where you plan to work. For ASHA certification, candidates must also pass the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology, which both the 2020 and 2027 standards require.

7 Questions to Ask When Considering Speech Language Pathology Graduate Programs

In addition to identifying the application requirements for an SLP school, individuals should also consider which program may best fit their needs. The following questions can help prospective students in their research process.

Is the program accredited?

CAA accreditation is a voluntary accreditation process offered by ASHA’s Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA). According to the CAA, graduates of accredited and candidate programs are educated in the core knowledge and skills required for entry into independent professional practice, and ASHA certification requires graduating from a CAA-accredited program or one with CAA candidacy status.

To confirm a program’s status, use the CAA’s official directory of CAA-accredited and candidate programs.

Where is the program located?

Location is another consideration when searching for an SLP program. Having the ability to relocate may provide more options for finding a school that is a better fit. However, choosing a local program may be beneficial for those unable to relocate due to cost, family obligations, current employment, or other personal factors.

Is the program offered online?

Even in online programs, students must complete supervised clinical practicum hours in approved settings. Under ASHA’s current 2020 certification standards, students who begin their graduate program on or after January 1, 2023, must earn at least 250 of the 400 required clinical clock hours through on-site, in-person direct contact within the graduate program, and up to 125 hours may come from telepractice. The 2027 standards, which apply to certification applications received on or after August 1, 2027, keep the same 250-hour in-person minimum and 125-hour telepractice limit. Ask each program how it arranges clinical placements for online students. Graduate practicum is separate from the Clinical Fellowship, the supervised professional experience that, under the 2020 standards, can begin only after you complete all graduate coursework and clinical experiences.

Is the program available full or part time?

Choosing between full- and part-time status allows applicants to find a level of time commitment that better fits their schedule. Studying part-time may allow a student to work and manage other responsibilities, but it will take longer to complete a degree. Studying full-time can allow a student to complete a program in the traditional time allotment, but requires a commitment of more hours per week dedicated to coursework.

Is the program's cost feasible?

When considering the cost of a program — and living expenses if relocation is necessary — prospective students can research available SLP scholarships. In addition to seeing what scholarships and grants are available through the program and federal financial aid, the following resources can be utilized:

• Local professional organizations: ASHA’s State-by-State page points readers to their state speech-language-hearing associations for local resources. Individuals can visit their state association’s website to see whether it offers scholarships for SLP students.
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation: The ASHFoundation offers a variety of scholarships for students in graduate or doctoral programs, as well as research grants and more.
• Fastweb: This website offers a scholarship directory across all areas of study. This tool can be used to find general scholarships as well as opportunities specific to a student’s area of study.

Does the program offer learning experiences with specific populations of interest?

It’s important for aspiring SLPs to research each program's offerings and how they align with their interests. When comparing programs, look closely at (1) clinical placement options (settings, populations, support), (2) faculty expertise and research opportunities, (3) specialty coursework/areas of emphasis, and (4) student outcomes and supports (e.g., Praxis pass rates, graduation/placement support).

• Research labs located at the school
• Teaching assistant positions
• Areas of focus offered
• Clinical opportunities

Is there student support available?

For graduate students, access to additional support can be a desired resource. Prospective students can research a school’s health center and the mental and physical health benefits available to students on campus and online. If possible, asking current students about their experience receiving mental and physical health care while in the program can also be helpful.

What Do I Need to Apply to Speech Pathology School?

Most graduate programs in communication sciences and disorders use CSDCAS, a centralized application service that lets you submit one application, one set of transcripts and your letters of recommendation to multiple programs. National NSSLHA notes that some programs still require a direct application through their own admissions portal, so confirm each program’s application platform and requirements early.

CSDCAS only processes applications: participating programs set their own admissions criteria and deadlines, and, according to the CSDCAS FAQs, you need a verified application to be considered by your selected programs. The CSDCAS application countdown on the same preparation page suggests requesting all official transcripts and evaluations from three recommenders about 10 weeks before a deadline and submitting your application about four weeks before it.

It is important to note that requirements vary by program. ASHA’s EdFind tool is a useful resource for searching for specific program information.

Prerequisite Coursework for SLP Grad School

ASHA’s certification standards require foundational coursework in the sciences and statistics. Under the current 2020 standards, applicants need standalone coursework in:

• Biological sciences
• Chemistry or physics
• Social/behavioral sciences
• Statistics (research methods coursework cannot substitute for it)

The 2027 standards, which apply to certification applications received on or after August 1, 2027, require coursework in biology; chemistry or physics; social and/or behavioral sciences; and statistics and/or research methods. Under the 2027 standards, these prerequisite courses cannot count toward the minimum 36 graduate semester credit hours.

According to ASHA’s certification FAQs, program directors from CAA-accredited programs have the authority to accept or reject coursework you have already completed. Programs may also set their own CSD prerequisites, and ASHA notes that some programs offer prerequisite courses online. If your degree is in another field, see our guide to changing careers to speech pathology.

How Do I Make My SLP Graduate School Application Stand Out?

To help your application stand out, you can:

How to Ask for Letters of Recommendation

The first step to asking for letters of recommendation is to identify professors and professionals you have volunteered or worked with in the field who can speak to your qualifications. While these individuals should know you well enough to write a compelling letter, it can also be helpful to provide an information packet for their reference.

When putting materials together for the people who have agreed to write you a recommendation letter, consider these tips:

• Provide materials in their preferred format, such as a hard copy or electronic version.
• Write a note to confirm their offer, and provide important information including:
  • Deadlines for submission
  • Where you are applying
  • Why you chose them to write a letter
  • A “thank you” for their time
• Verify that they have the information they need to reference when writing a letter. Consider giving each recommender a concise information packet that includes:
  • The correct spelling of your first and last names
  • Relevant work and volunteer experience
  • Honors received
  • Relevant materials from your application, such as your resume and personal statement or essay
• If you apply through CSDCAS, you request evaluations (letters of recommendation) inside the application, and its Check Status page shows whether they have arrived, according to the CSDCAS FAQs. For programs that use their own portals, confirm submission instructions in advance.

If a program invites you to interview, our guide to preparing for a speech pathology school interview covers what to bring and common questions.

Is Applying to SLP Grad School Worth It?

Ultimately, deciding whether to pursue graduate school in speech language pathology should involve reflecting on your interests and professional goals, and researching programs that align with your career aspirations. For a closer look at career fit, earning potential and alternative paths, see our guide to whether a speech pathology degree is worth it.

SLP Grad School Admissions FAQs

How competitive is SLP grad school?

In ASHA’s 2025 CSD Education Survey (2024–25 academic year), the 295 SLP master’s programs that responded received 52,830 applications and offered admission on 24,413 of them, or 46.2%. Those figures count applications, not individual applicants. The same survey reports that the mean GPA of students offered admission ranged from 3.08 to 3.99 across programs.

How long is SLP grad school?

ASHA’s guide to planning your education puts the master’s in speech language pathology at about 2 years of full-time study. Applicants whose undergraduate degree is in another field may first need to complete prerequisite coursework, and part-time study takes longer, so confirm the length with each program.

Can I apply without a CSD bachelor’s degree?

Yes. According to ASHA, the undergraduate degree can be in any discipline, though it is most often in CSD, and applicants from other majors may be required to complete prerequisite CSD coursework. See Prerequisite Coursework for SLP Grad School, above.

How many clinical hours will I complete?

ASHA’s current 2020 certification standards require at least 400 clock hours of supervised clinical experience, including 25 hours of guided clinical observation and 375 hours of direct client or patient contact, with at least 325 hours completed while enrolled in graduate study in a CAA-accredited program. The 2027 standards, which apply to certification applications received on or after August 1, 2027, keep the 400-hour total and the 325-hour graduate minimum. Programs may set requirements that differ from ASHA’s, so check each program’s clinical requirements.