If you’re considering a career as a speech-language pathologist (SLP), understanding your educational and professional options is key to selecting a training path that matches your goals. This guide highlights the various real-world training environments available to SLP students and recent program graduates.
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Master’s in SLP: Study Online Full or Part Time
Speech@Emerson enables you to earn an MS online and pursue SLP certification in as few as 20 mos. Learn the same curriculum as the on-campus program. Study FT or PT.
- Aspiring SLP generalists are prepared to pursue ASHA certification.
- Students can earn an Emerson Master of Science in Communication Disorders online in as few as 20 months.
- Online classes are taught by expert Emerson faculty—most of whom are practicing SLPs who view students as colleagues and collaborators.
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Online MS in Speech-Language Pathology from Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University’s online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program combines a robust, innovative curriculum rooted in Christian values with a full-time or part-time option that features online learning, on-campus intensive experiences, and comprehensive clinical field practicums to prepare skilled, compassionate students for careers as speech-language pathologists.
- Full-time (five trimesters) or part-time (eight trimesters) options available.
- No GRE scores required.
- 400+ supervised, clinical learning hours are done at schools/clinics local to students
- Three onsite experiences build a sense of camaraderie and community throughout the program
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Want to Become an SLP? Earn an MS Online at NYU
NYU Steinhardt’s online master of science program in Communicative Sciences and Disorders prepares aspiring speech-language pathologists with a comprehensive professional education.
- Prepares students to pursue SLP licensure
- Accredited by ASHA’s Council on Academic Accreditation
- As few as six terms to complete
- Full-time and part-time plans of study
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Clinical Practicum, Internships, and Externships in Speech-Language Pathology
Graduate speech-language pathology students complete supervised clinical training before graduation and professional certification. Depending on the program or placement site, these experiences may be called clinical practicum, internships, externships, or off-campus placements. In speech-language pathology, however, there is no single profession-wide definition that clearly distinguishes an internship from an externship for students. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) student guidance uses externships for pre-graduation placements and distinguishes these experiences from the Clinical Fellowship, which takes place after graduation.
These pre-graduation clinical placements are typically:
- supervised opportunities to apply classroom learning in real clinical settings;
- arranged or approved by the academic program in coordination with the placement site;
- structured according to the requirements of the academic program and the placement setting;
- designed to help students build and demonstrate clinical knowledge and skills; and
- variable in length depending on the program, setting, and placement model.
Both internships and externships are usually completed at clinical sites before graduation. After completing graduate coursework and a clinical practicum, aspiring speech-language pathologists then complete a Clinical Fellowship, which ASHA defines as a mentored professional experience that begins after academic coursework and the clinical practicum are completed.
Difference Between SLP Clinical Fellowship and Externship
During a graduate speech-language pathology program, students may complete an externship or other off-campus clinical practicum placement as part of their degree requirements. These placements are arranged or approved by the academic program and supervised in accordance with program and site requirements.
After graduation, aspiring speech-language pathologists complete a clinical fellowship, as defined by ASHA, which is a mentored professional experience that begins after academic coursework and the clinical practicum are completed. Unlike student externships, the clinical fellowship is a post-graduation position and may be paid. Both experiences help future SLPs apply their knowledge and skills in real-world clinical settings.
Finding and Matching with an SLP Internship
Locating an SLP internship that’s a good fit takes effort. A good place to start is the ASHA website and career portal, which includes speech-language pathology job listings and career resources. However, ASHA notes that while some facilities post externship opportunities on their site, those listings are not comprehensive.
You can also ask your academic program’s clinic director or clinical education coordinator about available placements. ASHA recommends that students check with their academic program to learn about placement options and bring outside opportunities to the program for review and approval.
As you compare possible placements, consider the setting, supervision, client population, schedule, and the extent to which the experience supports your professional goals. In some cases, a faculty member, clinic director, or site supervisor may also serve as a mentor by offering guidance beyond the placement itself.
How to Prepare for and Succeed in an SLP Internship or Externship
Preparing for a speech pathology internship or externship can help you start strong and get more out of the experience. Before your placement begins, make sure you understand the site’s expectations, supervision structure, schedule, and evaluation process. It is also helpful to review any materials provided by your academic program or placement site and gather the tools you may need to stay organized, such as note-taking materials, reference resources, and a planner.
Once the placement begins, focus on learning the clinical environment, becoming familiar with your clients and their goals, and asking thoughtful questions when expectations are unclear. Because internships and externships are supervised learning experiences, constructive feedback is an important part of your professional development. Approach feedback with a willingness to learn, and follow through on suggestions for improvement. You can also make the most of the experience by communicating your goals, showing initiative within the scope of your student role, and seeking opportunities to strengthen the skills you want to build.
12 Things to Know About SLP Internships and Externships
Future SLPs may benefit from understanding these 12 things about pre-graduation clinical education experiences. Sources: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), “Student Externships,” “2020 Standards and Implementation Procedures for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology,” and “Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Student Supervision.”
- These experiences happen before graduation.
In other words, an internship or externship is part of your graduate training, not something you do after you finish your degree. Think of externships as placements completed by students who have not yet graduated. - “Internship” and “externship” are not always used consistently.
Programs and placement sites may use different terminology, but ASHA’s student-facing guidance uses the term externship to describe these pre-graduation clinical placements. - Your placement should connect back to your graduate program.
This is not just an informal arrangement between a student and a site. In fact, there should be a mutual agreement between the academic program and the externship facility. - An externship is a learning experience, not just a line on your résumé.
The site provides a clinical education opportunity rather than a job, which is an important distinction for students considering expectations, supervision, and responsibilities. - You are expected to build skills across different settings, populations, and disorders.
The goal is not simply to log hours. These placements are designed to help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to work with a range of clients in a variety of clinical environments. - Clinical experience includes more than direct therapy sessions.
ASHA’s standards make clear that supervised clinical experience can include screening, assessment, diagnosis and evaluation, treatment, report writing, consultation, and counseling. - There are real clock-hour requirements behind these placements.
For ASHA certification, students must complete 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. - Most of those hours must be completed in graduate school.
ASHA requires at least 325 of the 400 hours to be earned while the student is enrolled in a CAA-accredited graduate program in speech-language pathology. - Some programs can count simulation and telepractice hours.
Depending on program policies and site requirements, ASHA allows up to 75 direct contact hours through clinical simulation and up to 125 contact hours through telepractice. - Your supervisor has to meet specific qualifications.
ASHA requires student supervisors to hold active ASHA certification in the appropriate profession, have at least 9 months of full-time clinical experience after certification, and complete at least 2 hours of professional development in clinical instruction or supervision. - Supervision is supposed to be active, not hands-off.
Direct supervision must match the student’s knowledge, skills, and experience and must account for at least 25% of the student’s total contact with each client or patient. - The supervisor is still responsible for client welfare.
Even as students take on more responsibility, the clinical educator must be on site and readily available during in-person care, and supervision must be sufficient to protect the individual receiving services.
What SLP Students Should Know About Their Supervisors
A good internship or externship is not just about logging hours; it is also about having the right support while you build clinical skills. ASHA requires graduate student supervisors to be properly qualified, meaning they must hold active ASHA certification in the appropriate profession, have at least 9 months of post-certification clinical experience, and complete professional development in supervision before overseeing students. That should give students some confidence that their supervisor is not simply signing paperwork but is expected to help guide the learning process.
Students should also know that supervision is not supposed to be hands-off. ASHA says supervision must match the student’s level of knowledge and experience, include at least 25% direct supervision of each client or patient contact, and be sufficient to protect client welfare. In in-person settings, the supervisor must be on-site and readily available to assist, and the certified supervisor remains responsible for the services provided. In other words, your supervisor is there not only to evaluate your work, but also to support your development and help ensure clients receive appropriate care.
Resources for Finding Speech Pathology Internships
If you are looking for a speech pathology internship or externship, it helps to start with resources that are current, practical, and closely tied to the profession. These five ASHA resources are among the best places to start because they combine clear guidance, active career tools, and up-to-date information for speech-language pathology students.
ASHA Student Externships
This is one of the best starting points because it explains what internships are, how they fit into graduate training, and how to find opportunities. ASHA also notes that its externship listings are not comprehensive, so it is important to work with your academic program as well.
ASHA Career Portal
ASHA’s Career Portal is a strong general resource for browsing jobs, exploring career paths, and finding professional development content related to speech-language pathology. It is especially useful if you want both job listings and broader career guidance in one place.
ASHA Job Seeker Toolkit
If you want a more structured approach, the Job Seeker Toolkit offers practical support for navigating the search process and focusing on the right next steps. It is a stronger, more up-to-date alternative to older, scattered lists of job-search tips.
ASHA Job Search Tips and Tactics
This resource offers straightforward advice on finding relevant openings, networking effectively, and making the most of online job boards. It is especially helpful when you are starting to search more intentionally.
ASHA Career Portal Events
It is also worth checking ASHA’s events page for virtual career fairs and other career-focused events that may lead to externship, fellowship, or job opportunities. This is one of the best ways to add a current, active resource to your search strategy.
Information Last Updated: March 2026
Sponsored online speech pathology programs
Master’s in SLP: Study Online Full or Part Time
Speech@Emerson enables you to earn an MS online and pursue SLP certification in as few as 20 mos. Learn the same curriculum as the on-campus program. Study FT or PT.
- Aspiring SLP generalists are prepared to pursue ASHA certification.
- Students can earn an Emerson Master of Science in Communication Disorders online in as few as 20 months.
- Online classes are taught by expert Emerson faculty—most of whom are practicing SLPs who view students as colleagues and collaborators.
AD
Online MS in Speech-Language Pathology from Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University’s online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program combines a robust, innovative curriculum rooted in Christian values with a full-time or part-time option that features online learning, on-campus intensive experiences, and comprehensive clinical field practicums to prepare skilled, compassionate students for careers as speech-language pathologists.
- Full-time (five trimesters) or part-time (eight trimesters) options available.
- No GRE scores required.
- 400+ supervised, clinical learning hours are done at schools/clinics local to students
- Three onsite experiences build a sense of camaraderie and community throughout the program
AD
Want to Become an SLP? Earn an MS Online at NYU
NYU Steinhardt’s online master of science program in Communicative Sciences and Disorders prepares aspiring speech-language pathologists with a comprehensive professional education.
- Prepares students to pursue SLP licensure
- Accredited by ASHA’s Council on Academic Accreditation
- As few as six terms to complete
- Full-time and part-time plans of study
AD