Speech Pathology Bachelor’s Degree Programs

If you enjoy communicating with people, you might consider an undergraduate major that prepares you for graduate study in speech-language pathology.

Speech language pathologists (SLPs) help individuals with communication and swallowing across the lifespan. To become an SLP, a master’s degree is typically required, so aspiring SLPs often complete a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) or a related major as preparation for a master’s program.

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD)  is the most common pathway into audiology and speech-language pathology graduate programs. While there are more than 270 CSD undergraduate programs in the US, not all institutions have an undergraduate major in CSD, so be sure to check the institution’s program offerings.

What is speech pathology? Speech-language pathology is the professional practice focused on communication and swallowing throughout the lifespan. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) provide services such as screening, assessment, prevention, counseling, and intervention for concerns related to speech, language, fluency, voice, resonance, feeding, swallowing, and cognitive aspects of communication. SLPs are often associated with helping people who stutter or have speech sound difficulties (such as a lisp), but they also support individuals with language or literacy needs, and people with communication and swallowing challenges following conditions such as traumatic brain injury or stroke.

A bachelor’s in CSD with a focus in speech-language pathology typically includes foundational topics that prepare students to proceed to graduate programs in speech pathology and related professions. Some undergraduate programs prepare students for support roles, such as speech-language pathology assistants or audiology assistants.

If you think you would like to pursue a career as an SLP, there are options for undergraduate degrees, including traditional campus-based programs and online programs for speech pathology majors.

Online classes for a BS in speech pathology can be convenient for some applicants because they offer flexibility and allow students to juggle work, study, and other obligations without having to go on campus.  Aspiring SLPs can use ASHA’s EdFind to look up schools offering bachelor ’s-level programs in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) and related majors, including programs with online options. As you compare options in EdFind, keep in mind that CAA accreditation applies to graduate SLP programs—not undergraduate bachelor’s programs.

Admission requirements vary by speech pathology program, but applicants are generally expected to have completed a typical high school curriculum. For example, the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) notes that most colleges expect coursework in core areas such as four years of English, four years of math, three to four years of laboratory science, at least two years of social studies, and two to four years of the same world language.  

Some colleges and universities have made standardized test scores optional for applicants. If programs do have SAT or ACT requirements, minimum test scores may vary by school. Certain programs may only consider students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Other programs only disclose the average high school GPA of freshman students.

Most college applications also require transcripts, essays, and letters of recommendation. Carefully review all application requirements as they vary by institution. 

The speech language pathology curriculum builds on regular undergraduate coursework in the areas of general knowledge, social behavioral, biological, and physical sciences.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association education planning guide says that an undergraduate degree in the field of communication sciences and disorders, such as speech pathology, provides a curriculum covering:

Typical classes include Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing, General Psychology, Communication Disorders and Differences, Introduction to Phonetics, Principles of Audiology, and Aural Rehabilitation. Required clinical coursework involves practical experience conducting tests, analyzing results, counseling, and managing clients.

It usually takes four academic years, or eight semesters, to earn a bachelor’s degree in speech language pathology. Some schools may offer accelerated or completion pathways, but the length varies by institution and whether transfer credits are accepted.  A bachelor’s in speech pathology may be condensed into half a semester or fewer than eight weeks.

The tuition cost for a bachelor’s in speech pathology varies by program and the student’s situation. Tuition generally varies between public and private universities. Housing costs will differ depending on whether students commute or live on campus. Expenses for an online program will also differ.

The College Board’s Trends in College Pricing Highlights reports that in 2025-26, the average published (sticker) tuition and fees for full-time undergraduate students are: 

Costs vary widely by institution and student circumstances. Check with each program’s financial aid office or admissions team for detailed estimates for your situation.

A master’s degree is required to practice as a speech language pathologist (SLP). To practice in audiology and speech language pathology in the 50 states and the District of Columbia, a license is typically required. It’s important to check with your state board to find out if a license or other schooling is required to practice in the setting of your choice.

The Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA), part of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, accredits programs in speech language pathology.  Most states require SLPs to be licensed to practice, while other states require registration, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. To be licensed, an SLP is usually required to have a master’s degree from an accredited program, supervised clinical experience, and pass a state licensure exam. Check for requirements at the state’s medical or health licensure board.

While a master’s degree is required to become a practicing SLP, graduates with a bachelor’s degree in speech language pathology do have career options. ASHA’s assistant certification, C-SLPA, requires graduates to complete 100 hours of clinical fieldwork under the supervision of an ASHA-certified SLP. 

At hospitals, nursing homes, or other medical facilities, someone with a speech language pathology bachelor’s degree may find jobs as a hospice caregiver, patient and family advocate, rehabilitation aide, and support staff worker for billing, scheduling, and records.

At universities and schools, they may find work as a research lab manager, research assistant, project coordinator, and English as a Second Language specialist.

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology may find careers in non-traditional settings, including commercial and nonprofit organizations, in areas such as training, support, development, promotion, and sales.

BLS reports that employment for speech language pathologists is projected to grow 15 percent from 2024 to 2034. If you decide to pursue a bachelor’s degree in speech language pathology, you will find that a speech pathology assistant’s salary is comparable to that of an assistant in occupational therapy or physical therapy. Some students may even compare the career trajectory of a speech pathologist vs an occupational therapist before deciding on one or the other. Similarly, aides in those fields have comparable salaries. A minimum of an associate’s degree is required.

Salaries for assistants and aides in occupational and physical therapy differ significantly, as do their qualifications. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), physical therapist assistants typically need an associate’s degree from an accredited program, plus a license or certification. Physical therapist aides, on the other hand, usually need only a high school diploma and on-the-job training. This difference in education and credentialing is reflected in each role’s pay.

In 2024, an occupational therapy assistant had a median annual wage of $66,050, and a physical therapy assistant had a median annual salary of $60,050. An occupational therapy aide had a median annual salary of $37,370, and a physical therapy aide had a median annual salary of $34,520.

With a bachelor’s in speech pathology or a related field, you may pursue several advanced degree options in communication sciences and disorders (CSD). 

The entry-level degree for becoming an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist is a master’s degree.  To pursue ASHA certification (CCC-SLP), your graduate education must be completed in a CAA-accredited program or one with candidate status. Additionally, graduates of SLP programs must pass the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology and complete a supervised Clinical Fellowship before they can practice. 

Program length varies by school and pacing, but full-time SLP programs are often designed to be completed in 2 years. Some online SLP programs may be completed in as few as 20 months. Read our guide Is a Speech Pathology Degree Worth It? 

 A clinical doctoral degree in speech pathology (e.g., CScD, SLPD) is an advanced clinical practice degree pursued after the entry-level master’s. It is distinct from both the master’s degree and the research PhD and is often intended for clinicians seeking advanced clinical leadership, specialization, teaching, or clinical education roles, or other applied expertise. ASHA notes that students entering these programs should already hold or qualify to hold the CCC-SLP. 

A PhD is a research-focused degree designed to develop expertise in original research and prepare graduates for careers as professors, researchers, or research administrators. Time to completion varies but typically falls between 4 and 6 years after completing a master’s degree. Learn more about doctoral degrees in speech pathology in our guide.

An undergraduate program in speech pathology is the foundation for a discipline that focuses on human interaction and communication. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are professionals who work in the areas of communication and swallowing across the lifespan. 

A bachelor’s degree in speech language pathology, or a related field, can help prepare students to pursue graduate study. In the U.S., professional practice typically requires meeting state licensure requirements, and ASHA certification (CCC-SLP) requires a qualifying graduate degree (master’s or doctoral) completed through a CAA-accredited program. 

Speech therapists work with people of all ages and needs. For example, young children with speech sound delays, individuals with fluency disorders such as stuttering, and adults with neurological communication difficulties following a stroke. SLPs also address swallowing concerns, which can occur in both pediatric and adult populations.  

A bachelor’s degree in speech pathology introduces you to communication sciences and disorders and can help prepare you for further graduate study on the path to becoming an SLP.

Information last updated: March 2026

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Want to Become an SLP? Earn an MS Online at NYU

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