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Pepperdine University Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology | OnlinePepperdine University Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology | OnlinePepperdine University Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology | Online
The online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program from Pepperdine University prepares skilled, compassionate students for careers as speech-language pathologists through a robust, innovative curriculum rooted in Christian values.The online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program from Pepperdine University prepares skilled, compassionate students for careers as speech-language pathologists through a robust, innovative curriculum rooted in Christian values.The online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program from Pepperdine University prepares skilled, compassionate students for careers as speech-language pathologists through a robust, innovative curriculum rooted in Christian values.
Elevate Your Career With an Online Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology
Offered as a full-time (five trimesters) or part-time (eight trimesters) program, the online MS in Speech-Language Pathology combines weekly, online classes with three on-site experiences at our Calabasas Campus and 400 supervised clinical clock hours at a location local to you.
Full-time or part-time options available
Three start dates per year
Online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Program Highlights
As an online MS in Speech-Language Pathology student, you’ll gain a practical understanding of the principles of speech-language pathology to best serve patients physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
The program helps students gain key clinical experience through a 53-credit curriculum that comprises:
22
courses
400
supervised clinical hours
3
on-site experiences
Admissions Overview
Cohorts start three times per year: January, May, and August.
Pepperdine University seeks applicants who have a strong academic background and a desire to improve our local communities and the lives of patients at every opportunity.
- A bachelor’s degree
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Completion of foundational courses in communicative disorders
Visit our Admissions or Application Requirements page for further details.
If you have not completed the foundational courses needed for the program, we have a Post Baccalaureate Speech-Language Pathology Foundations program that can help prepare you for the full master’s degree.
Tuition and Financial Aid
You’ll need to complete 53 credits to graduate from the online MS in Speech-Language Pathology program. Financial aid opportunities are available for Pepperdine University College of Health Science students. Students may utilize employer tuition assistance, federal student loans, private loans, or scholarships to assist with program expenses.
For more information, visit the Tuition and Financial Aid page.
Scholarship opportunities are available, contact your enrollment team for more details.
Change Lives in Your Community
Earn your online MS in Speech-Language Pathology at Pepperdine University and find yourself ready to serve, ready to lead, and ready to make a difference in the lives of patients.
Online Post Baccalaureate Speech-Language Pathology Foundations Program
The online Post Baccalaureate Speech-Language Pathology Foundations program from Pepperdine University has been designed for students who have not yet completed all the undergraduate courses required to qualify for a master’s degree in speech language pathology.
With no fixed course load each semester, you’re able to enroll in the courses you need and complete the course work at your own pace.
Depending on the courses you are required to complete, you will learn the fundamentals of speech, language, and hearing—as well as have the opportunity to complete your compulsory clinical observation hours. An admissions counselor will work with you to determine which courses you need to take, and each course takes as few as 15 weeks to complete. The program is designed so you can complete your required courses and apply to the online master’s degree on a schedule that works best for you.
Online Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology Curriculum Overview
The 53-credit curriculum progresses from fundamental knowledge to advanced practices and competencies in speech-language pathology, preparing you to care for patients across the entire lifespan and continuum of care.
Available in both full-time (five trimesters) and part-time (eight trimesters) formats, the program comprises 22 online courses that cover the breadth and depth of speech-language pathology as it is applied to the prevention, identification, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders. Our evidence-based academic curriculum, enhanced by our Christian lens, prepares you for success across all speech-language pathology settings.
Online Program Courses
Whether you desire to serve in NICUs, private practices, pediatric clinics, schools, or elderly care facilities, you’ll develop a comprehensive skill set applicable to these diverse clinical scenarios.
Depending upon prior course work, students may be required to complete all of the foundational courses before beginning the program. Most students with a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders will already have completed the required courses.
Students will complete:
- 22 online courses
- 400 supervised clinical hours
- Three on-site experiences
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- SLP 610 Intro to SLP Practice (2 units)
- SLP 611 Advanced Anatomy and Physiology for SLP (3 units)
- SLP 612 Pediatric Language and Cognitive Disorders (3 units)
- SLP 613 Pediatric Speech Sound Disorders (3 units)
- SLP 614 Research Methods (2 units)
- SLP 620 Pediatric Dysphagia (3 units)
- SLP 621 Adult Dysphagia (3 units)
- SLP 622 Adult Language and Cognitive Disorders (3 units)
- SLP 623 Adult Motor Speech Disorders (3 units
- SLP 630 Fluency Disorders (3 units)
- SLP 631 Voice and Resonance Disorders (3 units)
- SLP 632 Aural Habilitation and Rehabilitation (2 units)
- SLP 633 Social Communication Disorders, Behavior, and Neurodiversity (2 units)
- SLP 634 Augmentative and Alternative Communication (2 units)
- SLP 635 SLP Practice Competencies (1 unit)
- SLP 640 Professionalism Portfolio (1 unit)
- SLP 650 EBP Portfolio (1 unit)
- SLP 691 Clinical Methods and Practicum 1 (1 unit)
- SLP 692 Clinical Methods and Practicum 2 (1 unit)
- SLP 693 Clinical Methods and Practicum 3 (1 unit)
- SLP 694 Clinical Methods and Practicum 4 (5 units)
- SLP 695 Clinical Methods and Practicum 5 (5 units)
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- SLP 500 Survey of Communication Disorders Across the Lifespan (3 units)
- SLP 501 Anatomy and Physiology for Speech, Hearing, and Swallowing (3 units)
- SLP 502 Language Development (3 units)
- SLP 503 Phonetics and Acoustics (3 units)
- SLP 504 Foundations of Audiology (3 units)
- SLP 509 Clinical Observations and Foundations (1 unit)
Course Spotlight: Intro to SLP Practice (2 Units)
Introduction to the profession of speech-language pathology, covering the origins of the profession and ASHA, Scope of Practice, Code of Ethics, HIPAA, FERPA, fiduciary responsibility, service models, business aspects of practice, universal precautions, clinical supervision, clinical counseling, contemporary professional issues, interprofessional practice, cultural/linguistic diversity, and the integration of Christian values into clinical practice.
Course Spotlight: Advanced Anatomy and Physiology for SLP (3 units)
Advanced study of the underlying anatomy and physiology of the basic human communication and swallowing processes, including the appropriate biological, neurological, acoustic, psychological, and developmental bases across the lifespan. Covers embryonic/fetal, pediatric, adult, and geriatric anatomy and physiology related to respiration, phonation, resonance, articulation, audition, mastication, deglutition, and digestion, as well as neuroanatomy and neurophysiology.
Dedicated, Expert Faculty
As a student in the online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program, you’ll learn from Pepperdine University faculty members who are licensed speech-language pathologists, and who bring years of diverse experiences and expertise across the lifespan and continuum of care to the classroom.
Career Paths After Completing the Online Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology
Our online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program prepares you for a wide variety of career opportunities. Once you have obtained licensure, you can practice as a speech-language pathologist, or you may decide to pursue a research-based doctorate to continue your educational and leadership journey.
All courses and clinical requirements in the online MS in Speech-Language Pathology program are designed to meet Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) standards for certification in Speech-Language Pathology (except for the Clinical Fellowship Year for ASHA experience). During the final two trimesters, you’ll complete a Praxis preparation sequence in preparation for the Praxis Exam in Speech and Language Pathology.
Upon completing the program, you should possess the knowledge and skills required for the Praxis Exam, the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC), and state licensure (requirements may vary by state). Please note, program completion does not guarantee that you’ll receive a CCC offered by ASHA or state licensure.
Become a Compassionate Speech-Language Pathologist
Invest in your educational journey and aspiring career as a speech-language pathologist with Pepperdine University.
FAQs About Online Master’s in Speech Language Pathology
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Yes, accredited distance-based programs like Pepperdine allow students to complete the academic components of their SLP program through interactive, online study. Students then fulfill their clinical requirements by completing supervised practicum and externship hours at approved clinical sites local to them.
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The required length of time to become a fully licensed SLP varies based on the program format and state licensure requirements. This Master of Science program is offered in two completion options: a full-time format that can be completed in five trimesters or a part-time format that takes eight trimesters.
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Yes, there is a recognized shortage of qualified speech-language pathologists, largely driven by a combination of factors, including high demand for services and an aging workforce.
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Yes, the need for speech-language pathologists is expected to grow significantly over the next decade. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment is projected to grow 15% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This projected growth creates about 13,300 openings for SLPs each year, on average, over the decade.
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According to the BLS, Occupational Therapists (OTs) generally earn a slightly higher median salary than Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs). According to May 2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), OTs earned a median annual wage of approximately $98,340, while SLPs earned a median annual wage of $95,410. However, an SLP’s salary can be higher than an OT’s depending on the work setting (e.g., nursing facilities), geographical location, and years of experience.
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Yes, remote work is possible in the field through teletherapy, which virtually connects individuals to specialized speech-language services. For SLPs, this remote service delivery can be a solution for achieving a better work–life balance because it eliminates the need for daily commutes.
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The total cost of a master’s degree in speech-language pathology is determined by the cost per credit and any associated graduate fees, and these numbers are subject to change annually. For instance, a 53-credit program may have an estimated tuition of $95,400, but students must also factor in additional graduate fees, which are different for full-time and part-time students. We recommend visiting the official tuition page for the most current figures.
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No, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is generally not required for admission into this program. However, if your first language is not English, you will need to demonstrate language proficiency by submitting scores from a test such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
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Yes, depending upon your prior course work, you may be required to complete foundational courses before beginning the program. Most students with a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders will already have completed the required courses. Applicants who lack the foundational courses may be admitted to complete the required foundational courses through the online Post Baccalaureate Speech-Language Pathology Foundations program.
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All coursework and clinical requirements in the online MS in Speech-Language Pathology program are designed to meet Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) standards for certification. Students prepare for the Praxis Exam in Speech and Language Pathology through a dedicated preparation sequence in the final two trimesters. Upon completing the program, you should possess the knowledge and skills required for the Praxis Exam, the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC), and state licensure.
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Yes, the online MS in Speech-Language Pathology program combines weekly, online classes with three required on-site experiences at the Calabasas Campus. In addition to these visits, students must complete 400 supervised clinical clock hours at a location local to them.
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The curriculum is composed of 22 online courses, 400 supervised clinical hours, and three on-site experiences. Foundational courses include:
- SLP 500 Survey of Communication Disorders Across the Lifespan
- SLP 501 Anatomy and Physiology for Speech, Hearing, and Swallowing
- SLP 502 Language Development
- SLP 503 Phonetics and Acoustics
- SLP 504 Foundations of Audiology
- SLP 509 Clinical Observations and Foundations (1 unit)
Pepperdine University partners with 2U to support the delivery of these online programs. Pepperdine University has full control over the programs, including all core academic functions. Click here to learn more about 2U’s roles and responsibilities.