Application Requirements

To apply for the online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Depending upon prior course work, students may be required to complete all 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. 

An applicant who does not have the foundational course work may be admitted provisionally to complete the foundational courses, in advance of full admission to the online MS in Speech-Language Pathology program. 

Admission to complete the foundational courses does not guarantee admission to the online MS in Speech-Language Pathology program. Once students have completed the required foundational course work, they will be notified of the decision regarding full admission status via Pepperdine email.

Please note, in addition to Pepperdine’s foundational courses requirement, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) requires the following courses to be completed to apply for the Certificate of Clinical Competence for Speech-Language Pathologists (CCC-SLP): biology, physics or chemistry, statistics, and behavioral sciences. These ASHA prerequisite courses must be completed prior to admission to the MS in Speech-Language Pathology program.

The online MS in Speech-Language Pathology program offers three cohort start dates per year in August, January, and May. The following materials are required to apply:

  • Online application
  • Official transcripts for all previous college course work
    • If there are courses in progress, a final transcript that shows completion will need to be resubmitted.
    • If course work is complete but the official transcript degree awarded date has not yet been provided, a degree conferral is required. Applicants would be admitted conditionally until the degree is conferred.
  • Three letters of recommendation by people familiar with your background and potential for success as a speech-language pathologist:
    • It is strongly recommended that two letters of recommendation be from academic professors/instructors or the department/program chair in communication sciences and disorders (or speech-language pathology).
    • If the two letters of recommendation cannot be obtained from the above individuals in communication sciences and disorders because the required foundational courses have not been completed, then professors/instructors from other academic courses can be used. 
    • If applicants are unable to obtain any academic references, they may submit all three letters of recommendation from professional references, but failure to include any academic recommendations may negatively impact your application.
  • As part of a holistic admissions process, please submit a statement of interest that addresses the following:
    • Your purpose in pursuing a career in speech-language pathology, and how you will add value to the SLP profession and to Pepperdine University 
    • Your faith background, interests, talents, and accomplishments, as well as your service activities and leadership roles that make you a unique individual 
    • Your capacity for success in an online master’s program in speech-language pathology 
  • Proof of English language proficiency 
    • If your first language is not English, you must meet one of the following test scores:
      • A minimum of 600 on the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) on the paper and pencil test. 
      • A minimum score of 95 if you take the Internet-based TOEFL test
      • A minimum score of 7.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam is also acceptable
      • Please use the Pepperdine University institution code 4630 and have your score sent directly to the program. 
    • Applicants who have completed four or more years at a regionally accredited English taught institution may be exempt from this requirement. 
    • Official transcript with the undergraduate degree (BA/BS) posted is required. 
  • Application fee: A non-refundable $65 application fee is required upon submission of your application.

To ensure your transcripts and associated materials are received for review, please make sure to send them directly to slpappsvcs@onlinegrad.pepperdine.edu. 

Begin Your Application