Empower communication. Watch their world awaken.
Our online M.S. SLP program prepares passionate professionals to lead the future of communication and swallowing disorders care. Connect in a deeply meaningful way with people of all ages to help them find their voice, reclaim their confidence, and expand their world. This is not only a career. It is your calling to improve the lives of those who need it most.
Prepare for Your SLP Career With Flexible Online Learning.
DeSales University's online M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology combines flexible, part-time coursework with supervised clinical training. Learn from experienced faculty, develop practical skills in communication and swallowing disorders, and receive support identifying approved clinical placement opportunities near your community.
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Life doesn't stop. Neither should your education.
Our online master's in SLP program is deeply rooted in our core values of gentleness, humility, gratitude, hospitality, and wisdom. We stand alongside you as you work toward state licensure and national certification so you can work one-on-one with individuals who have communication and swallowing needs in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, and private practices.
At DeSales University, you’ll find a community that’s deeply invested in your journey as an aspiring speech-language pathologist. We honor your drive to make a meaningful difference and support you every step of the way with expert faculty guidance, clinical placement assistance, and a curriculum designed for real-world impact.
We empower you to grow as an SLP clinician who's grounded in ethical leadership, compassionate care, and service to others. Here, your goals are celebrated and nurtured within a network that is as dedicated to your future as you are.
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Life doesn't stop. Neither should your education.
Our online master's in SLP program is deeply rooted in our core values of gentleness, humility, gratitude, hospitality, and wisdom. We stand alongside you as you work toward state licensure and national certification so you can work one-on-one with individuals who have communication and swallowing needs in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, and private practices.
At DeSales University, you’ll find a community that’s deeply invested in your journey as an aspiring speech-language pathologist. We honor your drive to make a meaningful difference and support you every step of the way with expert faculty guidance, clinical placement assistance, and a curriculum designed for real-world impact.
We empower you to grow as an SLP clinician who's grounded in ethical leadership, compassionate care, and service to others. Here, your goals are celebrated and nurtured within a network that is as dedicated to your future as you are.
Can You Earn a Speech-Language Pathology Master’s Online?
Yes. DeSales University’s online M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology combines online academic coursework with supervised, in-person clinical experiences. Students complete their coursework remotely while gaining hands-on experience in person at approved clinical sites.
This format gives students the flexibility of online learning while maintaining the clinical preparation required for the profession.
Career Opportunities With a Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology
Support children and adolescents with speech, language and communication needs in educational settings.
Work with individuals experiencing communication and swallowing disorders in hospitals, rehabilitation and related healthcare environments.
Support children and families through assessment, intervention and collaborative care.
Provide speech-language pathology services in private clinics and community settings, subject to licensure and professional requirements.
DeSales University's online M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology curriculum combines evidence-based clinical training with coursework in communication and swallowing disorders, assessment and intervention, and augmentative and alternative communication. Students develop knowledge and clinical reasoning skills to support individuals across the lifespan, preparing them for supervised practice in educational, healthcare and community-based settings.
Provides a fundamental understanding of the nature, etiology, and clinical management of adults with acquired language disorders, with primary emphasis on aphasia and related cognitive disorders.
Lab course guiding students across the scope of diagnostics in the field of speech-language pathology. Students will practice administering various forms of assessments and will apply their knowledge of statistics as they interpret standardized scores and determine the psychometric properties, validity, reliability and applicability of the most common norm-referenced standardized assessments.
Covers the principles and practices necessary to provide counseling, evaluation and treatment to clients with swallowing disorders within the scope of practice for Speech-Language Pathologists. An interdisciplinary approach to clinical management is stressed.
Explores the use of technology as a powerful tool to enhance clinical outcomes. Prepares students to assess and treat persons who use AAC across the lifespan. Students will learn to select and design high and low technology systems, while training clients and caregivers to utilize the system. Discusses role of Speech-Language Pathologist as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Questions?
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Get the answers you need in an information session. Access your program guide for registration details.
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Now accepting applications for the next start
How to Apply to the Online SLP Program
Student Testimonials
What DeSales SLP Students Say
Jamillia Bell
M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology '24
"I chose Speech-Language Pathology because I really wanted the opportunity to give back to people and help people, and I feel like the best way to do that is through communication."
Clinical Placement Support for Online SLP Students
DeSales University supports online SLP students through the clinical placement process, helping identify approved practicum opportunities near their communities. Students complete 375 hands-on practicum hours in person under qualified supervision across appropriate clinical settings. Placement availability varies by location, and some students may need to travel up to 125 miles each way to meet clinical training requirements.
Placement services help to facilitate and secure agreements with clinical practicum sites near your home location.
The clinical practicum experience is guided and directed by DeSales University, pairing you alongside an on-site practicum supervisor at the site where you will complete your hours. The M.S. SLP faculty and staff at DeSales determine practicum site eligibility based on requirements for certification and licensure.
Our placement team works closely with you to navigate the clinical placement process and collaborates with you to identify placement opportunities in your preferred location. In geographic regions with limited placement options, you may need to travel 125 miles each way to meet clinical training requirements across the breadth and depth of clinical practice.
The clinical experiences are designed to provide you with real-world, hands-on experience across the breadth and depth of speech-language pathology clinical practice. These experiences are arranged in a variety of practice settings near your home.
Clinical experiences may take place in a variety of settings, including schools, clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation settings, skilled nursing facilities, early intervention programs, and community-based settings.
Students in the online M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology program complete 375 hands-on practicum hours as part of the program. These experiences are completed in person at approved clinical sites.
Yes, you can apply with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. However, you must complete the required SLP leveling courses and prerequisite foundational science courses before beginning the program. Required coursework includes areas such as phonetics, audiology, speech and hearing science, language development, biology, statistics, psychology, and chemistry or physics.
DeSales University's online M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology offers part-time coursework designed to accommodate working professionals. However, the required in-person clinical practicums involve a full-time commitment, which may limit your ability to maintain a regular work schedule. Students should plan ahead for these clinical experiences and speak with an enrollment advisor about scheduling expectations.
State licensure is required to become a Speech-Language Pathologist. Detailed state requirements can be found on the ASHA website.
If you are seeking national certification through the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, you must complete a Master's in Speech-Language Pathology from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA).
Upon graduation, the next steps are to pass the Praxis exam, apply for certification, and complete a Clinical Fellowship. This typically takes nine months to one year.
The future shines bright for professionals in this field. Between 2024 and 2034, employment for speech-language pathologists is projected to grow by 15 percent. This growth rate climbs much faster than the average for all occupations.
A career in speech-language pathology offers both personal fulfillment and strong financial stability. As of 2024, the median annual salary for professionals in this role stands at $95,410.
Choosing DeSales means joining a values-driven community where your growth truly matters. Our part-time, online format offers flexibility for working professionals (until clinicals). With transparent tuition and comprehensive clinical placement support, we set you up for a successful and meaningful career as an SLP.
The didactic coursework is completed entirely online. The program also features two virtual residencies, meaning there are no travel or on-campus requirements. However, you will complete your 375 clinical practicum hours in person at approved sites near your community.
You can complete the program in just nine terms. The coursework is designed to be part-time, allowing you to balance your studies with your personal and professional life. However, please note that the clinical practicum portion of the program is a full-time commitment.
No. We do not require the GRE for admission. We focus on your holistic potential, academic background, and passion for achieving positive client outcomes.
DeSales provides comprehensive clinical placement support. We assist you in securing the appropriate clinical sites to complete your required 375 practicum hours, ensuring you gain the diverse experience needed for licensure and certification.
The distance pathway for the Master of Science (M.S.) program in Speech-Language Pathology at DeSales University is under review by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Placements are determined by program requirements. We hope to place you in close proximity to your residence, but placements are dependent on your region, accessibility and site availability. You may need to travel up to 125 miles each way.