School Overviews
Speech language pathology programs are offered at many of the country's best schools. Students who graduate from these programs usually receive a Master of Arts in Speech Language Pathology. The University of Iowa, Arizona State University, and Northwestern University are all top schools that offer graduate programs in speech-language pathology. Graduate degrees at Iowa prepare students for doctoral programs or work in the field. Northwestern's program offers specialty areas, and Arizona offers a part-time employment program. All are highly ranked by U.S. News and World Report.
University of Iowa
Speech-language pathology programs at the University of Iowa were ranked #1 (tied) in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in 2016. In 2020, U.S. News and World Report ranked the university #34 (tied) for top public schools. The university's Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers a professional and a general Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology. The professional program provides all the coursework necessary for graduates to pursue a career in speech therapy. The general program is specifically designed for those who plan to pursue a doctoral degree. Students in both programs study a variety of communication disorders and methods of treatment.
Northwestern University in Illinois
In 2020, U.S. News & World Report ranked Northwestern #9 among all national universities. Northwestern University is also home to the fifth-best (tied) speech-language pathology program in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report in 2016. The Master of Arts program is offered through the School of Communication and prepares students to diagnose and treat a variety of disorders in children and adults. Coursework includes classroom and clinical study of many disorders, including language, neurology, literacy, and swallowing impairments. Students can pursue general study or select a specialty in either early intervention for children or neurological disorders.
Arizona State University in Tempe
Arizona State University has the 17th (tied) best speech-language pathology program in the country, according to U.S. News and World Report's 2016 list. The school offers a post-bachelor's certificate as well as a Master of Science in Communication Disorders. The certificate program is a pre-master's program for students who have a bachelor's in another area of study. The master's program prepares students to become certified speech-language pathologists after taking the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Praxis exam. Students have the opportunity to participate in a part-time employment program while completing their master's degree in speech-language pathology, and they can also enroll in a bilingual training program.
Top U.S. Schools for Speech Therapy
Students also have other top speech therapy schools that they can choose from.
| College/University Name | Distinction | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana University - Bloomington | Faculty members' areas of specialty research include disfluency, speech and motor skills, speech perception, and more. | Bloomington, IN |
| Purdue Global | Tied for fifth best graduate speech-language pathology program on U.S. News & World Report's 2016 list. | West Lafayette, IN |
| University of Florida | Students have access to several clinics, including the UF Health, Speech and Audiology Center and the UF Health Rehab Center. | Gainesville, FL |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 100% of speech pathology students passed the Praxis in 2019. During the same year, 95% found employment after graduation. | College Park, MD |
| University of Texas at Austin | Has a large communication sciences and disorders department ,with more than 250 undergraduate and 100 graduate students, as well as 30 faculty members. | Austin, TX |
| University of Washington | Has faculty members that include fellows from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Acoustical Society of America. | Seattle, WA |
| University of Wisconsin - Madison | Ranked 3rd (tied) on U.S. News & World Report's 2016 list of schools with the best graduate speech-language pathology programs. | Madison, WI |
Aspiring speech therapists have numerous options for high-ranking speech-language pathology programs. Some of the best schools in the field include Arizona State University, Northwestern, and the University of Iowa.
