Speech therapists, also called speech pathologists, diagnose and help treat difficulties people have in speech, hearing, and feeding.
A good speech therapist can make a difference in someone's life by helping them to communicate more clearly.
Speech language pathologists, typically have a master's degree in speech pathology or a related discipline.
There are many accredited master's degree programs online so you can earn your degree without putting the rest of your life on hold.
7 Best Online Speech Therapy Master's Programs
Read on for more information about the top speech therapy training programs that are available online.
1. Baylor University
Baylor University offers a master's degree in communication sciences and disorders that can be completed 100% online.
The accredited program culminates with a clinical fellowship year following completion of the online coursework.
Baylor's 45-credit program can be completed in just five trimesters of full-time study or seven to 11 trimesters of part-time study.
Tuition for the program starts at $1,900 per credit hour. Scholarships and financial aid are available for qualifying students.
2. Calvin University
From Calvin University, you can earn a master's in speech-language pathology 100% online.
Calvin boasts a 100% passage rate on the national PRAXIS exam graduates must take for state licensure.
The accredited program is designed to be completed in two years of full-time study and does not have a part-time option.
Tuition for the program starts at $920 per credit hour. Scholarships and other financial aid options are available for those who qualify.
3. James Madison University
James Madison University (JMU) has a master's degree in speech-language pathology available through 100% online coursework.
The program operates on a cohort basis and accepts new students once every two years to start coursework in the fall semester.
JMU's online master's degree is designed for adult learners who don't want to put their career and family responsibilities on hold.
Tuition starts at $545 per credit hour for Virginia residents or $1,272 for out-of-state students. Financial aid is available.
4. New York University
New York University (NYU) offers an accredited master's degree in speech-language pathology 100% online.
The program features 48 graduate-level credit hours with 7 online courses and 375 direct clinical contact hours.
NYU offers multiple cohort start dates throughout the year so you can begin your degree when it best suits your schedule.
Tuition starts at $2,101 per credit hour. Scholarships are available along with other financial aid options for all students who qualify.
5. Stephen F. Austin State University
At Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU), you can get a master's degree in speech-language pathology 100% online.
To qualify for the online program, you must already be working as a speech-language pathology (SLP) assistant in the state of Texas.
The online program accepts new students into cohorts on alternate years and all courses are presented live via Zoom.
Tuition for the program starts at $566.50 per credit hour for Texas and border state residents ($986.50 for all other out-of-state students).
6. Texas Woman's University
In just two years, you can earn a master's degree in speech-language pathology online from Texas Woman's University (TWU).
The hybrid distance education option includes live classes in Denton every summer along with live interactive webinars in the fall and spring.
With the online option, you can also work as a licensed SLP assistant while completing your degree, gaining extra experience in the field.
Tuition for the program starts at $5,196 per 9-credit-hour term. Scholarships and other financial aid options are available.
7. University of Northern Colorado
From the University of Northern Colorado (UNC), you could earn a master's degree in speech-language pathology 100% online.
The synchronous program is taught on a cohort system and admits a new class of students once every other year for a fall semester start.
On-campus meetings in Greeley are required for two to three weeks during the first summer semester of the program.
Tuition starts at $678 per credit hour for Colorado residents or $1,269 per credit hour for non-residents. Financial aid is available.
FAQs about Speech Therapy Training Programs
Keep reading for answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about online speech therapy training programs.
Can You Do Speech and Language Therapy Online?
Absolutely! There are plenty of speech-language therapy programs available online, including master's degree programs.
Typically, you'll have to complete your clinical fieldwork in person. However, your coursework can be completed 100% online.
Are Speech Therapists in Demand?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment of speech therapists will grow 19% from 2022 to 2032.
This rate of growth is much faster than the average for all occupations, so speech therapists are very much in demand.
What's the Difference Between Speech Therapy and Speech Pathology?
The terms speech therapist and speech pathologist are interchangeable — there's no difference between the two occupations.
Practitioners might prefer one term over the other, but this doesn't reflect any difference in their training or education.
Find the Right School for Speech Therapy Training Today
If you want a career as a speech pathologist, start with an online master's degree in speech-language pathology or a related field.
