How to Get into Speech Pathology School

Are you interested in a career in speech-language pathology? Then you should be aware of and prepare for speech-language pathology education requirements. Understanding how to get into speech pathology school can help you plan your education path as you work toward a career in this field.

When you earn a master’s in communication sciences and disorders (CSD), you’ll gain the specialized knowledge, skills, and experience you’ll use during a career as a speech-language pathologist. CSD master’s degrees are designed to prepare you to work with children and adults who have speech, language, hearing, and swallowing disorders. The goal of these programs is to help you obtain the skills you need to be a compassionate and effective clinician.

During your speech pathologist program, you’ll complete coursework that combines academic, research, and clinical experiences. All programs also include clinical practicums and an internship, giving you the chance to work directly with clients and develop actionable treatment plans. This experience helps prepare you to work independently in the speech-language field.

While most master’s degree programs do not require you to have completed a specific bachelor’s program, it’s important to understand the unique requirements of the speech-language pathologist (SLP) school you’re planning to apply to. Some schools may require you to take certain undergraduate coursework, so it’s helpful to plan ahead.

Speech-language pathology education requirements may vary depending on the program. Most master’s programs will require you to have earned a bachelor’s degree, but specifications about the type of degree and coursework may differ from school to school.

For example, a program might accept a bachelor’s degree in any field but have specific course prerequisites that you’ll need to complete before taking graduate-level coursework.

All accredited speech-language pathology programs have prerequisites for basic science courses as required by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA), including:

● Biological science courses, such as biology, human genetics, or anatomy

● Physical science courses, such as chemistry, physics, or geology

● Statistics courses

● Behavioral or social science courses, such as psychology or sociology

In addition to passing these prerequisites, some schools may also require a minimum cumulative GPA for all of your undergraduate coursework.

Schools will usually require transcripts from all of the schools that you’ve attended. Some SLP schools may accept unofficial transcripts for online applications, but you’ll likely still need to obtain official transcripts later in the application process. Be sure to thoroughly read and follow the admissions requirements of any school that you’re considering.

One key speech therapist education requirement is a bachelor’s degree. Earning an undergraduate degree in CSD is a common path for aspiring speech-language pathologists, but many schools will accept candidates with a bachelor’s degree in any field.

If you’re applying to an SLP school with specific course prerequisite requirements, there are some advantages to obtaining a bachelor’s degree in CSD. With a CSD bachelor’s, you will likely have taken the required prerequisite communication science courses. In contrast, if you’ve completed a bachelor’s degree in a different field, you may need to take some additional courses before beginning your CSD master’s program. This may include courses that provide you with an introduction to articulation, audiology, swallowing, and language development.

The GRE, or the Graduate Record Examination, is an admissions exam required by many graduate school programs to assess the skills of their applicants on key subject matters.

The GRE consists of verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing sections. Each section is scored independently, and your scores are good for five years. In addition to the standard GRE, some schools may require GRE Subject Tests, which focus on subjects such as chemistry, mathematics, physics, and psychology.

While the GRE may be part of speech pathology education requirements in some cases, it is not always required. Some schools—such as Baylor University—don’t require GRE scores from applicants to their CSD graduate programs.

Your education is just one part of preparing for a master’s in communication sciences and disorders. When applying, other elements of your application are also important.

In addition to your transcripts, schools may require letters of recommendation, an essay, a resume, and an interview. While preparing these takes some time, these components of your application help you demonstrate why you’re a great fit for the program.

You may also want to consider reaching out to the program contacts or joining a program informational webinar. This gives you an opportunity to speak with faculty and ask questions. This type of personal connection may help show that you are genuinely interested and engaged with the program.

Since requirements can vary from school to school, review each university’s admission requirements early. Planning ahead allows you to prepare the needed documents before the school’s deadline. This is particularly important when it comes to letters of recommendation since you’ll have to give your references time to complete their letters.

Your letters of recommendation serve an essential purpose in your application process. Each letter helps the admissions team better understand why you’re a fit for the program and why they should consider admitting you. Many schools require two to three letters of recommendation for their graduate-level speech pathology programs.

It’s important to carefully choose who you ask to write a letter on your behalf. A professor, faculty member, clinical supervisor, or employer can all attest to your strengths and why you may excel in a CSD master’s program. Be sure to choose people who have known you for a long time, since they will be able to write the most effective and detailed letters.

An essay or writing sample gives you the chance to add depth to your application while also demonstrating your writing talents. CSD master’s programs may require that your essay include elements such as a statement of purpose or a description of how your personal history ties into helping those with communication disorders.

Your writing gives admissions counselors insight into who you are as a person and how you’ve been working toward your career goals. When writing a statement of purpose, you may choose to include details about your interests, your background with speech-language pathology, and how your career goals align with the graduate program.

Taking the initiative to volunteer in the speech-language pathology field can also help your application stand out. Volunteering demonstrates to admissions teams that you can handle and balance multiple scheduling and time demands. It shows that you’re interested in using your skills to help others and may even open the doors to scholarship opportunities. At the same time, volunteering with speech therapy organizations allows you to acquire experience, gain exposure to different facilities and populations, and grow your network of professional connections.

The online CSD master’s program at Baylor University is designed for aspiring speech-language pathologists who are dedicated to helping people and enhancing quality of life—at a university with renowned professors in a caring Christian community. Find out more and request information about Baylor’s Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) online program.

Citation for this content: The online speech pathology program from Baylor University’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences