Choosing a speech pathology degree in Mississippi means balancing licensure eligibility, clinical training, cost, and access to programs near where you live or work. This guide is for future speech-language pathologists and career changers comparing bachelor's preparation and graduate options. It explains accreditation, admissions, timelines, costs, job prospects, and format trade-offs. It also features the 2027 Best Speech Pathology Degree Programs Ranking in Mississippi, created by the Research.com team of data scientists to help students make an informed choice about which programs are worth considering.
Key findings about speech pathology degrees in Mississippi
A bachelor's degree can prepare you for graduate admission or support roles, but independent speech-language pathology practice in Mississippi generally requires a qualifying graduate degree, supervised clinical experience, examination requirements, and state licensure.
The national median annual wage for speech-language pathologists was $97,870 in May 2025, while BLS projects 17% employment growth from 2025 to 2035; these national figures provide context, not a guaranteed Mississippi salary.
For most applicants, the decisive comparison is not ranking position alone: verify Council on Academic Accreditation status, required clinical placements, total net cost, and whether the program's schedule works with your ability to complete graduate study.
What can I expect from a speech pathology degree in Mississippi?
"Speech pathology" commonly refers to speech-language pathology (SLP): assessment and treatment of communication, speech, language, voice, fluency, swallowing, and related cognitive-communication disorders. In Mississippi, the education path usually has two stages. Students first complete a bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders or a related field, then earn a clinical master's degree in speech-language pathology to pursue professional practice.
A bachelor's program is best for students beginning the field or completing prerequisite coursework. A master's program is the essential professional credential for students seeking SLP licensure. Graduate study blends advanced coursework with supervised clinical education involving children and adults in settings such as schools, clinics, hospitals, and rehabilitation facilities.
Students should expect to develop skills that employers and licensing pathways value:
Administering and interpreting communication and swallowing assessments under appropriate supervision.
Writing evidence-based treatment plans and measurable progress documentation.
Communicating clearly with patients, families, teachers, physicians, and interdisciplinary care teams.
Applying ethical, cultural, and linguistic considerations when serving Mississippi's diverse urban and rural communities.
Using clinical technology, telepractice procedures, and electronic documentation appropriately.
This route fits people who are comfortable with science-based clinical training, sustained patient interaction, and graduate-level study. It may be a poor fit for someone seeking a quick credential, fully self-paced training, or a career with no supervised practicum requirements. Students interested in education but not diagnosis or therapy may prefer special education, audiology support, counseling, or health education pathways instead.
Where can I work with a speech pathology degree in Mississippi?
Speech-language pathologists work across education and health care rather than in one single industry. Mississippi's rural geography can make school districts, regional medical centers, outpatient clinics, early-intervention providers, and telepractice arrangements especially relevant when comparing where clinical placements and later jobs may be available.
The table shows common work settings and how the credential level changes the role available to you.
Work setting
Typical work
Credential implication
Public and private schools
Evaluating students, supporting individualized education programs, and providing school-based therapy
Professional SLP roles generally require graduate preparation, licensure, and employer-required credentials.
Hospitals and rehabilitation facilities
Communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing evaluation and treatment
Graduate clinical training is typically necessary for independent clinical roles.
Outpatient clinics and physician practices
Ongoing therapy for pediatric and adult clients
Employers generally seek a licensed SLP or a supervised clinical fellow where permitted.
Early intervention and home-based services
Family-centered services for infants and young children
Requirements depend on the provider, payer, and state rules; a graduate SLP credential is commonly required.
Skilled nursing and long-term care
Adult rehabilitation, swallowing care, and cognitive-communication treatment
Licensure and facility-specific onboarding requirements apply.
When evaluating a program, ask where students complete placements and whether the department helps arrange experiences across school and medical settings. A program with placements only near one campus may be less convenient for a student who must remain in the Delta, Gulf Coast, or another region of the state.
The most reliable national benchmark is the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 median annual wage of $97,870 for speech-language pathologists, or $47.05 per hour. This is a national occupation-wide median, not a starting-pay estimate, a Mississippi-specific wage, or an outcome promised by any degree program.
Pay in Mississippi can vary materially by employer type, experience, caseload, school-calendar schedule, clinical specialty, benefits, and location. Medical and rehabilitation settings may have different compensation structures from school systems, while rural employers may use recruitment incentives or telepractice arrangements that are not reflected in a single statewide figure.
Use salary data as one part of an ROI calculation, not as a reason to borrow without limits. A more useful comparison includes program duration, likelihood of completing the program, tuition and living expenses, scholarships, lost earnings while enrolled, existing debt, expected first-job pay, and the time needed to repay loans. Students exploring settings with stronger compensation potential can review highest-paying speech pathology jobs and careers.
Mississippi's prominent university-based options should be compared by the clinical master's pathway, accreditation status, placement structure, and academic fit - not by institution name alone. All three programs below are relevant to students seeking a university-based route in communication sciences and disorders or speech-language pathology, but their program structures and locations can serve different priorities.
University of Mississippi: The University of Mississippi houses communication sciences and disorders training within its School of Applied Sciences and provides a campus-based academic home for students seeking preparation in speech-language pathology. Its Oxford location may appeal to students who want a traditional university setting and access to faculty-led study in communication disorders; applicants should confirm the current graduate clinical sequence and placement expectations directly with the department.
University of Southern Mississippi: The University of Southern Mississippi's School of Speech and Hearing Sciences centers its offerings specifically on speech, hearing, and related clinical disciplines, making it especially relevant for applicants who want an academic environment shared with hearing-science and audiology interests. The Hattiesburg location can be a practical distinction for students in south Mississippi who need to reduce relocation or travel burdens while completing required in-person clinical experiences.
Mississippi University for Women: Mississippi University for Women offers speech-language pathology through its Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management and Speech-Language Pathology, giving students a program located in the Golden Triangle region. This may be particularly practical for applicants seeking access from northeast Mississippi; prospective students should verify current cohort scheduling, clinical-site travel expectations, and whether the program's delivery model fits work and family obligations before applying.
The strongest common screening step is to verify current accreditation with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's Council on Academic Accreditation and ask each program for its latest Praxis outcomes, completion outcomes, cohort size, estimated clinical travel costs, and placement policies. Those details can change more often than a ranking cycle and affect whether a program is workable in practice.
For a student starting without college credit, the usual route is about four years for a bachelor's degree followed by roughly two years of full-time graduate clinical study. The graduate phase is commonly intensive because academic coursework and supervised practicum must be completed in a planned sequence; it is not generally interchangeable with a short online certificate.
Students who already hold a bachelor's degree outside communication sciences and disorders may need leveling or prerequisite courses before entering a master's program. That can add time, although the exact amount depends on transcript gaps and the graduate school's admissions policy.
After graduation, the transition to independent practice can include a supervised clinical fellowship and examination steps required for certification, licensure, or employment. Build that post-degree period into your plan rather than assuming the diploma alone ends the pathway.
An accelerated option can make sense for a student with all prerequisites completed, strong capacity for a fixed full-time schedule, and enough financial support to reduce outside work. It is usually not the best choice for a student who needs part-time enrollment, extensive prerequisite work, or maximum flexibility. Learn how accelerated curricula differ through this speech language pathology accelerated program guide.
For speech-language pathology, "online" usually describes how academic coursework is delivered; it does not eliminate clinical education. A licensure-track graduate program still requires supervised, hands-on clinical experiences. Students should not assume that a program advertised as online can be completed from home without travel, site approval, or scheduled synchronous requirements.
The comparison below focuses on decision factors that matter for Mississippi applicants, especially those living far from a campus or clinical partner site.
Factor
Online or hybrid coursework
On-campus coursework
Location flexibility
Can reduce commuting for academic classes, but practicum remains location-dependent.
Requires regular campus attendance and may simplify access to university clinics.
Clinical placements
Must be arranged or approved within the program's rules; availability near a student's home should be confirmed before enrolling.
Often coordinated through established local networks, though travel may still be required.
Learning format
Requires self-management, reliable technology, and comfort participating remotely.
Offers face-to-face faculty and peer interaction on a set schedule.
Best fit
Working or geographically distant students who can meet clinical and residency requirements.
Students who prefer structured campus access and local clinic integration.
Before selecting either format, ask whether the program is CAA-accredited, whether it accepts Mississippi residents for clinical placements, who secures placements, what travel is required, and whether graduates meet Mississippi licensure education requirements. For broader format comparisons, review available slp online programs.
There is no single authoritative statewide "average cost" that accurately represents speech pathology degrees in Mississippi because the total varies by degree level, residency classification, credit load, program length, housing, books, clinical fees, travel, and aid. For a prospective SLP, graduate costs matter most because the master's degree is generally the required professional credential.
Public universities may charge substantially different tuition for in-state and out-of-state students, so establishing Mississippi residency eligibility can materially affect the estimate. Private nonprofit institutions may use a different published-price model, but their scholarships can change the net price; institution type alone does not determine value.
Compare these costs before making a deposit:
Published tuition and mandatory fees for the full expected graduate sequence, not only one semester.
Clinical-practicum expenses, including background checks, immunizations, testing, professional liability coverage, materials, and travel to sites.
Living expenses and lost work income if the program requires full-time daytime clinical participation.
Scholarships, assistantships, tuition waivers, and employer support that reduce the amount you must finance.
Debt already carried from undergraduate study and the likely repayment burden after graduation.
Request a written cost-of-attendance estimate and compare net price after gift aid across schools. Students prioritizing the lowest published cost can also compare most affordable speech pathology schools in Mississippi, but should still confirm accreditation and clinical-placement feasibility.
Financial aid for undergraduate and graduate speech pathology students can combine federal, state, institutional, and employer-based support. The first practical step is filing the FAFSA for the relevant award year because it determines eligibility for federal aid and is often required for school-based aid consideration.
Common funding sources include the following:
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans for eligible undergraduate and graduate students, subject to annual and aggregate limits.
Graduate PLUS Loans for eligible graduate or professional students who submit the required application, meet federal student-aid eligibility rules, and do not have an adverse credit history or obtain an endorser; borrowing should be limited to demonstrated education costs after other aid.
University scholarships, departmental awards, graduate assistantships, and tuition waivers, which may be competitive and may require separate applications.
Mississippi state aid programs for students who meet program-specific residency, academic, enrollment, and application requirements.
Employer tuition assistance or repayment benefits for current school, health-system, or rehabilitation employees.
Graduate PLUS is available only to eligible graduate or professional students, not to parents borrowing for a student; terms, credit requirements, and borrowing limits should be reviewed through Federal Student Aid before relying on it. Ask each department whether assistantship duties can realistically coexist with clinical schedules, since practicum hours can constrain paid work.
View the chart data as a table
Annual wage by percentile for Speech-Language Pathologists (Mississippi) (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025))
Category
Value
10th
50,280
25th
62,080
50th (median)
78,130
75th
97,860
90th
106,170
Requirements differ sharply between bachelor's and graduate programs. Bachelor's admission usually follows standard university requirements. Clinical master's admission is more selective and typically requires a completed bachelor's degree, satisfactory academic performance, prerequisite coursework, recommendations, a personal statement, and evidence that the applicant understands the profession.
Applicants without an undergraduate communication sciences and disorders major are not automatically excluded, but they may need leveling coursework. Common prerequisites include phonetics, speech and hearing science, language development, anatomy and physiology related to speech and hearing, audiology, aural rehabilitation, and introductory clinical methods. Each graduate department decides which courses it accepts and whether they must be completed before admission.
Before applying, complete this verification sequence:
Match your transcript against each program's prerequisite list rather than assuming a psychology, education, linguistics, or health degree covers all requirements.
Confirm whether prerequisites can be taken after admission, during summer study, or only before you apply.
Ask whether observation hours, interview participation, standardized-test scores, or specific science courses are currently required.
Verify that the graduate program is CAA-accredited and designed to support Mississippi licensure eligibility.
Plan for background checks, health documentation, and other clinical-site requirements that may arise after admission.
A frequent mistake is choosing a program based on perceived admissions ease instead of checking whether it supplies the coursework and clinical sequence needed for your goal. Admission policies change by cohort, so use current department instructions rather than informal advice about speech pathology programs.
Course titles vary, but a communication sciences and disorders curriculum builds the scientific and clinical foundation required for later graduate study. The master's curriculum then advances from foundational knowledge into diagnosis, intervention, clinical decision-making, and supervised practice.
Students commonly encounter the following subject areas:
Speech and hearing science, including acoustics, anatomy, physiology, and neuroanatomy relevant to communication.
Phonetics, articulation and phonological disorders, fluency disorders, and voice disorders.
Child and adult language development, language disorders, and augmentative and alternative communication.
Audiology, aural rehabilitation, and the relationship between hearing and communication.
Evaluation methods, evidence-based intervention, research methods, ethics, and multicultural service delivery.
Dysphagia and medical speech-language pathology, especially in graduate clinical programs.
Supervised practicum, which connects classroom learning to direct client care and professional documentation.
Course lists are useful, but sequence matters more. Ask whether students enter clinic early, how supervisors evaluate performance, and whether placements include both pediatric and adult populations. A curriculum that fits a school-based career may differ in emphasis from one that prepares students for medically complex adult caseloads.
Speech-language pathology programs may not always use formal "concentrations," particularly at the master's level, because all students must meet broad professional competencies. Instead, specialization often develops through electives, clinical placements, faculty research, capstone work, and post-graduate continuing education.
Areas students may explore include pediatric language disorders, school-based practice, autism-related communication support, bilingual and culturally responsive practice, dysphagia, voice, fluency, neurogenic communication disorders, augmentative and alternative communication, and adult rehabilitation.
Choose a school based on whether it can provide relevant supervised exposure, not simply whether a specialty appears in a course catalog. A student aiming for medical SLP should ask about adult and dysphagia placements; a future school clinician should ask about district partnerships, individualized education program experience, and pediatric caseload supervision. It is also wise to maintain broad preparation, because early-career jobs may not match a narrow specialty preference.
The best program is the one that supports your intended credential, is financially manageable, and gives you a realistic path through clinical education. A ranking can help identify options, but it cannot determine whether a campus location, placement schedule, prerequisite plan, or aid package works for you.
Use these questions when comparing Mississippi programs:
Is the specific graduate clinical program currently accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation, and does its curriculum support Mississippi licensure requirements?
What is the total estimated cost through graduation after scholarships and assistantships, including clinical travel and living expenses?
Who identifies and approves clinical placements, and how far might I need to travel from home or campus?
What are the latest available program-level completion, Praxis, and employment outcomes, and what reporting period do they cover?
Can I complete prerequisite or leveling coursework without delaying my intended enrollment date?
Does the course and practicum schedule permit the work, caregiving, or commuting commitments I cannot change?
What support is available if a placement is delayed, a supervisor changes, or I need academic remediation?
Two common mistakes are treating low tuition as low total cost and assuming any online format satisfies licensure needs. Avoid both by comparing net cost and confirming clinical-placement logistics in writing. If relocation is possible, it can also be useful to compare program structure with nearby-state options such as affordable slp programs in arizona, while remembering that state licensure rules and travel costs differ.
A graduate degree in speech-language pathology opens the broadest range of clinical career paths, subject to licensure and employer requirements. A bachelor's degree alone can still support related roles, but it does not typically qualify someone to independently diagnose and treat communication or swallowing disorders as an SLP.
The table distinguishes common routes so students can align their education level with the work they want to do.
Career path
Typical degree level
Decision implication
Licensed speech-language pathologist
Clinical master's degree or qualifying higher degree
Best for students seeking assessment and treatment responsibility in schools, health care, or private practice.
School-based SLP
Clinical master's degree plus applicable state credentials
Strong fit for students who prefer pediatric populations and education-team collaboration.
Medical or rehabilitation SLP
Clinical master's degree plus applicable licensure
Best for students interested in adult care, neurological conditions, swallowing, and interdisciplinary health care.
Speech-language pathology assistant or support role
Requirements vary by employer and state rules
Can offer exposure to the field, but it is not the same as the independent SLP pathway.
Research, health education, or program support
Bachelor's or graduate degree depending on role
May fit students interested in communication disorders without pursuing clinical licensure.
Students who are uncertain about clinical practice should pursue observation opportunities and talk with professionals in both schools and medical settings before committing to graduate borrowing. The day-to-day work, documentation demands, schedules, and patient populations can differ substantially.
View the chart data as a table
CAA accreditation status (Source: ASHA CAA)
Category
Value
Accredited
3
National demand for speech-language pathologists is favorable: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment growth of 17% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 12,500 openings projected each year on average over the decade. The projection is national, so it should not be read as a count of Mississippi openings or a guarantee of employment in a particular city.
For Mississippi applicants, demand should be evaluated locally. School districts, medical systems, long-term care providers, early-intervention programs, and outpatient practices may recruit differently across the state. Rural communities can create meaningful need, but they can also require broader caseloads, longer travel, or different employment arrangements than larger metropolitan areas.
To assess the market before enrolling, review recent job postings in the counties where you could realistically work, ask programs where recent graduates complete fellowships or begin employment, and compare typical settings with your preferred population. A degree is more likely to be a sound investment when its clinical experiences, debt level, and schedule align with a geographic area where you are willing to work.
2027 Best Speech Pathology Degree Programs Ranking in Mississippi
Research.com recognizes that a degree is a major financial and career decision, particularly in a licensed health profession where the wrong program can delay eligibility to practice. The ranking is designed to help prospective students compare schools using consistent, source-verifiable measures rather than relying only on marketing claims or a single outcome measure.
Research.com rankings score programs across academic and research strength, cost, graduate outcomes, student profile, and institutional quality, then rank schools according to the dimension named by the ranking. On-campus rankings use data-driven, entropy-based weights that are set for the individual ranking. Online-program rankings use an approach adapted for distance learning: campus-related indicators are excluded, while program structure and student support are emphasized. Their fixed weights are graduation rate 30%, research 25%, institutional profile 15%, and students, cost, and course factors at 10% each.
The ranking draws from the following established education datasets:
IPEDS database, which provides institution-level enrollment, completion, finance, and program information.
Peterson's database, which contributes admissions, program, and institutional-profile information.
College Scorecard database, which provides federally reported student-outcome and cost-related measures.
For readers, this approach creates a structured starting point for identifying programs to investigate, comparing institutional signals, and narrowing a list before reviewing clinical-placement processes, accreditation status, and net price. Rankings should inform - not replace - direct confirmation with each department. More detail about the approach is available in Research.com's methodology.
Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders
89.14
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2 years (6 semesters including summers), starting in the second summer session (typically the last week of June)
Required credits
61
Acceptance rate
58% (70 of 121 applications)
GPA range
3.27 - 4.00
Offers with funding
~36% (25 of 70 offers)
Application deadline
Summer admission: January 1
Class size
30
Degrees granted
46
Application process
CSDCAS
Prerequisites
Undergraduate prerequisites required: Yes; prerequisite courses offered; available online
Additional requirements
Comprehensive exam
Accreditation
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID 228d2a8c-f500-4557-8163-29d50435f894Valid 2019-2027
Verify accreditation
University of Mississippi earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 89.14/100, supported by 91% Praxis pass rate and 100% program completion rate. Its Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders is listed by ASHA EdFind as CAA-accredited through 2027, with the most recently listed accreditation review scheduled for 2026 (in process).
Admissions data from
ASHA EdFind
(updated 08/26/2025)
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID 6b614751-0164-4d66-8b91-2aa489e44e35Valid 2024-2031
Last known review scheduled for 2030
Verify accreditation
University of Southern Mississippi earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 76.07/100, supported by 99% Praxis pass rate and 100% program completion rate. Its Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential) is listed by ASHA EdFind as CAA-accredited through 2031, with the most recently listed accreditation review scheduled for 2030.
Admissions data from
ASHA EdFind
(updated 09/22/2025)
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID 53e72468-384f-4469-8bd5-80ca80d53c15Valid 2019-2027
Verify accreditation
Mississippi University for Women earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 63.74/100, supported by 99% Praxis pass rate and 100% program completion rate. Its Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is listed by ASHA EdFind as CAA-accredited through 2027, with the most recently listed accreditation review scheduled for 2026 (in process).
Admissions data from
ASHA EdFind
(updated 08/21/2026)
Frequently asked questions about speech pathology degree in Mississippi
Do I need a master's degree to become a speech-language pathologist in Mississippi?
Generally, yes. Independent clinical SLP practice typically requires a qualifying graduate degree, supervised experience, examination requirements, and state licensure. Confirm current requirements with the Mississippi licensing authority before enrolling.
Are online speech pathology degrees accepted for Mississippi licensure?
An online or hybrid format may be acceptable if the specific program meets accreditation, curriculum, and supervised clinical education requirements. Confirm CAA accreditation and ask how Mississippi clinical placements are arranged before applying.
Is a communication sciences and disorders bachelor's degree enough to work as an SLP?
No. A bachelor's degree is usually preparation for graduate school or related support roles. It does not normally qualify a person for independent speech-language pathology practice.
How long is a master's in speech-language pathology?
Many full-time clinical master's programs take about two years after prerequisites are complete. Students needing leveling coursework or part-time scheduling may take longer.
What should I check before choosing a Mississippi speech pathology program?
Verify current accreditation, licensure alignment, prerequisite requirements, clinical-placement procedures, total net cost, schedule, and current program-level outcomes. Do not rely only on tuition, online availability, or ranking position.
Is speech-language pathology a growing career?
Nationally, BLS projects 17% employment growth for speech-language pathologists from 2025 to 2035. Local opportunities vary, so review Mississippi employers and placement networks in the areas where you expect to live.
See What Experts Have To Say About Studying Speech Pathology
ASHA EdFind - Accredited Speech-Language Pathology Programs Used to verify CAA accreditation or candidacy status for graduate SLP programs. https://find.asha.org/ed/
Mississippi University for Women - Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Official program page (curriculum, tuition, and admissions). https://www.muw.edu/slp/graduate/
