Choosing a Pennsylvania speech pathology program is consequential because clinical practice as a speech-language pathologist (SLP) typically requires a qualifying graduate degree, supervised experience, examination, and state licensure. This guide helps prospective students and career changers compare formats, costs, admissions, outcomes, and licensure fit. It will feature a 2027 Best Speech Pathology Degree Programs Ranking in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
For clinical SLP practice, a bachelor's degree alone is usually not enough: Pennsylvania applicants should plan for a master's degree from an appropriate accredited program, supervised clinical preparation, a national examination, and state licensure review.
The national median annual wage for speech-language pathologists was $97,870 in May 2025, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 17% employment growth from 2025 to 2035; these figures support demand but do not predict an individual graduate's pay or placement.
Program value depends more on accreditation, clinical placement support, time to completion, aid, and debt than on sticker price alone; compare public in-state options, private nonprofit options, and campus access before committing.
What can I expect from a speech pathology degree in Pennsylvania?
"Speech pathology" usually refers to communication sciences and disorders (CSD) study and the graduate preparation required to become an SLP. Undergraduate CSD programs introduce language, speech, hearing, anatomy, phonetics, and research methods. A master's in speech-language pathology adds diagnosis, intervention, ethics, and supervised clinical education.
Students should distinguish the degree from the occupation. A bachelor's degree can support roles such as speech-language pathology assistant where permitted, education support work, or preparation for graduate school, but it generally does not qualify someone to independently practice as an SLP. The clinical master's is the central credential for applicants seeking Pennsylvania licensure.
Pennsylvania is a practical place to compare programs because options span large urban clinical networks in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, public universities in smaller cities, and private nonprofit institutions. Commuting distance matters: clinical placements may require travel beyond the main campus, and a low-tuition program can become less affordable if placement travel or lost work time is substantial.
This path fits people who want sustained direct work with children or adults who have communication, swallowing, voice, cognitive-communication, or fluency needs. It may be a poor fit for applicants seeking a fully remote clinical credential, a short training route, or a career with no documentation, assessment, and supervised-practice requirements.
Where can I work with a speech pathology degree in Pennsylvania?
SLPs work across health care and education rather than in one single industry. Your preferred population and setting should influence program selection, especially the types of clinical placements a department can arrange.
Setting
Typical work
Program-selection implication
Public schools
Language, speech-sound, fluency, and augmentative communication services for students
Ask about school-based placements, special-education collaboration, and school-calendar work patterns.
Hospitals and rehabilitation facilities
Swallowing, neurological, voice, and cognitive-communication assessment and treatment
Look for adult medical placements and faculty expertise in dysphagia or neurogenic disorders.
Early-intervention and outpatient clinics
Family-centered pediatric services and recurring therapy visits
Compare pediatric caseload exposure, family counseling training, and travel expectations.
Skilled-nursing and home-health settings
Adult and older-adult communication and swallowing care
Confirm exposure to medically complex adult clients and interprofessional practice.
Private practice and telepractice
Specialized therapy, consultation, and virtual care where permitted
Seek instruction in ethical telepractice, documentation, business operations, and privacy.
Pittsburgh and Philadelphia can offer broad access to hospitals, academic medical centers, schools, and specialty clinics, while rural and smaller-community placements can expose students to generalist practice and service-access challenges. Neither setting is automatically better; choose the one that most closely matches the clients and employer environment you expect to enter.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a national median annual wage of $97,870, or $47.05 per hour, for speech-language pathologists in May 2025. This is the latest occupational median cited on the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook page and is a national benchmark, not a Pennsylvania starting-salary promise.
Actual pay varies with setting, experience, local labor conditions, productivity expectations, benefits, work schedule, and whether the job is school-based, medical, contract, or private practice. A graduate should not use the national median as a loan-payment calculation without obtaining local offers or employer pay ranges.
For a more detailed look at roles that can affect earning potential, explore highest paying speech pathology jobs and careers. The most financially sound decision compares likely debt, completion time, baseline earnings while enrolled, aid, and expected work setting over several years - not salary alone.
The programs below should be compared by clinical structure, degree level, location, and alignment with the Pennsylvania licensure pathway - not by a single broad claim of quality. Program pages can change requirements, so applicants should confirm current accreditation status, cohort model, tuition, and placement policies directly with each department.
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus: Pitt's CSD department sits within the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, a structure that can be particularly useful for applicants seeking interprofessional exposure alongside rehabilitation disciplines. Its Pittsburgh location may suit students who want access to a large metropolitan clinical environment; ask how clinical assignments are matched to adult medical versus school-based interests.
Pennsylvania State University: Penn State's Communication Sciences and Disorders department offers students a university-based CSD pathway with connections to health and human development. It may fit applicants who value a research-informed academic setting and are comfortable evaluating how the campus location and assigned placements fit their transportation and career plans.
West Chester University of Pennsylvania: West Chester offers a public-university option in southeastern Pennsylvania, which can be meaningful for eligible residents comparing in-state tuition with private nonprofit alternatives. Its location can be attractive to students seeking proximity to the Philadelphia region while still needing to verify the clinical-placement travel radius and schedule.
Temple University: Temple's Communication Sciences and Disorders department is based in Philadelphia and is housed within the College of Public Health. That public-health context may be especially relevant for students interested in urban health, community access, and collaboration across health professions; confirm which clinical experiences are guaranteed versus requested.
Duquesne University: Duquesne's speech-language pathology offering provides a private nonprofit option in Pittsburgh. Applicants who prefer a smaller private-university environment should compare net price after aid, not tuition alone, and ask whether clinical education schedules allow continued outside employment.
Thomas Jefferson University: Thomas Jefferson University's speech-language pathology department is connected to a health-sciences-focused institution in Philadelphia. This can be a practical match for students whose goals center on medical SLP practice, provided they verify the balance of hospital, outpatient, school, and pediatric placements in the current clinical sequence.
Indiana University of Pennsylvania: IUP lists a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, making the degree level clear for students pursuing the graduate clinical route. Its western Pennsylvania location can reduce relocation pressure for regional residents, but applicants should assess whether required placements create commuting, housing, or scheduling costs.
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania: East Stroudsburg's Communication Sciences and Disorders department provides a northeastern Pennsylvania option for students who want to study outside the state's two largest metro areas. The setting may appeal to applicants interested in serving smaller communities, while placement availability and travel expectations remain essential comparison questions.
Pennsylvania Western University: PennWest offers a master's speech-language pathology program within Pennsylvania's public-university landscape. It is worth considering for students prioritizing public access and regional proximity, but they should verify whether program delivery, residency requirements, and clinical sites fit their work and family commitments.
Moravian University: Moravian offers a speech-language pathology pathway through rehabilitation-focused academic offerings in Bethlehem. Its Lehigh Valley location may be useful for students weighing access to eastern Pennsylvania clinical markets without committing to Philadelphia; compare aid packages and clinical-site logistics carefully with nearby options.
These distinctions are starting points, not substitutes for due diligence. The strongest program is the one that can document an appropriate accredited degree, adequate clinical education, manageable total cost, and a realistic route to the setting where you want to practice.
Most students complete a bachelor's degree in about four years and then a clinical master's in about two academic years of full-time study. The exact timeline can be longer for career changers who need prerequisite CSD coursework, students in part-time plans, or students whose clinical sequence extends through summer terms.
Accelerated or combined bachelor's-to-master's options can reduce duplicated coursework for students who commit early and meet progression requirements. They are not automatically the best choice: changing majors, taking a leave, or missing a required sequence can reduce the expected time advantage. Students interested in this route can compare 5 year SLP programs before assuming an accelerated format will meet Pennsylvania clinical and licensure needs.
After graduation, aspiring SLPs should also plan for the post-degree supervised professional experience and licensing steps required by Pennsylvania. Ask every program for a written, term-by-term plan that shows coursework, clinical practicum, graduation, examination timing, and post-graduate supervision.
An online or hybrid academic format can reduce relocation and commuting burdens, but it does not eliminate hands-on clinical training. Students still need supervised experiences, and they must confirm whether a program can arrange placements near their home and whether Pennsylvania will accept the preparation for licensure.
Factor
Online or hybrid format
On-campus format
Classroom access
Often more flexible for lectures and seminars
Scheduled in-person instruction and easier spontaneous faculty contact
Clinical education
Must still occur in approved supervised settings; local placement availability is critical
May provide closer access to university clinics and local partner sites
Best fit
Working adults or place-bound students who can meet placement and residency rules
Students seeking campus-based clinical infrastructure and a cohort-centered experience
Main risk
Assuming "online" means fully remote or licensure-ready in every state
Underestimating relocation, parking, commuting, and reduced work flexibility
Before applying, request written confirmation of residency requirements, placement responsibility, typical placement distance, required synchronous sessions, and whether the program is designed for Pennsylvania licensure. A slp online masters program can be a useful comparison point, but affordability should never outweigh accreditation and clinical-placement feasibility.
There is no single reliable statewide "average cost" that captures all Pennsylvania speech pathology degrees because tuition differs by institution, residency, credit load, degree level, and academic year. Public universities may offer lower published tuition for eligible Pennsylvania residents, while private nonprofit universities may have higher sticker prices but sometimes provide institutional aid that changes net cost.
Use a total-cost comparison rather than a tuition comparison. A clinical graduate program's actual cost can include fees, health insurance, textbooks, testing, background checks, clinical attire, transportation, parking, housing, and income forgone during intensive practicum terms.
The table identifies the cost questions that most directly affect return on investment.
Cost item
Why it matters
What to request
Tuition and mandatory fees
Published rates can vary by residency and enrollment level
A current term-by-term estimate for the full clinical sequence
Clinical travel and housing
Placements may be off campus or outside your home region
Typical placement radius and any relocation expectations
Program length
Additional terms increase both tuition and foregone earnings
A sample full-time and part-time completion plan
Institutional aid
Net price can differ substantially from published price
Renewal rules, assistantships, scholarships, and average award practices
Debt repayment exposure
Borrowing affects career flexibility after graduation
A borrowing estimate and financial-aid counseling appointment
Cost-sensitive applicants can broaden their benchmark by reviewing the cheapest speech pathology graduate programs in arizona, but should not assume another state's tuition, residency rules, or clinical licensure fit will transfer to Pennsylvania.
Graduate SLP students commonly combine federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, school scholarships, graduate assistantships where available, employer tuition assistance, private scholarships, savings, and, when eligible, other financing. Availability and award amounts vary by program, enrollment status, financial need, and funding cycle.
Start with the FAFSA and compare each school's net-cost estimate before accepting admission. For Pennsylvania residents, state-administered aid and professional-association scholarships may also be worth investigating, but eligibility can be limited and should not be treated as guaranteed funding.
Use this sequence to reduce preventable borrowing:
Submit the FAFSA as early as possible and meet each institution's priority deadlines.
Ask the department whether assistantships are available to clinical master's students and whether clinical schedules make them realistic.
Request a written breakdown of tuition, fees, health insurance, and expected placement-related costs.
Compare renewable grants against loans and confirm academic-progress conditions before relying on an award.
Borrow only after estimating the full program timeline and a conservative post-graduation budget.
Graduate borrowing rules and limits can change, so confirm current eligibility and loan terms directly with Federal Student Aid and the financial-aid office before signing a promissory note. Students comparing lower-cost models may also find the Affordable Speech Pathology Degree Programs Ranking in Richardson, TX useful as a separate market comparison.
View the chart data as a table
Annual wage by percentile for Speech-Language Pathologists (Pennsylvania) (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025))
Category
Value
10th
60,650
25th
72,440
50th (median)
92,960
75th
107,990
90th
130,780
Admissions requirements differ by degree level. Bachelor's applicants generally need standard first-year admission materials. Clinical master's applicants typically need a bachelor's degree, prerequisite CSD coursework or an approved leveling sequence, transcripts, recommendations, a statement of purpose, and evidence that they can manage graduate-level science and clinical training.
Career changers should not assume that a degree in psychology, education, linguistics, biology, or another related field automatically meets prerequisites. Many programs require foundational study in areas such as phonetics, speech and hearing science, language development, anatomy or physiology, audiology, and statistics. Programs may also require specified science coursework to support professional certification and licensure eligibility.
Before paying an application fee, ask admissions offices to evaluate your transcript against the exact prerequisite list. Applicants who are concerned about selectivity should review easiest SLP programs to get into, while still treating accreditation, clinical quality, and licensure fit as nonnegotiable.
Coursework progresses from scientific foundations to clinical reasoning. At the undergraduate level, students commonly study normal communication development, phonetics, acoustics, hearing science, language, anatomy, and research methods. Graduate clinical curricula add assessment, intervention planning, evidence-based practice, professional ethics, and supervised practicum.
The following curriculum areas help applicants compare whether a program supports their intended population and setting:
Speech-sound disorders, phonological disorders, and fluency disorders.
Child language development and developmental language disorder.
Adult neurogenic communication disorders, including aphasia and cognitive-communication conditions.
Voice, resonance, motor speech, and dysphagia assessment and intervention.
Audiology foundations, augmentative and alternative communication, counseling, and cultural-linguistic responsiveness.
Clinical methods, data collection, documentation, ethics, and supervised practicum.
Course titles alone do not prove depth. Ask whether a subject is a required clinical experience, an elective, or simply a lecture topic. Students targeting medical SLP positions should look particularly closely at adult neurogenic disorders and swallowing preparation, while future school clinicians should examine pediatric language, literacy-related work, and educational placements.
Most entry-to-practice SLP master's degrees remain broad because graduates need preparation across the scope of practice. Specialization is more commonly developed through electives, faculty research, clinics, practicum placements, and post-graduate fellowships than through a separate degree title.
Common areas students may pursue include pediatric language and autism-related communication needs, school-based practice, adult neurogenic disorders, dysphagia, voice, bilingual or multilingual service delivery, augmentative and alternative communication, and hearing-related communication support. Availability differs by department and by placement partners.
Specialization should be chosen carefully. Students who are unsure of their long-term setting should favor programs with broad clinical exposure; students with a defined goal should ask for evidence of relevant placements and faculty expertise. Avoid selecting a program solely because it advertises an interest area if it cannot show how students gain supervised experience in that area.
The best program is not necessarily the lowest-priced, most selective, or closest campus. It is the one that gives you a financially workable, accredited, clinically appropriate route to the Pennsylvania license and career setting you want.
Use these steps to compare finalists consistently:
Confirm that the degree and its accreditation status meet the educational expectations for professional certification and Pennsylvania licensure; do not rely on a general university accreditation claim.
Compare total net cost, including aid, clinical travel, housing, fees, and income you may lose during full-time practicum periods.
Request a sample clinical-placement plan and ask who secures sites, how far students travel, and what happens if a placement changes.
Match the curriculum and placements to your goal: school-based pediatric care, adult medical practice, early intervention, or a broad generalist route.
Check progression requirements, cohort scheduling, leave policies, and the consequences of repeating a clinical course.
Ask for current information on completion, examination preparation, employment support, and graduate outcomes, including the reporting period and denominator used.
Common mistakes include assuming all online programs are fully remote, comparing sticker tuition rather than net cost, and treating a ranking as proof that a program fits your license plan. A ranking is most useful as a shortlist tool; your final decision should be based on documented fit, affordability, and the program's answers to your specific clinical questions.
A clinical master's degree can support the pathway to SLP practice, while a bachelor's degree can support adjacent roles or preparation for graduate study. The right academic level depends on whether you want independent clinical responsibility, a support role, research exposure, or a related communication-health career.
Career direction
Typical education path
Decision consideration
Speech-language pathologist
Clinical master's, supervised post-graduate experience, examination, and Pennsylvania licensure
Choose an accredited program with clinical training aligned to the state pathway.
School-based SLP
Clinical SLP pathway plus applicable school-employment requirements
Review pediatric and educational placements, not just medical coursework.
Medical or rehabilitation SLP
Clinical SLP pathway with adult and medical clinical exposure
Seek evidence of swallowing, neurogenic, inpatient, or rehabilitation experiences.
SLP assistant or communication support role
Requirements vary by employer and state rules
Do not assume a bachelor's degree authorizes clinical work; verify supervision and scope requirements.
Research, education, or health-program support
Bachelor's, master's, or doctoral study depending on role
May suit people who value communication science but do not want a clinical licensure route.
Students should also consider whether they enjoy the realities of clinical work: detailed documentation, family communication, interdisciplinary coordination, progress measurement, and adapting treatment for different cultures and communication needs. These factors often influence job satisfaction more than a job title does.
View the chart data as a table
Total tuition + mandatory fees (resident, this ranking) (Source: Research.com SLP dataset)
Category
Value
20,000-40,000 USD
4
40,000-60,000 USD
7
60,000-80,000 USD
3
80,000-100,000 USD
1
100,000-120,000 USD
0
120,000-140,000 USD
0
140,000-160,000 USD
1
The national market outlook is favorable: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of speech-language pathologists to grow 17% from 2025 to 2035, with about 12,500 openings projected annually on average over that decade. This national projection indicates strong occupation-wide demand, but it is not a count of Pennsylvania openings or a guarantee of a job in a preferred city or specialty.
In Pennsylvania, job access can differ considerably between metropolitan areas, smaller cities, and rural communities. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh may offer more varied hospital, university-affiliated, clinic, and school employers; other areas may present strong needs but fewer nearby employers and longer travel requirements. Students who want geographic flexibility should seek varied practicum experiences and maintain realistic expectations about first-job location.
Technology is also changing practice. Telepractice, electronic documentation, augmentative communication tools, and data-informed treatment planning can be valuable skills, but technology does not remove the need for clinical judgment, supervision, privacy protections, or state-specific licensure compliance. Ask programs how these skills are taught in clinical - not only lecture - settings.
2027 Best Speech Pathology Degree Programs Ranking in Pennsylvania
Education is a major financial and professional commitment, so Research.com designed this ranking to help readers compare programs using consistent evidence rather than reputation alone. The ranking team evaluates academic and research strength, cost, graduate outcomes, student profile, and institutional quality, then ranks programs by the dimension named in the ranking.
For on-campus programs, Research.com uses data-driven, entropy-based weights tailored to the ranking. Online programs are assessed through an approach adapted for distance learning: campus-dependent indicators are excluded, while program structure and student support receive greater emphasis. Online rankings use fixed weights of graduation rate (30%), research (25%), institutional profile (15%), and students, cost, and course factors (10% each).
The ranking draws on these established education datasets:
IPEDS database, which provides institution-level reporting on enrollment, completions, tuition, and student outcomes.
Peterson's database, which contributes program and institutional information used in comparative analysis.
College Scorecard database, which supplies federally reported cost, debt, completion, and earnings-related measures where available.
Readers can use the ranking to build a realistic shortlist, compare value alongside clinical and licensure fit, and identify questions to take to admissions offices. For a fuller explanation of the scoring approach, see Research.com's methodology.
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID c5f8d956-db32-4d03-a91a-202c4f00dc9aValid 2018-2026
Last known review scheduled for 2025 (in process)
Verify accreditation
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 94.33/100, supported by 100% Praxis pass rate and 99% program completion rate. Its Speech-Language Pathology (MA/MS) is listed by ASHA EdFind as CAA-accredited through 2026, with the most recently listed accreditation review scheduled for 2025 (in process).
Admissions data from
ASHA EdFind
(updated 10/30/2025)
# 2 position
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Master
Master of Science (M.S.) in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID d69039db-f55f-4a7a-85b3-13a28f0aaa1cValid 2025-2033
Last known review scheduled for August 2032
Verify accreditation
Pennsylvania State University earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 87.63/100, supported by 95% Praxis pass rate and 98% program completion rate. Its Master of Science (M.S.) in Communication Sciences and Disorders is listed by ASHA EdFind as CAA-accredited through 2033, with the most recently listed accreditation review scheduled for 2032.
Admissions data from
ASHA EdFind
(updated 08/12/2025)
Master of Arts (M.A.) Program in Speech-Language Pathology
83.39
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Two years across six to seven semesters, including two summers
Required credits
63 semester hours (36 didactic + 27 clinical)
Acceptance rate
57% (102 of 178 applications)
GPA range
3.29 - 4.00
Application deadline
Fall admission: January 15
Class size
50
Degrees granted
35
Application process
CSDCAS
Prerequisites
Undergraduate prerequisites required: Yes
Additional requirements
Comprehensive exam
Accreditation
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID 400c51d9-2c4f-47cf-b244-9da9374dfb50Valid 2023-2031
Last known review scheduled for February 2030
Verify accreditation
West Chester University of Pennsylvania earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 83.39/100, supported by 100% Praxis pass rate and 97% program completion rate. Its Master of Arts (M.A.) Program in Speech-Language Pathology 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 08/01/2025)
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID 24959224-3a07-4583-890d-7d2e8de13c78Valid 2025-2033
Last known review scheduled for August 2032
Verify accreditation
Temple University earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 82.64/100, supported by 97% Praxis pass rate and 98% program completion rate. Its Master of Arts in Speech, Language and Hearing Science is listed by ASHA EdFind as CAA-accredited through 2033, with the most recently listed accreditation review scheduled for 2032.
Admissions data from
ASHA EdFind
(updated 10/29/2025)
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID 5c45f245-7d4d-4427-afe9-2c9cf1ccfcf5Valid 2023-2031
Last known review scheduled for August 2030
Verify accreditation
Duquesne University earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 81.55/100, supported by 100% 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 2031, with the most recently listed accreditation review scheduled for 2030.
Admissions data from
ASHA EdFind
(updated 11/07/2025)
Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP)
79.25
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2 years
Required credits
60
Acceptance rate
87% (138 of 159 applications)
GPA range
3.00 - 3.80
Offers with funding
~25% (35 of 138 offers)
Application deadline
Rolling Admission
Class size
19
Degrees granted
26
Application process
CSDCAS
Prerequisites
Undergraduate prerequisites required: Yes
Additional requirements
Comprehensive exam
Accreditation
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID 2adda212-939f-4f5c-9915-89070d86e51aValid 2026-2031
Last known review scheduled for February 2030
Verify accreditation
Thomas Jefferson University earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 79.25/100, supported by 94% Praxis pass rate and 92% program completion rate. Its Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) 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 10/30/2025)
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID b97d183a-6d9a-4423-aca2-de6daa32831bValid 2020-2028
Last known review scheduled for August 2027
Verify accreditation
Indiana University of Pennsylvania earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 73.94/100, supported by 99% Praxis pass rate and 100% program completion rate. Its Master of Science (MS) in Speech-Language Pathology is listed by ASHA EdFind as CAA-accredited through 2028, with the most recently listed accreditation review scheduled for 2027.
Admissions data from
ASHA EdFind
(updated 10/29/2025)
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID b4372de4-74d4-4e02-b441-90495c565127Valid 2021-2029
Last known review scheduled for August 2028
Verify accreditation
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 73.85/100, supported by 100% Praxis pass rate and 100% program completion rate. Its Speech-Language Pathology (M.S.) is listed by ASHA EdFind as CAA-accredited through 2029, with the most recently listed accreditation review scheduled for 2028.
Admissions data from
ASHA EdFind
(updated 09/27/2025)
Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (On-Campus)
72.73
/ 100
Final score
Required credits
60
Acceptance rate
20% (86 of 420 applications)
Application deadline
Fall admission: February 1 Spring admission: October 15
Class size
86
Degrees granted
105
Application process
CSDCAS
Prerequisites
Undergraduate prerequisites required: Yes; prerequisite courses offered; available online
Additional requirements
Comprehensive exam; Praxis
Accreditation
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID 2159b7fd-0e5e-422a-8590-c1e7cc50f1f2Valid 2023-2028
Last known review scheduled for August 2027
Verify accreditation
Pennsylvania Western University earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 72.73/100, supported by 91% Praxis pass rate and 97% program completion rate. Its Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (On-Campus) is listed by ASHA EdFind as CAA-accredited through 2028, with the most recently listed accreditation review scheduled for 2027.
Admissions data from
ASHA EdFind
(updated 10/07/2024)
Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP)
71.67
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Full-time, two years (six semesters, Summer I through Spring II)
Required credits
46
Acceptance rate
86% (49 of 57 applications)
GPA range
2.56 - 3.97
Offers with funding
~14% (7 of 49 offers)
Class size
26
Degrees granted
19
Application process
CSDCAS
Prerequisites
Undergraduate prerequisites required: Yes
Accreditation
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID 27496f16-75f9-4b01-9cd5-677e47f2155bValid 2022-2027
Verify accreditation
Moravian University earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 71.67/100, supported by 95% Praxis pass rate and 98% program completion rate. Its Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) 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 10/31/2025)
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID 8ed959ad-4648-414c-928c-e3729ff4baa2Valid 2022-2030
Last known review scheduled for August 2029
Verify accreditation
Marywood University earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 68.64/100, supported by 93% Praxis pass rate and 100% program completion rate. Its Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (Two-Year Program) is listed by ASHA EdFind as CAA-accredited through 2030, with the most recently listed accreditation review scheduled for 2029.
Admissions data from
ASHA EdFind
(updated 08/11/2025)
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID 27a99fc2-5f92-4dc2-8716-07279806c419Valid 2020-2028
Last known review scheduled for August 2027
Verify accreditation
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 66.02/100, supported by 89% 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 2028, with the most recently listed accreditation review scheduled for 2027.
Admissions data from
ASHA EdFind
(updated 09/26/2025)
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID 28480f85-104e-449c-a5ae-ea2ab9c03655Valid 2024-2032
Last known review scheduled for August 2031
Verify accreditation
Salus University earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 65.3/100, supported by 100% Praxis pass rate and 96% program completion rate. Its Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is listed by ASHA EdFind as CAA-accredited through 2032, with the most recently listed accreditation review scheduled for 2031.
Admissions data from
ASHA EdFind
(updated 09/17/2025)
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID 53869d5d-8ee8-4845-9ea4-71e37bb49465Valid 2023-2028
Last known review scheduled for August 2027
Verify accreditation
Lebanon Valley College earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 63.47/100, supported by 100% Praxis pass rate and 2-year completion pathway. Its Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is listed by ASHA EdFind as CAA-accredited through 2028, with the most recently listed accreditation review scheduled for 2027.
Admissions data from
ASHA EdFind
(updated 08/26/2026)
Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology (residential)
62.59
/ 100
Final score
Program length
6 semesters
Required credits
67
Acceptance rate
35% (43 of 124 applications)
GPA range
3.00 - 3.90
Offers with funding
~53% (23 of 43 offers)
Application deadline
Rolling Admission Summer admission: March 1st
Class size
15
Degrees granted
21
Application process
CSDCAS
Prerequisites
Undergraduate prerequisites required: Yes
Additional requirements
Comprehensive exam
Accreditation
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID cc33713a-a6c1-44ab-a4ae-57ab1da1eacbValid 2025-2030
Last known review scheduled for 2029
Verify accreditation
Widener University earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 62.59/100, supported by 95% Praxis pass rate and 98% program completion rate. Its Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology (residential) is listed by ASHA EdFind as CAA-accredited through 2030, with the most recently listed accreditation review scheduled for 2029.
Admissions data from
ASHA EdFind
(updated 10/31/2025)
Fall admission: Feb 1 Spring admission: December 5 Summer admission: NA
Class size
47
Degrees granted
50
Application process
CSDCAS
Prerequisites
Undergraduate prerequisites required: Yes; prerequisite courses offered; available online
Additional requirements
Comprehensive exam; Thesis
Accreditation
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID 6463bd57-3153-4b52-9e59-81412f421d32Valid 2020-2028
Last known review scheduled for February 2028
Verify accreditation
Misericordia University earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 59.4/100, supported by 100% 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 2028, with the most recently listed accreditation review scheduled for 2028.
Admissions data from
ASHA EdFind
(updated 09/10/2025)
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID 77675aa8-b548-41cd-ab30-00b24118225cValid 2023-2028
Last known review scheduled for August 2027
Verify accreditation
Thiel College earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 59.17/100, supported by 100% 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 2028, with the most recently listed accreditation review scheduled for 2027.
Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology
58.53
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2 years (5 semesters for on-time completion)
Required credits
60 credits
Acceptance rate
80% (100 of 125 applications)
GPA range
2.63 - 3.98
Offers with funding
~6% (6 of 100 offers)
Application deadline
Rolling Admission Fall admission: Priority deadline: January 5th, after January 5th applications are reviewed on a rolling basis
Class size
22
Degrees granted
29
Application process
CSDCAS
Prerequisites
Undergraduate prerequisites required: Yes; prerequisite courses offered; available online
Additional requirements
Comprehensive exam; Capstone
Accreditation
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID dd9bf9df-60e7-4fb8-bc60-9b216e093c68Valid 2024-2032
Last known review scheduled for February 2032
Verify accreditation
La Salle University earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 58.53/100, supported by 96% Praxis pass rate and 100% program completion rate. Its Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology is listed by ASHA EdFind as CAA-accredited through 2032, with the most recently listed accreditation review scheduled for 2032.
Admissions data from
ASHA EdFind
(updated 08/20/2025)
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID 7dc359de-da78-44cc-bf60-04fa1557b2dfValid 2025-2030
Last known review scheduled for February 2029
Verify accreditation
Carlow University earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 57.19/100, supported by 93% Praxis pass rate and 98% program completion rate. Its Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology is listed by ASHA EdFind as CAA-accredited through 2030, with the most recently listed accreditation review scheduled for 2029.
Admissions data from
ASHA EdFind
(updated 09/22/2025)
Frequently asked questions about speech pathology degree in Pennsylvania
Do I need a master's degree to become an SLP in Pennsylvania?
Generally, yes. Independent clinical practice typically requires a qualifying graduate degree, supervised professional experience, a national examination, and Pennsylvania licensure approval. Verify current requirements with the state licensing authority before enrolling.
Is a bachelor's degree in speech pathology enough to work as a speech-language pathologist?
No. A bachelor's degree is normally preparation for graduate study or related support roles. It does not ordinarily qualify someone for independent SLP practice.
Should I choose an accredited program?
Yes. Accreditation is one of the most important checks because it affects professional certification and licensure planning. Confirm the program's current status directly, rather than relying on an old webpage or general institutional accreditation.
Can I complete a Pennsylvania SLP degree fully online?
Coursework may be online or hybrid, but clinical education requires supervised hands-on experiences. Confirm residency requirements, local placement support, and Pennsylvania licensure compatibility in writing.
How competitive are speech pathology master's programs?
Admissions can be competitive because programs often use cohort models and must arrange clinical education. Strong prerequisite performance, relevant observation or service experience where requested, clear goals, and complete applications can matter, but each program sets its own standards.
Is a speech pathology degree worth the investment?
It can be worthwhile for people committed to licensed clinical practice, especially given the BLS national growth outlook. Evaluate the decision using net cost, debt, completion likelihood, program duration, clinical fit, and realistic local employment options rather than salary projections alone.
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/
O*NET OnLine - Speech-Language Pathologists Used to verify common responsibilities, professional skills, work settings, and education expectations for SLPs. https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1127.00
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus - Speech-Language Pathology (MA/MS) Official program page (curriculum, tuition, and admissions). https://www.shrs.pitt.edu/academics/csd/slp/
Pennsylvania State University - Master of Science (M.S.) in Communication Sciences and Disorders Official program page (curriculum, tuition, and admissions). https://hhd.psu.edu/csd/ms
