Choosing a speech pathology program in Texas means balancing CAA accreditation, clinical training, licensure eligibility, cost, and the setting where you want to work. This guide is for future speech-language pathologists and career changers comparing bachelor's, master's, and doctoral routes. It explains admissions, timelines, Texas licensing, job prospects, and return-on-investment questions. It will also feature a 2027 Best Speech Pathology Degree Programs Ranking in Texas created by the Research.com team of data scientists to help students make an informed choice about programs worth considering.
Key findings about speech pathology degrees in Texas
A Texas master's degree from a CAA-accredited program is the usual educational route to speech-language pathologist licensure; a bachelor's degree alone generally does not qualify someone to practice independently as an SLP.
Speech-language pathologists had a national median annual wage of $97,870 in May 2025, and BLS projects 17% employment growth from 2025 to 2035, making clinical training quality and debt management central to the investment decision.
Texas applicants should compare campus access, bilingual-service opportunities, clinical placement systems, in-state tuition eligibility, and whether a program's curriculum supports Texas licensure requirements rather than choosing on ranking position alone.
What can I expect from a speech pathology degree in Texas?
Speech pathology, more formally called speech-language pathology (SLP), prepares students to assess and treat communication, swallowing, voice, language, speech-sound, fluency, and cognitive-communication disorders. In Texas, the career-qualifying degree is typically a Master of Science or Master of Arts in speech-language pathology from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA).
Most students follow one of two routes. Students who already hold a communication sciences and disorders bachelor's degree usually enter a two-year graduate program. Career changers and students with unrelated undergraduate degrees may need prerequisite coursework before or during admission, which can lengthen the path and increase cost.
Education option
Typical purpose
What it usually does not provide
Bachelor's in communication disorders
Foundation for graduate study; possible support roles such as speech-language pathology assistant where permitted
Independent SLP licensure
Master's in speech-language pathology
Clinical preparation for the SLP profession, clinical fellowship, certification, and state licensure steps
Automatic licensure without completing postdegree requirements
PhD in speech, language, and hearing sciences
Research, university teaching, advanced scholarship, and leadership
A substitute for clinical master's training if the goal is patient care
Expect a demanding blend of anatomy, phonetics, language development, neurogenic disorders, assessment, counseling, ethics, and supervised clinical practicum. Graduate study is a good fit for people comfortable with science, documentation, family communication, and repeated feedback on clinical performance. It is less suitable for applicants seeking a quick, fully asynchronous credential or a role with minimal direct client interaction.
Where can I work with a speech pathology degree in Texas?
Texas SLPs work across healthcare and education, but the work setting changes the patient population, schedule, documentation burden, and compensation structure. School-based roles commonly focus on children's language, articulation, fluency, and educational access, while medical settings may emphasize swallowing disorders, stroke recovery, brain injury, voice, and complex adult care.
The following settings are the most relevant when comparing clinical-placement opportunities:
Public schools and early-intervention programs, which can suit candidates who want school calendars and pediatric caseloads.
Hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, outpatient clinics, and skilled nursing facilities, which are often better aligned with adult neurogenic, dysphagia, and medically complex practice interests.
Private practices and multidisciplinary pediatric clinics, which may offer focused caseloads but can vary substantially in supervision, productivity expectations, and benefits.
University clinics, research centers, and telepractice providers, which can appeal to students interested in training, research, or remote-service models.
Location matters in a large state. Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, El Paso, and the Rio Grande Valley offer different mixes of hospitals, school districts, bilingual communities, and specialty providers. Students who intend to remain in a particular region should ask each program where it routinely places students, because a distant placement can add housing, commuting, and lost-work costs.
The most reliable national benchmark is the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational profile: speech-language pathologists had a median annual wage of $97,870, or $47.05 per hour, in May 2025 (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, published with May 2025 wage data). This is a national median, not a promised starting salary, Texas average, or guarantee for any graduate.
Pay can differ materially by employer type, clinical specialization, experience, productivity model, geographic market, and whether the role is school-based or medical. A school contract may offer a predictable calendar and benefits, while hospital or contract positions may use different salary structures. Review a detailed speech therapist salary guide alongside local job postings rather than evaluating a program solely by national wage figures.
ROI factor
Why it matters for an SLP student
Total program cost
Tuition, fees, health insurance, books, travel, and clinical-placement expenses affect borrowing.
Time out of the workforce
Full-time clinical programs can limit paid employment and create opportunity cost.
Completion probability
A lower-priced program is not automatically the stronger value if scheduling or support makes completion harder.
Career setting and location
Expected local opportunities should be considered alongside baseline earnings, postdegree earnings, and debt repayment horizon.
A degree is most likely to be a sensible investment when the student has a realistic plan for financing, completing clinical requirements, and entering a licensure-track role. Compare net price and debt - not sticker tuition alone - and use conservative salary expectations.
The programs below differ most meaningfully in their regional access, degree pathways, clinical focus, and departmental structure. Because requirements, cohorts, tuition, and clinical-placement details can change, applicants should confirm current CAA accreditation status and catalog requirements directly with each school before applying.
The University of Texas at Austin: UT Austin's Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences brings speech-language pathology together with hearing science and research training. Its Austin location can be particularly useful for students seeking access to a major metropolitan healthcare and education market while considering research-intensive graduate study.
University of North Texas: UNT houses audiology and speech-language pathology within its Health and Public Service academic structure, giving applicants a department centered on communication-disorders professions. Its Denton location is a practical consideration for students targeting the Dallas-Fort Worth labor market and nearby clinical placements.
University of Houston: The University of Houston's Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders places SLP education within a large urban research university. Students interested in a diverse metropolitan client population should examine how the department's clinic and placement network aligns with their intended pediatric, medical, or bilingual practice focus.
Baylor University: Baylor's Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers a private-university environment and a defined departmental home for speech-language pathology preparation. Applicants should compare its published tuition and clinical structure with public options, especially if faith-based campus culture and Waco-area access are meaningful personal factors.
Texas Christian University: TCU's Communication Sciences and Disorders program is housed in the Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences, creating an interdisciplinary health-professions context. This structure may appeal to students who want to evaluate collaboration opportunities with nursing and other healthcare fields while planning for Fort Worth-area clinical practice.
The University of Texas at Dallas: UT Dallas is a research-focused public university in the Dallas-Fort Worth region, making local program availability and the exact degree pathway especially important to verify before applying. Prospective SLP students should confirm whether the institution offers the CAA-accredited clinical master's route they need rather than assuming a related communication, neuroscience, or research program leads to licensure.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley: UTRGV's Communication Disorders program is especially relevant for students seeking an education connected to South Texas communities. Its regional setting can matter for applicants interested in culturally and linguistically responsive service delivery, including preparation to work with Spanish-English bilingual populations.
The University of Texas at El Paso: UTEP's speech-language pathology offerings serve the border-region context of El Paso. Students who expect to practice in West Texas should ask about clinical placements, bilingual training, and travel expectations because these details may be more decision-relevant than general institutional comparisons.
Lamar University: Lamar University's speech and hearing sciences offerings can be a useful starting point for students building undergraduate preparation in Southeast Texas. Applicants should distinguish carefully between a preparatory bachelor's curriculum and a graduate clinical program, since only the latter ordinarily supports the SLP licensure pathway.
Texas State University: Texas State's Communication Disorders program provides a Central Texas option between major metropolitan areas. Its location can reduce relocation barriers for students with ties to the Austin-San Antonio corridor, but applicants should still confirm cohort scheduling, practicum sites, and total cost.
Program pages should be treated as a starting point, not a substitute for direct questions. The strongest choice is the one that matches your intended credential, budget, clinical interests, and capacity to complete required placements.
A traditional bachelor's degree generally takes four years of full-time study. A full-time clinical master's program generally adds about two academic years, followed by a clinical fellowship required for professional certification and Texas licensure steps. The exact sequence varies by program and individual preparation.
Students without communication-disorders prerequisites should plan for additional time. Courses such as phonetics, language development, anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing, audiology, and statistics may be required before graduate admission or incorporated into a longer plan.
Student starting point
Likely timeline consideration
Best planning approach
Relevant bachelor's degree
Graduate study can begin after admission requirements are met
Apply early and verify observation, prerequisite, and GPA rules
Unrelated bachelor's degree
Prerequisite coursework may extend the timeline
Request a transcript review before paying for application fees
High school student
Combined or accelerated pathways may reduce transitions between degrees
Compare 5 year SLP programs with traditional bachelor's-plus-master's options
Working professional
Clinical practicum scheduling may constrain employment
"Accelerated" does not mean clinical requirements disappear. A shorter academic timeline can be valuable, but only if the program remains CAA-accredited and workable with your financial and caregiving obligations.
Online SLP education usually means that academic coursework is delivered online while clinical practicum remains in person at approved sites. Because assessment, treatment, observation, and supervision require direct clinical competencies, a fully remote route to initial SLP licensure is uncommon.
Comparison point
Online or hybrid format
On-campus format
Course delivery
May offer asynchronous or live online classes
Usually scheduled in-person classes and labs
Clinical education
Still requires supervised in-person placements, often near the student when approved
Often coordinated through university clinics and regional partners
Best fit
Students needing geographic flexibility who can meet practicum requirements
Students wanting regular access to campus clinics, faculty, and cohort-based training
Main risk to check
Whether placement support and Texas licensure alignment are explicit
Commuting, relocation, and fixed daytime schedules
Students comparing online speech language pathology programs should verify CAA accreditation, state authorization where applicable, required campus visits, placement responsibilities, and the program's policies if a site cannot be secured. Online delivery can reduce relocation costs, but it does not automatically reduce total tuition or the time required for clinical training.
A single statewide "average cost" can be misleading because Texas public institutions charge different resident and nonresident rates, private nonprofit institutions set their own tuition, and graduate clinical programs may add program-specific fees. The amount a student actually pays depends on residency, credit load, aid, health insurance, clinical travel, housing, and whether prerequisite courses are needed.
For a useful comparison, calculate each program's estimated total cost of attendance for the full degree rather than multiplying one semester's tuition by an assumed number of terms. Public universities may be especially attractive to eligible Texas residents, while a private program with substantial institutional aid can sometimes have a comparable net price.
Use the school's current cost-of-attendance budget and compare it with the tuition information in the cheapest speech pathology programs in Texas resource. Ask whether clinical assignments can create additional travel, parking, background-check, immunization, liability-insurance, or temporary-housing expenses.
The financially strongest option is not automatically the lowest-tuition program. A program with a longer timeline, difficult placement commute, lower likelihood of completion, or limited ability to work may have a higher practical cost than its tuition page suggests.
Graduate SLP students commonly combine federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, school scholarships, graduate assistantships where available, external professional scholarships, employer education benefits, and personal savings. Eligibility, award amounts, and assistantship availability vary by institution and year, so students should submit the FAFSA and speak with both financial aid and the communication-disorders department.
Graduate PLUS Loans remain available to eligible graduate and professional students who meet federal requirements, including completion of the FAFSA and the required credit review, according to Federal Student Aid. These loans can help cover remaining cost of attendance after other aid, but they should be considered carefully because borrowing limits can allow students to take on substantial debt.
Before accepting aid, compare these practical funding questions:
Whether an award is renewable for every year of the clinical program or only the first year.
Whether an assistantship is realistically compatible with required daytime practicum hours.
Whether aid applies to prerequisite coursework, summer terms, and clinical-fee expenses.
Whether a scholarship requires postgraduation service, a minimum GPA, or a particular work setting.
Texas residents should also ask each institution about state-administered grants and institutional residency rules. Do not use Graduate PLUS eligibility as a reason to skip net-price planning; federal borrowing is financing, not a reduction in program cost.
View the chart data as a table
Annual wage by percentile for Speech-Language Pathologists (Texas) (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025))
Category
Value
10th
66,370
25th
79,230
50th (median)
99,910
75th
118,490
90th
132,990
Graduate admissions requirements differ by school, but most Texas SLP programs expect a bachelor's degree, transcripts, prerequisite communication-disorders coursework or an approved leveling plan, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and evidence that the applicant can succeed in a clinically demanding curriculum. Some programs may request interviews, writing samples, observation experience, or other materials.
Applicants from non-SLP majors should not assume they are ineligible. Many programs consider career changers, but the required leveling courses can affect admission timing and total cost. Explore admissions expectations through resources on SLP programs online, then rely on each Texas program's current admissions page for binding requirements.
Before applying, complete these checks:
Request an unofficial transcript review or prerequisite checklist from each target program.
Confirm whether courses must be completed before application, before enrollment, or during the program.
Ask whether observation hours, background checks, immunizations, CPR training, or drug screening are needed before clinical placement.
Verify that the degree route is CAA-accredited and appropriate for Texas licensure planning.
A common mistake is applying broadly without checking prerequisite mismatches. That can lead to application fees for programs that cannot admit you on your intended timeline.
Curricula differ, but a clinical master's program is designed to build the scientific knowledge and supervised competencies needed for speech-language pathology practice. Courses typically move from foundational assessment and disorder content into case-based intervention, clinical documentation, ethics, and practicum.
Students commonly encounter coursework in the following areas:
Speech and hearing anatomy, physiology, acoustics, and phonetics.
Language development, speech-sound disorders, fluency, voice, resonance, and motor speech disorders.
Neurogenic communication disorders, dysphagia, autism-related communication needs, and augmentative and alternative communication.
Assessment methods, evidence-based intervention, counseling, cultural and linguistic diversity, and professional ethics.
Supervised clinical practica that require students to demonstrate skills with real clients under qualified supervision.
Course titles are less important than the sequence and clinical integration. If you want medical SLP work, examine dysphagia and adult-neurogenic training, faculty expertise, and medical placement availability. If you want school-based practice, ask about pediatric language, literacy, autism, and school-district placements.
Most entry-level SLP master's programs are broad clinical degrees rather than separate licensure specialties. Students usually shape their focus through electives, faculty mentorship, clinic assignments, internships, research, and postgraduation continuing education.
Focus area
Typical client or setting connection
What to compare between programs
Pediatric language and speech
Schools, early intervention, pediatric clinics
Pediatric placements, literacy coursework, autism-related training
Medical SLP and dysphagia
Hospitals, rehabilitation, skilled nursing
Adult medical placements, swallowing coursework, simulation resources
Bilingual and multicultural practice
Multilingual communities, schools, clinics
Spanish-English service opportunities, culturally responsive assessment training
Voice and fluency
Specialty clinics, outpatient care, private practice
Faculty expertise and specialty-clinic exposure
Research or academic career preparation
Universities, labs, doctoral study
Research mentorship, thesis options, laboratory involvement
Texas applicants may find bilingual preparation especially important because language difference must not be confused with communication disorder. A program does not need a formal "bilingual concentration" to be useful, but students should ask how it teaches bilingual assessment and whether supervised experiences match the communities they hope to serve.
The best program is the one that creates a credible route from your current education to Texas licensure while keeping debt and logistical risk manageable. Rankings can narrow the list, but they cannot determine whether a program fits your prerequisites, clinical interests, family commitments, or intended work region.
Use this comparison sequence before committing:
Confirm CAA accreditation and ask the program to explain how graduates meet educational requirements for Texas licensure and ASHA certification.
Calculate full cost of attendance for the entire degree, including clinical travel and likely lost income.
Compare clinical-placement models, including who secures sites, likely commuting distance, and whether medical, school, pediatric, or bilingual experiences are available.
Ask for current, clearly defined outcome information such as completion, Praxis, certification, and employment data when the program publishes it.
Speak with current students or recent graduates about supervision quality, workload, placement support, and unanticipated costs.
Red flags include unclear accreditation information, vague answers about clinical placements, pressure to borrow before receiving a full cost estimate, and claims that a degree alone "guarantees" licensure or employment. Students outside Texas should also verify their home-state rules before selecting a Texas online or hybrid program.
View the chart data as a table
On-time completion rate (Source: ASHA EdFind / program reports)
Category
Value
<85%
0
85-90%
3
90-95%
4
95-99%
6
100%
5
A clinical master's degree can support a range of roles once the graduate completes applicable certification and Texas licensure requirements. The common destination is speech-language pathologist, but the population and work environment can make careers look very different.
Career path
Typical setting
Who it may suit
School-based SLP
Public or private schools
Professionals drawn to child language, learning access, and educational teams
Medical SLP
Hospitals, rehabilitation, outpatient clinics
Those interested in dysphagia, stroke, brain injury, and adult care
Early-intervention SLP
Homes, community programs, pediatric services
Professionals who value family coaching and developmental practice
Private-practice clinician
Independent or group clinics
Those seeking specialty caseloads and potential business experience
Researcher or faculty member
Universities and research institutions
Students pursuing a PhD and scholarly or teaching work
Graduates may also build expertise in assistive technology, accent modification, voice, fluency, feeding and swallowing, or bilingual service delivery. However, specialty work often requires additional supervised experience, employer training, continuing education, and demonstrated competence; the master's degree should be viewed as entry preparation, not the endpoint of skill development.
View the chart data as a table
Total tuition + mandatory fees (resident, this ranking) (Source: Research.com SLP dataset)
Category
Value
20,000-30,000 USD
4
30,000-40,000 USD
4
40,000-50,000 USD
1
50,000-60,000 USD
3
60,000-70,000 USD
0
70,000-80,000 USD
2
80,000-90,000 USD
0
90,000-100,000 USD
1
The national labor-market outlook for speech-language pathologists is strong: BLS 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 (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025-2035 projections). These are national projections, so they should indicate broad demand rather than predict openings at a specific Texas employer.
Texas can offer a broad range of school, healthcare, rehabilitation, and pediatric employment settings because of its population size and major metro areas. Yet demand is not the same as job fit. A student interested in acute-care medical work should seek medical clinical exposure, while someone planning to work in rural or border communities should investigate regional placements, bilingual-service preparation, and willingness to relocate.
Technology is also changing practice without removing the need for qualified clinicians. Telepractice, electronic documentation, remote supervision tools, and augmentative communication technology can expand service delivery, but employers still expect strong clinical judgment, privacy awareness, interpersonal skill, and state-appropriate licensure. The practical implication is to choose a program that teaches evidence-based care and offers clinical experiences relevant to your target setting.
2027 Best Speech Pathology Degree Programs Ranking in Texas
Research.com recognizes that investing in graduate education can affect a student's finances, career timeline, and ability to qualify for professional licensure. The ranking is designed to make that decision easier by evaluating programs through consistent, source-verifiable data rather than relying on reputation alone.
Research.com rankings assess 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 tailored to the ranking. Online-program rankings use an adapted distance-learning methodology that excludes campus-related indicators and emphasizes program structure and student support, with fixed weights for graduation rate (30%), research (25%), institutional profile (15%), and students, cost, and course factors (10% each).
The ranking draws on the following data sources:
IPEDS database, for institution-level enrollment, completions, finance, and outcomes data.
Readers can use the ranking to create a focused shortlist, compare programs on more than tuition alone, and identify questions to bring to admissions offices. For a fuller explanation of the process, review Research.com's methodology.
Master of Science in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (MSSLHS) - Speech-Language Pathology
99.34
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Five semesters (Year 1: Fall-Spring-Summer; Year 2: Fall-Spring)
Acceptance rate
21% (65 of 303 applications)
GPA range
3.67 - 4.00
Offers with funding
~2% (1 of 65 offers)
Application deadline
Fall admission: December 15
Class size
32
Degrees granted
24
Application process
University online application
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 3b859309-5e63-466d-8ee2-09fb428889f3Valid 2025-2033
Last known review scheduled for August 2032
Verify accreditation
The University of Texas at Austin earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 99.34/100, supported by 98% Praxis pass rate and 100% program completion rate. Its Master of Science in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (MSSLHS) - Speech-Language Pathology 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 10/30/2025)
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status Accredited - With MonitoringID c462a93b-ef84-4295-a146-5b6f581ecd22Valid 2021-2029
Last known review scheduled for 2028
Verify accreditation
University of North Texas earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 97.34/100, supported by 100% Praxis pass rate and 93% program completion rate. Its Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology 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 10/25/2025)
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID f6c95c4f-ba12-496b-812a-ca9d5d7fef4dValid 2026-2034
Last known review scheduled for February 2033
Verify accreditation
University of Houston earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 96.38/100, supported by 99% Praxis pass rate and 87% program completion rate. Its Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology is listed by ASHA EdFind as CAA-accredited through 2034, with the most recently listed accreditation review scheduled for 2033.
Admissions data from
ASHA EdFind
(updated 10/29/2025)
Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (On-Campus)
95.97
/ 100
Final score
Program length
16 months
Required credits
45
Acceptance rate
56% (366 of 651 applications)
GPA range
3.15 - 4.08
Offers with funding
~13% (48 of 366 offers)
Application deadline
Fall admission: January 15 Spring admission: September 15 Summer admission: January 15
Class size
199
Degrees granted
229
Application process
University online application
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 1d005868-3da2-4696-8ffd-c3e20b8501e2Valid 2020-2028
Last known review scheduled for August 2027
Verify accreditation
Baylor University earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 95.97/100, supported by 95% Praxis pass rate and 98% 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 08/21/2025)
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID 3e9f2768-ac87-4e29-9a4f-cd0b98d8db02Valid 2023-2031
Last known review scheduled for August 2030
Verify accreditation
Texas Christian University earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 95.69/100, 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 09/15/2025)
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID c7df0e76-86ca-4838-a1c2-6f6dfcf5ca01Valid 2023-2031
Last known review scheduled for August 2030
Verify accreditation
The University of Texas at Dallas earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 92.31/100, supported by 95% 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 10/30/2025)
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID 0e8aa7ca-6ad5-4ade-bc0b-23c7b365bbbcValid 2023-2031
Last known review scheduled for August 2030
Verify accreditation
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 91.66/100, supported by 92% Praxis pass rate and 98% program completion rate. Its Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders 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 09/01/2026)
Speech-Language Pathology, M.S. (Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology)
91.19
/ 100
Final score
Program length
5 semesters typical (6 semesters maximum)
Required credits
51 semester hours
Acceptance rate
46% (57 of 123 applications)
GPA range
2.71 - 4.00
Offers with funding
~5% (3 of 57 offers)
Application deadline
Fall admission: February 1
Class size
28
Degrees granted
31
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 a266094f-ced3-468f-8663-6410cbc3c899Valid 2021-2029
Last known review scheduled for February 2028
Verify accreditation
The University of Texas at El Paso earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 91.19/100, supported by 86% Praxis pass rate and 100% program completion rate. Its Speech-Language Pathology, M.S. (Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology) 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 10/31/2025)
Undergraduate prerequisites required: Yes; prerequisite courses offered; available online
Additional requirements
Comprehensive exam; Thesis; Research project
Accreditation
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID ad981e39-363a-4317-9170-eacde8d2a955Valid 2020-2028
Last known review scheduled for August 2027
Verify accreditation
Lamar University earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 89.34/100, supported by 97% Praxis pass rate and 87% 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 10/27/2025)
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID 0d71d7ae-68fa-4b4c-8093-749b0ae0108bValid 2023-2031
Last known review scheduled for 2030
Verify accreditation
Texas State University earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 83.99/100, supported by 93% Praxis pass rate and 96% program completion rate. Its Master of Arts in Communication Disorders 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 10/14/2024)
Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (On-Campus)
75.97
/ 100
Final score
Program length
2 years (22 months, 5 semesters); 3-year option available at Dallas campus
Required credits
52
Acceptance rate
70% (162 of 233 applications)
GPA range
2.87 - 4.00
Offers with funding
~82% (133 of 162 offers)
Application deadline
Rolling Admission
Class size
63
Degrees granted
38
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 49daeac3-2d90-46b3-a305-cd9164b8817aValid 2023-2031
Last known review scheduled for August 2030
Verify accreditation
Abilene Christian University earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 75.97/100, supported by 100% Praxis pass rate and 96% program completion rate. Its Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (On-Campus) 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 10/08/2025)
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status Accredited on ProbationID ef3d9f15-e3bb-47cc-9266-cdf71943a57eValid 2022-2030
Last known review scheduled for 2029
Verify accreditation
Stephen F Austin State University earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 74.05/100, supported by 93% Praxis pass rate and 2-year completion pathway. Its Speech-Language Pathology, MS 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 10/15/2025)
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID f355ec9e-a1dd-40be-aadb-09eb451da05fValid 2023-2031
Last known review scheduled for August 2030
Verify accreditation
West Texas A & M University earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 70.45/100, supported by 93% Praxis pass rate and 96% program completion rate. Its Master of Science (M.S.) 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 08/31/2026)
Undergraduate prerequisites required: Yes; prerequisite courses offered; available online
Accreditation
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID ddcf555a-ca36-4d16-a48f-2414b8d6e44eValid 2022-2030
Last known review scheduled for August 2029
Verify accreditation
Our Lady of the Lake University earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 67.26/100, supported by 100% Praxis pass rate and 94% program completion rate. Its Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders 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 08/21/2025)
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID 2956b8dd-19cb-4bfc-bc80-2895f257beefValid 2026-2031
Last known review scheduled for August 2030
Verify accreditation
Hardin-Simmons University earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 65.69/100, supported by 94% Praxis pass rate and 88% 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 09/02/2026)
Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP)
65.14
/ 100
Final score
Program length
5 consecutive semesters (including one summer), completed within 2 years
Required credits
60
Acceptance rate
63% (12 of 19 applications)
GPA range
3.08 - 4.00
Application deadline
Fall admission: February 1
Class size
10
Application process
University online application
Prerequisites
Undergraduate prerequisites required: Yes; prerequisite courses offered; available online
Additional requirements
Portfolio
Accreditation
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status CandidateID 0a3ccc66-f58e-4eda-93c0-14bb8c4cd208Valid 2024-2029
Verify accreditation
The University of Texas at Tyler earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 65.14/100, supported by 2-year completion pathway and $26,946 total tuition + mandatory fees. Its Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) holds CAA candidacy status as of September 2026. Candidacy is a recognized pre-accreditation status but is not the same as full CAA accreditation.
Admissions data from
ASHA EdFind
(updated 08/04/2026)
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID 56e2e7cb-a89b-47fc-a819-9eb06746017bValid 2024-2032
Last known review scheduled for August 2031
Verify accreditation
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 59.25/100, 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 2032, with the most recently listed accreditation review scheduled for 2031.
Admissions data from
ASHA EdFind
(updated 09/18/2024)
Fall admission: On-Campus - January 6th Spring admission: On-Campus - January 6th Summer admission: January 6th
Class size
125
Degrees granted
120
Application process
CSDCAS University online application
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 0ba86720-af14-44b5-af90-2287c078c11aValid 2020-2028
Last known review scheduled for August 2027
Verify accreditation
Texas Woman's University earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 58.86/100, supported by 90% Praxis pass rate and 97% 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 10/30/2025)
# 19 position
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Master
Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology
55.31
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Two years / 5 semesters, full-time
Acceptance rate
15% (50 of 332 applications)
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Application deadline
Fall admission: February 1st
Class size
50
Degrees granted
47
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 73d55ba9-4952-4138-b3a1-bdea1bf7c68dValid 2022-2027
Verify accreditation
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 55.31/100, supported by 96% Praxis pass rate and 95% 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.
Admissions data from
ASHA EdFind
(updated 09/12/2025)
# 20 position
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Master
Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP)
52.85
/ 100
Final score
Program length
Full-time MS-SLP (5 trimesters): about 20 months. Part-time MS-SLP (8 trimesters): about 32 months. Program launched Fall 2018 (Austin campus).
Required credits
55
Acceptance rate
75% (376 of 499 applications)
GPA range
3.00 - 4.00
Offers with funding
~28% (107 of 376 offers)
Application deadline
Rolling Admission. Priority deadlines for Fall, Spring, and Summer admission — see CSDCAS and usa.edu for exact dates.
Class size
289
Degrees granted
221
Application process
CSDCAS
Prerequisites
Undergraduate prerequisites required: Yes; prerequisite courses offered; available online
Accreditation
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA
Status AccreditedID a79bb8bb-2be3-4d8c-a7cc-08d00317a939Valid 2022-2027
Verify accreditation
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences earned a Research.com SLP Program Score of 52.85/100, supported by 88% Praxis pass rate and 93% 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 09/30/2025)
Frequently asked questions about speech pathology degree in Texas
Do I need a master's degree to become a speech-language pathologist in Texas?
Generally, yes. Independent SLP practice typically requires a graduate degree from a CAA-accredited program, supervised postdegree experience, required examination and certification steps, and Texas licensure requirements. Confirm current rules with the Texas licensing authority before enrolling.
Can I become an SLP in Texas with a bachelor's degree?
No, a bachelor's degree in communication disorders usually prepares you for graduate study rather than independent SLP licensure. It may support certain assistant or support roles if you meet the applicable Texas requirements.
Are online speech pathology degrees accepted in Texas?
An online or hybrid degree may be appropriate if it is CAA-accredited and meets educational and clinical requirements for Texas licensure. Verify clinical placement arrangements, in-person requirements, and state-specific eligibility before applying.
How competitive are Texas SLP master's programs?
Many programs are selective because clinical cohorts must provide adequate supervision and placement capacity. Strong preparation in prerequisite coursework, a realistic statement of purpose, relevant observation or service experience when requested, and timely applications can help.
How much do speech-language pathologists make?
The national median annual wage was $97,870 in May 2025, according to BLS. Actual pay in Texas depends on location, setting, experience, productivity expectations, benefits, and specialty area.
What should I verify before choosing a Texas speech pathology program?
Verify CAA accreditation, Texas licensure alignment, total cost, prerequisite requirements, clinical-placement support, schedule constraints, and current outcome information. Avoid assuming that a low advertised tuition or an online format will automatically make a program the best financial choice.
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/
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact Used to verify interstate practice privileges and participating states for speech-language pathologists. https://aslpcompact.com/compact-map/
