Become a Certified Speech-Language Pathologist
In Calvin University’s online Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology program, you’ll gain clinical hours with our expert clinical faculty, practice providing care for patients, and study the causes and treatment of communication disorders — all with the supporting framework of the Christian faith.
The online Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology program offers start dates every fall.
- Get the clinical hours you need to pursue professional certification
- Learn to help those with communication difficulties increase their quality of life
- Coursework is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) and features evidence-based perspectives to treatment.
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- Total estimated tuition, not including fees: $67,680
- Financial aid is available
- No GRE/GMAT required
- Transfer up to 6 credits
Duration
Cost per credit
Total credit hours
What You’ll Learn
Study and practice evidence-based techniques for treating clients with speech and language disabilities, injuries, or other challenges. You’ll also:
- Read, synthesize, and integrate external and internal evidence into your practice
- Reflect on the role of faith in your patient care
- Consider how diversity, equity, and inclusion impact your work
- Engage in critical thinking and case-based applications
- Complete virtual and in-person clinical hours
Advance in a Rewarding Career
Make a difference in the lives of those with voice, speech, language, and swallowing difficulties.
As a certified speech-language pathologist, you will assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent communication these disorders. You might also maintain patient records, work in interprofessional teams, and adjust treatment programs as necessary.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Build Skills for Your Career
- Pursue professional certification
- Engage in experiential learning
- Work closely with faculty mentors
- Polish your résumé
- Complete mock interviews
See our outcomes page for PRAXIS examination pass rates and graduation rates for students in our MA in Speech Pathology program.
Curriculum
Calvin University’s online Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology program includes 21 courses. You’ll prepare for a speech-language pathology career by analyzing language, neurological, physical, speech-sound, and voice disorders. Coursework in our program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) and features evidence-based perspectives to treatment.
Course Spotlight
SPAUD 311 Child Language Development
Examine early language development research in phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. You'll explore the role of adults in language development and to the relationship between language development and cognitive development.
SPAUD 503 Language Disorders: Infants, Toddlers and Preschool Children
A study of the nature, assessment and treatment of language disorders in infants, toddlers, and preschool children. You'll learn strategies for working with families with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
SPAUD 514 Autism Spectrum Disorder
This graduate-level seminar focuses on serving individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) across the lifespan. This course is specially deszigned to provide you with practical knowledge and skills for your future career working with individuals, families, communities, and other professionals.
Admissions Details
Admission Requirements
Degree Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent coursework in speech pathology and audiology, or with degrees in other disciplines/areas of study.
- If you have a degree in another major, you need to complete the necessary prerequisites PRIOR to applying to the Master’s program.
Transcripts
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended. Must be uploaded to CSDCAS application.
Additional Requirements
- 3 letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your academic and/or professional abilities. (Must be uploaded to CSDCAS application.)
Prerequisites
- SPAUD 210 Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism
- SPAUD 216 Phonetics
- SPAUD 212 Speech & Hearing Science
- SPAUD 311 Child Language Development
- SPAUD-344 Audiology: Testing and Diagnosis
- SPAUD-345 Aural Rehabilitation
- Biology course
- Statistics course
- Social Science or Behavioral Science course
- Physics or Chemistry course
Prerequisite SPAUD courses must have been completed within the last seven years.
How to Apply
CSDCAS Application
- This application is required in order to enroll in the Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology program.
- Application must be completed (e-submitted, payment received, transcripts received) at least four weeks in advance of the deadline to ensure the application is verified on time by CSDCAS. Applications not verified by the deadline will not be eligible for that admissions cycle.
- CSDCAS charges $133 for the first program you apply to and $53 for each additional program. Calvin does not charge a separate application fee.
Additional Information
- Complete this online form to provide additional information for Calvin's MA in speech-language pathology.
Application Deadlines
- Priority Admission: We will begin reviewing verified applications after January 15, 2025, for priority admission.
- Rolling Admission: Applications will continue to be accepted and reviewed through May 15, 2025, as space is available in the program. Expect a response 4-6 weeks after your application is verified on CSDCAS.
International Students
- Due to students being required to be supervised by ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists for all clinical placements, including externships, our program is unable to accept international students for the distance education mode
- Applicants who have been granted asylum in the U.S. are eligible to apply to the distance education mode. If an online student with asylum status leaves the US during their program, externship placements cannot be guaranteed and students will be unable to complete the program.
Your Support Network
All faculty members in Calvin’s online Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology program share the common goals of making the program the best it can be and supporting your journey. We are a diverse faculty in terms of backgrounds and interests, so you will develop the expertise you need to begin your career.
All of our teaching faculty have had publications in peer-reviewed journals and presented research at state, national, and/or international conferences.
Faculty
FAQ
You can complete the program in 2 years.
You will complete five clinical placements; three through telepractice in Calvin’s Speech and Hearing Clinic and two in-person where you live. We will work with you to secure placements that provide clinical experience throughout the lifespan and across the speech-language pathology scope of practice.
Students without a speech pathology undergraduate degree must take the prerequisite leveling courses before starting the MA program. Students needing leveling courses can take our Certificate in Speech & Hearing Foundations.
Our 100% online, 21-credit Certificate in Speech and Hearing Foundations is comprised of six courses in speech pathology. This option is ideal for those who need to complete prerequisite undergraduate coursework before beginning a Speech and Language Pathology Online Master’s program. The six courses may be taken independently or grouped for the certificate, which can be completed in one year.
No, the MA in Speech-Language Pathology program is a full-time program. However, the MA can be completed in a 2-year or 3-year track. The 2-year track is accelerated and students generally take 2 didactic courses plus a clinic course in each 8-week block. The 3-year track is still considered full-time, but students only take one didactic course per 8-week block the first year, and one didactic course plus a clinic course per 8-week block in the second year and third years. Regardless of track, the final year of the program contains three clinical externship semesters which are full-time Monday-Friday experiences.
No, the program does not include any concentrations, specializations, or tracks. Calvin offers a certificate comprised of six courses in speech pathology to prepare those who wish to pursue a master’s but do not have the prerequisite undergraduate coursework. This undergraduate certificate is also applicable to students interested in considering speech pathology before pursuing the master’s. The six courses may be taken independently or grouped together for the certificate. Start your application.
Our degree program provides the speech pathology coursework and clinical hours needed to become a certified Speech Pathologist through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). This certification allows you to seek licensure in your state; however, we suggest you check with your state’s licensing requirements.
The Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology program (residential and distance education) at Calvin University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association,
2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
Council on Academic Accreditation Compliance Questions
Persons may contact the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) with complaints related to our program’s compliance with standards and regulations. The Complaint Procedure against Graduate Education Programs is located at http://caa.asha.org/programs/complaints/.
Complaints against a program must be filed in writing using the CAA’s official Complaint Form. The complaint form must be signed and submitted with any relevant appendices via U.S. mail, overnight courier, or hand delivery—not via e-mail or as a facsimile—to:
Chair, Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
2200 Research Boulevard, #310
Rockville, MD 20850