To become a speech-language pathologist in Mississippi, you need a master’s degree from an ASHA-accredited program, complete nine months of supervised clinical fellowship (full-time or part-time), pass the Praxis exam with a score of 162 or higher, and obtain state licensure through the Mississippi State Department of Health. Mississippi SLPs earn a median salary of $75,790 and are projected to see 21.3% job growth through 2032.
When you become a speech-language pathologist, you help people connect to the world around them, improving and even resolving issues that prevent them from eating, swallowing, and communicating. In Mississippi, SLPs play an additional, but equally important, role: advocates.
According to the Mississippi Speech-Language-Hearing Association (MSHA), Mississippi law doesn’t require insurance companies to cover hearing aids for children. According to MSHA’s advocacy materials, families with just one hearing-impaired child can face costs of $42,000 or more for buying, maintaining, and replacing hearing aids by the time the child turns 21. In a state with an 18.7% poverty rate, many children have little hope of ever being able to connect with the world in a way most people take for granted.
- Emerson College - Master's in Speech-Language Pathology online - Prepare to become an SLP in as few as 20 months. No GRE required. Scholarships available.
- Arizona State University - Online - Online Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science - Designed to prepare graduates to work in behavioral health settings or transition to graduate programs in speech-language pathology and audiology.
- NYU Steinhardt - NYU Steinhardt's Master of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders online - ASHA-accredited. Bachelor's degree required. Graduate prepared to pursue licensure.
- Pepperdine University - Embark on a transformative professional and personal journey in the online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program from Pepperdine University. Our program brings together rigorous academics, research-driven faculty teaching, and robust clinical experiences, all wrapped within our Christian mission to serve our communities and improve the lives of others.
MSHA is leading a coordinated advocacy campaign to change that harsh reality. They’re doing it by partnering with organizations that work tirelessly to ensure that Mississippi schoolchildren receive the life-enriching SLP services they deserve. Whether that entails advocating for early childhood intervention programs or delivering in-school services themselves, speech-language pathologists are at the forefront of these efforts.
If you’d like to be part of this compassionate community yourself, your journey starts by earning a speech-language pathologist license from the Mississippi State Department of Health. Here’s how to get started:
Step 1. Earn a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology
To become a licensed SLP through the Mississippi State Department of Health, you’ll need to enroll in a qualifying master’s degree program. That means one with a focus in speech-language pathology, communicative sciences and disorders, or speech and hearing science accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the nation’s leading SLP organization.
Currently, there are four ASHA-accredited SLP graduate programs in the state. You might also consider an online program if none of the in-state programs meet your needs. To be accepted into a graduate program, you’ll typically need a GPA of around 3.0 and a couple of recommendations, but GRE and GMAT scores aren’t usually required.
While you don’t need a bachelor’s degree in an SLP-related field to enroll in one of these programs, ASHA does require students to complete prerequisites in certain areas before beginning their studies:
- Physics or chemistry
- Biology
- Behavioral or social science
- Statistics
If you didn’t take a class in all these areas during undergrad, you’ll find it’s pretty easy to fill the gaps. Most SLP master’s programs allow new students to take prerequisite courses online.
Once you’ve completed prerequisites, you’ll dive into the fundamentals of speech-language pathology. ASHA-accredited programs build their curricula around one of the organization’s most important documents: the Scope of Practice in Speech-Language Pathology. They cover content in the way that best suits the student experience they’re trying to provide, but will always cover the same core topics in alignment with ASHA’s Scope of Practice:
- Advanced Articulation and Phonological Disorders
- Dysphagia Management & Treatment
- Child Language Disorders
- Acquired Disorders of Language
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication
- Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology
- Fluency Disorders & Aural Rehabilitation
- Organic Speech Disorders
- Public Health Disciplines
After learning the basics of the field, you’ll be able to take more advanced classes on topics like working in medical settings or providing voice therapy. Specializations vary by school.
Step 2. Apply for a Temporary License and Complete Nine Months of Supervised Professional Employment
After graduating from your SLP program, you’ll enter into a transitional period often referred to as a clinical fellowship. During this time, you’ll work closely with a fully licensed SLP as you hone your skills at serving a wide variety of patients and clients.
In Mississippi, future speech-language pathologists must complete the equivalent of 9 months of supervised full-time work (30 hours per week or more). You can also complete your clinical fellowship on a part-time basis.
The work requirements differ depending on whether you choose full-time or part-time:
- Full-time fellowship: 80% of your hours need to be in direct clinical contact with clients. The remaining 20% can be spent on administrative duties or guided observation with your supervisor.
- Part-time fellowship: 100% of your hours need to be spent in direct clinical contact with clients.
Whichever option you choose, you’ll need to apply for a temporary license through the State Department of Health before beginning. Temporary permits are valid for two years and open to applicants who have earned their degrees.
Step 3. Pass the National SLP Exam and Earn the CCC-SLP Credential
Once you’ve finished your clinical fellowship, you’re eligible for the last step in earning your license: taking ASHA’s National Exam in Speech-Language Pathology. You can register online through Praxis. You’ll be asked to provide proof of your education and clinical fellowship.
The test consists of 132 questions, split into three categories: professional practice; assessment and evaluation approaches; and assessment procedures, speech-sound production, fluency, voice, resonance, motor speech, social aspects of language, and feeding and swallowing. ASHA has preparation materials on its website.
While you can take the exam online with a virtual proctor, Mississippi is home to several Praxis test centers located in Cleveland, Ellisville, Flowood, Hattiesburg, Itta Bena, Jackson, Meridian, Mississippi State, Oxford, Raymond, and Utica.
ASHA requires a minimum Praxis score of 162 for national certification. The Mississippi State Department of Health typically aligns with ASHA’s requirement, but the state reviews its needs annually and retains the authority to set different score thresholds if necessary.
Getting Nationally Certified Through ASHA
At this point in your journey, you’re not just eligible for licensure in Mississippi; you’re also eligible for licensure in other states. You’re also eligible to earn ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). This nationally respected credential can help you find more career opportunities in Mississippi and even secure licensure in other states.
The process for becoming a licensed SLP in Mississippi and earning your CCC-SLP is very similar, with one key difference: ASHA requires exactly 1,260 clinical fellowship hours completed over at least 36 weeks. Mississippi’s requirement of “nine months of supervised full-time employment” roughly equates to this, but it’s essential to track your hours carefully. If you’re working full-time (30+ hours/week), nine months will likely exceed 1,260 hours. If you’re working part-time, you’ll need to ensure you accumulate the full 1,260 hours over the minimum 36-week period to qualify for both credentials.
Step 4. Apply for Licensing and Begin Practicing as a Speech-Language Pathologist
Once you receive your passing score on the national exam, you’re ready to apply for licensure.
You can apply through the Mississippi State Department of Health website, but be prepared to provide:
- $100.00 application fee and $100.00 licensing fee
- Official transcripts from your SLP graduate program
- Proof of completion of your clinical fellowship
- Verification of your exam score
It usually takes 4-6 weeks to issue your license after mailing the application. Once you’ve received it, you may consider beginning your SLP career in several ways:
Contact Your Clinical Fellowship Provider
In most cases, your clinical fellowship provider will be happy to hire you into a full-time position, since they’re familiar with your work.
Start an Independent Practice
You might choose to start an independent practice or a partnership with another SLP. You’ll be able to set your own hours and take on as many clients as you feel comfortable with.
Pursue Job Opportunities
You might also pursue job opportunities through the school system, clinics, or hospitals in Mississippi. Employers that hire SLPs include Tara Therapy, EDU Healthcare, ProCare, In Search Medical, Therapeutic Outreach, Therapy Management Corporation, Desoto Family Counseling Center, Reliant Rehabilitation, Regency Hospital, The University of Mississippi Medical Center, Camellia Healthcare, Select Specialty Hospital, and Memorial Hospital at Gulfport.
Step 5. Keep Your License Current and Complete Continuing Education Requirements
You’ll need to renew your license online every 2 years, including 20 contact hours. At least 10 of the contact hours must be directly related to clinical practice.
One of the most popular ways to earn continuing education hours is by taking classes in speech-language pathology. According to the State Department of Health, courses can be offered by:
- ASHA
- American Medical Association (AMA)
- Accredited universities
- Academy of Dispensing Audiologists
- American Academy of Audiology
- American Auditory Society
- The speech-language pathology boards of other states
- Organizations approved for continuing education by ASHA, the AMA, and any of their sub-organizations
If you want to take classes from any other organizations, you can ask the State Department of Health to review them for approval. You can also earn contact hours by giving presentations, attending conferences, and publishing your work in a professional journal.
Speech-Language Pathology Salary in Mississippi
Speech-language pathologists in Mississippi earn competitive salaries with strong job growth projections. According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), Mississippi employs 1,510 SLPs with a median annual salary of $75,790.
Here’s how Mississippi SLP salaries break down by experience level:
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th Percentile) | $51,020 | $24.53 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,850 | $29.25 |
| Median (50th Percentile) | $75,790 | $36.44 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,610 | $46.93 |
| Experienced (90th Percentile) | $109,910 | $52.84 |
| Mean (Average) | $78,270 | $37.63 |
Salaries for Speech-Language Pathologists in Mississippi’s Major Cities
In general, Mississippi’s larger cities offer higher SLP salaries than its rural areas. This holds for both average wages and high-end salaries. Here’s a comparison of regional salary data for speech-language pathologists, ranked by median salary:
| Metro Area | Median Annual Salary | 90th Percentile | Median Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro Memphis | $84,560 | $113,500 | $40.66 |
| Jackson | $83,770 | $113,540 | $40.27 |
| Metro Gulfport | $79,720 | $112,650 | $38.33 |
| Rural Southwest Mississippi | $75,750 | $110,150 | $36.42 |
| Rural Northeast Mississippi | $75,630 | $104,790 | $36.36 |
| Rural Northwest Mississippi | $70,870 | $106,780 | $34.07 |
| Rural Southeast Mississippi | $69,570 | $106,510 | $33.45 |
| Hattiesburg | $69,500 | $97,070 | $33.41 |
Job Growth and Career Satisfaction
The job market for SLPs in Mississippi is robust. According to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, the number of SLP jobs in Mississippi is projected to increase by 21.3% through 2032, well above the national average. This growth creates approximately 130 job openings every year in Mississippi.
Recent articles in major news magazines have highlighted the high salaries and job satisfaction that speech-language pathologists enjoy. Forbes reported on the results of a survey published by PayScale.com. After querying more than 2 million workers, this firm ranked SLPs among the 15 most meaningful jobs with excellent salaries. US News & World Report conducted another analysis that ranked speech-language pathology as the 3rd-best health care job.
Mississippi Speech and Language Clinics
While speech-language pathologists find employment in several industries ranging from schools to hospitals, private clinics are another source of jobs for these professionals. Mississippi is home to several specialized clinics that offer SLP services:
- Columbus: MUW Speech & Hearing Center
- Gulfport: Elisha’s Speech & Language Services
- Hattiesburg: Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic
- Jackson: Beyond Therapy Pediatric Group
- Jackson: Mississippi Speech Therapy
- Livingston: Helping Hands Therapy
- Starkville: Kids Therapy Spot
- Sumrall: Aultman Speech Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I become an SLP in Mississippi with an online degree?
Yes, you can become an SLP in Mississippi with an online master’s degree, as long as the program is ASHA-accredited. The program must include the required 400+ clinical hours, which you’ll complete in person at approved sites. Mississippi accepts degrees from ASHA-accredited online programs, just as it does from traditional on-campus programs.
How long does it take to become a licensed SLP in Mississippi?
It takes approximately 6-7 years total to become a licensed SLP in Mississippi. This includes 4 years for a bachelor’s degree, 2 years for a master’s program, and 9 months for your clinical fellowship (though if pursuing ASHA certification, you’ll need to ensure you complete 1,260 hours over at least 36 weeks). After completing your fellowship and passing the Praxis exam, you’ll need to allow 4-6 weeks for license processing.
What Praxis score do I need for Mississippi SLP licensure?
ASHA requires a minimum Praxis score of 162 for national certification (CCC-SLP). Mississippi typically aligns with this requirement for state licensure, though the state reviews its standards annually and retains the authority to set different thresholds based on state needs. It’s best to verify the current requirement with the Mississippi State Department of Health when applying.
What’s the difference between state licensure and ASHA certification?
State licensure is required to practice as an SLP in Mississippi and is issued by the Mississippi State Department of Health. ASHA certification (CCC-SLP) is a national credential recognized nationwide and demonstrates that you meet professional standards. Requirements are similar, but ASHA certification requires exactly 1,260 clinical fellowship hours completed over at least 36 weeks, while Mississippi requires nine months of supervised employment. Most SLPs pursue both credentials, carefully tracking hours to meet the requirements for both.
How much does the Mississippi SLP licensing process cost?
The total cost for Mississippi SLP licensure includes a $100 application fee and a $100 licensing fee, for a total of $200. You’ll also need to pay for the Praxis exam (approximately $120), transcript fees, and potentially background check fees. These costs are separate from your graduate program tuition and clinical fellowship expenses.
Do I need continuing education to maintain my Mississippi SLP license?
Yes, Mississippi requires 20 contact hours of continuing education every two years to renew your license. At least 10 of these hours must be directly related to clinical practice. You can earn these hours through ASHA courses, accredited universities, professional conferences, or presentations. The State Department of Health provides a list of approved providers.
Can I work in Mississippi schools with just my SLP license?
Yes, you can work in Mississippi public schools with your state SLP license. You don’t need a separate teaching certificate. Your Mississippi State Department of Health license allows you to provide speech-language pathology services in schools, clinics, hospitals, and private practices throughout the state.
Key Takeaways
- Mississippi requires a master’s degree from an ASHA-accredited program with completion of all prerequisite coursework in biology, physics/chemistry, behavioral science, and statistics.
- You must complete nine months of supervised clinical fellowship (full-time at 30+ hours/week with 80% direct client contact, or part-time with 100% direct contact). ASHA certification requires exactly 1,260 hours over at least 36 weeks.
- ASHA requires a Praxis exam score of 162 or higher for national certification. Mississippi typically aligns with this requirement, but can set different thresholds.
- Total licensing costs are approximately $200 for Mississippi state fees, plus $120 for the Praxis exam and additional administrative fees.
- License renewal occurs every two years and requires 20 contact hours of continuing education, with at least 10 hours in clinical practice.
- Mississippi SLPs earn a median salary of $75,790, with experienced practitioners earning up to $109,910. The field is projected to grow 21.3% through 2032, according to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.
- Emerson College - Master's in Speech-Language Pathology online - Prepare to become an SLP in as few as 20 months. No GRE required. Scholarships available.
- Arizona State University - Online - Online Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science - Designed to prepare graduates to work in behavioral health settings or transition to graduate programs in speech-language pathology and audiology.
- NYU Steinhardt - NYU Steinhardt's Master of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders online - ASHA-accredited. Bachelor's degree required. Graduate prepared to pursue licensure.
- Pepperdine University - Embark on a transformative professional and personal journey in the online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program from Pepperdine University. Our program brings together rigorous academics, research-driven faculty teaching, and robust clinical experiences, all wrapped within our Christian mission to serve our communities and improve the lives of others.
Ready to Start Your SLP Career in Mississippi?
Explore ASHA-accredited speech-language pathology programs and take the first step toward making a difference in your community through advocacy and compassionate care.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market figures for Speech-Language Pathologists reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed November 2025.