CAA-accredited SLP graduate programs meet rigorous standards set by the Council on Academic Accreditation, ensuring you’ll qualify for ASHA certification and state licensure. Over 300 accredited programs across the US offer master’s degrees in Speech-Language Pathology, including online, hybrid, and traditional on-campus options.
- 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.
- Grand Canyon University - Online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. - This STEM program focuses on training aspiring speech-language pathologists to offer compassionate, effective services to individuals with communication disorders
- 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.
Choosing a CAA-accredited master’s program is your first step toward becoming a licensed speech-language pathologist. These programs meet rigorous standards that ensure you’ll be prepared for ASHA’s national examination, qualify for state licensure, and gain the clinical skills employers demand.
Whether you’re looking for online flexibility, campus-based learning, or hybrid options, this directory helps you explore over 300 accredited programs across all 50 states. Each program listing includes degree types offered, online availability, and accreditation status—including programs in candidacy that will soon complete the accreditation process.
A CAA-accredited graduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology or Communicative Sciences and Disorders is your key to professional practice. CAA accreditation also satisfies the requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) designation from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), which is required by many states as a condition for licensure and widely regarded as a valuable addition to any speech-language therapist’s resume.
CAA-Accreditation Standards for SLP Programs
The Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) is ASHA’s semi-autonomous accrediting arm. CAA accreditation serves as ASHA’s stamp of approval for SLP graduate programs that meet the specific curriculum requirements that prepare graduates for CCC-SLP certification. By enrolling in a CAA-accredited master’s program, you know you’ll be gaining the core set of knowledge and skills it takes to deliver for your patients at the highest level of professional practice.
CAA accreditation is based on six program components:
- Administrative structure and governance
- Faculty
- Curriculum
- Students
- Assessment
- Program resources
CAA-accredited graduate programs are recognized as having specific universal attributes that allow them to qualify for this distinguished program-level accreditation:
- Regionally accredited
- Regularly conduct internal evaluations to reassess program goals and the methods used to achieve them.
- Have a long-term strategic plan in place for the program
- Administered by professional, qualified faculty who maintain continuing education requirements, including a program director who holds a graduate degree in speech-language pathology
- Ensure that the student clinic serves patients in a nondiscriminatory manner and that all clinical education is monitored
- Provide current, accurate information to the public about the program
- Ensure that the curriculum is consistent with the goals of the university and based on scientific and research foundations
- Provide student advisement regularly
- Conduct ongoing and systematic assessments of student performance
Learn more about how CAA’s accreditation standards help ensure graduates enter practice fully prepared for the demands of the profession.
From Browsing to Choosing: Make Data-Driven Decisions
While this directory helps you discover CAA-accredited programs, making your final choice requires deeper analysis. Our program comparison tool goes beyond basic listings to provide:
- ROI Analysis – Calculate your return on investment using BLS salary data
- Cost Comparison – Compare total program costs and financial aid options
- Side-by-Side Analysis – Compare up to 4 programs simultaneously
- Personalized Results – Filter by location, cost, and program features
CAA-Accredited Speech-Pathology Master’s Programs by State
Schools around the country offer CAA-accredited master’s degrees in SLP online, as hybrid programs that blend on-campus and online study, and through traditional campus-based programs.
School profiles in the ASHA EdFind searchable database are updated annually based on information collected through the CSD Education Survey.
Research- and clinically focused doctorate programs are available through schools offering CAA-Accredited master’s programs, as shown here; however, programmatic accreditation through the Council on Academic Accreditation applies only to master’s programs in SLP and CSD.
Alabama
Alabama A&M University — Normal
- MS in SLP
- MS in SLP
Auburn University — Montgomery
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
- Online available
Faulkner University — Montgomery
- MA, MS in SLP
- Online available
Samford University — Birmingham
- MS in SLP
University of Alabama — Tuscaloosa
- MS in SLP
University of Montevallo — Montevallo
- MS in SLP
University of South Alabama — Mobile
- MS in SLP
Alaska
There are no graduate-level SLP education programs at this time.
Arizona
A.T. Still University – Arizona School of Health Sciences (SLP) — Mesa
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
Arizona State University — Tempe
- MS in SLP
Grand Canyon University — Phoenix
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
- Online available
Midwestern University, Arizona — Glendale
- MS in SLP
Northern Arizona University — Flagstaff
- MS in SLP
- Online available
University of Arizona — Tucson
- MS in SLP
Arkansas
Arkansas State University — State University
- Master of Communications Disorders in SLP
- MS in SLP
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences — Little Rock
- MS in SLP
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville — Fayetteville
- MS in SLP
University of Central Arkansas — Conway
- MCD in SLP
California
- MS in SLP
California Baptist University — Riverside
- MS in SLP
California State University, Chico — Chico
- MA in SLP
California State University, East Bay — Hayward
- MS in SLP
- Online available
California State University, Fresno — Fresno
- MA in SLP
California State University, Fullerton — Fullerton
- MA in SLP
California State University, Long Beach — Long Beach
- MA in SLP
California State University, Los Angeles — Los Angeles
- MA in SLP
California State University, Monterey Bay — Seaside
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
California State University, Northridge — Northridge
- MS in SLP
- Online available
California State University, Sacramento — Sacramento
- MS in SLP
California State University, San Marcos — San Marcos
- MS in SLP
- Online available
- MS in SLP
Loma Linda University — Loma Linda
- MS in SLP
Pepperdine University — Malibu
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
- Online available
San Diego State University — San Diego
- MA in SLP
San Francisco State University — San Francisco
- MS in SLP
San Jose State University – SLP Program — San Jose
- MS in SLP
- Online available
University of Redlands — Redlands
- MS in SLP
University of Southern California — Los Angeles
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
University of the Pacific – SLP Program — Stockton
- MS in SLP
Colorado
Metropolitan State University of Denver — Denver
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
University of Colorado, Boulder — Boulder
- MA in SLP
University of Northern Colorado — Greeley
- MA in SLP
- Online available
Connecticut
Sacred Heart University — Fairfield
- MS in SLP
Southern Connecticut State University — New Haven
- MS in SLP
University of Connecticut — Storrs
- MA in SLP
University of New Haven — West Haven
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
Delaware
University of Delaware — Newark
- MA in SLP
District of Columbia
- MS in SLP
- MA in SLP
- MS in SLP
University of the District of Columbia
- MS in SLP
Florida
Albizu University Miami Campus — Doral
- MS in SLP
- Online available
Florida Atlantic University — Boca Raton
- MS in SLP
Florida International University — Miami
- MS in SLP
Florida State University — Tallahassee
- Master’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders
- Online available
- MS in SLP
Jacksonville University — Jacksonville
- MS in SLP
- Online available
Nova Southeastern University – SLP Program — Fort Lauderdale
- MS in SLP
- Online available
University of Central Florida — Orlando
- MA in SLP
University of Florida, Gainesville — Gainesville
- MA in SLP
University of South Florida — Tampa
- MS in SLP
- Online available
Georgia
Georgia Southern University — Savannah
- MS in SLP
Georgia State University — Atlanta
- MS in SLP
Piedmont University — Demorest
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
University of Georgia — Athens
- MA, MEd in SLP
University of West Georgia — Carrollton
- MEd in SLP
Valdosta State University — Valdosta
- MEd in Communication Disorders
Hawaii
University of Hawaii at Manoa — Honolulu
- MS in SLP
Idaho
Idaho State University — Pocatello
- MS in SLP
- Online available
Illinois
Augustana College (IL) — Rock Island
- MS in SLP
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
Eastern Illinois University — Charleston
- MS in SLP
Elmhurst University — Elmhurst
- MS in SLP
Governors State University — University Park
- Master of Health Science in Communication Disorders
Illinois State University — Normal
- MS, MA in SLP
- MS in SLP
Midwestern University, Illinois — Downers Grove
- MS in SLP
Northern Illinois University — DeKalb
- MA in SLP
Northwestern University — Evanston
- MS in SLP
- MS in SLP
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale — Carbondale
- MS in SLP
Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville — Edwardsville
- MS in SLP
St. Xavier University — Chicago
- MS in SLP
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign — Champaign
- MA in SLP
Western Illinois University — Macomb
- MS in SLP
Indiana
Ball State University — Muncie
- MA in SLP
Indiana State University — Terre Haute
- MS in SLP
Indiana University South Bend — Elkhart
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
Indiana University, Bloomington — Bloomington
- MA in SLP
Purdue University — West Lafayette
- MS in SLP
Purdue University Fort Wayne — Fort Wayne
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
Saint Mary’s College — Notre Dame
- MS in SLP
Iowa
St. Ambrose University — Davenport
- MS in SLP
University of Iowa — Iowa City
- MA in SLP
University of Northern Iowa — Cedar Falls
- MA in SLP
Kansas
Fort Hays State University — Hays
- MS in SLP
Kansas State University — Manhattan
- MS in SLP
University of Kansas — Kansas City
- MA in SLP
Wichita State University — Wichita
- MA in SLP
Kentucky
Brescia University — Owensboro
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
- Online available
Eastern Kentucky University — Richmond
- MA in SLP
Murray State University — Murray
- MS in SLP
University of Kentucky — Lexington
- MS in SLP
University of Louisville — Louisville
- MS in SLP
Western Kentucky University — Bowling Green
- MS in SLP
- Online available
Louisiana
Louisiana State University – Health Science Center, New Orleans — New Orleans
- Masters of Communication Disorders in SLP
Louisiana State University – Health Sciences Center, Shreveport — Shreveport
- Master of Communication Disorders
Louisiana State University and A&M College — Baton Rouge
- MA in SLP
Louisiana Technical University — Ruston
- MA in SLP
Southeastern Louisiana University — Hammond
- MS in SLP
Southern University and A&M College — Baton Rouge
- MS in SLP (on probation)
University of Louisiana, Lafayette — Lafayette
- MS in SLP
University of Louisiana, Monroe — Monroe
- MS in SLP
Xavier University of Louisiana — New Orleans
- MS in SLP
Maine
University of Maine, Orono — Orono
- MA in SLP
Maryland
Loyola University Maryland — Baltimore
- MS in SLP
- MS in SLP
University of Maryland, College Park — College Park
- MA in SLP
Massachusetts
- MS in SLP
Bridgewater State University — Bridgewater
- MS in SLP
- MS in SLP
- Online available
MGH Institute of Health Professions — Boston
- MS in SLP
Northeastern University — Boston
- MS in SLP
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
University of Massachusetts, Amherst — Amherst
- MA in SLP
Worcester State University — Worcester
- MS in SLP
Michigan
Andrews University — Berrien Springs
- MS in SLP
Calvin University — Grand Rapids
- MA in SLP
- Online available
Central Michigan University — Mt Pleasant
- MA in SLP
Eastern Michigan University — Ypsilanti
- MA in SLP
Grand Valley State University — Grand Rapids
- MS in SLP
Michigan State University — East Lansing
- MA in SLP
Wayne State University — Detroit
- MA in SLP
Western Michigan University — Kalamazoo
- MA in SLP
Minnesota
Minnesota State University, Mankato — Mankato
- MS in SLP
Minnesota State University, Moorhead — Moorhead
- MS in SLP
St. Cloud State University — St. Cloud
- MS in SLP
University of Minnesota Duluth — Duluth
- MA in Communication Sciences and Disorders
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis — Minneapolis
- MA in SLP
Mississippi
Jackson State University — Jackson
- MS in SLP
Mississippi University for Women — Columbus
- MS in SLP
University of Mississippi — University
- MS in SLP
University of Southern Mississippi — Hattiesburg
- MS, MA in SLP
Missouri
Maryville University — St. Louis
- MS in SLP
Missouri State University — Springfield
- MS in SLP
Rockhurst University — Kansas City
- MS in SLP
- Online available
Saint Louis University — St Louis
- MS in SLP
Southeast Missouri State University — Cape Girardeau
- MA in SLP
Truman State University — Kirksville
- MA in SLP
University of Central Missouri — Warrensburg
- MS in SLP
University of Missouri — Columbia
- MHS in SLP
Montana
University of Montana — Missoula
- MS in SLP
- Online available
Nebraska
University of Nebraska, Kearney — Kearney
- MSEd in SLP
- Online available
University of Nebraska, Lincoln — Lincoln
- MS in SLP
University of Nebraska, Omaha — Omaha
- MS in SLP
Nevada
Nevada State University — Henderson
- MEd in SLP
University of Nevada, Reno — Reno
- MS in SLP
New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire — Durham
- MS in SLP
New Jersey
Kean University of New Jersey — Union
- MA in SLP
Monmouth University — West Long Branch
- MSEd in SLP
Montclair State University — Bloomfield
- MA in SLP
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey — Newark
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
Saint Elizabeth University — Morristown
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
- Online available
Seton Hall University — Nutley
- MS in SLP
Stockton University — Galloway
- MS in SLP
William Paterson University of New Jersey — Wayne
- MS in SLP
New Mexico
Eastern New Mexico University — Portales
- MS in SLP
- Online available
New Mexico State University — Las Cruces
- MA in SLP
University of New Mexico — Albuquerque
- MS in SLP
New York
Adelphi University — Garden City
- MS in SLP
Binghamton University — Binghamton
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
CUNY, Brooklyn College — Brooklyn
- MS in SLP
CUNY, Hunter College — New York
- MS in SLP
- MA in SLP
CUNY, Queens College — Flushing
- MA in SLP
D’Youville University — Buffalo
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
Hofstra University — Hempstead
- MA in SLP
Iona University — New Rochelle
- MA in SLP
- MS in SLP
- Online available
- MS in SLP
- MA in SLP
Mercy University — Dobbs Ferry
- MS in SLP
Molloy University — Rockville Centre
- MS in SLP
- MS in SLP
New York Medical College — Valhalla
- MS in SLP
New York University — New York
- MS in SLP
- Online available
- MS in Communication Sciences and Disorders
St. Bonaventure University — St. Bonaventure
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
- Online available
St. John’s University — Queens
- MA in SLP
Stony Brook University — Southampton
- MS in SLP
- MA in SLP
- MS in SLP
- MS in SLP
- MS in SLP
SUNY at Plattsburgh — Plattsburgh
- MA in SLP
SUNY Buffalo State University — Buffalo
- MS in SLP
Syracuse University — Syracuse
- MS in SLP
Teachers College, Columbia University — New York
- MS in SLP
- MS in SLP
Yeshiva University Katz School of SLP — New York
- MS in SLP
- Online available
North Carolina
Appalachian State University — Boone
- MS in SLP
East Carolina University — Greenville
- MS in SLP
- Online available
North Carolina Central University — Durham
- MS in SLP
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill
- MS in SLP
University of North Carolina, Greensboro — Greensboro
- MA in SLP
- Online available
Western Carolina University — Cullowhee
- MS in SLP
North Dakota
Minot State University — Minot
- MS in SLP
- Online available
- MS in SLP
University of North Dakota — Grand Forks
- MS in SLP
Ohio
Baldwin Wallace University — Berea
- MS in SLP
Bowling Green State University — Bowling Green
- MS in SLP
Case Western Reserve University — Cleveland
- MA in SLP
Cleveland State University — Cleveland
- MA in SLP
- Online available
- MA in SLP
- MA, MS in SLP
Mount St. Joseph University — Cincinnati
- MSP in SLP (accreditation candidate)
Ohio State University — Columbus
- MA in SLP
- MA in SLP
- MA in SLP
- Online available
University of Cincinnati — Cincinnati
- MA in SLP
- Online available
- MA in SLP
Oklahoma
Northeastern State University — Muskogee
- MS in SLP
Oklahoma State University — Stillwater
- MS in SLP
University of Central Oklahoma — Edmond
- MS in SLP
University of Oklahoma — Health Sciences Center — Oklahoma City
- MA in SLP
- MS in SLP
Oregon
Pacific University — Forest Grove
- MS in SLP
Portland State University — Portland
- MS, MA in SLP
- MS, MA in SLP
Pennsylvania
Carlow University — Pittsburgh
- MS in SLP
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania — Bloomsburg
- MS in SLP
Delaware Valley University — Doylestown
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
- Online available
DeSales University — Center Valley
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
Duquesne University — Pittsburgh
- MS in SLP
East Stroudsburg University — East Stroudsburg
- MS in SLP
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
Gwynedd Mercy University — Gwynedd Valley
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
Indiana University of Pennsylvania — Indiana
- MS in SLP
La Salle University — Philadelphia
- MS in SLP
Lebanon Valley College — Annville
- MS in SLP
Marywood University — Scranton
- MS in SLP
Misericordia University — Dallas
- MS in SLP
- Online available
Moravian University — Bethlehem
- MS in SLP
Pennsylvania State University — University Park
- MS in SLP
Pennsylvania Western University — California
- MS in SLP
- Online available
Salus at Drexel University — Elkins Park
- MS in SLP
Temple University — Philadelphia
- MA in Speech, Languag,e and Hearing Science
- MS in SLP
Thomas Jefferson University — Philadelphia
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
University of Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh
- MA, MS in SLP
University of Scranton — Scranton
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
- Online available
West Chester University — West Chester
- MA in SLP
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
Rhode Island
New England Institute of Technology — East Greenwich
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
- Online available
University of Rhode Island — Kingston
- MS in SLP
South Carolina
Bob Jones University — Greenville
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
Francis Marion University — Florence
- MS in SLP
Medical University of South Carolina — Charleston
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
South Carolina State University — Orangeburg
- MA in SLP
University of South Carolina — Columbia
- MS in SLP
- Online available
South Dakota
University of South Dakota — Vermillion
- MA in SLP
Tennessee
Austin Peay State University — Clarksville
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
East Tennessee State University — Johnson City
- MS in SLP
Tennessee State University — Nashville
- MS in SLP
- Online available
University of Memphis — Memphis
- MA in SLP
University of Tennessee Health Science Center — Knoxville
- MS in SLP
Vanderbilt University — Nashville
- MS in SLP
Texas
Abilene Christian University — Abilene
- MS in SLP
- Online available
- MS in SLP
- Online available
East Texas Baptist University — Marshall
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
Hardin-Simmons University — Abilene
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
- MS in SLP
Our Lady of the Lake University — San Antonio
- MA in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Stephen F. Austin State University — Nacogdoches
- MS in SLP
- Online available
Texas A&M University — Kingsville
- MS in SLP
Texas Christian University — Fort Worth
- MS in SLP
Texas State University — Round Rock
- MS, MA in SLP
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center — Lubbock
- MS in SLP
Texas Woman’s University — Denton
- MS in SLP
- Online available
The University of Texas at Tyler — Tyler
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley — Edinburg
- MS in SLP
University of Houston — Houston
- MA in SLP
University of North Texas — Denton
- MS in SLP
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences — Austin
- MS in SLP
- Online available
University of Texas at Dallas — Dallas
- MS in SLP
University of Texas Health San Antonio — San Antonio
- MS in SLP
- MS in SLP
- MS in SLP
West Coast University — Dallas
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
- Online available
West Texas A&M University — Canyon
- MS in SLP
Utah
Brigham Young University — Provo
- MS in SLP
Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions — Provo
- MS in SLP
University of Utah — Salt Lake City
- MS in SLP
- MS, MA in SLP
- Online available
Vermont
University of Vermont — Burlington
- MS in SLP
Virginia
- MA in SLP
James Madison University — Harrisonburg
- MS in SLP
- Online available
Longwood University — Farmville
- MS in SLP
Old Dominion University — Norfolk
- MS in SLP
- MS, MA in SLP
Shenandoah University — Leesburg
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
University of Virginia — Charlottesville
- MEd in SLP
Washington
Eastern Washington University — Spokane
- MS in SLP
University of Washington — Seattle
- MS in SLP
Washington State University — Spokane
- MS in Speech and Hearing Sciences
Western Washington University — Bellingham
- MA in SLP
West Virginia
Marshall University — Huntington
- MS in SLP
West Liberty University — West Liberty
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
West Virginia University — Morgantown
- MS in SLP
- Online available
Wisconsin
Concordia University Wisconsin — Mequon
- MS in SLP
Marquette University — Milwaukee
- MS in SLP
University of Wisconsin — Eau Claire
- MS in SLP
- Online available
University of Wisconsin — Madison
- MS in SLP
- MS/PhD
University of Wisconsin — Milwaukee
- MS in Communication Sciences and Disorders
University of Wisconsin — River Falls
- MS in Communication Sciences and Disorders
University of Wisconsin — Stevens Point
- MS in SLP
University of Wisconsin — Whitewater
- MS in SLP
- MS in SLP (accreditation candidate)
Wyoming
University of Wyoming — Laramie
- MS in SLP
- 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.
- Grand Canyon University - Online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. - This STEM program focuses on training aspiring speech-language pathologists to offer compassionate, effective services to individuals with communication disorders
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CAA accreditation, and why does it matter?
CAA accreditation is the gold standard for SLP graduate programs, awarded by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. It ensures your program meets rigorous standards in curriculum, clinical training, and faculty qualifications. Graduating from a CAA-accredited program is required to sit for the Praxis exam, qualify for ASHA certification (CCC-SLP), and meet state licensure requirements in most states.
Can I get licensed with a degree from a candidacy program?
Yes, programs with “accreditation candidate” status are in the process of achieving full CAA accreditation, but have not yet been fully accredited. Students enrolled in candidacy programs can typically pursue ASHA certification and state licensure, but some state licensing boards may have specific requirements about candidacy status. The candidacy period generally lasts 2-3 years while the program completes the full accreditation review process. Important: Always verify with your state licensing board that they accept degrees from candidacy programs before enrolling.
What’s the difference between MS, MA, MEd, and MCD degrees in SLP?
All of these degree types (Master of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Education, Master of Communication Disorders) prepare you for the same career as a speech-language pathologist. The degree title reflects the academic department or school offering the program, not the curriculum content. What matters most is CAA accreditation, not whether your degree says MS, MA, MEd, or MCD.
Are online SLP programs as credible as on-campus programs?
Yes, if they hold CAA accreditation. Online programs must meet the same rigorous standards as campus-based programs, including 400+ clinical hours completed in-person at approved sites. Many online programs offer hybrid formats in which coursework is online, but the clinical practicum is completed locally under licensed supervisors. CAA accreditation ensures the program quality is equivalent regardless of delivery format.
How do I verify if a program is currently CAA-accredited?
Check the official ASHA EdFind database at asha.org/edfind to verify current accreditation status. You can also visit the CAA website at caa.asha.org for the most up-to-date list of accredited and candidate programs. Programs must display their accreditation status publicly on their websites and in admissions materials.
Which states have the most CAA-accredited programs?
California, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas offer the most CAA-accredited programs, each with 20+ options. Illinois, Ohio, and Florida also have substantial numbers of accredited programs. Alaska currently has no graduate SLP programs, though residents can pursue online options or attend programs in other states.
How long does it take to complete a CAA-accredited master’s program?
Most full-time programs take 2-2.5 years (4-5 semesters) to complete, including clinical practicum hours. Part-time programs may extend to 3-4 years. You’ll need to complete at least 400 clinical clock hours and specific coursework in nine core areas defined by ASHA. After graduation, you’ll complete a 36-week Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) before receiving your CCC-SLP credential.
Do I need a specific undergraduate major to apply to CAA-accredited programs?
No, you don’t need an undergraduate degree in CSD or SLP to apply to graduate programs. However, you’ll need to complete prerequisite coursework in areas like anatomy, phonetics, speech science, and child development. Some programs offer post-baccalaureate certificates or leveling courses for students from non-CSD backgrounds. Expect to complete 6-12 prerequisite courses if you didn’t major in CSD.
Key Takeaways
- CAA accreditation is essential for qualifying for ASHA certification, passing the Praxis exam, and meeting state licensure requirements in most states.
- Over 300 accredited programs are available across all 50 states (except Alaska), offering online, hybrid, and traditional campus-based options to fit different lifestyles.
- Programs in candidacy status are working toward full accreditation, and graduates can still pursue licensure and certification, typically completing the process within 2-3 years.
- Degree titles vary (MS, MA, MEd, MCD), but all lead to the same career path; what matters is CAA accreditation, not the specific degree name.
- Online programs hold the same credibility as campus-based programs when CAA-accredited, with all students completing the same 400+ clinical hours in person at approved sites.
- Use the comparison tool to analyze program costs, ROI, and features side-by-side before making your final decision on which CAA-accredited program to attend.
Ready to Compare Your Options?
Use our program comparison tool to analyze costs, ROI, and features of CAA-accredited programs that match your goals. Compare up to 4 programs side-by-side and make a data-driven decision about your SLP education.