How to Get into Grad School for Speech Pathology

Speech-language pathologists, or speech therapists, specialize in communication. They work with babies, children and adults to treat issues relating to articulation, language, fluency, feeding and swallowing.¹

If you’re interested in speech-language pathology (SLP) as a potential career, be aware of the requirements to get accepted into a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) program. According to a recent Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) Education Survey, the average SLP grad school acceptance rate is 41.6%.²

Read on to learn how to get into grad school for speech pathology. 

USAHS SLP Program Requirements

While every program is different, USAHS’s requirements include: 

• Earn a bachelor’s degree
• Graduate with a minimum GPA of 3.0 
• Take the GRE 
• Submit letters of recommendation
• Write an essay or personal statement 
• Complete 25 observation hours
• Complete prerequisite coursework

Please note that USAHS doesn’t require a GRE score to gain admission to the MS-SLP program. 

How to Get into SLP Grad School in Seven Steps

Follow these seven steps to increase your chance of getting into grad school for speech pathology. 

1. Graduate with an Undergraduate Degree 

The first MS-SLP admission requirement is to obtain a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. While not required, majoring in CSD or speech-language pathology helps ensure you complete all prerequisite coursework. 

If your school doesn’t offer a CSD or SLP undergraduate degree, you can still apply as long as you complete the following ASHA prerequisite course requirements:

• Biology
• Chemistry or physics
• Statistics
• Behavioral or social sciences

USAHS offers the following leveling courses if your degree isn’t in CSD or SLP:

• Introduction to Audiology
• Aural Rehabilitation
• Speech Anatomy and Physiology
• Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders
• Phonetics
• Normal Speech and Language Development

At USAHS, we recommend completing prerequisite coursework no more than five years prior to enrollment. 

2. Take Your GRE

Depending on the programs you’re applying to, you may be required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). This standardized test assesses your verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing skills.³

USAHS is one of the many SLP programs that doesn’t require a GRE score for admission. If standardized tests aren’t your strong suit, you may want to consider the GRE requirement when deciding which programs to apply to. 

3. Shadow SLPs 

Next, you’ll want to shadow multiple SLPs in the field to learn more about their day-to-day responsibilities. Since there are multiple career path options, you may want to shadow in a variety of different settings where SLPs work, including⁴:

• Schools, colleges and universities
• Nonresidential healthcare facilities, hospitals and residential healthcare facilities
• Private practice
• Corporate environments 
• Local, state and federal government agencies

SLP programs require you to complete 25 guided observation hours with an ASHA-certified SLP.  Log these hours to ensure you meet the requirements. 

4. Gain Field Experience

It’s important to seek out opportunities to gain experience in the field. While clinical internships typically aren’t available to undergraduate students, you can find non-clinical internships or volunteer opportunities that will strengthen your grad school application.⁵ These experiences will give you insight into an SLP’s daily tasks and allow you to interact and learn from SLPs. 

These volunteer opportunities and work experiences don’t count toward the 25-hour observation requirement.

5. Network with SLPs

While not required, networking with SLPs is a great way to learn more about the field and may lead to other opportunities. Attend networking events or connect on LinkedIn to establish relationships. 

You may want to connect with alumni who can share advice and experiences or provide a reference letter. 

6. Research Multiple Programs

Research multiple MS-SLP programs to decide which ones to apply to. Some factors to consider include:

• Curriculum
• Learning model
• Program length 
• Mission statement
• Virtual/hybrid coursework options 
• Virtual or on-site clinical practica options 
• Tuition and financial aid options 
• On-campus facilities 

Also, speak with current students, alumni and professors to gain insight into each program. 

7. Complete Program Applications

Narrow your options and apply to the programs you’re the most interested in. To improve your chances of acceptance, apply to multiple programs. Each program might have different requirements, so thoroughly read and fill out each application. 

Five Tips to Get Accepted into an SLP Graduate Program

Below are a few tips to help you get accepted into an SLP grad program. 

1. Maintain a High GPA During Your Undergrad Program  

A grade point average (GPA) is a factor that most SLP programs take into consideration. Retain a minimum GPA of 3.0 calculated on program prerequisites. SLP programs are competitive, and some programs prefer a higher GPA.

2. Have Multiple People Revise Your Essays 

Many SLP grad programs require you to write a personal essay in response to a specific prompt. Thoroughly answer the question and adhere to font, spacing and length requirements. 

After writing your essay, ask family, friends, professors or classmates to review the essay before submitting it. 

3. Start the Application Process Early 

As each program has various requirements, we recommend getting a head start on the application process to give you plenty of time to apply for each program you’re interested in. Write down each application’s deadline, list each requirement and keep track of your progress. Staying organized and on schedule will help ensure you submit each application on time. 

4. Conduct Research

Consider whether each program is the best educational fit for your learning needs and lifestyle. Some questions to ask yourself include: 

• Do I want to be in a specific geographic area? 
• Do I prefer a small or a large university? 
• How many fellow students do I want in my cohort? 
• Do I want to specialize in a specific area of SLP? 
• Does a traditional, hybrid or online program fit my learning style? 

Additionally, you should look into each program’s student outcome data such as on-time program completion and Praxis exam pass rates. This ensures that you’re applying to a program where graduates have a solid success rate. 

5. Submit Multiple Letters of Recommendation

Most SLP grad programs require you to submit at least two letters of recommendation. These letters can come from professors, supervisors or employers familiar with you in a professional or academic setting. Take the time to establish professional relationships during undergrad, work experiences and volunteer opportunities so you’re not scrambling when it comes time to ask for a letter of recommendation. 

Request these letters in advance to give the individual plenty of time to write your letter. 

How to Get into Grad School for Speech Pathology FAQ

Applying for grad school can be a confusing process. Below, we’ve answered some common questions regarding grad school for SLP. 

Is it Hard to Get into Grad School for SLP? 

Grad schools for SLP programs are typically very competitive. Programs can accommodate a median of about 32 students, according to a recent survey of the 2021-2022 academic year.² Therefore, you may want to apply to multiple programs to improve your chances of acceptance. 

What GPA is Required to Get into SLP Grad School? 

Most programs require a minimum 3.0 GPA, either overall or for prerequisite coursework. 

Can You Get into an SLP Grad Program with a Low GPA?

Each program places a different weight on the importance of application factors, so you may be able to get into some SLP grad programs with a low GPA. Additionally, some programs consider your grade trend, so try to continue to raise your GPA each semester. 

Apply to USAHS’ MS-SLP Program 

A career as an SLP offers countless benefits. From the impact on patient lives to the high level of job security, there are several reasons to pursue a degree in speech-language pathology. 

Now that you know how to get into grad school for speech pathology, we encourage you to apply to our program. With our student-first philosophy, blended learning model and state-of-the-art simulation labs, we provide our students with the tools they need to succeed in their careers. 

Sources: 

1. ASHA, “Who Are Speech-Language Pathologists, and What Do They Do?” ASHA, last modified [June 2023], https://www.asha.org/public/who-are-speech-language-pathologists/
2. ASHA, “CSD Education Survey: Communication Sciences and Disorders Education Trend Data,” ASHA, last modified [May 2023], https://www.asha.org/siteassets/uploadedfiles/communication-sciences-and-disorders-education-trend-data.pdf
3. ETS, “The GRE® General Test,” ETS, last modified [August 2023], https://www.ets.org/gre/test-takers/general-test/about.html
4. ASHA, “Employment Settings for SLPs,” ASHA, last modified [August 2023], https://www.asha.org/students/employment-settings-for-slps/
5. SpeechPathologyGraduatePrograms.org, “Speech Pathology Internships – Your Complete Guide to Selecting the SLP Internship That’s Right for You,”  SpeechPathologyGraduatePrograms.org, last modified [June 2023], https://www.speechpathologygraduateprograms.org/2021/09/speech-pathology-internships/