Becoming a speech therapist in the United States requires meeting certain professional and academic standards. The following article discusses the pre-requisite educational requirements needed for those looking to start the process towards their SLP certificate. 

If you intend to pursue a graduate degree in speech-language pathology, you must know that you need a Master’s degree to practice in the field. However, to get a master’s degree in speech pathology, there are some pre-requisite courses that you should have covered during your undergraduate degree or post-baccalaureate. This also applies to you if you are planning to transition into field of speech pathology.  These SLP pre-requisite courses or programs are essential because they provide solid foundational knowledge to help you throughout your graduate school and even your career as an SLP. This article provides information on the essential prerequisites for SLP graduate school. 

Why Are Pre-requisite Courses Required?

According to ASHA, prerequisites are very important if you plan to study and become a professional in Speech-Language Pathology. These courses ensure that SLP students and prospective students have a good understanding of all forms of science courses that are related & relevant to communication sciences and disorders, and these science courses include biological sciences for anatomy and physiology, physical sciences for clinical applications, and statistics for research understanding. 

There are other courses related to social and behavioral science because there is a need to understand human behavior and social factors that influence communication.

Offering these pre-requisite courses shows the candidate is ready for advanced knowledge and study. It also prepares them for the skills needed for clinical practice. These prerequisites create a common baseline of knowledge among SLP students, allowing graduate programs to build upon this foundation effectively. 

They help maintain high standards in the profession, ensuring that all certified SLPs meet rigorous academic criteria, regardless of their educational background, which aligns with ASHA’s goal of providing quality care and services to clients.

According to ASHA, here’s a quick digest of the prerequisite essentials and requirements for Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) certification:

1. Biological Sciences:

• Study of living organisms
• Can include anatomy, cell biology, ecology, genetics, neurobiology, physiology, etc.
• Must be college-level courses, not high school

2. Physical Sciences:

• Must include either physics or chemistry
• Physics: Study of matter, energy, motion, and force
• Chemistry: Study of substances, compounds, and their properties
• Must be college-level courses

3. Statistics:

• Stand-alone course required
• Cannot be directly related to Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD)
• Research methods courses alone are not accepted

4. Social Sciences and Behavioral Sciences:

• Study of human and animal behavior
• Social sciences may include anthropology, economics, political science, etc.
• Behavioral sciences may include psychology, cognitive science, etc.

General Requirements as provided by ASHA:

• All courses must be completed at an accredited college or university
• Courses must appear on undergraduate or graduate transcripts
• Advanced Placement (AP) courses are accepted if they appear on college transcripts
• Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are not accepted
• Program directors have the authority to accept or reject previously completed coursework
• Any deficiencies must be completed before beginning the Clinical Fellowship (CF)

Options for completing prerequisite coursework include;

• Accredited colleges/universities (in-person or online)
• Community colleges, 
• “Examination for Credit” options
• College Level Examination Program (CLEP) if accepted by the university.

Programs Offering Prerequisite Courses & Admission Requirements for Prerequisite Programs

San Diego State University- Speech-Language Pathology Essentials program

Modality: Online

Program Length: 8 weeks

In-State and Out-of-State Tuition: $345/ per unit.

San Diego State University Online Speech-Language Pathology Essentials program provides flexible eight-week online courses led by experienced lecturers from SDSU’s School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, catering to working professionals. Its curriculum covers essential topics, including hearing science, language acquisition, disorders, and anatomy, and physiology, aiming to prepare students for graduate studies in speech-language pathology.

For more information, visit the SDSU page.

California State University Northridge- Certificate of Preparation for Advanced Studies Speech-Language Pathology (Certificate of Pre-SLP)

Modality: Online

Program Length: 2 years

In-State and Out-of-State Tuition: $783  per unit.

The Certificate of Preparation for Advanced Studies in Speech-Language Pathology (Certificate of Pre-SLP) offered by California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is an online program designed for college graduates seeking a career in speech-language pathology. It is especially suitable for those who did not major in Communication Disorders and Sciences or Speech-Language Pathology as undergraduates. The program prepares students to meet admission criteria for CSUN’s Master’s degree in Communication Disorders and Sciences. It is taught in a cohort format, ensuring on-time completion, fostering networking relationships, and maximizing interaction with faculty.

If you are an international student, English language proficiency tests are required unless you have completed your bachelor’s or master’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or are from a college or university outside the U.S. where English is the principal language of instruction. The accepted English language tests and minimum scores required for admission are 

Need more information? Check the CSUN Tseng College page.

Southern Illinois University – Online Communication Disorders and Sciences Leveling Program

Modality: Online/ On- Campus

Program Length: 1 year

In-State and Out-of-State Tuition:  $321.50   per unit.

Communication Disorders and Sciences (CDS) leveling program at SIU is prepared to help you become master’s degree-ready within one year. The program consists of fall and spring semesters, each with 12 credit hours. The fall semester includes CDS 328, CDS 300, CDS 303 (Anatomy and Physiology), CDS and the Classroom Teacher, Phonetics, and Language Development. In the spring semester, students take courses such as CDS 301, CDS 302, CDS 420 (Multicultural Issues in CDS), Speech and Hearing Sciences, Voice and Articulation, and Intro to Audiology. 

The classes are conveniently held online, providing flexibility for students. If you are interested, contact Dr. Valerie Boyer, CDS Program Director, at valboyer@siu.e0du for more information.

Western Kentucky Pre-SLP Program

Modality: Online

Program Length: 2 years

In-State and Out-of-State Tuition: $551   per unit.

The online pre-SLP program at Western Kentucky University is programmed so that after completion, you will have the foundational base of understanding in basic human communication and swallowing processes, including their biological, neurological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, linguistic, and cultural bases.

To be accepted into the program, you must have a CGPA of at least 3.0. To get more information on the admission and application requirements, Check the program page

University of Tennessee- Martin Pre-SLP program

Modality: On campus

Program Length: 2 years

In-state tuition: $426   per unit.

 Out-of-state tuition: $463  per unit.

The Pre-Speech Pathology (SLP) program at the University of Tennessee-Martin prepares students for admission into graduate programs. Although the plan provides recommendations for undergraduate courses, it is also important to note that admission requirements vary between institutions. 

You are advised to review the requirements of your chosen graduate programs and to consult with the HSPP Program Coordinator for additional guidance. 

To further help you, check this page to request for more information.

California State University San Marcos- SLP Preparation Program

Modality: Online

Program Length: 1.5 years

In-state tuition &  Out-of-state tuition: $370 per unit.

The SLP Preparation Program at California State University San Marcos is an online accelerated post-baccalaureate certificate program designed to prepare you for entry into the Master in Speech-Language Pathology program. This program is completed in three semesters and is a full-time cohort program.

The program offers several benefits, including;

• Live weekly chat sessions with instructors and classmates
• The choice between a cohort or non-cohort option
• Eligibility for financial aid and VA benefits.

For more information, kindly visit the CSUSM program website. Click here to request information about the application process.

Northwestern University- PreSpeech Pathology

Modality: Online

Program Length: Not indicated (please contact the prohealth@northwestern.edu .)

In-state tuition &  Out-of-state tuition: $2,200   per unit. 

The Prespeech Pathology Program is an online concentration that comprises five courses. This course ensures that all students beginning a master’s program in speech pathology have equivalent levels of preparation. The online program allows students to enroll in the required courses based on their chosen master’s program. Additionally, you may apply for federal financial aid if accepted into the program. 

For information about admission and deadline, please visit the program page.

California State University, LA – Speech-Language Pathology Master’s Preparatory Certificate Program

Modality: Hybrid/ On-Campus

Program Length: 1½ to 3 years

In-state tuition &  Out-of-state tuition: $4,341.10 (6.1 units or more), (0-6 units- $2,745.10)

This program has been designed so that student learning outcomes are typically similar to those obtained in undergraduate degree programs in communication disorders. The program consists of a minimum of 13 prerequisite courses, which can be completed full-time or part-time, depending on the course load. 

Admission to the program occurs once a year in the fall, and applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and a baccalaureate degree. 

To get more information on the application process and admission requirements

Florida State University- The Graduate Certificate in Speech-Language Pathology Prerequisites (Bridge) 

Modality: Online

Program Length: 1  year (3 semesters)

In-state or out-of-state: $485.00 per credit hour

The program, which is taught online, provides a flexible learning environment with rolling admissions, allowing students to start in any semester. One major advantage of the Bridge Program is its competitive tuition rates, independent of residency status. This program can also lead to licensure as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) in Florida. 

The curriculum is structured to prepare students with the necessary prerequisites for applying to Communication Science & Disorders/Speech-Language Pathology graduate programs. 

The FSU Financial Aid Office provides a Special Student Request Form for students taking courses required for a master’s degree program. 

For more information about the program, you can contact the School of Communication Science & Disorders at FSUBridge@cci.fsu.edu or call Jennifer Kekelis – at (850) 645-9371 

Speech-Language Pathology Prerequisites (SLPP) Program- University of Colorado, Boulder

 Modality: Online

Program Length: 4 semesters 

In-state or out-of-state: $380 per credit hour

This University of Colorado SLPP program is a non-degree program that provides core leveling courses in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (SLHS) online, allowing students to complete eight courses (24 credits) in a such period. 

If you plan to apply,  must hold a Bachelor’s degree, have a minimum 2.8 GPA, and complete all application requirements, including the SLPP Program application and transcripts from each college or university attended. The tuition rate is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. The current tuition for each 3-credit course is $1,140, making the program’s total cost approximately $9,120 for both in-state and out-of-state students. Financial aid options are also available. 

Need more information on program and application-related inquiries, contact the SLPP Program Coordinator at slpp@colorado.edu 

Conclusion

A pre-requisite course for SLP is very important before pursuing an advanced degree in speech-language pathology. These foundational courses provide essential knowledge and skills that form the background for success in graduate programs. If you are a prospective SLP student, you must carefully consider the pre-requisite requirements of the school you plan to attend.