Individuals interested in a career in the healthcare field have many options to choose from – one promising healthcare career option is speech pathology. A career in speech-language pathology is incredibly versatile with hundreds of job options working with individuals from birth to death.

New Jersey offers interesting options when searching for a graduate program. Being close to major cities such as New York and Philadelphia offers exciting choices for theaters, dining, adventure, and culture. New Jersey can be a perfect choice for a student searching for beaches, cities, and new life adventures.

Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology (MSLP) in New Jersey

A master’s degree is the step after completing a bachelor’s degree. A student does not have to have a specific degree to apply to a graduate program in speech pathology; if an alternate degree was obtained, foundational coursework may be required to support the admission.
Finding the program that fits the student’s needs for learning is imperative – whether online, or in-person, researching each program is important to find the best program for their needs.

Kean University, Union, NJ – Master of Arts in Speech Pathology

Kean University, known as New Jersey’s urban research university – offers an affordable education just a 30-minute train ride from New York City. With easy access to campus and opportunities for growth and learning, Kean University has much to offer a student interested in speech pathology careers.

• Located in Union
• In-person classes
• Classes start in the Summer or Fall only and can be completed in two years
• Tuition is roughly $12,413 per semester and out-of-state students cost roughly $14,275.01 per semester.

Kean University has additional opportunities and credentials to add to certification. A neurodiversity certificate in Autism, American Sign Language, and a bilingual certification are other opportunities available at Kean. With its rich social life, proximity to New York City, clubs, sports teams, and various community activities, Kean University has lots to offer a master’s student.

Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ – Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed) in Speech-Language Pathology

The students at Monmouth University experience a unique opportunity to work within a cohort group that ties classroom experience with practical skills. The school is quoted that the educators believe that patients should be “treated by competent, compassionate and creative clinicians.”

• Located in West Long Branch
• In-person classes
• The program is two years and is located at the Monmouth University Graduate campus a few miles from campus.
• Tuition costs for in-state tuition is roughly $72,000 per year with variables due to commuting status and other factors

Monmouth University has a rich community filled with music, local experiences, and a growing LBGTQ+ community. The campus has a multitude of opportunities to experience college life on your terms. Students have the opportunity to learn from leading companies, engage in conversation with others, and be part of a tight class ratio that blends learning with connection.

Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ – Master of Arts in Speech Pathology

The speech pathology program at Montclair State University offers a structured, newly updated program with start dates in the summer and an organized program with a strong interdisciplinary approach.

• Located in Montclair
• Classes in person
• The program is the Communication Science and Disorders, Speech Pathology program and can now be completed in 6 semesters
• Tuition costs for students are roughly $32,464, with variations for on-campus living, credits taken, and other options.

Montclair State University offers graduate assistantships and is structured to allow for part-time attendance. Classes are offered in the afternoon and evenings, along with weekends, which supports students who may be working or need a different schedule for life events.

Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ – Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

Since 1856, Seton Hall University has educated students with a guiding hand in the Catholic faith. Seton Hall offers a strong program blending, research, clinical experience, education, and service to create a well-rounded student. Students participate in a rich educational atmosphere just a few steps away from Manhattan.

• Located in South Orange
• Classes are in-person
• The program is completed in 5 semesters, one of the shorter programs available
• The tuition for students is roughly $55,670 per year, with options for meal plans, housing, and other variables in cost.

Seton Hall uses a strong research base with externship support and possible grant funding to allow students a deep dive into areas of interest. This approach gives students a unique opportunity to connect with professionals in their chosen area of interest and a broader understanding before heading into licensure assessment. There are also several dual master’s programs available, and a bachelor/master program in speech pathology as well.

Stockton University, Stockton, NJ – Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

The beautiful campus of Stockton University in Galloway Township, NJ, is close to Atlantic City. With a community feel and excellent schools, Stockton University is a great place for students to live and learn.

Stockton University is named for Richard Stockton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence – just another fun fact for this university.

• Located In Galloway Township
• Classes are in-person
• The program is a two-year program and offers a close working connection with advisors and staff
• Tuition for in-state students is roughly $30,790 and out-of-state roughly $39,00 depending on credits taken and other factors

The speech pathology program at Stockton University offers a low student-class ratio along with specialty clinical opportunities such as a bilingual specialization and overseas educational opportunities.

Rutgers University, Newark, NJ – Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

With the ongoing reputation of excellence at Rutgers University, the school offers three distinct campuses each offering their own experiences. Rutgers is a state-wide learning mogul, impacting healthcare and research worldwide.

• Located in Newark on the Rutger Health campus.
• Classes are in-person
• The program is a five-semester program focusing on service delivery and research-based education opportunities
• Tuition at Rutgers is roughly $23,000 per year and out-of-state students are roughly $34,600 per year

Rutgers works on a system of close, cohort-style classroom work for several semesters, then moves to high-level clinical treatment opportunities. Learning about Pro Bono services at the on-campus clinic offers life skills while providing services to multi-lingual and socially diverse patients.

New Jersey MSLP Programs that do not require the GRE

The GRE, or Graduate Record Exam, was created by a set of universities, partnered with the Carnegie Foundation, in the early 1900’s. This exam was made to assess a student’s readiness for graduate school, which assists schools in choosing candidates who are ready to participate in high-level education. Schools use the GRE, along with grades, credits taken, and other combinations of factors for that assessment. 

The skills assessed by the GRE include Verbal Reasoning (evaluating relationships, and arguments and analyzing written information), Analytic Writing (the ability to evaluate concepts and arguments effectively), and Quantitative Reasoning (problem-solving and information analysis). Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning are scored at 130-170 points, with average scores ranging from 150 to 155 accordingly. The Analytical Writing score is created in half-point increments and then combined with the other scores, creating an overall score of 260 to 340. One notable point is that there are no wrong answers, so answering every question is in the best interest of individuals taking this assessment.

Currently, there are no schools in New Jersey that will accept students for a master’s program without the GRE requirement.

Most Affordable SLP Programs in New Jersey

While not everyone is concerned about the cost of education, sometimes it is one of the most important issues. Searching for scholarships, watching for mentorships or internships, and other options for reducing school costs are available all over the web.

Some of the more cost-effective schools for a masters in speech therapy in New Jersey are as follows:

• Stockton University
• Kean University
• Montclair State University
• Seton Hall University

Bachelor of Speech Pathology Programs in New Jersey

Starting a journey to become a speech pathologist requires an undergraduate degree. Although you can enter a graduate program without a specific communication disorders/speech pathology program base, there may be additional requirements before entering a master’s program. Truly, any undergraduate degree can help on that path.

There are multiple schools in New Jersey with undergraduate degrees that can start the path toward becoming a speech pathologist.

Always check a school’s website for the most up-to-date school curriculum updates.

Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ – Bachelor/Master’s program in Speech-Language Pathology

The program at Seton Hall University provides a speech-language pathology program that can be directly linked to the Master’s degree program. Although not a guarantee, the program creates a strong foundation for the next step in education. Seton Hall has a reputation for excellence, is close to major cities, and a world of opportunities to explore the community. 

• Located in South Orange
• Classes are in-person, with online course options similar to other standard programs. 
• The program is focused on early childhood education and special education, with other coursework as required, taking 3-5 years depending on credits taken.
• Tuition is roughly $27,190 per semester with other fees as required per degree.

The program at Seton Hall University is a 4+2 program, which means that a speech pathologist in training can complete their education at this school. Additionally, the program will set up any student to complete their degree at other institutions.

Caldwell University, Caldwell, NJ- Bachelor’s in Communication Science and Disorders

The program at Caldwell University focuses on collaboration and understanding the social, medical, and psychological components of individuals dealing with speech, language, and hearing complications. The core program also focuses on liberal arts credits, which can combined with other learning options.

• Located in Caldwell
• Classes in-person and online
• The program takes roughly four years to complete based on a typical college coursework timeframe
• Tuition for students is roughly $25,117 for residents and roughly $20,400 for a commuter.

Caldwell University offers leadership opportunities through student involvement focused on providing leadership opportunities. With more than 40 organizations on campus, Caldwell offers many opportunities to learn and grow. Along with “what you know” credit options, Caldwell will help to grant credits based on what you have learned in high school, work life, and beyond.

Several other colleges with coursework will support a graduate degree in Speech-language pathology, although not specific in the degree program.

New Jersey Speech-Language Pathology Programs

Program	University Name	City	State	Accreditation
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)	Kean University	Union	NJ	ASHA
Doctorate in Audiology (AuD)	Seton Hall University	Nutley	NJ
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)	Seton Hall University	Nutley	NJ	ASHA
Master's in Audiology (MS)	College of New Jersey	Ewing	NJ
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)	College of New Jersey	Ewing	NJ
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)	William Paterson University of New Jersey	Wayne	NJ	ASHA
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)	Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey	Newark	NJ
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)	Stockton University	Galloway	NJ	ASHA
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)	Monmouth University	West Long Branch	NJ	ASHA
Doctorate in Audiology (AuD)	Montclair State University	Bloomfield	NJ	ASHA
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)	Montclair State University	Bloomfield	NJ	ASHA

How to Become a Speech Language Pathologist

To become a speech pathologist, a focused education is required – understanding the development of language and cognition alongside other specialty diagnoses is part of the process.  Each program offers different optional components to the degree, which students will want to review for interest. 

If an undergraduate degree was received in a different degree program, the university may require additional coursework for their education before beginning graduate work. 

Once a master’s degree is earned, the PRAXIS test and licensure for the state and ASHA must be gained to complete the final steps to become a therapist.