GRE policies across CAA-accredited speech-language pathology master’s programs have shifted dramatically since 2020. Decades of research on the GRE’s predictive validity have shown that scores correlate only modestly with first-year graduate GPA and weakly with longer-term program outcomes. Combined with pandemic-era testing disruptions, this prompted many MSLP programs to make the GRE optional or eliminate it from admissions entirely. The 22 programs below explicitly do not require the GRE for 2026 admissions, drawn from the full ASHA Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) directory. Some still accept GRE scores if you submit them; others have removed it from the application altogether. Verify the current policy on each program’s admissions page before applying — policies can shift between cycles.
Key Findings
- The Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) currently recognizes about 218 SLP master’s programs nationally.
- A majority of these programs have made the GRE either optional or no longer accepted for 2026 admissions, up substantially from pre-2020 levels.
- The 22 programs profiled below have explicitly waived or eliminated the GRE per their current admissions pages.
- ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) eligibility does not require the GRE at any point — only a CAA-accredited master’s degree, a 36-week Clinical Fellowship, and a passing Praxis 5331 score.
- Programs that dropped the GRE typically weigh undergraduate GPA, letters of recommendation, the CSDCAS personal statement, and demonstrated clinical exposure (volunteer or shadowing hours) more heavily in its place.
How We Selected These Programs
Programs on this list meet three criteria: full CAA accreditation or active CAA candidacy status (which confers ASHA certification eligibility on graduates), an explicit GRE waiver or non-requirement on the program’s current admissions page, and willingness to enroll students from outside the program’s home state. The list is not a ranking. Some programs charge in-state tuition under $20,000 total; others are private institutions where total tuition exceeds $100,000. For programs sorted by lowest verified total cost, see our Most Affordable SLP Master’s Programs page. For top-rated online programs evaluated on accreditation and outcomes, see our Best Online SLP Programs page.
No GRE Masters in Speech Pathology (MSLP) Programs in the U.S.
Comparison Table: 22 Programs at a Glance
Click any program name to jump to its detailed profile. Tuition figures are not in this table because they vary by residency, year, and modality — see the individual program profiles for current per-credit rates and verify on each program’s bursar page before applying.
| # | Program | State | Type | Credits | Modality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emerson College | MA | Private | varies | Hybrid (online + campus) |
| 2 | New York University | NY | Private | 48 | Hybrid (Speech@NYU online) |
| 3 | Nova Southeastern University | FL | Private | 54 | Hybrid |
| 4 | Fontbonne University | MO | Private | 45 | Campus (full-time) |
| 5 | California State University, Fullerton | CA | Public | 63 | Campus |
| 6 | Texas State University | TX | Public | 36-39 | Campus |
| 7 | Governors State University | IL | Public | 55-58 | Campus |
| 8 | Monmouth University | NJ | Private | 60 | Campus |
| 9 | West Texas A&M University | TX | Public | varies | Campus |
| 10 | San Francisco State University | CA | Public | — | Campus |
| 11 | Loma Linda University | CA | Private | — | Campus |
| 12 | Baylor University | TX | Private | 45 | Hybrid (online + residencies) |
| 13 | Florida State University | FL | Public | 61 | Campus |
| 14 | Idaho State University | ID | Public | 63 | Campus or Online |
| 15 | James Madison University | VA | Public | 45 | Campus (cohort) |
| 16 | Texas Woman’s University | TX | Public | 61 | Campus |
| 17 | The University of Akron | OH | Public | — | Campus |
| 18 | The University of South Carolina | SC | Public | — | Campus |
| 19 | University of St. Augustine | FL | Private | — (5 semesters) | Campus |
| 20 | Western Kentucky University | KY | Public | 56 | Campus + Online |
| 21 | Calvin University | MI | Private | — | Online |
| 22 | University of Northern Colorado | CO | Public | — | Online + summer residency |
Here’s an extensive list of top-ranked colleges and universities requiring no GRE scores for a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. If you haven’t taken the test, don’t worry. You can become a professional in speech-language pathology regardless of this.
Emerson College – Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology
Speech@Emerson is one of the more established online MSLP programs. Two tracks: a 20-month, 5-term accelerated track for students with a CSD undergraduate background, and a 36-month, 9-term track that accommodates leveling courses for applicants from other fields. The GRE is neither required nor considered if submitted.
New York University – Master of Science M.S. In Speech-Language Pathology
The 48-credit Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology runs primarily online with required on-site clinical practicums coordinated to the student’s location. NYU does not require GRE scores and prior academic record drives the admissions decision. Tuition runs around $1,900-2,000 per credit, putting NYU among the more expensive options on this list.
Nova Southeastern University – Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology
54-credit MS in Speech-Language Pathology with curriculum emphasis on dysphagia, motor speech disorders, autism, and fluency. Admission requires a 3.0 undergraduate GPA and 25 hours of documented clinical observation. GRE is not required.
Fontbonne University – Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology
45-credit residential program in St. Louis covering audiology, speech impairment, and counseling techniques. Clinical practicums begin in the second year. GRE is not required.
California State University, Fullerton – Master of Arts in Communicative Disorders (speech-language pathology and audiology)
63-semester-unit MA in Communicative Disorders covering neurophysiology, language and hearing, communication disorders, and counseling techniques. Required clinical sequence: three pediatric practicums and one adult clinical externship. GRE is not required.
Texas State University – Master of Arts (M.A.) Major in Communication Disorders
Offers both an MA (39 credits with a thesis option) and an MS (36 credits) in Communication Disorders. Specialty tracks include bilingual SLP, autism, and fluency. Each term requires a clinical practicum course. GRE is not required.
Governors State University – Master of Health Science in Communication Disorders
MHS in Communication Disorders, 55 or 58 credits depending on track. Curriculum focuses on language disorders in children, child rehabilitation, and cognitive disabilities. The university administers a written aptitude test as part of admissions in lieu of the GRE.
Monmouth University – M.S.Ed. in Speech-Language Pathology
60-credit M.S.Ed. in Speech-Language Pathology with over 400 hours of on-site clinical practicum. Application requires a 3.0 cumulative GPA, letters of recommendation, a personal essay, and a professional resume. GRE is not required.
West Texas A&M University – Master of Science M.S. In Communication Disorders
MS in Communication Disorders with thesis and non-thesis tracks. Program length depends on the applicant’s undergraduate background (longer for applicants from outside CSD). Students complete 400 clinical hours through per-semester practicum coursework. GRE is not required.
San Francisco State University – Master of Science in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
MS in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. Two-step admission: an online application followed by departmental review of academic record, writing samples, and demonstrated interpersonal skills. GRE is not required.
Loma Linda University – Masters of Science in Speech-Language Pathology
MS in Speech-Language Pathology curriculum emphasizes ethical care, research literacy, and patient-centered practice consistent with Loma Linda’s whole-person health framework. CAA-accredited. GRE is not required.
Baylor University – Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Online MS in Communication Sciences and Disorders, 45 credits across 5-11 trimesters depending on pacing. Curriculum emphasizes patient care and ethical practice through online didactic work paired with in-person clinical residencies. GRE is not required. Tuition runs around $1,400-1,500 per credit, placing Baylor among the higher-cost options.
Florida State University – Master of Science M.S. In Communication Sciences and Disorders
61-credit MS in Communication Sciences and Disorders, split into 40 didactic credits (developmental disorders, voice, articulation, phonological disorders) and 16 credits of clinical practicum. Research lab partnerships span child and adult speech disorder research. GRE is not required.
Idaho State University – Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology
63-credit MS in Speech-Language Pathology, typically three years part-time. Concentrations in audiology, dysphagia, articulation, and language impairment. Students choose between a capstone project or thesis in the final year. Idaho State publishes a flat tuition rate for all students (on-campus tuition $824 per credit, online $1,035 per credit), so non-residents don’t pay a separate premium.
James Madison University – Master Science in Speech-Language Pathology
45-credit MS in Speech-Language Pathology delivered as a three-year cohort sequence. Students progress together through a defined coursework path covering language impairment, communication disorders, and clinical reasoning. GRE is not required.
Texas Woman’s University – Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology
61-credit MS in Speech-Language Pathology completed over 6-7 semesters of full-time study. Two tracks: school-focused (K-12 SLP preparation) and healthcare-focused (hospital, clinic, and rehabilitation roles). GRE is not required.
The University of Akron – Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology
Three-year MA in Speech-Language Pathology delivered in collaboration with the University of Cincinnati. Curriculum covers clinical research methods and intervention design across the three-year sequence. GRE is not required.
The University of South Carolina – Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology
MS in Speech-Language Pathology with an externship network of about 700 partner sites across the Southeast for clinical placements. Coursework covers phonetics, phonology, articulation, and language development. Part-time completion typically runs 3-4 years. GRE is not required.
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences – Master of Science M.S. In Speech-Language Pathology (MS SLP)
Five-semester MS in Speech-Language Pathology through the College of Rehabilitative Sciences. Coursework covers adult neurogenic disorders, language disorders, and speech sciences. Applicants without a CSD background complete leveling coursework before entering the master’s sequence. GRE is not required.
Western Kentucky University – Master of Science in Communication Disorders
CAA-accredited MS in Communication Disorders. Available as a campus program (Kentucky residents at about $421 per credit) or an online program at a flat $707 per credit for all students regardless of residency. Admission considers cumulative GPA, personal statement, and interview-based communication skills.
Calvin University- Online Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology
Online MA in Speech-Language Pathology paired with a six-course certificate program that serves as a leveling pathway for applicants without a CSD undergraduate background. The certificate is also a strong admissions signal: per Calvin’s own data, 100% of certificate students who applied to the master’s program were admitted. GRE is not required.
University of Northern Colorado-Speech-Language Pathology M.A. – Online Program
Primarily-online MA in Speech-Language Pathology with one required two-week summer residency on the Greeley campus for laboratory work and faculty mentoring. Graduates qualify for the Colorado Department of Education license and ASHA’s CCC-SLP. GRE is not required.
Conclusion
The graduate programs enlisted above have a selective admission policy and even more scrupulous academic curricula and onsite practicums. These degrees outweigh other graduate programs as they have omitted the compulsion of taking the GRE test. The universities going on without considering GRE scores at the time of admission stand by a clear-cut admission policy that doesn’t depend upon a mere test to assess an individual’s capabilities and potential. Thanks to these universities for revolutionizing the field of pedagogy and consequently, the mighty realm of SLP.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are SLP master’s programs dropping the GRE requirement?
Two reasons dominated the shift. First, decades of meta-analytic research (including studies published in Educational and Psychological Measurement and Research in Higher Education) consistently showed that GRE scores correlate only modestly with first-year graduate GPA and weakly with longer-term outcomes like degree completion, Praxis pass rates, and clinical performance. Second, pandemic-era testing disruptions in 2020-2021 forced programs to admit cohorts without GRE scores, and many programs found those cohorts performed indistinguishably from prior GRE-required cohorts. The trend has continued.
Will I be at a disadvantage applying without GRE scores?
Not at programs that have eliminated the requirement, and generally not at programs that list it as optional. At “optional” programs, applicants without scores are typically evaluated on undergraduate GPA, letters of recommendation, the CSDCAS personal statement, and any clinical or research experience. If you have strong scores already, submitting them can sometimes help; if your scores are weak, omitting them is usually the better call. Read each program’s admissions page carefully — some “optional” programs are clear that they don’t consider scores at all, while others quietly factor them in if submitted.
What do GRE-optional programs use instead?
Most programs that have dropped the GRE rely more heavily on the same materials they were already collecting: undergraduate GPA (cumulative and CSD-major-specific), letters of recommendation from academic and clinical referees, the personal statement, and any documented clinical exposure (volunteer hours, shadowing, SLPA experience, research experience). A growing number of programs also incorporate structured interviews or supplemental written essays focused on professional fit and clinical reasoning.
Should I take the GRE anyway, just in case?
If you’re applying broadly across many programs, including some that still require the GRE, then yes — one test sitting covers all applications. If you’re applying only to programs on a list like this one where the GRE is explicitly not required, the test fee and prep time are usually better invested elsewhere. The GRE costs $220 plus prep materials and time; that money can fund CSDCAS application fees, transcript orders, or test prep for the Praxis 5331 you’ll need later.
Will programs add the GRE requirement back?
Some have reinstated it; most haven’t. Watch each program’s admissions page for the current cycle’s policy. A small number of programs have moved back toward “optional” framing after a few admission cycles without it, but the broader trend across CAA-accredited MSLP programs continues to be away from required GRE scores.
Does the CCC-SLP credential require GRE scores?
No. ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology requires graduation from a CAA-accredited master’s program, completion of a 36-week (1,260-hour) Clinical Fellowship under a licensed CCC-SLP, and a passing score on the Praxis 5331 exam (national passing score 162). The GRE is not part of the certification pathway.
About the Author
Emily Waters earned her M.S. in Communication Disorders from Emerson University and holds ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). She is a practicing speech-language pathologist based in Boston, Massachusetts, and serves as Editor-in-Chief of Online Speech Pathology Programs.
References
- Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA), program directory. caa.asha.org
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). asha.org
- ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). asha.org/certification
- Praxis Subject Assessment in Speech-Language Pathology (Test 5331). ets.org/praxis
- CSDCAS (Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service). csdcas.liaisoncas.com
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Speech-Language Pathologists. bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm
Related Articles
- Most Affordable SLP Master’s Programs (2026 Verified Tuition)
- 15 Best Online Speech-Language Pathology Programs for 2026
- Online Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology (MSLP) Programs
- ASHA / CAA-Accredited SLP Programs
- The SLP Praxis Exam (Test 5331): What to Expect
- ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence in SLP (CCC-SLP)
- What is an SLP Clinical Fellowship?
- Required Credentials for an SLP
- SLP Programs by State