Monday, December 17, 2012

On the Hunt for Online SLP Grad School Programs

You want to find speech-language pathology graduate schools that offer distance education options, but you don't know where to start.  If you type in SLP online grad school programs into google, you get over 200,000 results and most of them either relate to SLP grad schools (but not online) or online schools (but not SLP grad programs).  You can find a few links here and there, but it's a lot to go through to find what you are actually looking for.

ASHA EdFind used to have a more comprehensive search and you could look specifically for online grad programs, but for some reason when they updated the search engine they dropped that option.  EdFind is still a useful tool to get a nice overview of the requirements of a particular program, but networking with current students and SLPs is the best way to find out what schools are out there and what the programs are like. 


So, where do you connect with current students and SLPs?  Message boards, message boards, message boards!  Facebook has many online groups dedicated to SLP: Future SLPs (Speech-LanguagePathologists), IMAGAS (Insight,Mentoring, AND Guidance for Aspiring SLPs), SLP Grad Applicants -From USU and Beyond, are just a few and this last one is really useful because most of the members graduated from Utah State University's online post-bachelor's in communicative disorders and deaf education and many of them are applying to online grad schools or going to online grad schools in SLP.  It was started by USU post-bacc students, but is open to all graduate applicants from any university.

Other useful message boards to post inquiries into online grad programs are: Speech and Language PathologyLive Journal, SLPJob.comForums, and RedditSpeech-Language Pathology .

When you are researching online schools you have to make sure that the program is CAA Accredited.  What is CAA accreditation?  CAA stands for the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology and it is the entity within ASHA authorized to accredit graduate education programs for the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology.  If the school you are interested in is CAA accredited, then it means that it meets the standards for the accreditation of graduate education programs that provide entry-level professional preparation in audiology and speech-language pathology.  You can check on EdFind to find out a school's accreditation status. ASHA has a page with resources for both students and faculty about distance education.

Who goes online?  Many (but not all) online grad students are career-changers, have families, and would be classified as “non-traditional” students.  They are more anchored into their communities and do not have the option to move to go to grad school.  SLP graduate programs are few and far between so their local universities may not offer SLP at the graduate level.  These online programs are tailored for the non-traditional student and they tend to be more flexible so students can meet family obligations as well as continue working while in school.


It takes a tremendous amount of discipline to attend SLP graduate school online and these programs provide an education that is every bit as rigorous as attending classes in a more traditional university setting… sometimes even more so.


If you'd like to read more about SLP grad students who decided to go online, then check out SLP_Echo's posts about online SLP Graduate Programs:

Part 1.  
Part 2.

And here is a link to a list that I've compiled so far of online grad programs and their requirements: Online Grad School List.

38 comments:

  1. Hi Rose. I hope you don't mind me posting here on your page :) I am researching slp grad programs and have a million questions. I'm sure you're busy, but if you have some free time for feedback, that would be awesome. If not, I totally understand! Your FB links were very helpful...I hadn't even thought about looking there, and I've already requested to join each group :)

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  2. Thank you for this blog! It's very helpful as I consider getting a master's in SLP. I'd like your opinion on the USU leveling program -- let me know whether you'd prefer to communicate via email or if you don't mind posting your thoughts publicly. Thanks! jessica

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  3. Hey Jessica!

    I thought the program at USU was pretty solid overall. There are facebook groups for the program in general as well as for individual classes. If you have any other more specific questions, let me know! I have no problem answering on here.

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  4. Does USU have an online grad program for SLP? If so, what department is it under?

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  5. No, USU does not have an online grad program for SLP. There's been rumors and talk for years that there will be one, but nothing yet... so for now it's just the online bachelor's and the online post-bacc in communicative disorders.

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  6. Could you provide a list of schools that offer a masters in speech language pathology and that are completely online? I know Western Kentucky Univ and UNCO does but it is very hard to find SLP schools that are completely online.

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  7. Hi! If you scroll down to the bottom of the post and just above the picture of the flower there is a link to a list I've compiled of online SLP programs called "Online Grad School List". Of the schools listed, I think only Nova is completely online. Most online schools have a campus component at least once during the program. I don't know of any others... good luck!

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  8. Hi Rose. Firstly, I really thank you for this post. Secondly,I need to know if your information is applicable for the people out of US? I have a bachelor in SLP from Iran & have recently moved to Toronto-Canada. I have 15 years of experience in Iran & Dubai-UAE. But here I need to study for the master's degree to be able to work. I'm really confused about the best way to start( volunteer job? working as CDA? applying for online courses? or a traditional ones? ).
    I would appreciate if you guide me.

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  9. Hi Nasim,

    I'm not really sure how applicable this information is for people outside of the US. I would contact the CASLPA (the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists): http://www.caslpa.ca/english/index.asp to find out more information since you did just move to Canada. Also contacting the admissions department of SLP grad schools that you are interested in attending might be another way to find out more information as it would pertain to international students. Good luck!

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  10. Hey rose my name is maram
    I joine usu pre slp program this fall
    I live In NY
    Unfortunately I have to pay out if state tution
    That's why I'm thinking about joining la salle
    What do u think about there program?

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    1. Maram Did you choose to go to La Salle University in the end? What did you decide and what's your opinion. I am also trying to find an online Pre SLP program.

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  11. Hi Maram!

    Unfortunately, I do not know much about LaSalle University. Are you sure you will have to pay out of state tuition for USU? If it's the 2nd Bachelor's, then courses should be $290 per credit hour for in-state and out of state.

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    1. It's true that even though you are out of state USU will cost $290 per credit hour. However, when you register for courses you have to indicate the closest location which is "out of state" and these sections of the classes have an additional $700 fee that does not apply to those in Utah.

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  12. Oh wow, thank you for letting me know! We didn't have to indicate the closest location which is "out of state" when we registered for classes so no additional fee when I went. I will be sure to let anyone who asks know this updated information!

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  13. Does anyone know any more about the additional fee for out of state on line students? Is the $700 fee per class, per semester or a one time fee?

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  14. I'm not sure how the additional fee is added, but a good place for you to ask is the Utah State Online COMD facebook group. There are current students from all over the states in that group.

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  15. Thank you SO much for this I greatly appreciate it.
    Where can I find the online Nova program? I'm having trouble finding it on their website.
    Thank you

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  16. You're welcome! I think this is the link to the SLP program for Nova: http://www.fischlerschool.nova.edu/ms/speech Good luck!!

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  17. Do you know which of these online SLP programs, if any, do not require an in-person clinical practicum? I know of a few online programs I'm interested in, but I think I will have a hard time attending the in person clinical practicum since they're not very close to where I live. Thanks!

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  18. Hmm, I'm not sure. Your best bet would be to contact the schools directly to find out. You can also join the SLP Grad Applicants - From USU and Beyond facebook group and see if there are any current/former students attending the online programs you are interested in.

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  19. Hey Rose,
    I'm a teacher with a Bach degree in vocal performance and Masters in vocal music education. I've decided that I would like to pursue a degree in Speech-Language Pathology (unfortunately, a little late for this semester...) I was hoping to apply for a program beginning in the fall of 2016, but I obviously need to complete the pre-requisite courses. Is there any way for me to complete these courses over the course of this year? I've been looking for schools up north that have a later start date to classes, since I'm late to the game this year. Any advice you are able to give will be much appreciated!! Thanks!
    Kaitlin

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    1. Utah State University has an online post-bacc program where you can get your pre-reqs completed in 3 semesters. I am not sure if you would still have time to apply and take classes this Fall, but if so, you could potentially finish by Summer 2016. Here is their website: http://www.comd.usu.edu/htm/online-programs/communicative-disorders-2nd Also, you could see what pre-reqs the grad programs require and you may not need to complete the full post-bacc at USU. You could just take classes that are needed to get into the grad program. Which could be helpful if you have missed the window for getting into USU for this Fall, then you could still finish by Summer 2016.

      Another option is to see if any of the grad programs you want to apply to have their pre-reqs built into the Master's for those who still need to complete them. That was my program at Eastern Michigan (no online program unfortunately). About 1/3 of my cohort had to take the pre-reqs and they finished a semester after us.

      I hope this helps! Good luck!

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  20. Hi,
    I have a Master's degree in Special Education and have been a teacher working with students with a wide range of disabilities for 14 years. As a result, I have worked closely with many SLPs and I love what they do and the difference they make in my student's education. I also have a BS degree in Nursing. My question is, do I still need to complete a Master's program? Most programs I was looking at required at least 3 years (online) to complete a Masters and I wondered if there were any programs out there that were shorter to take into account my degree and what I do for a living? Thanks!

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  21. Hi Jannike,

    Yes, you do need a speech-language pathology masters to practice as an SLP. http://www.asha.org/Students/Planning-Your-Education-in-CSD/ Some states will allow you to get licensed while you are attending a Masters program. You would have to check with your state to find out more information. As to shorter programs... you'd have to contact programs directly to find out that information. Good luck!

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  22. I've tried clicking on the ASHA link for online grad schools in the past, but i just tried it now and a different page appears. Any update on the link?

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  23. Unfortunately it looks like you will have to weed through schools to see who has an online program. The EdFind link still works, but I have removed the link to the online programs @AshaWeb sent me since it doesn't list online programs any more.

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  24. I wanted to email you with some questions about the USU 2nd Bachelors Degree, is that possible? Thanks!

    -Sara from NJ

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  25. Hi Rose,
    I am looking into to the USU 2nd bachelors degree program and wanted to ask you a few questions. Can I shoot you an email?

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    1. Hi Sara,

      It's been awhile since I've been in the USU program and I'm sure there has been in changes. A great place to ask to current and most recently graduated students is the USU facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/109935279077833/

      If you want to know if the knowledge I gained at USU was comparable to on campus programs, I say yes. I felt I was around the same level as my classmates in my grad school cohort.

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    2. Thanks how do i find out if it's accredited?

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    3. Hi Sara,

      You can see a program's accreditation by going to ASHA EdFind: http://www.asha.org/edfind/

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  26. Hi Rose, I came across this while looking for online SLP masters programs. There are so few! Anyway, thank you for the blog. I'm finding out a lot of useful information. I'm going to check out some of the social media sites and hopefully find someone who has graduated from on online program and see how the experience was. Thanks,
    Sylvia

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    1. Hi Sylvia,

      A great place to start to connect with others who have gone to online grad programs is the facebook group: SLP Grad Applicants - From USU and Beyond. https://www.facebook.com/groups/207817285949723/

      Good luck!

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  27. Hello,
    Would you consider it a risky proposition to attend a school which is a "candidate" for accreditation by ASHA?
    They are up for review in January of 2018. I have options to attend an accredited institution, but its further and more expensive...
    Your thoughts are much appreciated!

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  28. Hmmm... I'm really not sure. Are you on any of the SLP facebook groups? That might be a good place to ask. There may be somebody on one of them who has attended a school that is a candidate. Or call ASHA to see if there is any risk. Good luck!

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  29. Hi,

    Can you give me any recommendations on where to start for a masters in SLP. I have my BA in International Relations. So any help with schools that are flexible and not as competitive to get in to.
    Thanks!
    Leslie

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  30. Hi! Any of the links I provided in the above blog post would be a great place to start. Online can be flexible, but there are some programs where you can go part-time as well. Eastern Michigan University is a campus-based program but there were a couple people I knew who only took a class or two a semester rather than a full grad course load.

    Are you looking for a campus program or do you want to go online? Like I said, check out the links I posted in this blog post, in particular the facebook groups so you can ask a wide range of people. I can only answer about my experience at USU for a post-bacc and my experience at Eastern Michigan University.

    As to "not competitive", that's a bit tougher as most if not all programs are going to be competitive due to the fact that hundreds apply each year and a fraction get in. You could ask on any SLP facebook group (there are tons!) about particular programs that may be "easier" to get in to. SLP Grad Applicants - From USU and Beyond facebook group would be where I'd recommend you start.

    Good luck!

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