Life doesn't stop. Neither should your education.

Our online master's in SLP program is deeply rooted in our core values of gentleness, humility, gratitude, hospitality, and wisdom. We stand alongside you as you work toward state licensure and national certification so you can work one-on-one with individuals who have communication and swallowing needs in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, and private practices.

At DeSales University, you’ll find a community that’s deeply invested in your journey as an aspiring speech-language pathologist. We honor your drive to make a meaningful difference and support you every step of the way with expert faculty guidance, clinical placement assistance, and a curriculum designed for real-world impact.

We empower you to grow as an SLP clinician who's grounded in ethical leadership, compassionate care, and service to others. Here, your goals are celebrated and nurtured within a network that is as dedicated to your future as you are.

The SLP online master's program at DeSales is crafted for professionals ready to step into the field of communication and swallowing disorders. Our innovative curriculum is designed to provide you with a deep understanding of culturally competent care and evidence-based practices and balances advanced clinical knowledge, research methods, and comprehensive practicum experiences.

• Flexible online coursework
• 66 total credits
• 375 hands-on practicum hours
• Graduate in nine terms (part-time)
• Two virtual residencies to foster deep connection with faculty and peers
• Three annual starts in fall, spring, and summer
• $950 per credit

We invite applications from motivated individuals who are ready to earn their master's in SLP online.

Requirements include:

• A bachelor’s degree
• Recommended minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) overall and in the sciences
• Official transcripts
• Two letters of recommendation
• 25 observation hours with an ASHA-certified, licensed provider
• Completion of specific prerequisites and foundational science courses

Prerequisite Requirements

Before beginning our online SLP master's program, you must complete several prerequisite courses. These foundational classes will provide you with the knowledge base you need to succeed in our program and your future SLP career:

• Phonetics
• Introduction to Audiology
• Speech and Hearing Science
• Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders
• Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism
• Language Development

Along with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, you must have also completed the following courses:

• Introduction to Biology or Biology I
• Statistics
• Introduction to Psychology
• Chemistry or Physics

No surprises. Know exactly what you're signing up for.

We believe a prestigious online SLP masters should be a transparent and smart investment in your future. Our tuition structure is clear, helping you plan your investment in professional growth.

• $950 per credit
• $62,700 total tuition (without fees)

The distance pathway for the Master of Science (M.S.) program in Speech-Language Pathology at DeSales University is under review by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

DeSales University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation.

The online speech-language pathology program is designed to meet the academic and clinical education requirements for national certification through the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (CCC-SLP) and Pennsylvania state licensure in speech-language pathology. Please see licensure information here for details related to individual state requirements. 

Please be aware that some states require a separate credential to practice in the school system which may have additional requirements. If a state Department of Education requires a separate credential to practice in the school system, you must obtain that credential to practice in schools. It is the student's responsibility to determine what is required to obtain the credential to work in the school system. It is the student’s responsibility to remain up to date on all state licensure requirements. 

Our online master's in speech-language pathology empowers graduates to become confident practitioners equipped with evidence-based clinical reasoning. Our curriculum is designed to help you:

• Use knowledge and skills to integrate scientific inquiry and evidence-based clinical reasoning into everyday practice, addressing the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders.
• Be prepared to adapt and lead in the complex and dynamic healthcare environment of today and tomorrow through inter-professional collaborations.
• Advance innovations in clinical practice through implementation science and cross-disciplinary efforts to improve the quality and delivery of services.

Vision

To be recognized as a leader in the advancement and practice of speech-language pathology through innovative teaching and research, mentored professional practice, and ethical preparation enabling students to construct new ideas and to lead lives of impact.

Mission

To provide a transformative learning experience consistent with the University’s core values of gentleness, humility, gratitude, hospitality, and wisdom.

Our student outcomes are a direct reflection of our commitment to your success. With strong Praxis exam pass rates and program completion rates, we provide the academic and clinical support you need to thrive.​

As part of our accreditation requirements, the following outcome data is reported annually to the Council on Academic Accreditation for the graduates of the campus modality of the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program. As the online modality is new, we do not yet have outcomes to report. The tables below are for campus-based students and will be updated as future students matriculate through the online program.

View the 2025 Executive Annual Report Summary.

Consistent with the University’s vision, mission, and values, our Program’s Strategic Plan aligns with the following four pillars in the University’s 2025-2028 Strategic Plan:

DeSales University Pillar 1: Academic Excellence & Innovation

Transformative learning and instruction are the chief engines for the advancement of DeSales University, as we hold wisdom as a core value. The dynamic relationships among our students, faculty, and staff drive the education, research, and personal/professional development that heighten the quality of the DeSales experience. Connecting the Catholic intellectual tradition to new technologies, innovative teaching practices, and burgeoning ideas, the future of our academic programming stands prepared to address the unknown contexts our graduates will face in their careers, communities, and families.

• Integrate theoretical knowledge of foundational and clinical sciences in communication and swallowing disorders with evidence-based practice in the creation and implementation of effective and contemporary treatment plans
• Engage in critical inquiry and scholarly activities within clinical practice that lead to innovation in the profession and a personal plan for lifelong learning
• Communicate effectively with a spirit of camaraderie and collaboration as productive members of a diverse faculty and inter-professional healthcare team

DeSales University Pillar 2: Student Experience 

The student experience honors, with gentleness as a core value, the individuality of all learners in our undergraduate and graduate programs. Focusing on and supporting their spiritual, academic, emotional, and physical well-being, the University invites students to be active participants in community life, where faith, fun, and friendship connect to their social responsibility for the common good and their neighbors in need. Attention will be given to developing further the role of the University’s athletic programs and facilities as a vehicle for strengthening our community life.

• Function competently in a variety of clinical settings upon entry into the field
• Respect the uniqueness of cultural beliefs and values that influence interpersonal communication and behavior in a complex healthcare environment

DeSales University Pillar 3: Visibility & Growth

Recruitment and retention—of students, faculty, and staff—remain among the top priorities of every University community member. Deepening our embrace of hospitality as a core value, we will strengthen the experience that welcomes new students and community members to our campus and its family, both initially and continuously, as they develop their relationship with DeSales and its mission.

• Practice with a compassion and understanding that exemplifies Salesian and Christian humanistic values of gentleness, humility, and simplicity for every person in their care
• Consider the patient holistically in the context of family, community, and society, and incorporate ethical principles into a patient-focused practice

DeSales University Pillar 4: Stewardship

Impelled by gratitude for the mission we have been given and the strength of the University’s personnel, reputation, and campus growth, we will fortify and expand our temporal and human resources with aggressive fundraising, solid investments, and creative leveraging of our assets. Our ongoing commitment to care for creation undergirds all functions of University activities and initiatives.

• Adopt a servant-leadership attitude to initiate and advocate for changes in health policy toward health promotion, disease prevention, wellness, and equitable access to care