Online MSLP Programs with No GRE Requirement for Admissions

Last updated April 4, 2024

Amy Yacoub, MS, CCC-SLP

Current SLP, MS in SLP, Columbia University in the City of New York

Certain online SLP Masters degree programs do not require the GRE to be taken for entry into the program. Additionally, some SLP graduate programs that typically require GRE scores for admissions applications are temporarily waving that requirement (there may be other requirements for the program so be sure to check with the admissions representatives).

Online SLP Masters degrees that do not require the GRE for entry may have other requirements to assess representations of the applicant's academic and professional speech therapy skills. Every MSLP program is different, but some programs consider the individual's undergraduate GPA, letters of recommendation, personal essays, prior experience in a related field, and any prerequisite coursework completed in the field of Communication Sciences and Disorders such as a Bachelors in Speech Language Pathology.

Some of the online SLP degree programs that do not require the GRE to be taken for admissions include Baylor University, NYU Steinhardt, Emerson College, Calvin University, and Nova Southeastern University.

Click for more online speech therapy programs that are currently taking applications.

What is the GRE and Why is it Required for Admission to Certain SLP Programs?

The GRE, Graduate Record Examination, is a standardized entrance exam administered by ETS (Educational Testing Service) required for admission to certain graduate schools.

The exam consists of a General Test that assesses an individual's academic skills in the areas of math, reading, and writing. After taking the GRE, you receive three scores: Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing. Some SLP Masters Degree Programs require GRE scores. That is because the purpose of the exam is to measure how academically prepared an applicant is for graduate school.

Among the graduate schools that do require applicants to submit GRE scores, the minimum score requirements vary between programs. For example, Northeastern University requires minimum scores of 152 (Verbal), 150 (Quantitative), and 4.0 (Analytic). Certain Online SLP Masters Degree Programs that require GRE scores for entry do not state minimum GRE score requirements. Many programs state that an applicant's performance on the GRE will be considered as part of their overall application package.

In-depth review of top online MSLP programs that do not require the GRE for admission

Emerson College - Online Master of Science in Communication Disorders

Speech@Emerson is the online SLP Master’s Program that features the same curriculum and faculty as Emerson College’s on-campus SLP program, which was ranked #32 in the country by U.S. News & World Report (2020). The program boosts its devotion to communication and the arts, and supports the college’s mission to inspire students to “create and communicate with clarity, integrity, and conviction”.  

• Admissions: Rolling Admissions, 3 start dates per year: in January, May, and September, apply any time throughout the year. Earlier applicants will receive an admission decision earlier. 
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor’s degree required. No GRE required. 3 letters of recommendation and 1 essay required.
• Coursework: 54 graduate-level credits and up to 18 foundational credits, 400 direct clinical contact hours. Length of coursework: 5 Semesters (20 months, Full Time) or 9 Semesters (36 months, Part Time).
• Field Placements/Externships: Two weekend-long clinical immersions required on-campus in Boston, MA, at least 5 semesters of Clinical Practica: 1 Virtual Placement, 4 in-person placements at sites within 75 miles of the student’s home.
• Tuition : $71,388 for the total 54 graduate-level credits required to complete the program. (Cost per credit: $1,322). If enrolled in all 6 foundational courses (18 credits): Total cost of tuition is at least $95,184.
• Support : Mentorships, opportunities for professional growth. Online classes are small, with a 15:1 student to teach ratio. Opportunities to collaborate with students across the country

Emerson College Online SLP Courses to Expect

• Fluency Disorders: Theoretical and empirical perspectives of stuttering. This course examines cluttering, neurogenic and psychogenic stuttering. Students will learn procedures for evaluation, treatment, and management of stuttering among children and adults.
• Autism: Social Communication Development and Disorder: This course reviews the development of social communication skills in children. Students will learn the signs and symptoms, and treatment of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
• Language and Literacy Disabilities: This course teaches students the relationship between spoken and written language. Students will learn the role of that relationship in language-based learning disabilities in school-aged students.
• Voice Disorders: The characteristics, etiology, evaluation, and clinical management of voice disorders and associated conditions in children and adults.
• Preschool Language Disorders: This course provides information for the defining, assessment, and intervention with children with language disorders from infancy through the preschool years.

New York University (NYU) Steinhardt - Online MSLP, No GRE Requirement

Speech@NYU is the online SLP Master’s Program offered by the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders at New York University. It is accredited by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). The program prepares students to work toward national certification as a Speech-Language Pathologist. The program highlights that it includes a curriculum focused on evidence-based practice.  

• Admissions: Rolling Admissions, 3 start dates per year: in January, May, and September. Apply any time throughout the year. 
• Admission Requirements include minimum of 3.0 GPA for baccalaureate studies and 3.2 in GPA in communicative sciences and disorders foundation courses. Applicants must take the GRE and submit scores. 
• Coursework: 48 graduate-level credits, 375 direct clinical contact hours.
• Length of coursework: 6 Semesters (Full Time), 8 Semesters (Part Time), 2 Optional Study Abroad Programs offered: Lund, Sweden (5 weeks) and Accra, Ghana (10 days).
• Field Placements/Externships: Two 3-4-day Clinical Immersions on the NYU campus in NYC, 3 Clinical Field Placements (Treatment, Pediatrics, and Adults) which can be located close to student’s place of residence.
• Tuition: $93,216 for the total 48 graduate-level credits required to complete the program. (Cost per credit: $1,942). Additional costs: Students are responsible for travel and lodging costs during the 2 required 3-4 day immersions in NYC.
• Support: Access to the same resources as on-campus NYU Speech-Language Pathology Students (including coaching, webinars, and virtual career fairs to help students pursue their career in Speech Language Pathology, through the Wasserman Center for Career Development)

NYU Online SLP Courses to Expect

• Adult Language Disorders: Causes, symptoms, evaluation and treatment of language disorders occurring in adults, including Aphasia, progressive and acquired neurological disorders.
• Speech Sound Disorders in Children: Exploration of normal and disordered speech sound production/articulation in children.
• Multi-Cultural Issues in Communicative Sciences and Disorders: A review of multi-cultural issues to consider in the field of Speech-Language Pathology to guide treatment of individuals from a variety of cultures.
• Professional Issues in Communicative Sciences and Disorders: This course explores professional issues to consider once in the field of Speech-Language Pathology.
• Dysphagia in Children and Adults: Causes and treatment of swallowing disorders (Dysphagia), normal and disordered swallowing etiology.

Baylor University - Online Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders - No GRE Required

Speech@Baylor is the online SLP program offered by Baylor University’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences. The University’s on-campus program was established over 50 years ago. According to the University, the online SLP program is “designed for aspiring SLP’s who are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for those with speech, language, and hearing disorders.” The Christian university program offers live, interactive classes and integrates faith into the SLP curriculum.

• Admissions: : 2 class start dates per year. January (early applications due September) and May (early applications due January). Admission Requirements: Bachelor’s degree required. No GRE required. 3.4 GPA or higher is preferred. Letters of recommendation and personal statement required. 
• Coursework: 45 graduate-level credits, 400 direct clinical contact hours, length of coursework: 20 months/5 semesters (Full Time), 28 months/7-11 trimesters (Part Time) 
• Field Placements/Externships: 3 clinical practicums, includes in-person and virtual, 1 internship, placement sites can be located up to 100 miles away from students.
• Tuition: $96,390 for the total 54 graduate-level credits required to complete the program. (Cost per credit: $1,785), plus a $100 per term fee for university technology.
• Support: Career-building resources, individual, face-to-face office hours with faculty, mentoring, academic advising through a personal advisor

Baylor University Online SLP Courses to Expect

• Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation: Students learn methods for rehabilitating those with hearing impairments. Students will gain knowledge on how to evaluate the communicative needs of those with hearing impairments, modes of communication for those individuals, amplification devices, and information about auditory-visual training.
• Augmentative Communication and Severe Populations: Teaching of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems available. Course content focuses on populations with severe language disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorder.
• Aphasiology: Students gain knowledge about the etiology, symptamology, and treatment of Aphasia and related disorders.
• Dysphagia: Causes and treatment of swallowing disorders (Dysphagia), normal and disordered swallowing etiology.
• Motor Speech Disorders: Normal motor speech production and the etiology and symptoms of motor speech disorders in children and adults. Evaluation and treatment procedures for motor speech disorders in a variety of populations.

Calvin University - Online Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology, No GRE Required

Calvin University features an online program for a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology. The program is accredited by the Council on American Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Students study the causes and treatment of a variety of speech and language disorders, within the supporting framework of reformed Christian faith. Students have the option to complete a thesis at the end of the program. Calvin University's online MA in Speech-Language Pathology program boosts a 100% pass rate for graduates on the national PRAXIS exam.

• Admissions: Application Deadlines: October 15 (Spring term), February 15 (Summer Term), May 15 (Fall Term)
  Applications, payments, and required documents must be submitted at least 4 weeks in advance of application deadlines.

Admission Requirements: Bachelor’s degree required, with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. No GRE required. 3 letters of recommendation and 1 personal statement required. Prerequisite courses required, which must have been taken within the last 7 years.

• Coursework: 72 total credits required (21 courses)
• Certificate bridge program: offered for students without a Speech Pathology undergraduate degree.
• Length of coursework:: 2-3 years
• Tuition: $920 per credit (72 credit hours). Total Cost: $66,240
• Support: Technical support available, faculty available through virtual office hours, networking opportunities available through career center staff assistance.

Calvin University Online SLP Courses to Expect

• Neurocognitive Communication Disorders: A study of the characteristics, underlying pathology, evaluation, and treatment of communication disorders associated with acquired cognitive impairment. This includes those with dementia and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
• Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evidence-based assessment and intervention practices for clinical work with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
• Research Methods in Speech-Language Pathology: Students will learn the role of a Speech-Language Pathologist as a clinical researcher. This course teaches students to read and critically analyze existing research related to th field, as well as a review of research designs and data analysis techniques.
• Cleft and Craniofacial Disorders: Students study the development, characteristics, evaluation, and treatment of children with cleft lip, cleft palate, and other craniofacial abnormalities.
• Language Disorders II: School-Age: Explores the nature, assessment, and treatment of language disorders among children at various stages of school-age.

Nova Southeastern University - MSLP online, No GRE Requirement

Nova Southeastern University offers an online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program for students who live beyond 50 miles from the University's 7 different Florida campuses. The program is fully accredited and has an 88%-92% SLP PRAXIS pass rate for graduates. NSU offers evening/weekend classes for students' convenience. The program also offers smaller classes and individualized attention. The GRE is not required to apply to the program.

• Admissions: Applicants must first complete an application to The Council of Academic Programs in Communication Science and Disorders (CAPCSD). Once verified, applicants receive an invitation email with a link to complete NSU (Nova Southeastern University) application. Application Deadlines: CAPCSD: February 15 (Summer Term), and June 1 (Fall Term); NSU: March 15 (Summer Term), and July 1 (Fall Term)
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor’s degree required, with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. No GRE required. Completion of 6 CSD prerequisite courses with grades of B- or better. Completion of 4 ASHA Knowledge Outcome coursework with grades of C- or better. 2 written essays, 3 letters of recommendation, 25 hours of guided clinical observation of an ASHA certified Speech-Language Pathologist, application fee, application interview (for qualifying applicants)
• Coursework: Program may be completed in 8 terms, but expectation is to complete within 12 semesters. Students must complete program within 6 years. Clinical experiences totaling a minimum of 400 supervised clinical contact hours. Completion of a required portfolio
• Tuition: $1,237 per credit hour (M.S. in SLP totals 54 credit hours)
• Support: Technical support available, faculty support available.

Nova Southeastern Online SLP Courses to Expect

• Diagnosis of Language and Speech Disorders: Procedures and techniques for assessing speech and language skills is taught. Students gain an understanding of the assessment process in communication disorders.
• Fluency Disorders: This course teaches the etiology, diagnosis, and management of children and adults with fluency disorders such as stuttering and cluttering.
• Pediatric Feeding and Motor Speech Disorders: Education and training in the assessment and treatment of feeding and motor speech disorders from infancy to adolescence.
• Capstone: An online course designed to assist students in reviewing major content areas in the field of SLP to prepare for the Praxis examination.
• Voice Disorders: This course teaches students about the etiology and pathophysiology, therapy techniques for individuals with voice disorders and resonance disorders.

What can you do with an online MSLP degree?

With a Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology, you are eligible to take the Praxis exam and obtain a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). You can also apply for licensure in the state in which you plan to practice as an SLP. With these certifications, you can practice as a Speech-Language Pathologist in a variety of settings, including schools, private clinics, and hospitals.

Path to Licensing with an Online Degree

The path to licensing with a degree obtained through an online SLP Masters program is the same as an in-person program. Students will take the Praxis examination and obtain ASHA and state licensure.