Bachelor of Speech Pathology Degrees

Last updated April 2, 2024

Natalie Fitzgerald

Current SLP, MS in Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of North Carolina

New college students often begin their journey into the field of speech pathology through bachelor's programs relating to their field of practice. The Bachelor's of Speech Pathology could be a great entryway to a beneficial and lifelong career assisting people with communication disorders.

What is the Bachelors of SLP?

The Bachelor's of Speech Pathology is an introductory degree program that is suitable for those with or without any relevant experience in this field. The curriculum of this program builds on basic skills in general education and slowly transitions into introductions of communication-based topics and interventions.

• What courses would you take? Like many bachelor's programs, you can expect to see a blend of both general education courses and specialty courses over your 4-year experience. The first 2 years of your bachelor's may introduce you to generalized topics in Algebra and Biology, but will quickly transition to communication-oriented courses in the final 2 years of your program.
• What are the goals for graduates? The goal of the Bachelor's in Speech Pathology program is to prepare you for higher tier learning in the master's program, which is the minimum degree requirement for licensure as a speech pathologists. In this guide, you can see some specific information about this degree program and what you might see while enrolled.

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Are there Online Bachelor of Speech Pathology Degree Programs?

Yes, there are online Bachelors in Speech Language Pathology programs. Today's technology has also made it possible for busy learners to earn their degree through online means. If you are a self-starter that is interested in taking advantage of online options for your degree, there are numerous available programs open for enrollment.

Most commonly, at the undergraduate level, a bachelor's degree for speech-language pathology will instead be referred to as a bachelor's in communication sciences and disorders (often abbreviated as CSD) or speech and hearing sciences, but programs may go by other names as well. When searching for programs and considering the options, it is important to know which terminology to use in your search to achieve the best results.

What the online learning experience is like

In the online environment, you can participate in your courses through logging in to your course room via the institution's website. Many universities offer students training videos and trial classes as part of the preparations for online classes, which can make the transition to online education a little easier for you.

Online classes in speech pathology may require that you log in each week to take part in discussions or group assignments, read over your literature and curriculum, and even complete timed tests through online testing tools. Online courses also consist of a drop box element for you to submit your assignments on their pre-assigned due dates.

Many students are hesitant to engage in online options due to the unfamiliarity of virtual learning and cautions related to the reliability of these types of degree programs. Many schools use the same instructors for both online and traditional Bachelor's of Speech Pathology programs, making the program identical for both on-campus and online students.

In depth review of some of the top online Bachelors in Speech Pathology degrees

Arizona State University online Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences

Arizona State University offers an online Bachelor of Science in speech and hearing sciences degree, with the goal of preparing graduate to pursue further education in speech pathology or audiology or obtain related heath jobs such as an SLPA. The program consists of 120 credit hours. ASU online courses are offered at an accelerated rate of 7.5 weeks per course, which may allow students to complete their degree faster than a traditional, in-person degree.

Maryville University online Bachelors in Communication Sciences and Disorders

The online bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders from Maryville University consists of 128 credit hours, including general electives and major-specific courses. It also includes courses in healthcare education. Maryville's program is designed to prepare students to continue their education at the graduate level for speech-language pathology or audiology, or pursue licensure as an speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA).

Additionally, Maryville also offers a post-bachelor certificate in communication sciences and disorders for those who already have a bachelor's degree in a different area. The certificate can be completed with 47 credit hours of study.

University of Florida online Bachelor of Health Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders

The University of Florida offers an online Bachelor of Health Science degree in communication sciences and disorders. This degree program primarily serves as a stepping stone for those who wish to continue their education at the graduate level, but also prepares those who with to join the work force after graduation. Their program offers different divisions for transfer students depending on how many college credits they have earned. The online program at the University of Florida is a limited access program and all students are expected to enroll full-time.

University of Montana online BA in Communication Sciences and Disorders

The University of Montana offers a fully online Bachelor of Arts in communication sciences and disorders through their school of speech, language hearing, and occupational sciences. This program may be completed in as little as 2 years, depending on how many prior college credits have been earned, or over a traditional 4 year period. Students in UM's program have the added option to add additional courses to receive their SLPA certificate upon graduation. Courses at the University of Montana are shortened into 8-week fall/spring courses and a 7-week summer course, and therefore do not follow a traditional academic calendar.

Example Courses in Speech Therapy or Pathology

Whether you decide to complete your degree online or in the traditional environment, you can expect to see a required set of courses within your program. The first classes that you might take during your program may focus strictly on general education, with courses in Mathematics, History, and Science.

Most bachelor’s programs begin their curriculum with focus in general education as a way to help you relate your field to some of the basic sciences available. A lot of the skills learned through general education courses can also contribute to how well you can articulate your work in the field, communicate with your clients, and maintain accurate records of your services.

Once you move closer to the mid-point of your program, you may start seeing more classes that are geared towards speech, language, and communication disorders. The following courses are required by many graduate programs before admission or before starting graduate study.

Typically, at least one course in biology, statistics, social science (such as sociology or psychology), and physics or chemistry are required by most programs.

Beneficial Skills for Bachelor’s Learners

The ideal speech professional should have the desire to utilize critical thinking when analyzing and exploring potential speech disorders. Upcoming students that are determined and hard-working may benefit from rigorous degree programs that require attention to detail and consistent research.

Speech pathologists are often tasked with identifying underlying factors that may be impeding an individual’s ability to speak functionally. As a professional in this line of work, you should have the education and analysis tools available to deconstruct these issues to identify these unclear influences.

If you are the type of person that loves to answer questions and solve complex problems without a clear explanation, than this could be an ideal degree area for you to consider. The need for more dedicated and educated professionals may continue to rise as more is learned about diverse communication disorders.

Career outlook for graduates of a Bachelors in Speech Pathology degree

Obtaining your Bachelor’s of Speech Pathology can be a great way for you to become introduced to this fascinating field. Some bachelor’s degree holders can obtain careers in speech and learning centers as assistants, clerks, or even case managers.

For those who do not wish to immediately pursue a Masters degree in Speech Language Pathology, working as a speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) is a great introduction to the field. SLPAs work under the supervision of licensed speech-language pathologists and primarily focus on treating patients with a variety of communication needs. Similar to SLPs, SLPAs are able to become certified by ASHA, though not for independent practice.

Some holders of Bachelor’s of Speech Pathology degrees may become certified as Behavior Technicians and work under the supervision of Board Certified Behavior Analysts. Others at the undergraduate level may seek out careers as educational assistants in the school setting.