California Speech Pathology Degree Programs

School Program Admissions
Emerson College Master's in Speech-Language Pathology
No GRE required, prepares you to pursue certification as an SLP generalist. As few as 20 months to complete. CAA-ASHA accredited.
Website
New York University Online MS Program in Speech-Language Pathology
Prepares students to pursue SLP licensure. Full-time and part-time plans of study. CAA-ASHA Accredited. No GRE Required.
Website
Russell Sage College Online Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
The online MS in occupational therapy program from Russell Sage College prepares you to become a highly skilled occupational therapist. Earn your degree in as few as 32 months full time.
Website
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Finding campus and online SLP programs in California

California hosts some of the largest varieties of graduate degrees in speech language pathology. Nearly 20 different programs have been accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), meaning the universities and colleges that hold the designation have met high professional standards for preparing their graduates to enter the fields of pathology and audiology. The most popular degree in California is the Master of Speech Pathology, and there are multiple universities in California that have online MSLP programs.

In California, there are multiple campus-based SLP programs at all degree levels. You might also consider a featured online SLP program below that is currently taking applications for its program.

California Cities with SLP Degrees

There are 19 total Master's programs in speech-language pathology and two locations with a Doctorate in Audiology. Around half of the Master's degrees in speech pathology are offered through locations under the California State University umbrella, and the majority of those are in South Carolina, including Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Northridge. Some institutions do stretch up to the Bay Area and further north, like Chico.

Two of the major cities, San Francisco and San Diego, have an option to pursue a Master of Science or Arts in Speech-Language Pathology or a Doctorate in Audiology. For those looking at an alternative online option, CSU in Northridge offers the Master of Science in Communicative Disorders that is also accredited by the ASHA and takes 41 months to complete.

Click for more online speech therapy programs that are currently taking applications for 2024.

Are there online speech pathology programs in California?

Yes, there are online SLP programs at the graduate level at campuses in California. See the below list.

School Program Location
California State University, San Marcos Online Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS) San Marcos, CA
School Program Admissions
Emerson College Master's in Speech-Language Pathology
✓ ASHA Accredited
Website
New York University Online MS Program in Speech-Language Pathology
✓ CAA-ASHA Accredited
Website
George Washington University Online Doctor of Public Health
✓Accredited
Website
Russell Sage College Online Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
✓ACOT Accredited
Website
Arizona State University Online Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science
HLC Accredited.
Website
Calvin University Speech and Hearing Foundations Certificate
Online
Website
East Central University Online Bachelor of Arts in Human Services Counseling
Transfer credit friendly.
Website
i sponsored

Click here for 100% online SLP programs that are taking applications now.

In depth review of top MSLP programs in California, updated for 2024

San Diego State University - Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology

The School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences only offers this program with, and students are administered into the program in the fall. The program usually takes two years to complete with enrollment in the fall and spring semesters, and one time during the summer. It is typical for students to enroll full-time with no or minimal work as there is no opportunity for part-time learning. All students have completed the program over the past four years and have passed the Praxis exam, which determines teachers' abilities they have learned in school.

At least 36 units are needed to complete the program, and there are two pathways to choose from - thesis or comprehensive exam. The latter has two attempts for students to pass. Students must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA in all 600-level courses and higher. Up to six transfer credits are accepted. Examples of courses in the curriculum include Speech-Language Screening of Children, Research methods in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Dysphagia, and two levels of Acquired Neurogenic Language and Cognitive Disorders.

University of California, Long Beach - Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology

The College of Health and Human Services offers the SLP program that features a clinical practicum and over 400 clinical hours working with patients directly through internship opportunities. Prerequisites needed in order to get into the program includes holding a Bachelor's degree with a major related to this field. For those with other backgrounds, they must have at least 30 units of coursework in communication disorders or SLP. 50 total credit hours are needed to complete this program, and it culminates with an option to complete a thesis or directed readings.

Many seminars are taken through this curriculum, which provides a detailed look at topics such as brain injury, literacy disorders for children and adults, motor speech disorders, autism, and dysphagia. In addition to the 14 total courses taken in the core curriculum, students must take two units of Clinical Methods in Speech-Language Pathology. Students are expected to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA throughout the program.

University of the Pacific - Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

There is both a Master's degree and Doctorate in Audiology offered by that is offered by the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Science that is accredited by the ASHA. Students can choose from two length variations for the Master's degree. The first is a four-semester track that will supplement a student that already has received a Bachelor's degree in the field. The other is a six-semester option for those that have completed the degree in a different discipline. All students taking this program have passed the national Praxis examination.

Some courses will be split within a semester. For example, Adult Neurological Disorders, Research Methods, and Aural Rehabilitation are courses that are completed in either the first second eight weeks. These courses are taken in the second year for the 24-month path and in the first few semesters for the 15-month variation. The Doctorate of Audiology is also accelerated and takes three years to complete.

California audiology and speech language pathologist licensure overview

  • What SLP degree is required for licensure in California? Doctorate
  • What are the California SLP continuing education requirements? 24 hours per 2 years
  • California SLP licensing information at ASHA.org: Website

List of Speech Pathology Programs in California

There are 21 CAA-ASHA accredited speech language pathology programs in California: 19 SLP Masters and 2 Doctorate.

School Program Admissions
Emerson College Master's in Speech-Language Pathology
✓ ASHA Accredited
Website
New York University Online MS Program in Speech-Language Pathology
✓ CAA-ASHA Accredited
Website
George Washington University Online Doctor of Public Health
✓Accredited
Website
Russell Sage College Online Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
✓ACOT Accredited
Website
Arizona State University Online Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science
HLC Accredited.
Website
Calvin University Speech and Hearing Foundations Certificate
Online
Website
East Central University Online Bachelor of Arts in Human Services Counseling
Transfer credit friendly.
Website
Arizona State University Online Doctor of Behavioral Health – Management
Accredited.
Website
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP)
✓ CAA-ASHA Accredited
Website
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Click to see more online programs that are taking applications now.

CAA ASHA Accredited California SLP Programs

CAA-ASHA Accredited SLP Programs in California

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the premier programmatic accrediting board for Speech Pathology programs. Below is a list of ASHA accredited speech pathology and audiology programs in California.

List of the Best Speech-Language Pathology Programs in California

Biola University
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)
La Mirada
CAA-ASHA
California Baptist University
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)
Riverside
CAA-ASHA
California State University, Chico
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MA)
Chico
CAA-ASHA
California State University, East Bay
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)
Hayward
CAA-ASHA
California State University, Fresno
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MA)
Fresno
CAA-ASHA
California State University, Fullerton
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MA)
Fullerton
CAA-ASHA
California State University, Long Beach
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MA)
Long Beach
CAA-ASHA
California State University, Los Angeles
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MA)
Los Angeles
CAA-ASHA
California State University, Monterey Bay
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)
Monterey Bay
CAA-ASHA
California State University, Northridge
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)
Northridge
CAA-ASHA
California State University, Sacramento
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)
Sacramento
CAA-ASHA
California State University, San Marcos
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)
San Marcos
CAA-ASHA
Chapman University
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)
Irvine
CAA-ASHA
Loma Linda University
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)
Loma Linda
CAA-ASHA
San Diego AuD Joint Doctoral Program (SDSU/UCSD)
Doctorate in Audiology (AuD)
San Diego
CAA-ASHA
San Diego State University
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MA)
San Diego
CAA-ASHA
San Francisco State University
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)
San Francisco
CAA-ASHA
San Jose State University
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MA)
San Jose
CAA-ASHA
University of Redlands
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)
Redlands
CAA-ASHA
University of Southern California
Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)
Lost Angeles
CAA-ASHA
University of the Pacific
Doctorate in Audiology (AuD)
San Francisco
CAA-ASHA
University of the Pacific
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)
Stockton
CAA-ASHA

SLP Licensure in California

There are a few steps to follow in order to gain licensure in the state of California.

1. Complete a Master’s Program

Obtaining a Master’s degree is required, and all ASHA-accredited programs will have at least 60 credit hours and 300 hours of clinical practice that is supervised in order to determine if the graduate is able to treat patients effectively. Coursework should consist of various speech and motor disorders, clinical processes, speech therapy, and communication studies.

2. Gain Practical Professional Supervised Experience

After completing the degree, graduates must have 36 weeks of full-time professional experience, or 72 weeks of part-time, all of it being supervised. Holding a temporary license is required for the clinical fellowship, with students needing to pay a fee and proving that they have completed a higher education program with transcripts, report on clinical hours, and exam scores.

3. Praxis Examination

The national Praxis exam, which will test students on many subjects within speech-language pathology, is required for licensure in California and a score of 162 or higher is needed. Exams can be completed at dozens of test centers in the state, with some located at Bakersfield, Chico, Fresno, San Francisco, and San Diego.

California SLP Career Options

There are hundreds of SLP job opportunities in the state of California. Many schools have contract opportunities for a speech-language pathologist.

Soliant Health’s Partnership with LA Schools

Soliant Health has a partnership with schools in the Los Angeles location for specialists that can diagnose students with speech disorders. They have many opportunities across the state, part time and full time, and the majority will work with the kindergarten through 8th grades. They must have a state license and have completed a Master’s program. In Grand Terrace, a contract position is offering 35 hours per week for the rest of the school year and these professionals will work with middle school students with autism.

Kaiser Permanente in Oakland

Kaiser Permanente is a health care organization that is headquartered in Oakland and serves most states along the West Coast and in the Northeast.

There are consistent speech-language pathologist opportunities with various duties, such as performing diagnostic tests to determine disorders among their patients, creates reports on their findings and refers specialists to their patients, and works with physicians to create an adequate treatment plan.