Kentucky Speech Pathology Degrees

Last updated June 20, 2023

Natalie Fitzgerald, SLP

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

Kentucky is home to 6 accredited programs (5 SLP and 1 AuD program) located throughout the state. These master's level MSLP programs are located at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY; Murray State University in Murray, KY; University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY; University of Louisville in Louisville, KY (MS and AuD); and Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY. Each of these universities meets all the requirements needed for their graduates to pursue licensure in the state of Kentucky, complete their clinical fellowship, and obtain ASHA certification.

There is one accredited online SLP program in Kentucky through Western Kentucky University. Their online program follows the same requirements and expectations as their residential program. It is expected to be completed in 2 years of study and there is no part-time option. Students enrolled in the online program will be able to complete all coursework and gain clinical experience remotely, with the exception of a 6-week internship at the on-campus clinic during the summer semester.

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Online speech pathology programs in Kentucky

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In depth review of MSLP Master's programs in Kentucky

Eastern Kentucky University Master's in Speech Language Pathology Program

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) offers a two-year, residential, full-time Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders program that gives students the education and clinical experience they need to obtain SLP licensure in the state of Kentucky. The program at EKU is somewhat unique in that it only begins in the Summer semester (as opposed to the Fall semester like many other programs).

Coursework and Clinical Practicum

63 credit hours are required for graduation. Of these, 39 hours are in core communication disorders classes, 9 hours are electives, and 15 hours in professional semester. EKU offers both a thesis and non-thesis option. Those who do not complete a thesis will have to pass a comprehensive examination prior to graduation.

Students attending EKU's SLP program can expect to obtain a minimum of 375 clinical experience hours (25 observation hours are expected before entering the program) to meet the ASHA requirement. Clinical experience will be gained both at the on-campus clinic and in off-campus externship sites that match students' area of interest.

Admissions

Admission to the SLP program at EKU is competitive. Prospective students will need to submit official transcripts, documentation of 25 clinical observation hours, letters of recommendation, and a personal essay in addition to an application to the graduate school. Students must also have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, and a major in CSD is preferred. Application forms are due February 15. GRE scores are not currently required.

Murray State University Master's in Speech Language Pathology Program

Murray State University offers a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology degree. Their full-time, five-semester program is designed to combine academic coursework with clinical education to build critical-thinking and problem-solving skills and prepare students to enter the SLP field ready to serve a wide variety of populations and settings. Murray State University also offers a post-baccalaureate program for those who hold a bachelor's degree in a field other than CSD.

Coursework and Clinical Practicum

Academic coursework is completed during all 5 semesters, including summer. Most coursework will be completed in-person on-campus, though some instruction will take place using platforms such as Zoom. Passing a comprehensive exam is required for all students pursuing the non-thesis option.

Students will gain clinical experience in the Murray State Speech and Hearing Clinic, or the Voice and Swallowing Clinic, as well as community sites such as schools, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, or private practices that are affiliated with the university.

Admissions

Murray State University participates in the CSDCAS application system, which requires official transcripts, 3 letters of recommendation, a personal essay, and a video submission. A minimum GPA is 3.0 is required. Students must also apply to the graduate school, and the application can be found through the graduate admission website. Applications are due mid-January. GRE scores are not currently required.

University of Kentucky Master's in Speech Language Pathology Program

The University of Kentucky, located in Lexington, KY, offers a Master of Science in speech-language pathology that is accredited by the CAA. Their program is designed to prepare graduates for clinical licensure and ASHA certification. The program is designed for full-time study and can typically be completed in two years.

Coursework and Clinical Practicum

There are 10 prerequisite CSD courses that must be completed before graduate coursework can begin. Graduate study is comprised of 6 consecutive semesters (summer 1, fall 1, spring 1, summer 2, fall 2, spring 2) and a minimum of 64 credits are required for graduation.

There are 2 on-campus clinics where students can gain clinical experience. The first is the Communication Sciences and Disorders Academic Clinic where students will be supervised by experienced staff while they gain skills working with a wide variety of individuals. The second is the Voice and Swallow Clinic where students can work in a more specialized capacity as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Admissions

The University of Kentucky participates in CSDCAS application system. They offer a limited number of spots to prospective students each year, and the average GPA of students accepted to the program is 3.8, making admission quite competitive. Those interested in the program can take either an in-person or virtual tour in the fall prior to applying.

University of Louisville Master's in Speech Language Pathology Program

The University of Louisville is the only university in Kentucky to offer both Master of Science in SLP and a Doctor of Audiology degrees. Both degrees are offered through the School of Medicine. The MS-SLP program aims to prepare students with theoretical and practical experience, based in research principles, to prepare students to work with a variety of clinical populations across multiple settings. It is open to students both with and without a background in CSD. For those without a CSD background, the University of Louisville offers a preparatory program that typically takes 2-3 semesters and can be completed part-time.

Coursework and Clinical Practicum

The core MS-SLP program is a 5-semester, full-time program requiring a minimum of 54 credit hours. Clinical practicum is completed during each of the semesters. Some classes offered at the University of Louisville include: Speech Sound Disorders, Dysphagia, Fluency Disorders, and Interprofessional Education and Practice. All students must pass a comprehensive exam before graduating from the program.

Of the 54 required hours, 11 of these hours are in clinical practicum. The University of Louisville is somewhat unique among SLP programs in that they do not have an on-campus speech and hearing clinic. However, they are affiliated with numerous off-campus sites to ensure students are able to gain their necessary hours with experiences SLPs. Students will rotate their practicum sites every 12-14 weeks to ensure they gain experience in a wide variety of settings.

Admissions

To enter the core program, students must either come with a CSD background or complete the preparatory program before enrolling in the core program. To apply to the core program, prospective students must complete the graduate application, have a minimum GPA of 3.0, 3 letters of recommendation, a resume, and a formal interview may be required.

Western Kentucky University Master's in Speech Language Pathology Program

Western Kentucky University offers both on-campus and online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program. Both programs are designed for full-time enrollment and it is not advised to work while attending. This program is designed to prepare students to enter the workforce as competent and compassionate SLPs ready to work with a wide variety of populations and disorders.

Coursework and Clinical Practicum

60 credit hours are required for both the thesis and non-thesis options. Of these, 48 hours are core coursework or clinical practicum and 12 hours are electives. A 6-week summer internship is also required in Bowling Green for students enrolled in the online program before they can begin externships in their own community. Some courses offered at WKU include Child Language Disorders, Cognitive-Communication Disorders, Motor Speech Disorders, and Rehabilitation Audiology.

WKU is home to the Western Kentucky University Communication Disorders Clinic where students will gain valuable internship experience prior to gaining externship experience at community locations. 400 hours of clinical practice are required for graduation, as well as for ASHA certification.

Admissions

Applicants to the master's program at Western Kentucky University must meet the following requirements: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, completion of 12 prerequisite courses if applying out-of-field, 3.0 cumulative GPA, and 25 hours of clinical observation. Additionally, an application to the graduate school, application to the department, statement of purpose, 3 letters of recommendation, official transcripts are required and an interview may also be requested. Applications for the program are due in February.

List of Speech Pathology Programs in Kentucky

There are 6 CAA-ASHA accredited speech language pathology programs in Kentucky: 5 SLP Masters and 1 Doctorate.

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CAA ASHA Accredited Kentucky SLP Programs

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 Kentucky.

List of the Best Speech-Language Pathology Programs in Kentucky

Eastern Kentucky University

Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MA)

Richmond

CAA-ASHA

Murray State University

Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)

Murray

CAA-ASHA

University of Kentucky

Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)

Lexington

CAA-ASHA

University of Louisville

Doctorate in Audiology (AuD)

Louisville

CAA-ASHA

University of Louisville

Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)

Louisville

CAA-ASHA

Western Kentucky University

Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)

Bowling Green

CAA-ASHA

SLP Licensure in Kentucky

In the state of Kentucky, as with the rest of the United States, a Master’s degree is required for licensure, along with completing clinical fellowship and passing the Praxis exam. SLP licensure in Kentucky is managed through the Kentucky Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (website).

Additionally, following the completion of their clinical fellowship, SLPs in Kentucky are eligible to apply for their Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) through ASHA as well as permanent state licensure. However, obtaining the CCC-SLP is not required in Kentucky. Those wishing to obtain licensure in a different state will need to check that state’s governing body to see if additional requirements are needed.

Kentucky SLP Career Options

SLPs in Kentucky can choose from a wide variety of workplace locations and populations, such as early intervention, schools, hospitals, or home health. Popular employers in Kentucky Baptist Health, the largest healthcare system in Kentucky, Kentucky Children’s Hospital, affiliated with the University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY, Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, KY or Fayette County Public Schools in Lexington, KY, or the Kentucky Early Intervention System.

Online Speech Pathology Programs

• Online Speech Pathology Degree
• Online CAA Accredited SLP Programs
• Online Masters of Speech Pathology
• Online SLP Masters with No GRE Required

Speech Pathology Programs

• Best CAA Accredited Online SLP Programs
• Online Speech Pathology Programs
• Online Masters of Speech Pathology
• Online MSLP with No GRE Required
• Audiology
• Speech Pathology
• Speech Therapy
• Speech Language Pathology (SLP)
• School Speech Therapy
• Bilingual Speech Pathology
• Speech Rehabilitation
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Communicative Sciences
• Hearing Sciences
• Occupational Therapy
• AAC Certification Augmentative and Alternative Communication
• CCC-SLP Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology

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