New Mexico Speech Pathology Degrees

New Mexico Speech-Language Pathology Degree Programs

Three Speech-Language Pathology Masters programs are offered in New Mexico. They are located in the cities of Albuquerque, Las Cruces, and Portales. Students living in New Mexico who are interested in becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist have the ability to pursue a Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology through a university that offers this program, and to then apply for state licensure and a certificate of clinical competency (CCC-SLP) through the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA).

Online SLP Masters Degrees offered in New Mexico and Nearby States

There is 1 university in New Mexico that offers an online Master's degree in Speech Language Pathology. The M.S. in Communicative Disorders program at the Eastern New Mexico University offers a hybrid distance learning and residential program. Students participating in the distance learning option must attend courses live, when they occur during the residential program.

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Are there online SLP programs in New Mexico?

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

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In-depth review of New Mexico SLP Programs

Eastern New Mexico University - Master of Science (M.S.) in Communicative Disorders

The University of New Mexico offers a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Communicative Disorders. The program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). The program offers the flexibility of a hybrid of traditional on-campus and online classes. In addition to a fall and spring semester, a limited number of 8-week summer options are available for eligible students. If students meet all first semester practicum and evaluation competencies, they may complete the remainder of courses and practicum off campus.

Courses:

• Dysphagia - This course is offered for 2 credits, in addition to a Dysphagia Lab which is offered for 1 credit hour. Students will learn about the anatomy and physiology of the swallowing mechanism. Educates students on the understanding, assessment, and treatment of swallowing disorders.
• Oral Motor and Craniofacial Differences - Reviews differences that occur with development of oral motor structures, including Craniofacial differences such as cleft palate. This course if offered for 2 credit hours and discusses how cranofacial differences can affect communication, preparing students for the assessment and intervention planning with this population.
• Neurodiversity and Augmentative-Alternative Communication - Offered for 2 credit hours, this course discusses specific neurodiverse populations (such as those Autism Spectrum Disorder). Includes a review of how Augmentative-Alternative Communication (AAC) can benefit neurodiverse individuals who have speech and language disorders.

Admissions requirements include:

1. Apply using the Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS)
2. Must complete at least 15 hours of CDIS coursework to be eligible for early admission
3. A grade of B or better for all leveling courses
4. Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
5. $50 Admissions fee if accepted

Applications open each year on July 14 and close the following year on July 1. ENMU has a year-long rolling application policy.

The University of New Mexico - Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology

The University of New Mexico offers a Master of Science program in the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences that prepares students to become professional Speech-Language Pathologists. The program takes approximately 6 semesters (over a 2 year period) to complete for full-time students with a Bachelor's degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences. It takes approximately 6-10 semesters to complete for students who need to complete prerequisite courses in speech and hearing sciences. The program is accredited by the CAA of ASHA. It is designed to allow students to complete all academic and clinical credentials requirements of both ASHA and the New Mexico State licensing board for SLPs.

Typical courses:

• Adult Neurogenic Communicative Disorders - This course is taken for 3 credit hours, and is a comprehensive survey of predominant neurogenic communication disorders in adults. The course content covers theoretical issues, etiology, symptomology, differential diagnosis, prognosis and recovery.
• Voice Disorders - Various voice disorders are discussed, based on knowledge of normal voice production. Students will learn approaches to evaluation and treatment of voice disorders.
• Medical Speech-Language Pathology - This course reviews topics relevant to practice within a medical setting. This includes the evaluation and treatment of children with birth defects such as cleft palate, and other special populations. The course will also discuss professional and administrative concerns.

Admissions requirements include:

1. Completion of at least 12 credits in speech and hearing sciences or communication sciences/disorders (non-degree/leveling options are available for applicants who do not meet this requirement).
2. Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
3. GPA of 3.4 or higher in speech & hearing sciences or communication sciences and disorders courses
4. 2 Letters of Recommendation
5. Written application
6. Transcripts from all colleges or universities where the applicant took speech and hearing sciences coursework.

New Mexico State University - Master of Arts (M.A.) in Speech-Language Pathology

New Mexico State University offers a Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology through their Communication Disorders Department. The program meets the requirements for ASHA certification and state licensure. Students can complete the program in 2 years (including a summer semester). Graduate students are required to complete 60 credit hours in addition to 400 clinical clock hours.

Courses:

• Acquired Neurogenic Communication Disorders - This course discusses attention, executive functioning, memory, and underlying neuropathologies in cognitive communication disorders. Disorders related to TBI, dementia, and right hemisphere brain damage are focused on, with an emphasis on assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and recovery processes.
• Speech Sound Disorders - This 3-credit hour course includes an advanced study on the symptoms, etiologies, assessment, and clinical management of speech sound disorders. Students will learn about speech sound disorders related to certain conditions, such as cleft palate and resonance disorders.
• Pediatric Language Disorders - This course examines the normal communication development of neonates, infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. It reviews the etiologies and treatment of cognitive, linguistic and social elements of communication problems. It is offered for 3 credits.

Admissions requirements include:

1. Application submitted via CSDCAS
2. Letter of Intent/Personal Statement
3. Resume
4. Unofficial Transcript
5. GRE Scores (optional)
6. Information for 2 references
7. GPA of 3.0 or higher

List of Speech Pathology Programs in New Mexico

There are 3 CAA-ASHA accredited speech language pathology programs in New Mexico: 3 SLP Masters and 0 Doctorate.

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CAA ASHA Accredited New Mexico 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 New Mexico.

List of the Best Speech-Language Pathology Programs in New Mexico

Eastern New Mexico University

Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)

Portales

CAA-ASHA

New Mexico State University

Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MA)

Las Cruces

CAA-ASHA

University of New Mexico

Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)

Albuquerque

CAA-ASHA

Nearby states that offer fully online SLP Master’s degrees

California State University – Northridge in Los Angeles, California offers a Masters in Speech-Language Pathology (M.S.) program. 56 credit hours are required and it takes students 3 years to complete the program. Students must complete practica where the live, and can complete all other coursework online. Students have the option of completing a thesis or taking and passing written comprehensive examinations to graduate.

University of St. Augustine in San Marcos, California offers an online Masters degree (M.S.) program in Speech-Language Pathology. 55-58 credit hours are required over 5 trimesters (1.7 years). 2 trimesters of virtual clinical practice and 3 semesters of on-site clinical practice are required. 4 residency weeks at the University of St. Augustine’s Austin or Dallas campus is required.

Baylor University in Waco, Texas offers an online MSLP Masters program in Communication Sciences and Disorders. The program can be completed in 20 months if attending full-time and 28 months if attending part-time. GRE scores are not required to apply, and graduates have a 97% Praxis pass rate.

SLP New Mexico Speech-Language Pathologist Licensure Overview

Path to Licensure: Students enrolled in a Masters program in Speech Pathology must follow state-specific licensure requirements for the state they live in or plan to practice as a Speech-Language Pathologist upon graduation. Upon graduation, students are eligible for national certification through ASHA (CCC-SLP) due to the program’s Accreditation with ASHA.

Individuals must be licensed by the state board as a Speech-Language Pathologist to practice in New Mexico. In order to be licensed in this state, the individual must meet the following requirements:

1. Possess a Master’s level degree in Speech-Language Pathology from an institution accredited by the Council on Professional Standards of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
2. Complete and pass the Praxis II examination.
3. A supervised clinical practicum
4. Completion of a clinical fellowship
5. Passage of a jurisprudence exam

SLP Career Options in New Mexico

According to ASHA, there are approximately 1,369 Speech-Language Pathologists in the state of New Mexico. The career outlook for SLPs in this state is positive, and from 2020-2023 there is expected to be an 29% increase in demand for SLPs in New Mexico.

A high number of Speech Pathologists (53%) work in education facilities, such as schools. An estimated 37% work in health care facilities, and 10% work in other facilities. Speech Language Pathologists have several career options in New Mexico.

SLP’s have opportunities to work at a variety of settings. The population of New Mexico is estimated to be approximately 2.1 million.

Speech Pathologists have the option to work for a public school in a larger city, like Albuquerque, or other cities throughout New Mexico. Approximately 24.5% of the population in New Mexico are under the age of 18 years. Speech Pathologists can work with those within this age population at a school setting or in a pediatric private practice. The population of individuals over the age of 60 in New Mexico is increasing. Speech Pathologists can work with this age population in settings such as nursing facilities and rehabilitation facilities.