7 Best Speech Pathology Masters Programs in Virginia

Want to explore speech pathology programs in Virginia? You’re looking at a field that’s growing fast. Speech-language pathologist jobs will grow by 25% in the next decade. This makes it one of today’s most promising healthcare careers.

A CAA-accredited SLP master’s degree lets you take the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s National Examination and get your state license. The CCC-SLP certification stands as the gold standard that every professional speech therapist needs. Virginia’s colleges and universities award 173 speech pathology degrees each year. James Madison University runs a hybrid MS in Speech Language Pathology program. Hampton University’s Master of Arts in Communicative Sciences and Disorders comes with ASHA accreditation.

The right program gives you more than just quality education – it sets you up for financial success. Speech Therapists make around $95,410 yearly, which is by a lot more than Speech-Language Pathology Assistants who average $46,050. This guide looks at Virginia’s 7 best speech pathology graduate programs to help you choose the path that fits your career goals.

1. James Madison University

James Madison University stands out as a leading institution for future speech-language pathologists in Virginia. The master’s program lets students choose between residential and online options. This flexibility helps meet different student needs while keeping high academic standards.

Program overview

JMU’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program is fully accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The program meets Virginia’s licensure requirements and prepares students to work with people who have communication and swallowing disorders throughout their lives. JMU has a residential full-time program and a part-time online option that accepts new students every other year. The online program has been ranked as the #1 online speech pathology program in 2024 by Forbes Advisor, making it a top choice for distance learning.

Curriculum highlights

Non-thesis students need at least 45 credit hours to complete the residential MS-SLP program. Students who haven’t taken an aural rehabilitation class need 3 extra credits. The program groups students into cohorts that take courses together over five semesters, including one summer term. Research-focused students can choose a thesis option that needs six more credits. The online program has a similar structure but runs for nine semesters (three years). Students usually take 2-3 courses each semester. The Speech-Language Pathology Council acts as each graduate student’s program committee and provides individual academic advising.

Clinical experience opportunities

JMU provides extensive clinical training. First-year students work with simulations and clinical practica at the university’s Audiology and Speech-Language Clinics. These clinics serve clients from babies through adults. Students can gain specialized clinical experience in diagnostics, the Interprofessional Autism Clinic, voice and swallowing services, and the Scottish Rite Clinic for children with speech and language disorders. Second-year students complete two off-campus externships—one typically focuses on pediatrics and another on adults. Students spend four days at externships during fall semester and attend classes on the fifth day. Spring semester externships become full-time, five-day commitments. Students from other states often complete their spring externships closer to home.

Admission requirements

Competition for admission is fierce. Students must have at least a 3.25 GPA in both their major and overall coursework. The application happens in two steps: students first complete the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application System (CSDCAS) application, then submit JMU’s Graduate School Application. Students need to provide a clinical essay, video personal statement, achievements and experiences documentation, two professional recommendation letters, and official transcripts. Required prerequisites include specific science courses (biological science, physical science, statistics, and social science) and five core CSD courses: Phonetics, Anatomy & Physiology of the Ear & Voice Mechanism, Acoustics of Speech and Hearing, Language Development, and Introduction to Audiology.

Tuition and financial aid

Graduate tuition for 2025-2026 costs $573 per credit hour for in-state students and $1,314 for out-of-state students. The 45-credit program minimum costs about $25,785 for Virginia residents and $59,130 for non-residents. Full-time graduate students can expect to pay around $33,270 (in-state) or $46,320 (out-of-state) annually when including housing, meals, books, transportation, and personal expenses. JMU suggests looking for financial support through graduate assistantships first, followed by concurrent employment, scholarships, and loans. First-year residential students can apply for a limited number of merit-based graduate assistantships and Scottish Rite Fellowships.

Career preparation

JMU’s speech pathology program shows strong results. The residential SLP program has achieved a 100% completion rate for several years. Recent cohorts have also reached 100% pass rates on the Praxis examination. These results lead to excellent job prospects—91.6% of JMU’s advanced-degree recipients from the Class of 2023 found jobs within six months. Virginia graduates spread across the state: 32.2% work in the Shenandoah Valley, 29.6% in Northern Virginia, and 25.2% in Central Virginia. Students create a Cumulative Digital Portfolio with their professional resume and work samples that show their knowledge and skills in various practice areas.

2. University of Virginia

The University of Virginia’s Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Communication Sciences and Disorders program readies students to become speech-language pathologists. This clinical degree gives students specialized knowledge and skills to help people with communication disorders.

Program overview

UVA’s M.Ed. program teaches students to use clinical research when treating people with communication disorders. Students can choose between two paths – the Blue Path curriculum for those with communication disorders backgrounds and the Orange Path for students from other fields. The program builds knowledge needed to earn a master’s degree and become certified speech-language pathologists ready for entry-level positions. The curriculum meets all American Speech-Language Hearing Association’s (ASHA) Scope of Practice requirements, which ensures certification and licensure eligibility.

Curriculum

The undergraduate Speech Communication Disorders program lets students explore speech-language pathology and audiology through pre-professional experiences. Students learn math, biological and behavioral sciences, human communication sciences, and critical thinking. The M.Ed. program needs 68 credit hours for students with communication disorders backgrounds, while others complete 81 credit hours. Students must finish courses in biological science, physical science, social/behavioral science, and statistics with B- grades or higher before starting graduate work. The final exam has two parts: Praxis Examination #5331 (Speech-Language Pathology) and an oral presentation to faculty about clinical practice.

Clinical experience opportunities

Students start their clinical training at UVA’s Sheila C. Johnson Center (SJC), which serves patients throughout Virginia. The SJC lets students build core clinical skills while working with audiologists, counselors, and literacy specialists. Students gain unique experience by working with various communication disorders. The final semester includes a full-time internship anywhere in the United States, where students work five days weekly in healthcare, education, or private practice. This hands-on education prepares students to help patients of all ages in medical and educational settings.

Admission requirements

UVA maintains high admission standards with a 21% acceptance rate. Master’s program applicants need:

• GRE General Test scores
• Two letters of recommendation
• TOEFL or IELTS scores for international students (minimum TOEFL paper score: 600, IBT: 90; IELTS: 7)

The university reviews applications on a rolling basis with a $60 application fee. The program doesn’t accept massive open online courses (MOOCs) for prerequisites.

Tuition and financial aid

The speech pathology program’s cost at UVA reached $67,682 in 2021. About 63% of students get financial aid. The 2025-2026 graduate tuition rates are:

Graduate students in on-Grounds programs studying away from Charlottesville can get reduced fees. The School of Education and Human Development also offers lower tuition rates to eligible PreK-12 educators.

Career preparation

UVA’s decades of experience in training speech-language pathologists shows in its program quality. Students get practical experience through supervised internships and clinical practice. Graduates can treat various communication and feeding disorders, including aphasia, apraxia, articulation delays, cleft palate, dysarthria, hearing loss, stuttering, swallowing disorders, and voice disorders. Clinical supervisors guide students throughout their journey, making them ready for work after graduation. The School of Education and Human Development’s Associate Director of Student Affairs and Career Services provides one-on-one support. This individual attention ensures graduates can make an impact in their field immediately.

3. Old Dominion University

Old Dominion University offers a speech pathology education in its undergraduate and graduate programs. Students get hands-on experience while learning the academic foundations. The program blends classroom learning with real clinical work to help students build successful careers in speech-language pathology.

Program overview

Old Dominion University’s speech-language pathology programs feature an accredited graduate program and an undergraduate degree in speech-language pathology and audiology. The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology holds accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. The university runs the ODU Speech and Hearing Clinic and the Tidewater Scottish Rite Center for Childhood Speech and Language Disorders. These facilities give students practical experience while helping about 250 families each year. Students learn everything needed for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology through their coursework and clinical practice.

Curriculum highlights

The MS in Speech-Language Pathology needs 53 semester hours of graduate study. This includes 38 academic credits and 15 clinical credits. Students take core courses in research, evidence-based practice, language disorders throughout life, speech sound disorders, voice and resonance disorders, swallowing disorders, and cognitive-communication disorders. Students need a 3.0 GPA and can’t get more than two grades below B- to stay enrolled. They must pass a written comprehensive exam that tests program content and professional readiness. Students with all SLP/CSD prerequisites can finish in 6 semesters, while those from other fields need 8 semesters.

Clinical experience opportunities

Students start their clinical training at the ODU Speech and Hearing Clinic/Scottish Rite Center under supervision. The Office of Clinical Experiences helps place students from the Darden College of Education & Professional Studies in field positions. Students then work at two off-campus locations like public schools, hospitals, private practices, rehabilitation centers, and clinics. These varied experiences help students develop skills in assessing, diagnosing, and treating communication and swallowing disorders.

Admission requirements

Program faculty review applications competitively, with a February 1 yearly deadline. The admission process needs:

• Application through the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application System (CSDCAS)
• A second application to ODU’s graduate application system
• At least 2.80 overall undergraduate GPA
• Three recommendation letters (two must be from university instructors)
• A 500-word essay about personal experiences and background

The program accepts select students, with 78 chosen from 252 applicants in a recent cycle.

Tuition and financial aid

Graduate tuition rates for 2025-26 are:

Students can get financial help through several scholarships. The Tidewater Scottish Rite gives six $6,000 scholarships yearly based on grades. The Norfolk Sertoma Club and Bennett’s Creek Sertoma Club offer scholarships too. They prefer students who do community service or live in Suffolk. Graduate assistantships are available with semester stipends, but they don’t cover tuition.

Career preparation

The program shows great results. Recent Praxis exam scores were excellent, with 25 of 26 students passing (score ≥ 162). About 95.77% of students graduate on time. Students learn everything needed for ASHA requirements and state licenses. Graduates can apply for ASHA certification and get licensed in Virginia and most other states. The program teaches key professional skills like communication, accountability, ethics, working with other professionals, and culturally-aware practice.

4. Radford University

Radford University’s master’s program in Communication Sciences and Disorders stands out in the Waldron College of Health and Human Services. Students become skilled at speech-language pathology through rigorous academics and hands-on clinical training.

Program overview

The Master of Science and Master of Arts programs in speech-language pathology at Radford are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Students learn everything they need to get ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) and meet Virginia’s licensure requirements. The program has a unique 3-year leveling track. Students without an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders can complete prerequisites before starting graduate courses.

Curriculum features

Students must pass a complete examination in their final semester to earn the Master of Science degree. The program has core courses like Language Disorders, Articulatory and Phonologic Disorders, Fluency Disorders, Motor Speech Disorders, Aphasia, Dysphagia, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Academic standards are strict. Students need a “C” or better in all courses and must keep a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students who get more than two C’s can’t continue in the program without a petition. Clinical practicum (COSD 640) requires a minimum “B” grade. MS degree students need 14 credit hours while MA degree students need 11 credit hours.

Clinical experience opportunities

Students start their clinical training at Radford University Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic (RUSLHC). Licensed and ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists supervise graduate interns. Students complete at least 375 clinical clock hours under supervision. The clinic serves as a great training facility. It provides over 3,000 clinical clock hours yearly and serves clients from the New River and Roanoke Valleys. Special clinical programs include the Early Language Lab, augmentative-alternative communication evaluations, and Scottish Rite Summer Language Programs. The RUBI center also gives complete cognitive-communication services to brain injury survivors.

Admission requirements

The graduate program accepts applications until February 1. Students need a minimum 3.0 GPA overall and in major core courses. The program takes a comprehensive look at each application. Personal experiences, attributes, GPAs, and scores from a situational-judgment test (Casper) matter. Instead of GRE scores, applicants use the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS) and write a personal essay. They must also take the Casper assessment through Acuity Insights.

Tuition and financial aid

Your costs depend on where you live, but financial aid options can help. The Radford Tuition Promise helps Virginia students pay for their degree. Students should fill out the FAFSA for 2025-2026 using Radford’s school code (003732). Fee waivers are available for veterans, active duty military, Virginia K-12 educators, alumni, current students, first-generation college students, and Pell-eligible students.

Career preparation

The program’s results speak for themselves. Students have achieved a 100% pass rate on the Praxis Examination in the last three years. The three-year program completion rate is 92%, and all graduates find jobs. Speech-language pathology ranks #9 in the top 100 Jobs and #3 in Best Healthcare Jobs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects 18% growth from 2023 to 2033. SLPs earned a median salary of $95,410 in 2024, making this career financially rewarding.

5. Longwood University

Longwood University runs an innovative speech-language pathology graduate program that combines traditional education with modern flexibility. Students spend their first year learning face-to-face on campus, followed by a more flexible hybrid format in year two.

Program overview

Longwood’s Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders prepares students for careers through hands-on clinical experiences and shared learning. Students who complete the program meet all certification requirements from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensure from the Virginia Board of Audiology and Speech-Language-Pathology. The state-of-the-art Speech, Hearing and Learning Services (SHLS) building gives students access to therapy rooms, an audiology suite, telepractice suite, feeding lab, and med lab under one roof. The university’s Accelerated Master’s Track lets eligible undergraduate students take 12 graduate-level credits during their senior year that count toward both degrees.

Curriculum highlights

The MS degree needs 53 credits and provides complete education without requiring textbook purchases. Students develop expertise in assessing and treating communication disorders through this professionally focused program. A minimum 3.0 GPA must be maintained to meet academic standards. The curriculum teaches specialized skills in articulation-phonology, language disorders, voice disorders, craniofacial anomalies, motor speech disorders, stuttering, aural rehabilitation, dysphagia, and aphasia.

Clinical experience opportunities

Students get extensive clinical training at Longwood. They complete internships at Longwood’s Speech Hearing Learning Services Center for three semesters before moving to external placements. Two external rotations follow – one in a school system and another in a medical setting like hospitals, nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, or home health. These 12-15 week placements are chosen based on student interests, location, and quality experiences available with ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists.

Admission requirements

The Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application System (CSDCAS) accepts applications until February 1. Candidates must also submit Longwood’s Online Application. Admission requirements include:

• Official bachelor’s degree transcripts from an accredited institution
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Three recommendations (one must be from faculty other than Longwood CSD faculty)
• Résumé or curriculum vitae
• USD 40.00 application fee

Tuition and financial aid

The 2025-2026 academic year in-state tuition costs $481 per credit hour while out-of-state students pay $1,136 per credit hour. The 53-credit program’s total tuition comes to about $25,493 for Virginia residents and $60,208 for non-residents. Students can get financial help through graduate assistantships and travel grants. Longwood’s Graduate Monthly Payment Plan helps students manage their educational expenses more easily.

Career preparation

Longwood’s student outcomes stand out remarkably. Students achieved a 98.5% first-time pass rate on the Praxis II in Speech-Language Pathology in the last three years (2020-2023). The program also saw 97.1% of students graduate on time (5-6 semesters for those with prerequisite coursework). Students gain hands-on clinical experience in various settings, which builds complete skills for professional practice in both medical and educational fields.

6. Hampton University

Hampton University stands as the oldest degree-granting speech pathology program at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). The university has trained more African American SLPs than any other institution nationwide.

Program overview

The Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders at Hampton provides undergraduate and graduate training in speech-language pathology. The program started modestly in the early 1950s with a few courses in the English Department and grew into a complete program by 1954. The graduate program launched in 1978 and earned ASHA accreditation in 1986, which continues through 2026. US News and World Reports ranks Hampton’s program in the top 50% of SLP graduate programs. The program focuses on culturally sensitive care for patients of all backgrounds. Hampton serves as one of six accredited Master’s degree programs in Virginia.

Curriculum highlights

The Master of Arts in Communicative Sciences and Disorders needs 49 credit hours to complete. Students take 43 credits of required courses and 6 credits of electives. A well-laid-out five-semester sequence covers everything in language disorders, swallowing disorders, and motor speech disorders. The undergraduate program readies students for graduate study through courses in speech, language, and hearing disorders and clinical experiences.

Clinical experience opportunities

Students build practical skills at the Hampton University Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic. The clinic serves clients with various communication disorders from childhood through adulthood. Summer programs include Communication Skills Session for children, Individual Therapy, Talking Tots for toddlers, and Social Skills Session. The university partners with 50 agencies for graduate extern clinical practicum.

Admission requirements

The application process happens in two steps through CSDCAS and a supplemental university application. Successful applicants usually have a 3.0+ GPA, bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, strong GRE scores, and show knowledge of speech-language pathology.

Tuition and financial aid

Graduate tuition costs $721 per semester hour for up to nine hours or $14,153 per semester for 10-17 hours. Students pay an average of $13,134 annually in tuition and fees.

Career preparation

The program’s students achieve a three-year average Praxis exam pass rate of 96%. This success prepares them for ASHA certification, state licensure, and teacher certification.

7. Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University ranks among Virginia’s leading research institutions. The College of Health Professions offers comprehensive graduate training programs for aspiring speech-language pathologists.

Program overview

VCU offers more than 100 graduate and professional degree programs. U.S. News & World Report ranks over 20 of these programs in the top 50. The university creates a strong academic environment with 2,441 full-time faculty members who teach around 5,800 graduate students. Richmond’s location provides students with diverse clinical and research opportunities throughout their educational experience.

Curriculum highlights

The speech pathology program focuses on evidence-based practice and professional cooperation. Students learn to assess and treat communication disorders at every life stage. They work with patients of all ages including children, school-age students, adults with developmental disabilities, and elderly clients.

Clinical experience opportunities

Students gain extensive clinical training in diagnostic evaluation, auditory evoked potentials, hearing aid evaluation, cochlear implant mapping, vestibular rehabilitation, and tinnitus treatment. They also cooperate with professionals from many fields including dentists, nurses, physicians, therapists, psychologists, social workers, and educators.

Admission requirements

Students need a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The application package should include official transcripts from all previous schools, personal statements, and recommendation letters.

Tuition and financial aid

Virginia residents pay $16,720 in annual tuition while non-residents pay $39,194. Financial aid helps 61% of students with average packages reaching $19,344.

Career preparation

Students graduate ready for ASHA certification and state licensure requirements. The program equips them to serve patients with various communication disorders in different healthcare settings.

Choose Your SLP Program Now

Your path to a rewarding career in speech pathology starts with picking the right program in this faster growing field. Seven exceptional Virginia programs stand out, each with its own strengths and opportunities. These schools share core features like ASHA accreditation, complete clinical experiences, and strong graduate outcomes. Each school takes its own approach to education and training.

JMU’s top-ranked online program boasts 100% Praxis pass rates. UVA’s Sheila C. Johnson Center provides students with hands-on clinical experiences across multiple disciplines. ODU gives students extensive clinical training opportunities. Radford University’s RUBI center helps brain injury survivors. Students at Longwood University benefit from a flexible hybrid format in their second year. Hampton University runs the nation’s oldest HBCU speech pathology program. VCU puts a strong emphasis on working across healthcare disciplines.

Speech-language pathology remains a lucrative career choice. The average annual salary sits at just over $95,000. Job growth projections show a 25% increase over the next decade, which is by a lot higher than most other professions. This makes your investment in education even more valuable.

Rankings should not be your only focus when choosing a program. Look at program format, tuition costs, clinical opportunities, and location. The school’s Praxis exam pass rates, graduation rates, and job placement numbers tell you much about program quality.

This complete overview of Virginia’s top speech pathology programs helps you move forward with confidence toward a career that helps people overcome communication challenges. Your expertise as a speech-language pathologist will change countless lives in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, or private practice.