5 Top Speech Pathology Masters Programs in Alaska

Are you looking for Speech Pathology Masters Programs in Alaska? You’re stepping into a field with amazing growth ahead. SLP employment should grow 15 percent from 2024 to 2034, far outpacing other occupations. U.S. News ranked SLP careers as the 3rd best job in healthcare and the 10th best career out of 100 ranked professions in 2022.

This guide gets into the five top-rated speech pathology masters programs accessible to Alaska residents. The state has only one SLP program. You’ll learn about program details, admission requirements, clinical experiences, and special features that could make each program the perfect fit for your goals.

1. Faulkner University MA/MS in Speech-Language Pathology

Faulkner University gives Alaska residents a great way to earn their graduate degree in speech-language pathology. Students can choose between on-campus classes or online learning. The program blends academic rigor with hands-on clinical work to create skilled professionals.

Program overview

Faulkner University’s Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees in Speech-Language Pathology help students become clinical leaders and supervisors in healthcare and education. The Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has fully accredited both programs.

Full-time students complete a well-laid-out 5-semester curriculum. Online students can opt for an 8-semester part-time schedule. New groups start each August and move through the program together. Students need to complete 66 total credits – 31 in academic work, 27 in clinical practice, and 8 in research.

The program offers two degree paths:

1. Master of Arts (MA) – Available both on-ground and online
2. Master of Science (MS) – Available only on-ground

Both paths share similar academic and clinical requirements but differ in their final projects. MA students create an evidence-based practice portfolio and take a comprehensive exam. MS students must conduct publishable research and present at a respected conference.

Each year, the program accepts 30 on-campus and 50 online students. Their goal is to create “leading speech-language pathologists who glorify God by serving others” through excellent teaching, research, and clinical practice.

Admission requirements

Students who want to join Faulkner’s SLP program must meet several standards. They need to submit:

• CSDCAS Application with a completed Faulkner supplemental form
• Letter explaining why they want to study SLP at Faulkner
• Official academic transcripts from all previous schools
• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Proof they’ve finished prerequisite courses

Prerequisites fall into two groups:

General requirements:

• Statistics
• Biological science
• Physical science (physics or chemistry)
• Social/behavioral science

SLP-specific requirements:

• Normal language development
• Phonetics
• Anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing
• Speech science
• Phonological and articulation disorders
• Language disorders
• Audiology

SLP prerequisite courses must be less than 10 years old unless you work in the field. Students need a 3.0 GPA overall and in SLP courses, based on CSDCAS calculations.

You’ll also need three recommendation letters (one from a professor), 25 guided observation hours signed by an ASHA-certified SLP, and a teleconference interview. The program looks at both grades and other factors like leadership, community service, and clinical work when choosing candidates.

Students must pay $500 to hold their spot after acceptance. The payment deadline is April 15th for most students.

Clinical experience

Faulkner University’s clinical training builds skills step by step in a variety of settings. Campus students spend their first three terms at Faulkner’s Center for Therapy and Research. They work one-on-one with experienced clinical educators.

The center lets students work with patients of all ages who have various communication and swallowing disorders, such as:

• FOXG1 and HIE
• Cleft palate and autism
• Traumatic brain injury and stroke
• Noonan’s syndrome and long COVID
• Head and neck cancer
• Vocal nodules
• Down syndrome and apraxia

Online students start with Simucase simulations under faculty guidance in term one, then move to external sites for terms two and three.

Both online and campus students complete two full-time internships in their final two terms – one with children and one with adults. These take place at hospitals, medical centers, clinics, nursing homes, or schools across the country. Students can request places that match their career goals, like children’s hospitals for craniofacial teams or rehabilitation centers for adult care.

Students must log 375 clinical hours plus 25 observation hours before graduating. This hands-on experience prepares them for real-world challenges.

Tuition and fees

Faulkner University charges $750 per credit hour for both campus and online students.

The 66-credit program costs $49,500 in total tuition. Additional costs include:

• General fee: $350 per term ($1,750 total)
• Clinical fee: $575 per term ($2,875 total)

This brings the total to $54,125. Some sources say all students get financial aid.

Online students might pay an extra $70 per credit, but sources disagree on this. Faulkner’s Financial Aid Office helps students find funding options.

Unique features

Faulkner stands out from other speech pathology programs available to Alaska residents in several ways:

Faith-based approach: Faulkner brings Christian values to speech-language pathology. The program welcomes students of all beliefs who want to become caring speech-language pathologists. They emphasize helping others, especially those with disabilities.

Strong results: The program shows great success rates. Campus students finished on time at rates of 100% (2022), 89% (2023), and 100% (2024). Online students achieved 100% in 2024. Praxis exam pass rates reached 85% (2021-2022), 91% (2022-2023), and 89% (2023-2024) for campus students, while online students hit 100% (2023-2024).

Multiple options: Alaska students can choose between campus or online classes, with full-time or part-time schedules for online learning.

Modern facilities: Campus students use Faulkner’s advanced Center for Therapy and Research to treat various conditions.

Complete training: Students learn both theory and practice, preparing them for ASHA certification and state licenses.

Alaska residents can get quality education from Faulkner without moving, especially through the online program. Graduates are ready to start successful careers anywhere in Alaska.

2. University of Alaska Anchorage MS in Communication Sciences and Disorders

The University of Alaska Anchorage has the only Speech-Language Pathology graduate program physically based in Alaska. This makes it a perfect fit for residents who want to serve their local communities. A mutually beneficial alliance with East Carolina University helps prepare professionals who can address Alaska’s diverse population’s unique communication needs.

Program overview

UAA’s MS in Communication Sciences and Disorders runs as a joint program with East Carolina University (ECU). Students learn to prevent, diagnose, and treat communication and swallowing disorders throughout life stages through this partnership.

The program lets you pick electives that match your career goals while completing core coursework. Full-time students can complete this well-laid-out program in about three years, including summer sessions. You’ll receive your Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from East Carolina University when you graduate.

The program’s value comes from its accreditation status. The ECU Communication and Science Disorder MS program has full accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. This accreditation will give a guarantee that you’ll be ready for clinical practice after meeting professional standards.

Admission requirements

The Communication Sciences and Disorders program at UAA has specific entry criteria. Competition is tough, and the program looks for students who excel academically and show the right personality for clinical work.

Key admission requirements include:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Prerequisite courses completed with an average GPA of 3.2 or higher
• 25 observation hours verified in speech-language pathology or audiology
• GRE scores at or above the 30th percentile in all sections
• Casper assessment score
• Resume and three letters of reference
• Personal essay and interview

The program favors candidates who show “high academic achievement, personal and professional initiative, and excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills”. You need specific prerequisite courses in speech-language pathology, biological and physical sciences, and behavioral and social sciences before you apply. You can get these through an undergraduate degree or post-baccalaureate certificate in speech-language pathology.

Applications close on January 15th yearly. The review process looks at both your grades and personal qualities.

Clinical experience

Clinical training is the life-blood of UAA’s program. You’ll get hands-on experience in various settings. The UAA Summer Speech-Language Clinic stands out – all Alaska Cohort students start their clinical practicum here. This clinic runs through a special partnership that helps community members while students develop their skills with supervision.

After your first experience, you’ll practice in your home community. This helps you build connections with local facilities and potential employers before you graduate. You’ll work with people of all ages who have different communication and swallowing disorders.

The program meets all clinical requirements for ASHA certification. After finishing, you can apply for a clinical fellowship that leads to the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Most nationwide settings require this credential for professional practice.

Tuition and fees

Alaska residents pay $10,532 while out-of-state students pay $20,720 for graduate tuition at UAA in 2024-2025. Credit hours cost $510 for in-state and $1,055 for non-resident students.

Your total costs will also include:

• Books and supplies: about $1,056 per year
• Room and board: $14,216 (on-campus) or $17,882 (off-campus)
• Personal expenses: $7,362 (on-campus) or $10,748 (off-campus)

So, on-campus students pay around $33,166 (Alaska residents) or $43,354 (non-residents) total. Off-campus costs rise to $40,218 and $50,406 respectively.

UAA’s graduate programs have steady tuition rates. In-state tuition dropped from $12,148 to $10,532 between 2020-2021 and 2024-2025 academic years.

Unique features

UAA’s program has several advantages that benefit Alaska residents.

The program is the only SLP program physically based in Alaska. You won’t need to leave the state for advanced speech-language pathology education – a huge plus given Alaska’s geography.

The hybrid delivery model adds another advantage. You stay connected to UAA while using East Carolina University’s 25-year-old curriculum and resources. This partnership gives you the best of both schools while you remain in your community.

The program fits Alaska’s specific needs. Speech-language pathologists are in high demand statewide. Jobs should grow by 27% from 2018 to 2028, which is faster than most occupations. Training in Alaska puts you in a great position to meet the state’s speech-language pathology needs.

Your career options stay flexible too. Certified speech-language pathologists can work in hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, and private practices. This variety gives you excellent job security and career mobility.

The MS in Communication Sciences and Disorders at UAA combines academic excellence with clinical expertise. It shows a deep understanding of Alaska’s healthcare needs. You’ll be ready not just to meet certification standards but to excel as a skilled professional serving Alaska’s communities.

3. University of Wisconsin Eau Claire Online MS in SLP

Alaska residents looking for a flexible graduate education in speech-language pathology will find an excellent choice in the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire’s online MS program. This 20-year-old program combines academic rigor with a part-time format that works perfectly for working professionals.

Program overview

The University of Wisconsin Eau Claire has created a fully online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology specifically for part-time students. The program has accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) through February 2025. Students need to complete 54 semester credit hours to graduate.

Alaska residents will appreciate the program’s flexibility. The curriculum matches the on-campus, full-time program. Students learn from the same faculty and complete the same challenging coursework. You’ll spend three summers, three fall semesters, two winterim sessions, and three spring terms in the program.

Students complete 40 credits of coursework and 14 credits of clinical practicum. The core courses cover these topics:

• Aphasia and related disorders
• Language assessment and intervention
• Clinical methods in speech-language pathology
• Voice and speech disorders
• Augmentative and assistive communication
• Dysphagia (swallowing disorders)
• Motor speech disorders
• Stuttering and fluency disorders

After graduation, you can apply for ASHA certification and state licensure. This includes Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction licensure if you want to work in educational settings.

Admission requirements

The program has a competitive admission process with specific requirements. You need to apply by November 1 for summer admission through the CSD Central Application Service (CSDCAS) and the university’s online application.

You’ll need:

• A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university
• At least 30 earned semester credits in specific speech, language, and hearing science coursework
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 from each post-secondary degree
• A minimum GPA of 3.25 in speech, language, and hearing science coursework
• A grade of B or above in any graded practicum experience

The program asks for three recommendation letters and a writing sample/essay. Recent data shows 229 applications received, with 82 admission offers made. The program enrolled 58 students total (18 full-time and 40 part-time). Successful applicants’ GPAs ranged from 2.97 to 4.00. Admitted students averaged a 3.8 overall GPA and 3.95 in major coursework.

UWEC offers online prerequisite courses at $435 per credit if you need them. Prerequisites include anatomy and physiology of speech, language development, phonetics, speech and hearing science, and audiology.

Clinical experience

Clinical training is the life-blood of the UWEC program. Students must complete at least 375 clock hours in settings of all types. These clinical experiences happen in your geographical location, making the program readily available for Alaska residents.

First-year students must provide clinical prerequisites documentation and start reaching out to potential practicum sites. Here’s the timeline:

• First summer: Register with CALIPSO (clinical tracking system)
• First fall: Submit clinical prerequisite documentation and contact practicum sites
• Second summer: Start first clinical rotation
• Second year: Continue clinical rotations while planning final externships
• Final spring: Complete two nine-week, full-time externships—one medical, one educational

Students work with a UWEC liaison supervisor who guides and provides feedback throughout. The program ensures complete training with experience across different client populations, ages, and cultural backgrounds. You’ll need at least 10 clock hours in each major clinical category, including articulation, fluency, voice, language, and cognitive disorders.

Students take charge of arranging their practicum experiences, with program approval ensuring proper clinical exposure. This helps you prepare for independent practice and build professional connections locally.

Tuition and fees

The program offers a special tuition rate that stays the same whatever your residency status. Tuition costs $733 per credit for the 2025-2026 academic year. The total tuition for 54 credits comes to $39,582.

This flat-rate tuition applies to everyone in the online SLP program. That’s great news for out-of-state students, including those from Alaska. Additional costs include:

• One-time CALIPSO registration fee: $125
• Required textbooks and course materials (varies by course)
• Travel expenses for required summer residency periods
• Technology costs for reliable internet access
• Annual criminal background checks
• Immunization or TB testing costs

Part-time students can usually get financial aid through loans. File your FAFSA when you start the program and talk to the Office of Financial Aid about possible travel expense adjustments.

UWEC unique features

The UWEC online SLP program has several features that make it perfect for Alaska residents pursuing speech pathology careers.

The program balances flexibility with quality beautifully. Faculty member Abby Hemmerich explains, “The students can move through the program at a slower pace, so they can continue working some and managing family life”. You’ll get “the same rigorous graduate program, just offered through a different modality”.

Brief campus visits provide hands-on experience with essential skills. Students practice techniques like stroboscopy or using an audiometer that can’t be learned online. These short residency periods help you develop key clinical skills while minimizing travel time.

The program works especially well for students in remote areas. It meets “that need of providing graduate education to those who live more remotely, those who have to move every year, or those who simply are unable to move due to family or work obligations”. Alaska residents facing geographical challenges will find this particularly helpful.

Students develop strong connections despite the online format. They “develop the same connectedness with each other and with the instructors” as on-campus students. This sense of community proves invaluable for Alaska residents who might feel isolated professionally.

The University of Wisconsin Eau Claire’s online SLP program gives Alaska residents a clear path to professional certification and licensure in speech-language pathology. It combines academic excellence, clinical rigor, and a flexible format effectively.

4. East Carolina University (via UAA Partnership)

Alaska residents can now get quality graduate education in speech-language pathology without leaving their state, thanks to a special partnership between East Carolina University and the University of Alaska Anchorage. This team effort helps fill crucial workforce gaps in remote communities while making the most of both schools’ strengths.

Program overview

East Carolina University and University of Alaska Anchorage have joined forces to train students in preventing, diagnosing, and treating communication and swallowing disorders throughout life. ECU provides the academic coursework while UAA helps arrange clinical placements in Alaska. Students who complete the program receive a Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from East Carolina University.

Students typically need three years of full-time study to complete the program, including summers. The curriculum has core courses and electives that let you focus on your specific interests and career goals. After graduating, you can apply for a clinical fellowship that qualifies you for the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

The program goes beyond standard topics to prepare you for serving Alaska’s unique patient populations, including those in very remote areas.

Admission requirements

You’ll need to meet several requirements to join this competitive program:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with minimum 3.0 GPA
• Prerequisite courses completed with average GPA of 3.2 or higher
• 25 hours of observation in speech-language pathology or audiology
• GRE scores at or above 30th percentile in all sections
• Successful completion of the Casper assessment
• Three letters of reference and a detailed resume

Students must apply by January 15. Selected candidates will have interviews. Successful applicants usually show both academic excellence and strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.

Clinical experience

Students complete most of their clinical training in Alaska, starting with the UAA Summer Speech-Language Clinic. They get clinical experience in their home communities throughout the program, which helps them build local professional connections while developing required skills.

The partnership has a smart approach to clinical placements. Emily Brewer, program director for ECU’s MS in communication sciences and disorders, explains: “Students get 12 clinical credits and all of their clinical clock hours, a minimum of 375, through UAA. Then prior to graduation they transfer those 12 credits into ECU and their degree comes from ECU”.

Students meet all ASHA certification requirements while serving Alaska’s communities through this arrangement.

Tuition and fees

ECU graduate students must pay tuition and fees each semester by the Cashier’s Office deadlines. Students might still have out-of-pocket costs even with fellowships, scholarships, or assistantships.

Students should check ECU’s Cashier’s Office website for detailed costs. Full-time status needs 9 or more graduate credits. Total costs include tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies, transportation, loan fees, and personal expenses.

Both schools offer financial aid options to help students manage costs.

Unique features

Alaska residents benefit from several special advantages through the ECU-UAA partnership. The program was created to address the lack of speech-language pathologists in rural Alaska communities. Karen Gallagher, UAA’s program director, says: “We provide our students with a blend of programs that give them extra training in mental health and early intervention, and I feel like we’re able to offer a strong clinical experience”.

Students can access top-quality education even in very remote locations, despite occasional internet issues. They can treat patients through telehealth sessions instead of taking long bush plane rides or dangerous drives.

The program has built a network of ECU-trained professionals across Alaska. Many speech-language pathologists working in Alaska stay connected to ECU, creating a supportive community for ongoing development and mentorship.

5. Emerson College Online Master’s in SLP

Emerson College offers a complete online Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology program. The program combines academic excellence with the flexibility of distance learning – perfect for aspiring SLPs in Alaska’s remote communities.

Program overview

The program runs full-time over 20 months through five semesters. Students complete all coursework online through both live and self-paced formats. The curriculum covers everything from speech sound disorders to language disorders and dysphagia assessment. Students must complete 36 credit hours of academic work and 24 clinical practicum credits.

Admission requirements

Applicants must submit:

• Bachelor’s degree with minimum 3.0 GPA
• Official transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation
• Personal statement
• Resume/CV
• GRE scores

Students need prerequisite courses in speech science, language development, and anatomy of speech mechanisms. New cohorts start each May.

Clinical experience

Students participate in two on-campus residencies and complete 400 clinical clock hours in various settings. Alaska residents can gain experience with different populations while staying in-state. The program works with local healthcare facilities to set up clinical placements.

Tuition and fees

Each credit hour costs $1,361. The total program cost ranges from $63,000-$70,000 with all fees included.

Unique features

The program comes with ASHA accreditation and intensive faculty mentorship. Its digital resource center is a great way to get support for distance learners in Alaska who want to become licensed professionals.

Get Started

Your career as an SLP in Alaska starts with picking the right master’s program. The five programs we’ll look at provide great pathways to professional certification, no matter where you live in the state.

These programs each bring something unique to the table. Faulkner University shines with its mix of online and on-ground options and great completion rates. The University of Alaska Anchorage is the state’s only physical SLP program and provides excellent local connections. UWEC fits working professionals’ needs with its part-time online format and high standards. The ECU-UAA partnership focuses on rural Alaska’s specific challenges. Emerson College rounds out the list with its cohort-based approach and complete clinical training.

The job market for SLPs in Alaska looks bright. Growth projections show a 27% increase through 2028 – substantially higher than most careers. On top of that, it ranks among the nation’s top healthcare professions, offering job security and a chance to make real changes in people’s lives.

Your program choice should go beyond just academics. Think about clinical placement options, schedule flexibility, costs, and admission criteria. You’ll need prerequisite courses, observation hours, and competitive GPAs, so start preparing early.

These five programs give you the knowledge, skills, and clinical experience you need, whether you study at UAA or complete your degree online. Each path guides you to the same goal – becoming a qualified speech-language pathologist ready to help Alaska’s communities, from city centers to remote villages.

Becoming an SLP takes dedication, but Alaska needs these professionals badly. Your hard work will create meaningful career opportunities. Choosing one of these top-rated programs is your first step toward a profession that combines healthcare expertise with the joy of helping others communicate better.