Best Speech Pathology Masters Programs in Montana
Want a career that promises job security and competitive pay? Speech Pathology Masters Programs in Montana deliver impressive results. Students complete their programs on time, pass the Praxis examination, and land jobs within one year of graduation – all with a 100% success rate.
The University of Montana speech pathology masters emerges as a top choice. While the program requires a minimum 3.0 GPA to apply, admitted students typically show stronger academic performance. The program holds full accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language-Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). This accreditation ensures your education meets every clinical and academic requirement for certification and licensure.
The future in this field looks definitely promising. Montana’s speech-language pathologists earn $81,970 on average per year. Job opportunities are expected to grow substantially – 28% by 2030, which surpasses the national average of 19%. Montana residents currently have access to just one university that offers an online Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology. However, you’re not limited to local programs alone.
This guide will walk you through the five best speech pathology masters programs accessible to Montana residents. You’ll find detailed comparisons of admission requirements, curriculum features, and clinical training opportunities.
1. University of Montana – Campus MS in Speech-Language Pathology
The University of Montana’s School of Speech, Language, Hearing, and Occupational Sciences in the College of Health offers a complete MS in Speech-Language Pathology program on campus. This program serves as Montana’s cornerstone of speech pathology education. Students become certified professionals ready to help people with various communication disorders.
Program overview
The MS program at University of Montana helps graduates learn to assess and treat people of all ages with speech, language, and swallowing disorders. The program, based in Missoula, excels at academic and clinical training. Students get exceptional inter-professional education and research opportunities.
Students can pick between two degree paths at Montana:
- Thesis Option: 71 total graduate credits (35 graduate program course credits, 30 practicum credits, and 6 thesis credits)
- Non-thesis Option: 65-68 total graduate credits (32-35 graduate program course credits, 30 practicum credits, and 3 capstone/portfolio project credits)
The program’s results speak for themselves. Every student finishes on time, passes the Praxis examination, and finds work within a year of graduating.
Admission requirements
The program accepts applications only for fall enrollment and competition is fierce. A recent cycle saw 156 applications with 122 students getting offers. The target class size stays at 34.
Students must submit all materials by January 15th through the Communication Science and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS). Here’s what you need:
- Bachelor’s degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders (CSD) or related field with CSD leveling courses
- 0 minimum GPA for CSD courses (current students’ GPAs: 2.57-3.99)
- Three recommendation letters
- Two-page essay
- 25 ASHA-certified guided observation hours
- Criminal background check and immunizations
Non-native English speakers and international students must meet extra TOEFL requirements.
Program curriculum highlights
Students learn extensively about speech, language, and swallowing disorders. The program needs at least 35 graduate core course credits. Some students might take 32 credits based on their undergraduate work.
Students must complete coursework in physical science, biological science, social/behavioral science, and statistics before graduating to meet ASHA certification requirements.
Clinical training
Clinical education makes up a big part of the program, with students completing 30 credits of clinical practicum. Students start their clinical practice at the university’s DeWit RiteCare Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic in their first semester.
Students move to three off-campus clinical practicum experiences after two semesters at the campus clinic. These happen in Missoula, Montana, or elsewhere in the country. The placements help students meet ASHA certification requirements through:
- Experience in three different settings
- Work with all age groups
- Both diagnostic and intervention settings
- Practice with various disorders
- Experience with different cultures and languages
Students must log at least 375 supervised clock hours, including 25 hours of guided observation before starting clinical practicum.
Accreditation and licensure
The program is fully accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of ASHA. The current accreditation runs from 2019 to 2027, with the next review set for August 2026.
Graduates meet all clinical and academic standards for ASHA’s Certification of Clinical Competence in Speech Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). The program satisfies licensure requirements in Montana and many other states. After graduation, students complete their Clinical Fellowship (CF) year before becoming eligible for their Certificate of Clinical Competence.
Format & flexibility
Students attend face-to-face classes at the Missoula campus. Most finish the program in 4 semesters plus 1 summer term (about 2 years).
The program works best as full-time study but offers part-time options for those who need flexibility. Recent numbers show 33 full-time and 1 part-time student in the first-year class. The total graduate enrollment included 67 full-time and 1 part-time student.
Students build academic knowledge while developing clinical skills through ongoing practicum experiences. The final semester combines a full-time clinical externship with either a capstone portfolio project or thesis.
Students who can’t move to Missoula can choose a distance education option. This path leads to the same degree with different scheduling and delivery methods.
2. University of Montana – Distance MS in Speech-Language Pathology
The University of Montana’s Distance MS in Speech-Language Pathology program helps students who can’t move to Missoula. This flexible program matches the quality and accreditation of on-campus learning while meeting distance learners’ needs.
Program overview
The program prepares graduates to become certified speech-language pathologists. Students learn to help people of all ages with speech, language, and swallowing disorders. The School of Speech, Language, Hearing, and Occupational Sciences within the College of Health runs this program.
Students have two degree options:
- Thesis Option: 71 total graduate credits (35 graduate program course credits, 30 practicum credits, and 6 thesis credits)
- Non-thesis Option: 65-68 total graduate credits (32-35 graduate program course credits, 30 practicum credits, and 3 capstone/portfolio project credits)
Students learn through inter-professional education and research. The program builds skills to help diverse populations in various settings. The distance program started because rural areas face a serious shortage of SLPs.
Admission requirements
The distance program has standards just like the on-campus version. Students can only start in fall, with applications due by January 15th. CSDCAS (Communication Science and Disorders Centralized Application Service) handles all applications.
You’ll need:
- Bachelor’s degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders (CSD) or related field with CSD leveling coursework
- 0 minimum GPA in all CSD courses
- B- or better in prerequisite courses taken in the last eight years
- Three recommendation letters about your academic/clinical/research potential
- Two-page typed, double-spaced essay
- 25 ASHA-certified guided observation hours
- Criminal background check and immunizations
International students and non-native English speakers need TOEFL scores (minimum IBT 80) or IELTS (minimum 6.5).
The program accepts about 14% of applicants.
Curriculum highlights
The distance MS program matches the on-campus content but follows a different order. Students join live classes through web-broadcasting software alongside on-campus students.
ASHA certification needs extra coursework in physical science, biological science, social/behavioral science, and statistics.
Clinical training
Clinical education is the substance of this program. Distance students complete 30 credits of clinical practicum, just like on-campus students.
Students start their clinical work at the University’s RiteCare Clinic in Missoula after their first two academic terms. After that, they continue at off-campus sites across the state and country.
Students must log 375 supervised clock hours, plus 25 guided observation hours before starting clinical work. They get experience with different settings, age groups, and types of disorders.
The first summer rotation in Missoula lasts 4-6 weeks, usually from mid-May through July. Students can stay in UM Residence Life facilities, extended stay hotels, or Airbnb.
Accreditation and licensure
The distance MS program shares the same accreditation as the on-campus program. The Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of ASHA accredits both residential and distance education programs. The current accreditation runs until 2027, with the next review set for August 2026.
Graduates can get their Certification of Clinical Competence in Speech Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) from ASHA. The program meets Montana’s licensure requirements and those of many other states. Montana residents and non-residents can get national certification through ASHA after graduating.
Format & flexibility
The program combines online and on-campus learning:
- Students attend live academic courses with on-campus classmates through web-broadcasting
- Classes happen in real-time – no recorded sessions
- Class times run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and some weekday evenings
- Students can finish in 4 semesters and 2 summer terms
Tuition costs match on-campus rates: out-of-state students pay about $13,500 yearly, in-state students pay $3,726, plus $7,004 in program-specific tuition annually.
The program demands full attention. Officials suggest not working while studying. Some part-time spots exist, but this means more semesters and higher costs.
3. Emerson College – Online MS in Speech-Language Pathology
Emerson College started teaching speech and communication back in 1880. Today, its online Master of Science in Communication Disorders program builds on this rich heritage. The program, Speech@Emerson, lets students complete their studies from anywhere in the United States.
Program overview
Speech@Emerson’s online Master of Science in Communication Disorders teaches students to help people with communication challenges at every age. The program takes a family-centered approach to speech-language pathology education. Students learn to work with clients of all ages and support their families throughout treatment.
The program welcomes students at all experience levels and gives them the ability to become licensed practitioners. Students can pick from two timeline options:
- 5-term track: Complete the program in as few as 20 months
- 9-term track: Complete the program over 36 months
Students can start their studies in January, May, or September. Montana residents can get advanced speech pathology education without leaving home.
Admission requirements
Students need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university or college in any field. The program gets about 1,490 applications each year. Around 648 applicants receive admission offers, with a target class of 265 students.
Here’s what you need to apply:
- Official transcripts from all schools where you earned degrees or took foundational courses
- Current résumé showing relevant professional and volunteer experience
- Three letters of recommendation
- Personal essay responses (250-500 words each)
- Video interview
- USD 75.00 non-refundable application fee
Non-native English speakers must show their English skills through TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or Pearson test scores. The program typically enrolls 239 full-time and 26 part-time students, with a total graduate enrollment of 769 students.
You don’t need GRE scores to apply. Admitted students’ GPAs range from 2.41 to 4.00.
Curriculum highlights
Speech@Emerson’s curriculum helps students develop critical problem-solving and analysis skills they’ll need as speech-language pathologists. Students graduate as well-rounded clinicians who can work in various settings.
The 54-credit program has:
- 49 credits of academic and clinical courses
- Five 1-credit clinical practica
Some students might need up to 18 credits of foundational courses:
- Structures and Functions for Speech, Hearing, and Swallowing (3 credits)
- Language Development (3 credits)
- Survey of Communication Disorders Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
- Clinical Observations and Foundations (3 credits)
- Foundations of Audiology (3 credits)
- Speech Sounds: Phonetics and Acoustics (3 credits)
Students must earn a ‘B’ or better in foundational courses before moving to the applied curriculum. The applied curriculum teaches students to assess and treat various conditions. These include autism spectrum disorders, aphasia, language and literacy disabilities, fluency disorders, speech sound disorders, cognitive-communicative disorders, voice disorders, swallowing problems, motor speech disorders, and deaf and hard of hearing conditions.
Students must pass a comprehensive exam unless they choose to write a thesis.
Clinical training
Speech@Emerson’s clinical training gives students the skills to work with diverse clients of all ages. Students start with virtual clinical practice using simulated cases and video recordings before moving to in-person work.
After virtual training, students complete four in-person clinical practica at sites within 75 miles of their homes. Placement specialists help find approved local sites in Emerson’s national partner network.
Students need at least 400 supervised clinical practice hours – 25 observation hours and 375 direct clinical clock hours. This hands-on experience helps them understand communication disorders affecting speech, language, literacy, social skills, cognition, and swallowing.
Students also attend one weekend-long immersion (Thursday through Saturday) at Emerson’s Boston campus. This mandatory experience happens before the first community placement. Students practice what they’ve learned under licensed supervision.
Accreditation and licensure
The Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association accredits both residential and online MS Communication Disorders programs at Emerson College. The accreditation runs from 2022 to 2030, with the next review set for February 2029.
The program prepares students for national certification and licensure as speech-language pathologists. Most students take the Praxis exam near graduation, right after comprehensive exams and before their clinical fellowship.
Graduates can start their Clinical Fellowship, which they need to get the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) from ASHA.
Format & flexibility
Speech@Emerson offers a flexible online format. Students connect with classmates and faculty through face-to-face online classes. New classes start in January, May, and September, with rolling admissions decisions.
The program costs between USD 80,730 and USD 107,640, depending on foundational course needs. Each credit costs USD 1,402, plus semester fees for test protocols, enrollment deposits, and travel to campus immersions.
Students can choose between:
- 5-term track (20 months)
- 9-term track (36 months)
While mostly online, students must attend two on-campus sessions in Boston. Students must live in one of 45 approved states and complete their coursework from these states.
Students without speech-language pathology backgrounds can take foundational courses online. This opens doors for career-changers and Montana residents with degrees in other fields who want to become speech pathologists.
4. Grand Canyon University – Online MS in Speech-Language Pathology
Aspiring speech-language pathologists can pursue their education through Grand Canyon University’s MS program. The program takes a STEM-focused approach to treating communication disorders. Students learn scientific knowledge and practical skills to address speech-language, cognitive, and swallowing disorders in a variety of populations.
Program overview
The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at Grand Canyon University helps students deliver compassionate, effective services if you have communication disorders. This STEM-designated program through the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions blends scientifically-based practices with critical thinking skills to create well-rounded professionals. Students need 60 credits to graduate and can pursue licensure as speech-language pathologists.
Admission requirements
The admission requirements change based on degree level, program type, and transfer status. All the same, GCU looks at each application as a whole. Students with lower GPAs might get accepted if they show other strengths. The application process is simple – there’s no application fee or admissions essays.
Curriculum highlights
The curriculum covers key topics in speech-language pathology:
- Clinical and research methods
- Articulation and phonology
- Dysphagia across the lifespan
- Developmental language disorders
- Cognitive-communication disorders
- Motor speech disorders
- Autism/neurodiversity
Students learn about speech, language, hearing, and swallowing disorders. They develop ethical decision-making skills and cultural sensitivity needed in professional practice.
Clinical training
Students complete three practicum experiences to build skills across the lifespan. They start with a part-time community practicum and move on to two full-time clinical experiences. The program has three mandatory on-campus intensives during the first three semesters in Phoenix. These three-day sessions include simulations, teamwork, and hands-on practice with equipment. Students work with pediatric, infant, adult, and geriatric populations.
GCU’s Office of Field Experience helps students find clinical placements near their location. They work with hundreds of partnering schools, hospitals, and clinics across the country.
Accreditation and licensure
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has accredited Grand Canyon University since 1968. The path to licensure in speech-language pathology follows standard steps: complete an undergraduate degree in a related field, earn a graduate degree, finish clinical experiences, and pass licensing exams.
Format & flexibility
The online format lets students learn flexibly through interactive sessions. Students must visit Phoenix three times for in-person intensive experiences. GCU provides detailed online resources and special support services to help students succeed.
Montana residents can get their speech pathology education without moving permanently. This hybrid approach mixes online learning with hands-on clinical experience as an alternative to traditional campus programs.
5. Pepperdine University – Online MS in Speech-Language Pathology
Pepperdine University will launch its online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program in Fall 2025. Montana residents will find this program particularly appealing as it blends faith-based education with professional training. Students learn to help patients with communication and swallowing disorders of all ages while incorporating Christian values throughout their studies.
Program overview
The MS-SLP program delivers strong academic instruction paired with hands-on clinical experience. Students become skilled at providing compassionate care while mastering scientific principles. The program sits within Pepperdine’s College of Health Science and takes a comprehensive approach to patient care that addresses physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Admission requirements
You’ll need these qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree with minimum 3.0 GPA
- Foundational courses in communicative disorders
- Three recommendation letters (two preferably from communication sciences professors)
- Statement of interest showing your purpose and potential
- USD 65.00 non-refundable application fee
Students whose native language isn’t English must provide TOEFL scores (minimum 600 paper/95 internet) or IELTS (minimum 7.0).
Curriculum highlights
The program consists of 53 credits spread across 22 courses. Core foundational courses include:
- Survey of Communication Disorders Across the Lifespan
- Anatomy & Physiology for Speech, Hearing, and Swallowing
- Language Development
- Phonetics and Acoustics
- Foundations of Audiology
- Clinical Observations and Foundations
Clinical training
The program requires students to complete over 400 supervised clinical hours with both pediatric and adult patients. Key features include:
- Weekly online classes
- Three mandatory on-campus experiences at the Calabasas campus
- Clinical placements near your location
Accreditation and licensure
The Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA currently lists the program as a Candidate for Accreditation. This “pre-accreditation” status typically lasts up to five years for new programs. CAA/ASHA will review Pepperdine’s application in February 2025. Graduates can pursue licensure in 47 states, with Hawaii, Kentucky, and North Carolina being the exceptions.
Format & flexibility
Two study options are available:
- Full-time track: Five trimesters (approximately 20 months)
- Part-time track: Eight trimesters (approximately 32 months)
Tuition for 2025-2026 costs USD 1,800 per credit, totaling USD 95,400. The program welcomes new students three times a year—January, May, and August—making it easier for working professionals to begin their studies.
Get Started
Your specific needs, lifestyle, and career goals will determine the right speech pathology masters program for you. The University of Montana has excellent options for both on-campus and distance learners. Programs from Emerson College, Grand Canyon University, and Pepperdine University give you different paths with their unique approaches and flexible formats.
Getting a master’s degree takes dedication, but the professional rewards are worth the investment. Speech-language pathologists in Montana earn about $81,970 yearly, which is a big deal as it means that they make more than many other healthcare professionals. On top of that, the job growth projection of 28% by 2030 is nowhere near the national average, which means exceptional career stability.
These programs’ clinical outcomes prove their quality. Students who complete these programs have a 100% graduation rate. They pass their Praxis examinations and find jobs within one year of graduation. This amazing success rate shows how well these programs prepare their students.
Take time to think about each program’s structure before deciding. The University of Montana’s campus option gives you traditional face-to-face learning. Their distance program offers flexibility without compromising quality. Like Montana, Emerson, Grand Canyon, and Pepperdine blend online coursework with valuable in-person components.
Your program’s accreditation status matters. Programs with Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology credentials meet all certification and state licensure requirements. This accreditation means your degree will be recognized throughout your career.
Money is another important factor to consider. Program costs vary by a lot, from about $13,500 yearly at the University of Montana to $95,400 total at Pepperdine. Many students can get financial aid, scholarships, and assistantships to help with these expenses.
After looking at these factors, you’ll need to prepare strong application materials that show your academic abilities, relevant experience, and passion for speech pathology. These programs are competitive, so starting your application early gives you the best chance at getting into your preferred program.
Speech pathology is a rewarding career where you can make real differences in people’s lives every day. These five programs are a great way to get started in this field, each with its own unique advantages. Becoming a speech-language pathologist takes steadfast dedication, but the personal satisfaction and professional opportunities make it all worthwhile.