4 Best Speech Pathology Masters Programs in South Carolina

Are you looking for speech pathology masters programs in South Carolina? You’re making a smart choice. The field offers excellent job prospects and is growing faster than many other careers. These programs prepare you to help people overcome communication challenges. The career is rewarding, and graduates earn an average of $86,826 within five to ten years after graduation.

These four leading programs give you unique paths to become a qualified speech-language pathologist. You can focus on treating complex medically-based communication disorders or work toward clinical practice certification. Each program helps you qualify for state licensure and get national certification—the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology.

1. University of South Carolina – MS in Speech-Language Pathology

The University of South Carolina has one of the nation’s oldest speech pathology programs with an excellent track record. Their Master of Science program in speech-language pathology has managed to keep continuous accreditation for more than 30 years from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. This program ranks among the top 30 best speech-language pathology programs in the United States and provides complete preparation for future speech-language pathologists.

Program highlights

The University of South Carolina is a leading institution for speech pathology education in the Southeast. The program has graduated over 1,500 master’s-level communication professionals throughout its history. It’s now one of the nation’s largest programs with 177 students working toward master’s or doctoral degrees.

Students can choose between two paths to get their master’s degree in speech-language pathology:

1. Master of Science (MS-Res): A traditional, on-campus program that takes two calendar years of full-time study
2. Master of Science in Distance Education (MS-DE): A part-time program through distance education that takes three to four years based on prior academic training

Students get supervised clinical experience at the Montgomery Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic. This modern facility has therapy rooms for both in-person and virtual visits. It comes equipped with speech and language diagnostic/treatment rooms, a full audiology suite with sound booths and cochlear mapping rooms, and dedicated student work areas.

The program’s excellent reputation makes admission competitive. Admitted students’ mean undergraduate GPA is usually above 3.75 on a 4.0 scale. The program takes a holistic approach to applications, with a December 15 deadline for both fall and summer entry.

Curriculum and clinical training

USC’s curriculum goes beyond industry standards. Students must complete 76 semester hours of academic coursework and 375 clock hours of supervised clinical practicum. Most master’s graduates actually finish around 80 semester hours.

The academic structure has three main content areas:

• Basic Communication Sciences
• Professional Coursework
• Clinical Practicum

Students must take at least 45 semester hours of professional coursework, with 36 hours focused on Speech-Language Pathology. The program requires specific coursework in key areas: minimum 6 semester hours in Speech Disorders at graduate level (9 semester hours total between undergraduate and graduate), minimum 9 semester hours in Language Disorders, and at least 15 semester hours in other Speech Pathology courses.

The South Carolina Department of Education has verified certain courses that meet South Carolina Literacy Competencies for Read to Succeed pre-service requirements. These courses are Preschool Language Development and Disorders, School-Age Language & Literacy Development and Disorders, and Advanced Study of Literacy for Speech-Language Pathologists.

Clinical education is the life-blood of USC’s training. Students get experience at over 300 external practicum sites with different settings and populations. MS degree students study full-time year-round for two calendar years, diving deep into both academic and practical aspects.

Certification and licensure readiness

USC’s program gives graduates a big advantage – they can immediately apply for their state license to practice speech-language pathology. They also qualify for a teaching certificate from the South Carolina State Department of Education.

Students are well-prepared for the Praxis examination, a key step toward certification. The program’s Praxis examination pass rates are impressive, with completion rates (including Praxis, graduation, and employment) above 95%. These high success rates show how well the program prepares its students.

Graduates can start their clinical fellowship leading to board certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) – specifically the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology. This nationally recognized credential is essential for professional practice in most settings.

Both MS-Res and MS-DE pathways ensure students get all necessary academic coursework and clinical experiences for ASHA’s Certification of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). This careful preparation helps graduates transition naturally into professional practice.

Career outcomes

USC’s speech pathology graduates find excellent career opportunities in medical centers, schools, and clinics throughout South Carolina, the Southeast, and across the nation. Many have earned doctoral degrees and become academic leaders in other colleges and universities.

Graduates earn well too – alumni report average salaries of $86,826 five to ten years after graduation without additional education. These high earnings reflect both USC’s quality training and strong market demand for qualified speech-language pathologists.

USC graduates work in three main sectors:

• Health Care (including hospitals and rehabilitation centers)
• Education (public and private schools)
• Private Practice

Major employers of USC alumni include Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, Sprout Pediatrics, Prisma Health, FOX Rehabilitation, Richland School District 2, and Greenville County Schools. These diverse opportunities show how versatile and marketable the degree is.

The program offers special training in neurological disorders and helping children with cochlear implants. This specialized knowledge helps graduates work with complex communication needs across different populations, boosting their career prospects and impact.

USC’s strong research focus advances areas like brain imaging, voice analysis, literacy, and language function in children and adults. This research-based approach keeps graduates pioneering evidence-based practice, ready to make meaningful contributions throughout their careers.

2. Francis Marion University – Master of Speech-Language Pathology

Francis Marion University’s Master of Speech-Language Pathology (MSLP) program ranks second among speech pathology programs in South Carolina according to Research.com’s 2024 rankings. The program sits in the Pee Dee region and takes an integrated approach to speech-language pathology education. Students learn how to address healthcare disparities in underserved communities.

Program highlights

The MSLP program gives students an exceptional educational experience with unique features. Students can get the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology through this five-semester master’s degree program. FMU stands out by offering full-time, in-person instruction that focuses on direct clinical experience and real-life application.

Money-wise, this program gives great value. Students pay $30,912 to $31,019 in total, and 99% receive financial aid. The program accepts 86% of qualified candidates, which is by a lot higher than similar programs.

FMU’s speech pathology program shines brightest in pediatric dysphagia treatment. The university leads the nation in this field. Students study at the FMU Center for Speech, Language, and Hearing in downtown Florence’s Hugh and Jean Leatherman Medical Complex, where all clinical and academic work happens under one roof.

Timothy, a former student, shares his experience: “My time at Francis Marion University was nothing short of amazing. The Speech Pathology program promotes critical thinking and trailblazing solutions to therapy. The faculty’s dedication to research impressed me, and they encouraged us to get involved”. His words explain how the program values research and critical thinking.

Curriculum and clinical training

Students need 63 credit hours to graduate. The curriculum meets all requirements about normal and disordered human communication and feeding/swallowing skills throughout life. Students must pass six prerequisite courses with a B or higher before starting:

• SLP 501 Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanisms
• SLP 507 Speech and Language Development
• SLP 509 Introduction to Audiology
• SLP 510 Introduction to Communication Disorders
• SLP 515 Phonetics
• SLP 520 Structured Observations and Pre-Clinical Simulation Experiences

Students also need courses in biological sciences, physical sciences, statistics, and social/behavioral sciences. FMU helps students with bachelor’s degrees in other fields by offering online prerequisite courses that take one or two semesters.

Clinical training makes FMU’s program special. Students take on more complex clinical cases as they progress. They start with SLP 550 (Clinical Practicum), where they diagnose and treat communication disorders under supervision, building hours toward ASHA certification. Later, they move to SLP 621 (Clinical Practicum V) and work with ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists.

The on-campus FMU Center for Speech, Language, and Hearing gives students a chance to complete all clinical requirements in one place. The program uses cutting-edge clinical technologies, including Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) equipment. This makes it one of few university clinics nationwide teaching pediatric patients to swallow on site.

Michelle Dawson, Coordinator of Clinical Education, talks about their routines-based intervention: “We meet the caregiver and child where they are. We coach caregivers to make changes without overwhelming them with worksheets”. This hands-on, family-focused method prepares students for actual clinical work.

Certification and licensure readiness

The MSLP program gives graduates everything they need for state and national certification. Students learn what they need to get the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

South Carolina state licensure needs several steps after graduation:

1. A master’s degree from an ASHA-accredited program
2. At least 400 clinical practicum hours (25 observation, 375 direct client contact)
3. A 36-week Clinical Fellowship (1,260 hours) supervised by a licensed SLP

The Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association fully accredits this program. This stamp of approval shows the program meets high standards for professional practice.

Students learn theory and clinical skills based on a medical service model. This helps them serve rural, remote, and underserved communities that face healthcare challenges. The program’s mission matches this goal – creating healthcare professionals who can provide quality care in many settings.

Career outcomes

FMU’s speech pathology graduates achieve great results. The Praxis exam pass rates show this success clearly. All students passed the Praxis exam in 2023-2024, compared to 84% in 2022-2023 and 96.15% in 2021-2022. These high pass rates show how well the program prepares students for this vital professional test.

Students finish on time too. Every student completed the program as scheduled in 2022-2023, while 96.05% finished on time in 2021-2022, and 100% in 2020-2021. These numbers show the program’s well-laid-out curriculum helps students succeed.

The MSLP program focuses heavily on career preparation. Students develop ten key skills, including knowledge about communication disorders throughout life, understanding cultural and language differences, clinical practice skills, and working with other professionals. These skills help graduates work in healthcare facilities, schools, and private practices.

Students come from around the world to study at FMU because graduates find jobs easily. The university helps students find work after graduation through placement programs. Students get both academic excellence and extensive clinical training, setting them up for success in this growing field.

3. Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) – MS in Speech-Language Pathology

Program highlights

The program’s medical focus sets it apart. Graduates learn to work across all practice areas with special attention to medical speech-language pathology. This specialized training meets a growing demand – about half of all SLPs now work in healthcare settings like hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and private practices.

The job market looks promising. South Carolina expects a 19% increase in SLP jobs between 2016 and 2026. This is a big deal as it means that other occupations’ growth rates, creating plenty of opportunities for graduates.

The program’s full accreditation status proves its quality. The Master of Science education program at MUSC has earned accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The program started as an accreditation candidate in May 2021 and earned full status after graduating its third cohort in August 2025.

MUSC takes an innovative approach to education. Rather than separating classroom learning from practice, students apply their knowledge in clinical settings right away. While uncommon in speech-language pathology education, this method mirrors how other medical disciplines train their students.

The application timeline runs like clockwork. Applications open July 1, 2025, and close December 15, 2025. Qualified candidates receive interview invitations in February, followed by admission offers in mid-March 2026.

Curriculum and clinical training

Students complete 82 credit hours over six semesters in two years. The program starts each fall and runs year-round. The first four semesters happen on campus, while the final two allow clinical experiences outside Charleston.

Money shouldn’t stop qualified candidates. MUSC provides financial help through scholarships based on academics, community service, or financial need. Students seeking need-based aid should submit their FAFSA and include MUSC (code: 003438).

Clinical experience starts on day one. Students work with patients at MUSC hospital under supervision from their first semester. Each new semester brings more complex clinical experiences that match their coursework. This creates a natural bridge between classroom learning and hands-on practice.

The clinical rotation follows this path:

• First Semester: Introduction to acute care settings at MUSC hospital
• Second Semester through Fourth Semester: Progressive clinical experiences in a variety of settings
• Fifth Semester: Advanced clinical rotation
• Final Semester: Full-time clinical externship

The MUSC CARES Therapy Clinic serves as the life-blood of clinical experience. This student-run, pro-bono clinic helps uninsured and underinsured people in Charleston. Students treat clients with conditions ranging from stroke and brain injury to hearing loss, developmental delays, cleft palate, and cerebral palsy – all under licensed supervision.

Active learning drives the curriculum. Classes go beyond lectures to include case studies, role-playing, group discussions, clinical skills practice, and debates. Students develop and refine their clinical skills throughout their education, not just during rotations.

Students must log at least 400 supervised clinical hours. Clinical Rotation III shows how detailed these experiences are. Students must show growth in treating pediatric language disorders, feeding and swallowing issues, articulation and phonology problems, craniofacial anomalies, and social communication disorders.

Certification and licensure readiness

The program prepares graduates well for professional credentials. They qualify for clinical fellowship and South Carolina state licensure after graduation. They can then pursue the nationally recognized Certification of Clinical Competence (CCCs) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

The Praxis examination results show the program’s strength. During 2024-2025, every student (38 out of 38) passed the exam. Previous years showed similar success – 95.12% (39 out of 41) passed in 2023-2024 and 96.97% (32 out of 33) in 2022-2023.

Students planning to practice outside South Carolina get guidance on other states’ requirements. All the same, they must check state-specific rules themselves, as these change often. The ASHA website provides details about state requirements.

The curriculum meets all Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) standards and arranges with Clinical Fellowship and Certification Council (CFCC) certification standards. Graduates gain the knowledge and skills they need to work effectively across all settings.

Career outcomes

The numbers tell a success story. Every student (40 out of 40) finished on time in 2024-2025. Previous years look just as good – 98.78% completed in 2023-2024 and 100% in 2022-2023.

These results come from a well-laid-out program focused on student success. The structured curriculum and practical training create an environment where students excel.

Healthcare settings welcome MUSC graduates, though they’re ready to work anywhere, including schools. This gives them plenty of career options.

The program’s value comes from its ground-level approach to practice. Students rotate through MUSC’s hospitals and community settings, building skills with different patient groups across speech-language pathology.

Medical speech-language pathology training helps graduates handle complex cases in any setting. Even school-based SLPs benefit from understanding medical aspects, as more children with complex conditions now attend schools.

4. College of Charleston – Pre-SLP Advising Program

The College of Charleston stands out from other graduate programs with its specialized pre-professional advising program that helps students who want to become speech-language pathologists. Students planning to enter speech pathology masters programs in South Carolina or other states will find this program valuable. The pre-SLP advising program gives students everything they need to get into graduate-level speech pathology programs.

Program highlights

The pre-SLP program at College of Charleston works as a specialized track within their Health Professions Advising services. Students get tailored advising while earning degrees in related fields since there’s no formal “pre-speech-language pathology major” at the College. This program helps them direct their path through graduate school admission requirements during their undergraduate years.

The program’s value comes from its three-part approach. The advising team supports students by:

1. Learning about various healthcare professions to see how the work matches their strengths
2. Planning courses and selecting majors strategically for academic success
3. Getting ready for professional schools through assessment, school selection, entrance exam prep, and application development

Students at College of Charleston benefit from high academic standards. The college reports an overall graduation rate of 65%, putting it in the top 35% nationally. This strong foundation helps students prepare for advanced study. The college’s four-year graduation rate of 56% ranks in the top 30% nationally, showing students can complete their undergraduate requirements efficiently.

Curriculum and clinical training

The pre-SLP track guides students through common prerequisite courses needed for speech pathology masters programs in South Carolina. These prerequisites include:

• Biology (3 semester hours)
• Social/Behavioral Science (3 semester hours)
• General Physics/Chemistry (3 semester hours)
• Statistics (3 semester hours)

Students must also complete Communication Sciences and Disorders prerequisite courses:

• Anatomy & Physiology of Speech and Hearing (3 semester hours)
• Normal Language Development (3 semester hours)
• Phonetics (3 semester hours)
• Speech and Hearing Science (3 semester hours)

Students need observation hours with practicing speech-language pathologists. MUSC requires at least 25 observation hours before students can enter their program. These observations give students vital clinical practice exposure and make their graduate school applications stronger.

The program offers a strategic timeline for each undergraduate year. Students start by declaring their major and identifying as pre-health students, taking simple science courses, and joining relevant organizations. During sophomore year, they continue coursework, get involved in activities, and start observation experiences. Junior year focuses on application prep, including standardized testing and personal statements. Senior year involves completing applications and getting ready for interviews.

Certification and licensure readiness

The College of Charleston helps students prepare for graduate programs where they’ll earn certification and licensure credentials. The advising team guides students through standardized testing requirements, noting that some speech pathology programs need GRE scores while others like MUSC don’t.

GRE preparation covers these examination sections:

• Analytical Writing (One section)
• Verbal Reasoning (Two sections)
• Quantitative Reasoning (Two sections)

Advisors help students understand their path to licensure after graduate school, including clinical fellowship experiences and Praxis examination requirements. This approach gives students a clear view of their entire educational path, not just their undergraduate years.

Students learn how to get strong recommendation letters – a vital part of graduate school applications. Advisors stress building relationships with professors, using office hours, and showing leadership through various activities.

Career outcomes

The College’s students get into professional schools at rates higher than the national average. This success includes students going into speech-language pathology programs, as they receive guidance toward graduate education needed for professional practice.

The retention rate of 82% shows strong student support and satisfaction. Pre-SLP students thrive in this environment. They get help learning about speech-language pathology careers, understanding job duties, and finding work settings like healthcare facilities, schools, and private practices.

The healthcare professions advising program includes speech-language pathology among various healthcare careers students can pursue. This focused guidance helps students match their academic work with career goals.

Shadowing and observation experiences show students what the profession really involves. This helps them make informed decisions before investing in graduate education. These experiences often create professional connections that help during job searches later.

Students who finish their undergraduate work and move on to graduate SLP programs find excellent career prospects. The field grows steadily, with graduates working in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, and private practices. Speech-language pathologists make a difference by helping people overcome communication, swallowing, and cognitive challenges.

Get Started

Speech pathology programs in South Carolina create great paths to careers that help people with communication challenges. Each program has its own strengths that match different career goals and interests.

The University of South Carolina ranks in the top 30 nationally and gives you choices between campus-based and online learning. Their long-standing accreditation and strong graduate success rates make this program a top pick for future speech-language pathologists.

Francis Marion University ranks second among the state’s SLP programs. They excel in pediatric dysphagia training and take a detailed clinical approach. The program welcomes many qualified candidates through high acceptance rates and good financial aid options.

The Medical University of South Carolina focuses on healthcare while preparing graduates who can work in any setting. Students start applying classroom knowledge in clinical settings right from day one.

The College of Charleston doesn’t offer a graduate program but helps undergraduates through its pre-SLP advising program. Students get structured guidance to build a strong foundation before their advanced degrees.

South Carolina gives you quality options that match different career goals, whether you want program prestige, clinical expertise, medical focus, or solid undergraduate preparation. Graduates from all programs find great jobs in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and private practices.

Take time to visit campuses, talk to current students, and look at each program’s requirements before you decide. Your choice shapes both your education and professional skills as you start this rewarding career helping others with communication challenges.