4 Best Speech Pathology Master’s Programs in Louisiana (2025-26 Guide)
Speech pathology programs in Louisiana are a great way to get career opportunities, and licensed speech therapists make around $92,800 a year. The state has 10 CAA-ASHA accredited programs – eight at the master’s level and two at the doctorate level. Finding the perfect program that fits your educational needs takes careful thought.
Students at Louisiana State University and University of Louisiana at Lafayette get hands-on clinical experience through their speech pathology master’s programs. They complete 325 hours of supervised practice. These CAA-accredited degrees help students prepare for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s National Examination and get state licensure. The career outlook looks bright, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects job opportunities to grow by 29% between 2020 and 2030.
Louisiana doesn’t currently offer online SLP degree options. This guide looks at four highly ranked schools that include Louisiana Tech University (#2 Best College in Louisiana) and Louisiana State University (#3 Best College in Louisiana). These insights will help you choose the right path for your speech-language pathology education.
1. Louisiana State University – Baton Rouge
Louisiana State University’s Speech-Language Pathology program ranks #53 nationally according to U.S. News and World Report. Students get both strong academic training and hands-on clinical practice. This prepares them for successful careers in healthcare and educational settings.
LSU Program Overview
LSU offers a Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders that focuses on advanced speech-language pathology studies. Students learn everything they need for professional certification. The program welcomes graduates with communication disorders degrees and those from other fields.
Students can choose between thesis and non-thesis tracks based on their career goals. The thesis track helps students build research skills through projects that add to scientific literature. This path works great for students who plan to pursue a PhD.
The department has about 300 undergraduate and 60 graduate student majors. Students learn in a supportive yet challenging environment. The program teams up with LSU’s Interdisciplinary Program in Linguistics and the LSU Life Course and Aging Center. This gives students access to faculty doing research in related fields.
Coursework
LSU’s curriculum meets all requirements for Louisiana state licensure and ASHA certification. Students with communication disorders backgrounds need 48 credit hours of graduate coursework. This includes:
- 33 hours of academic courses
- 15 hours of clinical practica
Students in the non-thesis track take 48 hours of coursework and pass a detailed exam. The thesis track needs 42 hours of coursework plus six thesis credit hours.
Every LSU MA student must complete these core courses:
- COMD 7281 Acquired Neurogenic Language Disorders
- COMD 7382 Voice Disorders
- COMD 7385 Neuropathologies of Speech
- COMD 7480 Measurement and Diagnosis of Communication Disorders
- COMD 7153 Research Design in Communication Science and Disorders
- COMD 7783 Dysphagia
Students from other backgrounds must finish extra prerequisite courses before or during graduate studies. These courses usually include Clinical Phonetics, Language Acquisition, Hearing and Speech Science, and other basics.
Clinical Experience
LSU’s clinical training happens both on campus and at external sites. Students must complete 400 clock hours of supervised clinical experience. This breaks down into 25 hours of guided observation and 375 hours of direct client contact.
The campus clinic helps over 300 clients each year with various communication disorders. Clients come from different cultural, linguistic, and economic backgrounds, both rural and urban. Nine certified clinical instructors with state licenses guide students through their clinical work.
LSU partners with many off-campus locations. Students gain experience in diagnostics and treatment at hospitals, schools, and private practices. CALIPSO software tracks each student’s ASHA competencies in clinic and class. This lets students see their progress throughout training.
Admissions Requirements
Getting into LSU’s speech pathology masters program takes hard work. New graduate students start only in fall, with applications due by January 15th. Students must apply online.
You’ll need to submit:
- An online graduate application form with a purpose statement
- Official transcripts showing a 3.0 GPA or higher
- A purpose statement showing field knowledge, career goals, and writing skills
- Three recommendation letters from people who know your potential
GRE scores are not needed for the 2025 Admissions Cycle. This shows a new way of looking at candidate evaluation.
LSU has a Leveling program for students without communication disorders backgrounds. Students must earn a 3.5 GPA in COMD courses to be considered for the graduate program.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Program costs change based on where you live. For 2025-26, graduate students taking 9 credit hours per semester can expect:
- Louisiana Residents: $12,854 yearly
- Non-Louisiana Residents: $29,770 yearly
Total costs including housing, food, books, transportation, and personal expenses range from:
- $30,238 to $39,094 for Louisiana residents (varies by housing)
- $47,154 to $56,010 for non-residents (varies by housing)
Department assistantships are limited and faculty offer them based on research lab needs. LSU does offer many assistantships across campus through:
- Career Center for Academic Success
- Office of Disability Services
- LSU Online & Continuing Education
- Research and service roles in Psychology, School of Education, and Experimental Statistics
Federal work-study stipends might be available through the Office of Student Aid and Scholarships.
Path to Licensure
Graduates meet all academic and clinical requirements for Louisiana state licensure and ASHA certification. Students learn about communication and swallowing disorders in many areas. These include speech sound production, fluency disorders, receptive and expressive language, and augmentative communication.
Students complete ongoing assessments throughout the program. First-year students submit a portfolio of their skills and take a written “mini comps” exam after three semesters. The program ends with a full comprehensive exam.
The program follows the 2020 Certification Standards for Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. LSU’s results speak for themselves. Over the past three years, 100% of graduates passed the PRAXIS exam. The program also saw 100% completion and employment rates.
2. University of Louisiana at Lafayette
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette provides a fully accredited Master of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology program. Students get complete academic and clinical training to prepare for professional certification. Accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) through April 30, 2028, this program helps students master communicative disorders and gives them the skills for independent research.
UL Lafayette Program Overview
UL Lafayette’s master’s program spans two years across six semesters. The curriculum meets all academic requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Students learn both theory and practical skills while completing 43 graduate credit hours.
Students at UL Lafayette’s Speech, Language, and Hearing Center provide over 10,000 hours of services yearly to clients with various communication challenges. The program has strategic collaborations that boost student learning experiences with:
- The Aphasia Center of Acadiana
- The National Stuttering Association
- Louisiana Scottish Rite Foundation
The university’s program goes beyond standard clinical training. Faculty and graduate students cooperate on clinical research in language, literacy, speech, aphasia, cognitive communication, and stuttering. This research focus helps students develop evidence-based assessment and intervention practices.
Coursework
UL Lafayette’s curriculum offers complete training in speech-language pathology. Students must complete 43 credit hours – 30 hours of required courses and 12 hours of elective coursework.
Required courses in the program include:
- CODI 500: Introduction to Graduate Study and Research (3 credits)
- CODI 502: Communication Neuroscience (3 credits)
- CODI 504: Voice Disorders (3 credits)
- CODI 508: Aphasia (3 credits)
- CODI 522: Speech Sound Disorders in Children (3 credits)
- CODI 526: Language Disorders in Children (3 credits)
- CODI 528: Language and Literacy (3 credits)
- CODI 531: Medical Speech Pathology (3 credits)
- CODI 540: Stuttering (3 credits)
- CODI 550: Advanced Clinical Research (3 credits total)
Students must complete a capstone seminar (CODI 595) in their final semester. This course serves as a complete examination and is needed for graduation. UL Lafayette’s semester-by-semester plan lets students finish their degree in two years.
Graduate coordinators and academic advisors help students choose elective courses that match their interests and career goals. Students can tailor their education based on their professional goals.
Clinical Experience
Clinical training is vital to UL Lafayette’s speech pathology program. Students must take a clinical course every semester after their first summer term. These clinical courses don’t count toward the 43 credit hours needed for the degree but are vital for professional development.
Students need at least 325 clock hours of clinical practicum at the graduate level. The total clock hours depend on previous undergraduate experience and specific certification requirements. This ensures graduates meet all practicum distribution standards for ASHA certification and state licensure.
The university’s Speech, Language and Hearing Center is the main clinical training facility where students work with clients from different backgrounds under supervision. The center’s summer literacy project has earned recognition and funding from the Louisiana Scottish Rite Foundation.
Admissions Requirements
UL Lafayette makes admission decisions once yearly during spring semester. The program starts in early June. Applications with all required materials must reach by January 10 each year.
Application requirements include:
- A completed application with the required fee submitted to the Graduate School
- Official transcripts from all degree-granting institutions showing an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 or at least 3.00 for the last 60 semester hours
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s ability to do graduate work
- Responses to Personal Prompts (formerly Personal Statement)
GRE scores are now optional for students who might benefit from submitting them. This changes the previous requirement where GRE scores were mandatory.
An undergraduate degree in communicative disorders isn’t required. Students should have completed courses in phonetics, anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing mechanisms, language development, and audiology. Students without some prerequisites can still join but must complete these courses in their first year, which might extend their program length.
Tuition and Financial Aid
UL Lafayette’s master’s program has several financial aid options. Graduate assistantships give students a tuition waiver and academic year stipend. These assistantships provide at least $9,500 per academic year, paid in 10 installments across fall and spring semesters. Summer terms include a tuition waiver but no stipend.
Graduate assistants work 20 hours weekly during regular semesters and 10 hours in summer. Their duties might include:
- Working in departmental or clinical offices
- Teaching undergraduate classes
- Serving as teaching assistants
- Functioning as research assistants
Speech pathology students can access many scholarships. Departmental scholarships include the Francis P. Billeaud Endowed Scholarship, the Sertoma Club of Lafayette Endowed Graduate Student Scholarship, and the Dr. Sammie Cosper Memorial Endowed Graduate Student Scholarship. Students can also get funding from the Sertoma International Communicative Disorders Scholarship and Louisiana Scottish Rite Foundation grants.
The program is available to most students, with 98% receiving financial aid. This shows the institution’s commitment to making quality education affordable.
Path to Licensure
UL Lafayette’s speech pathology program meets all academic and clinical requirements for ASHA certification and state licensure. Students get ready through coursework and clinical experiences that line up with ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP).
The program tracks several standards used by the Council on Academic Accreditation. These include program completion rates, national certification exam pass rates within one year of graduation, and employment rates within one year of graduation.
Students prove their knowledge of communication and swallowing disorders through coursework and the capstone seminar. This final assessment confirms graduates have the knowledge needed for national certification and state licensure.
The program prepares graduates for teacher certification requirements for speech-language pathologists in Louisiana and most other states. This makes UL Lafayette’s program valuable for students with different career goals.
3. University of Louisiana Monroe
The University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) Speech-Language Pathology program blends challenging academic work with hands-on clinical practice. Students learn to treat communication disorders effectively. The master’s program has earned accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). This makes it a trusted choice for future speech pathologists in Louisiana.
ULM Program Overview
ULM’s Master of Science program equips students with specialized knowledge to become speech-language pathologists. Students learn about language disorders, voice problems, phonology/articulation difficulties, fluency issues, swallowing disorders, and hearing challenges.
The program combines classroom learning with clinical work to build professional skills needed for independent practice. Students learn “to apply speech-language pathology knowledge and skills with diverse populations across a broad range of settings and the life span”.
Research education sets ULM’s approach apart. Students use their research skills to conduct studies that they present at local, state, regional, and national levels. This research focus helps them develop critical thinking and evidence-based practice skills.
The College of Health Sciences houses both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Speech-Language Pathology. The B.S. program builds theoretical and scientific foundations, while the M.S. program combines classroom learning with clinical training to prepare students for professional work.
Coursework
Graduate students get detailed training through theory and practice. The Master of Science curriculum covers specialized areas of communication disorders.
Key areas of study include:
- Language pathology and disorders
- Voice disorders
- Phonology and articulation disorders
- Fluency disorders
- Swallowing disorders
- Hearing disorders
Students without a speech-language pathology background must complete these prerequisites:
- SPLP 1013: Introduction to Speech/Language/Hearing Disorders
- SPLP 1052: Speech and Language Acquisition
- SPLP 2002: Speech and Language Science
- SPLP 2040: Anatomy and Physiology of Speech Processes
- SPLP 4001: Phonetics
- SPLP 4028: Articulation Disorders
- SPLP 4033: Language Pathology
- SPLP 4077: Audiology
- SPLP 4090: Neurophysiological Bases for Communications
Undergraduate students need a “C” or better in major courses, must pass all required courses, and maintain a 2.75 GPA. These standards ensure students build strong foundations before graduate studies.
Clinical Experience
Clinical training is part of everything in ULM’s speech pathology program. Students gain practical experience at several campus facilities. The Kitty DeGree Speech and Hearing Center houses both the Carol Nichols Ray Speech-Language Pathology Clinic and the Faye O. Haddox Audiology Clinic.
The Carol Nichols Ray Speech-Language Pathology Clinic helps people of all ages with communication disorders. Each year, students perform more than 400 screenings and evaluations, plus over 4,000 hours of therapy. Client surveys consistently show high satisfaction rates each semester.
Students work with patients who have various communication challenges:
- Speech and language impairments from strokes
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Voice disorders
- Articulation difficulties
- Language comprehension issues
- Stuttering
- Cleft palate
- Aural rehabilitation needs
Students also help the community through speech, language, and hearing screenings at local schools and daycares. This gives them experience in different settings while serving Monroe’s residents.
Undergraduate students must complete 25 hours of supervised observation in audiology and/or speech-language pathology before starting graduate clinical work. These observations happen at approved sites like hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, and private agencies.
Admissions Requirements
ULM’s Speech-Language Pathology master’s program has a selective admissions process. Students apply through the University of Louisiana at Monroe Graduate School. Unlike many programs, ULM doesn’t require GRE scores.
Fall semester applications must include:
- Letter of intent (up to 800 words addressing specific topics)
- Three letters of recommendation
- Transcripts from all universities attended
The letter of intent should explain what sparked interest in speech-language pathology, relevant experiences, and why ULM would be a good fit. This helps the admissions committee understand each applicant’s motivation and potential.
Accepted students typically have a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale. The program accepts about 30 students from roughly 125 applications. Students learn about admission decisions by April 15 for fall semester.
Students without a speech-language pathology background must complete prerequisites before applying.
Tuition and Financial Aid
While specific program costs aren’t listed, ULM offers several ways to fund education. The Out-of-State Warhawk Scholarship helps non-Louisiana residents with $6,050 per semester or $12,100 yearly.
The ULM Foundation provides hundreds of donor-funded scholarships. Students can apply during February. Speech pathology students can get these specific scholarships:
- Lynn Rowe Moore Scholarship of Excellence
- Lawrence J. Danna Scholarship
- David Irwin Research Scholarship
Some departments offer graduate assistantships, though spots are limited. These positions are the main source of university funding for graduate students.
The Academic Common Market helps eligible out-of-state students avoid extra fees. This agreement works for students from participating Southern Regional Education Board states that don’t offer similar programs.
Path to Licensure
After graduation, students complete a nine-month paid clinical fellowship with mentorship. This qualifies them to apply for national certification through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Graduates also need state board licenses to practice. The Louisiana Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology handles state licensing. ULM’s training meets all ASHA certification and state license requirements.
The program prepares students well for their careers. All graduates find jobs within three months. They work in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, early intervention programs, private practices, and nursing homes.
ULM’s program quality shows in its results. In the last five years, 93% of ULM undergraduates got into graduate programs for Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology. This success rate proves the program’s strength.
4. Louisiana Tech University
Louisiana Tech University in Ruston offers a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology that gives you the skills to help people with speech and language disorders in a variety of settings. Students can complete this 36-credit hour program in two years of full-time study, including one summer term.
LaTech Program Overview
The speech pathology program creates a clear path to professional certification through engaging coursework and hands-on clinical training. Students learn to assess and treat communication challenges in schools, hospitals, and other healthcare settings.
The program holds accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), which means students get education meeting national standards. The department’s bachelor’s and master’s degree options let students move smoothly through their speech pathology education.
Students without a speech pathology background can start with a Bachelor of Arts in Pre-Professional Speech-Language Pathology. This degree covers the basics of normal and disordered speech, language, and hearing.
Coursework
LaTech’s curriculum matches other accredited programs nationwide. The core courses include:
- Articulation Disorders
- Adult Acquired Neurogenic Language Disorders
- Motor Speech Disorders
- Seminar in Dysphagia
Students choose between thesis and non-thesis tracks based on their goals. Everyone must pass written and oral sections of a detailed examination, with two attempts allowed.
Classes work together with clinical training requirements so students meet ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence standards before they graduate.
Clinical Experience
Students start their clinical training at LaTech’s Speech and Hearing Center on campus. They then move to external sites to build up their required certification hours.
These different settings help students work with many types of communication disorders and treatment methods. Students should know they’ll need to cover their own transportation and expenses at off-campus sites.
The program connects classroom learning with real-world practice, helping students become skilled at assessment and treatment in different settings.
Admissions Requirements
Getting into LaTech’s speech pathology program isn’t easy. You’ll need approval from both the Graduate School and the Communication Disorders Department’s Graduate Admissions Committee.
Here’s what you need:
- If you have a speech-language pathology bachelor’s degree: 3.2 GPA overall and in speech-language coursework
- If you have a different bachelor’s degree: 3.2 GPA overall and in your last 30 semester hours
Students without a speech pathology background must finish 19 hours of prerequisites, including Introduction to Audiology, Phonetics, and Speech Mechanism’s Anatomy and Physiology.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The program’s total cost was $27,274 as of 2020. Most students (98%) get some financial help.
Current quarterly tuition for full-time graduate students (12+ hours) costs $3,955 for Louisiana residents and $7,638 for non-residents.
Remember to budget for the Applied & Natural Sciences Fee ($47-52) and Clinic/Lab/Field Fee ($48-53).
Path to Licensure
Graduates meet all academic and clinical requirements for ASHA certification and state licensure. A nine-month clinical fellowship follows graduation.
Everyone must pass the program’s detailed exam to validate their professional skills. After completing the fellowship, graduates can get their Clinical Competence Certificate and state license.
LaTech’s expert faculty and supportive environment help graduates make real differences in their patients’ lives across many professional settings.
Find The Right SLP Master’s Today
The right speech pathology program is a vital step to build a successful career in this growing field. These four programs share key qualities – ASHA accreditation, detailed clinical training, and professional licensure paths. Each program brings its own strengths to the table.
Louisiana State University shines with its national ranking and varied clinical experiences. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette stands out through its research opportunities and strong financial aid. University of Louisiana Monroe delivers excellent community outreach programs with high graduate school acceptance rates. Louisiana Tech University completes these options with its well-laid-out curriculum and extensive clinical placements.
Your career outlook looks bright whatever program you pick. Speech-language pathologists can expect a 29% growth rate through 2030. The average yearly salary of $92,800 makes this career both stable and financially rewarding.
These programs’ graduates enjoy high certification exam pass rates and strong job placement numbers. Your clinical training prepares you to work in schools, hospitals, private practices, and rehabilitation centers.
While Louisiana has no online SLP degree options yet, these in-person programs offer solid training and hands-on experience. Each program combines academic excellence with practical skills that help graduates make real differences in their clients’ lives.
Your trip to becoming a speech pathologist needs careful thought about program layout, clinical options, location, and costs. This piece helps you start researching Louisiana’s speech pathology programs. With this knowledge, you can take your next step toward achieving a career that helps others overcome communication challenges.