5 Best Minnesota Speech Pathology Master’s Programs

Want to pursue speech pathology in Minnesota? You’re looking at a field that offers great career prospects, though getting in isn’t easy.

Minnesota houses 5 institutions where you can earn your Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. These programs deliver remarkable outcomes. MSU Moorhead stands out with its graduates achieving a 100% employment rate and perfect scores on the Praxis exam. Saint Cloud University’s Master of Science program shows how selective these programs can be – they take just 15 students each year.

The future looks bright for graduates in this field. Licensed Speech Therapists in Minnesota take home about $92,800 yearly, while Speech-Language Pathology Assistants earn around $43,490. The job market shows no signs of slowing down, with experts predicting a 25% growth rate between 2019 and 2029.

This guide breaks down the 5 best Master’s programs in Minnesota, including UMN speech language pathology and other options. It will help you pick the right path for your career goals.

University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota – Twin Cities has a great speech pathology program in Minnesota. Students nationwide come here for its internationally-recognized education in speech-language pathology. Let me show you why this premier institution stands out with its clinical and research training.

Program Overview

UMN-Twin Cities offers a Master of Arts (MA) in speech-language pathology that gets students ready for clinical careers. Students learn through a mix of challenging coursework and hands-on clinical education in a research-rich environment. The program runs full-time and in-person with two options:

• Standard Two-Year Plan: Students with completed prerequisite coursework
• Three-Year Plan: Students who need preparatory coursework

Graduates typically work in schools, hospitals, community clinics, and private practices across the country. They assess and treat people with communication disorders. Students also get great research opportunities by working with faculty members who conduct clinically relevant research.

The department has doctoral programs and specialty certificates available. The MA in speech-language pathology remains its most popular professional degree. Students wanting to go beyond their master’s can join MA/PhD and AuD/PhD joint programs to gain both clinical and research expertise.

Coursework and Curriculum

Students learn both basic principles and advanced clinical applications. The courses cover diagnostic and rehabilitative techniques, counseling approaches, human development, and field technologies. Evidence-based practice is a key focus that helps students use research in their clinical work.

Students who need preparatory coursework follow the three-year plan. Their first year includes these foundation courses:

• Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing
• Language Acquisition
• Phonetics
• Speech Science
• Neuroscience of Language
• Clinical Methods in Speech-Language Pathology
• Hearing Assessment
• Aural Rehabilitation

The standard two-year plan has four semesters of academic coursework in fall and spring. Students do clinical practica during summer terms between academic years. The program helps students understand complex human communication, use evidence-based strategies, and work within ethical standards.

Clinical Experience

Students start their clinical education at the Julia M. Davis Speech-Language-Hearing Science Center while taking classes. Faculty members supervise these early clinical experiences.

Later, students move to external sites like schools, private practices, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and skilled nursing facilities. This variety gives students a full picture of working with different age groups and communication disorders.

Students must complete 375 client contact hours to graduate. Certified speech-language pathologists mentor students and help them develop assessment and intervention skills.

The clinical education focuses on:

• Evidence-based assessment and treatment implementation
• Understanding personal, social, academic, and vocational effects of communication difficulties
• Meeting diverse client needs
• Building leadership skills in clinical settings

Admissions Requirements

Getting into UMN’s speech language pathology program takes careful planning. Here’s what you need:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• At least 3.0 undergraduate GPA (4.0 scale), but most accepted students have higher
• GRE General Test scores
• Letters of recommendation
• Completed prerequisites (or willingness to complete them in year one)

International students and native speakers of other languages need these scores:

Applications open until January 1st for fall admission. Students apply through the university’s online system.

Accreditation and Licensure Path

The MA program has full accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). This accreditation is vital for program quality and future clinical certification.

Getting ASHA certification after graduation requires:

• Completing the MA program
• Passing the national certification exam
• Finishing a Clinical Fellowship (CF) with an ASHA-certified supervisor

The program meets all academic and clinical requirements for ASHA certification and Minnesota state licensure. The university’s Professional Licensure Hub helps students learn about requirements in other states.

Student Success and Career Outcomes

The program’s results speak for themselves. Recent completion rates show:

• 2023-2024: 96.67% (29 students)
• 2022-2023: 100% (26 students)
• 2021-2022: 100% (30 students)

Students also do well on the Praxis examination for national certification:

• 2023-2024: 100% pass rate (18 of 18 test-takers)
• 2022-2023: 95.83% pass rate (23 of 24 test-takers)
• 2021-2022: 100% pass rate (31 of 31 test-takers)

The program’s strong reputation helps graduates find jobs quickly. Most work in schools, hospitals, community clinics, or private practices. Students often find jobs through connections made during off-campus clinical placements.

Graduates become leaders in their field through research-based practice and responsive care. The mix of clinical experiences and strong academic preparation gives students an edge in the growing speech-language pathology job market.

Minnesota State University – Mankato

Minnesota State University – Mankato has a complete speech pathology program that will prepare you for success in healthcare and educational settings of all types. The program stands out among Minnesota’s speech pathology programs by combining culturally responsive practice with clinical excellence.

Program Overview

The Master of Science (MS) in Communication Sciences and Disorders at MSU-Mankato helps create future speech-language pathologists. This well-laid-out, two-year program runs across five consecutive semesters. The fully accredited residential program teaches professionals to tackle communication challenges in settings of all types.

The program builds on two main goals:

• Building a complete foundation in Communication Sciences and Disorders
• Getting students ready for teamwork, leadership, and lifelong learning

The program shines through its focus on cultural competence and equity in speech-language services. Students learn cultural humility throughout their clinical and academic training. This prepares them to work with clients from different ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

The university’s Center for Communication Sciences and Disorders sits at the program’s core. Here, you’ll get hands-on experience helping Southern Minnesota communities. This modern facility serves both as a learning hub and community resource.

Coursework and Curriculum

MSU-Mankato’s curriculum has 52 credit hours of coursework. It mixes theory with real-world practice. You’ll learn evidence-based practices with special focus on equity, inclusion, and diversity in healthcare and education.

The main coursework covers:

• Adult language and cognitive disorders, looking at neurologically acquired conditions through proven assessment and treatment approaches
• Voice and upper airway disorders, including gender-affirming voice care and resonance disorders
• Fluency disorders, with stuttering assessment and management
• Augmentative and alternative communication if you have complex communication needs
• Swallowing disorders throughout life, with bedside and instrumental assessment techniques

The curriculum stands out by focusing on culturally responsive and inclusive practice. Students learn to provide effective services across racial, ability, linguistic, and gender/sexuality dimensions. Cultural competence blends into every part of what you’ll learn.

Clinical Experience

Your clinical education combines university-based experiences with work in different settings, from schools to medical facilities. This gives you exposure to many communication disorders across all age groups.

The clinical practicum includes:

• Multiple clinical practicum courses in your first year
• Expert faculty guiding your supervised clinical services
• Learning about assessment and intervention with focus on equity and inclusive practices

You’ll start at the on-campus Center for Communication Sciences and Disorders, working with clients from Southern Minnesota communities. The core team supervises you and your classmates as you provide these services.

Later in the program, off-campus clinical experiences broaden your work with different client groups and settings. This varied training prepares you to handle communication disorders in many contexts after graduation.

Admissions Requirements

The program welcomes a higher percentage of qualified applicants compared to other state programs while maintaining high standards. Here are the key requirements:

Recent numbers show 178 applications with 52 admission offers, suggesting an acceptance rate of about 29%. Seven of these offers came with funding opportunities.

The program typically has 34 full-time first-year students, totaling 68 students. Successful applicants’ GPAs range from 3.23 to 4.00, showing the program’s academic quality.

Accreditation and Licensure Path

The Master of Science program holds full accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. This runs through 2026, with the next review set for February 2025.

After completing the program, you can:

• Ask for state licensure
• Get ASHA certification after finishing your clinical fellowship

The university keeps track of professional licensure requirements across states to help graduates practice nationwide. Following U.S. Department of Education rules, they provide details about how the program meets licensure requirements in different states and territories.

Student Success and Career Outcomes

The program shows impressive results:

• 9% of graduates start their careers within one year
• Licensed Speech-Language Pathologists with a Master’s degree earn a median annual wage of $89,290

The 52-semester-credit program concludes with a complete exam. Last academic year, 33 full-time students earned their degrees.

Research opportunities add to your clinical training. Faculty experts study audiologic assessment and rehabilitation, fluency disorders, neurogenic speech and language disorders, and voice disorders. They focus especially on diversity, equity, and inclusion in speech-language pathology.

Graduates leave ready to provide culturally responsive, evidence-based care in professional settings of all types. The program’s mix of clinical excellence and cultural competence gives you the tools to help diverse populations throughout your career.

Minnesota State University – Moorhead

Minnesota State University – Moorhead stands out among speech pathology programs in Minnesota. The program’s graduate outcomes and strong clinical focus make it unique. Students become skilled clinicians ready to serve patients from all backgrounds.

Program Overview

MSU Moorhead offers a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. This clinical degree opens doors to nationwide positions in communication disorders. Students complete this ASHA-accredited program over five semesters, including a summer term between two academic years.

The program’s design makes it special. Students focus on academic coursework early and build up their clinical experiences later. This approach helps students grasp theoretical concepts before they apply them in clinical settings.

The program features:

• ASHA’s Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) accreditation
• Classes covering modern topics like augmentative communication, aging and dementia, and adolescent language disorders
• Advanced computer-based clinical tools for speech analysis, audiology, and augmentative communication
• Excellent job placement rates and close faculty-student relationships

This full-time, on-campus program prepares students for immediate clinical practice and builds a strong foundation for their entire career.

Coursework and Curriculum

Students balance academics and clinical practice through five consecutive semesters. The curriculum covers various communication disorders, assessment techniques, and intervention approaches.

Notable specialized topics include:

• Communication in Normal Aging and Dementia
• Adult Neurogenic Language Disorders
• Pediatric and Adult Motor Speech Disorders
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Students complete most academic courses in their original semesters. Clinical responsibilities grow as academic workload decreases—matching real-world practice patterns.

Graduates must pass the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology. They also need to complete a 36-week clinical fellowship experience for certification. This approach ensures students are ready for both examination and professional practice.

Clinical Experience

Clinical education starts with on-campus experiences and moves to off-campus placements. Students complete three semesters of on-campus clinic and two semesters of off-campus clinical practicums.

The program’s network includes 33 excellent clinical practicum sites. Students gain experience in medical, educational, private, and other settings. These placements give students a full picture of different populations and communication disorders.

The on-campus Speech-Language Hearing Clinic serves as a training ground. Students work with real clients under faculty supervision. Many students volunteer for speech, hearing, language, and memory screenings. They also help with stuttering support groups. These extra experiences build clinical skills and serve the community.

Clinical responsibilities increase as coursework decreases. This prepares students for their final semesters’ intensive clinical focus and future professional practice.

Admissions Requirements

Admission to MSU Moorhead’s Speech-Language Pathology program is competitive yet accessible, with an acceptance rate of 72% from 3,143 applicants. The application deadline for fall 2026 admission is February 1, 2026.

Key requirements include:

• A baccalaureate degree in Speech Language Hearing Sciences/Communication Disorders OR a related undergraduate degree with post-baccalaureate leveling courses
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or at least 3.25 for the last 40 semester credits
• Three letters of recommendation (applicants with at least two recommendations from Speech/Language/Hearing Sciences faculty receive highest consideration)
• Current resume and letter of intent

Unlike some programs, MSU Moorhead uses the CSDCAS (Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service) for applications. Furthermore, selected applicants participate in face-to-face interviews conducted in February as part of the competitive admission process.

International applicants have additional requirements, including English proficiency scores (TOEFL scores of 550 PBT/78-80 iBT, IELTS overall band score of 6.5, or DET score of 120) and financial documentation.

Accreditation and Licensure Path

The Master’s education program is fully accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. This accreditation is critical as it ensures program quality and serves as a prerequisite for professional certification.

After graduation, your path to licensure involves:

1. Completing the master’s program
2. Passing the Praxis examination in Speech-Language Pathology
3. Successfully completing a clinical fellowship experience of at least 36 weeks

Nevertheless, since licensing requirements vary by state, MSU Moorhead provides information about requirements in different states and territories in compliance with U.S. Department of Education regulations. This comprehensive guidance helps graduates pursue practice opportunities nationwide.

Student Success and Career Outcomes

MSU Moorhead boasts exceptional student outcomes that demonstrate program effectiveness. Recent data showcases:

• 100% on-time program completion rate across three consecutive years (2021-2024)
• 97% Praxis examination pass rate (three-year average)
• 100% employment rate (three-year average)

The program’s success is further highlighted by the fact that all graduates (73 students across three years) completed the program within the expected timeframe. Of 71 students taking the Praxis exam during this period, 69 passed, yielding a 97% pass rate.

Employment outcomes are equally impressive, with 100% of graduates securing relevant positions within eight months after graduation. Approximately half work in medical settings and half in schools, reflecting diverse career opportunities.

The broader employment outlook appears promising, with speech-language pathologist positions projected to grow by 21% over the next decade, creating approximately 14,000 job openings annually on average. This growth significantly exceeds the average for all occupations, suggesting strong long-term career prospects for program graduates.

St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University has a speech pathology program that’s 70 years old with nearly 70 years of clinical tradition. The program blends academic excellence with hands-on experience to prepare students for various career paths in speech-language pathology.

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders at St. Cloud State teaches students to diagnose and treat patients in clinical settings of all types. Students learn through classroom instruction and clinical practice in this full-time, residential program. The department runs an on-campus Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic that has helped the community for almost 70 years. This clinic gives students valuable hands-on training.

Small cohort sizes help maintain educational quality in this selective program. Students work with nationally certified speech-language pathologists and audiologists throughout their learning experience. Faculty members are active in professional and service organizations and present their work at state and national conferences.

Undergraduate students can also get a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLP-A) certificate with their bachelor’s degree. This certificate helps graduates qualify for assistant certification or graduate school.

Coursework and Curriculum

The curriculum has two phases. Phase I needs at least 33 credits for students without a communication disorders background. Phase II requires 49 credits for those with relevant undergraduate preparation. Phase II has 37 credits of academic coursework and 12 credits minimum of clinical practicum.

Students learn about:

• Normal development of communication
• Communication differences and disorders
• Clinical assessment methodologies
• Intervention strategies for diverse populations

Evidence-based practice is central to the curriculum. Students learn to apply current research in clinical settings. Students must create a program of studies with their adviser and graduate dean’s approval before finishing 16 credits.

Clinical Experience

Clinical education is the foundation of the program. The on-campus Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic helps more than 75 clients each semester. Students work under faculty supervision to provide diagnostic and therapy services in speech-language pathology and audiology for children and adults.

Students take part in community service through:

• Speech, hearing, and language screenings
• Memory screenings
• Support groups

The clinic has served the community for decades. Students develop professional skills while helping real clients with communication needs. This practical approach ensures graduates have both theoretical knowledge and clinical skills.

Admissions Requirements

The graduate program has competitive admission based on several factors. Applicants need:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• At least 2.75 GPA in undergraduate work OR in the last half of undergraduate studies
• A 3.0 GPA or higher in graduate studies for those with previous graduate coursework

The department reviews applications once a year. They look at GPA, educational and professional experiences, and recommendations. Some candidates might need to interview with faculty and current graduate students. Remote interviews are available for distant applicants.

International students with three-year baccalaureate degrees might qualify for provisional admission under specific conditions.

Accreditation and Licensure Path

The Master of Science education program in speech-language pathology holds full accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. This accreditation ensures quality education and helps graduates pursue clinical certification.

Graduates can apply for:

• Minnesota Department of Education licensure
• Minnesota Department of Health licensure as a speech-language pathologist

ASHA certification requires completing the master’s program, passing the Praxis Exam, and finishing Clinical Fellowship requirements. The program tracks knowledge and skills acquisitions (KASA) based on ASHA certification standards.

Student Success and Career Outcomes

The program’s graduates have achieved impressive results. They’ve maintained a 100% pass rate on the Praxis exam for two straight years. This is a big deal as it means that they consistently exceed the CAA’s required completion rate. Graduates work in various settings like:

• Educational institutions
• Hospitals and rehabilitation centers
• Private practice settings

U.S. News and World Report ranks speech-language pathology as the #3 health care job nationwide, showing excellent career prospects. The program’s strong reputation and mutually beneficial alliances create networking opportunities that often lead to jobs after graduation.

University of Minnesota – Duluth

University of Minnesota – Duluth completes our list of premier speech pathology programs in Minnesota with its Master of Arts degree in speech-language pathology. The clinical program blends academic excellence with extensive hands-on experiences to create skilled speech-language pathologists.

Program Overview

The Communication Sciences and Disorders Master’s program at UMN-Duluth combines academic and clinical education to prepare students for successful careers as speech-language pathologists. Students move through the program in cohorts that encourage supportive peer relationships in small class settings. A five-semester curriculum builds both scholarly foundation and practical clinical skills.

The program excels at equipping people of all ages who face various communication challenges. These include stuttering, hearing impairment, language impairments, articulation disorders, voice disturbances, and swallowing difficulties.

Coursework and Curriculum

Students experience a balanced mix of theoretical knowledge and clinical applications. The program offers specialized courses in assistive technology, language disorders, and motor-speech disorders that match current professional needs. Clinical skills development takes center stage, though students can participate in academic and research activities too.

The coursework helps students build several key competencies:

• Knowledge and scholarly formation
• Research and methodological skills
• Communication abilities
• Leadership and collaborative capabilities
• Cultural competence in global contexts

Clinical Experience

Students learn from experts at the on-campus Robert F. Pierce Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, which provides free services to the public. This valuable setting lets students gain hands-on experience as interns under clinical instructor supervision.

Students also complete clinical externships at affiliated sites, which provides exposure to communication disorders in different settings. These real-world experiences combine smoothly with coursework to build clinical skills.

Admissions Requirements

The program sets competitive admissions standards. Applicants need:

• A four-year undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders or completed post-baccalaureate leveling courses
• Preferred undergraduate GPA of 2.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale

The program received 97 applications and admitted 30 students with an average GPA of 3.70 for the 2023-2024 academic year. Students must apply by January 15, and decisions typically arrive by early March.

Accreditation and Licensure Path

The Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association fully accredits the program. This accreditation confirms the curriculum meets professional standards and prepares graduates for certification and licensure.

The university’s Accreditation, Licensure, & Field Experience office provides professional licensure support. Students receive help meeting ASHA’s certification standards.

Student Success and Career Outcomes

The program’s impressive statistics show student success:

• 100% program completion rate for four consecutive years (2020-2024)
• 95-100% Praxis examination pass rate in the last four years
• 97-100% employment rate within one year of graduation

Speech-language pathologist positions should grow 21% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than average for all occupations. This growth should create about 14,000 annual openings from retirements and job transfers.

Pick Your Master’s Program Today

Your choice of speech pathology program will shape your professional life substantially. These five Minnesota institutions offer unique strengths that combine rigorous academic standards with hands-on clinical opportunities.

Minnesota’s speech pathology programs showcase excellence through their impressive numbers. Students consistently achieve perfect or near-perfect Praxis exam pass rates. The employment statistics prove the real-world value of these degrees. MSU Moorhead’s 100% placement rate is a prime example of this success.

Your career goals should drive your program selection. The University of Minnesota – Twin Cities excels in research-focused training. MSU Mankato puts cultural responsiveness at its core. MSU Moorhead provides balanced clinical progression. St. Cloud State keeps its classes small. UMN Duluth offers cohort-based learning with free community clinic experiences.

Speech-language pathologists can look forward to a bright future. The field expects 21-25% growth over the next decade. Minnesota professionals earn an average of $92,800 yearly. These numbers show how your educational investment can pay off well. The growth rate towers above most other careers, creating plenty of opportunities for graduates.

Minnesota’s speech pathology programs give you a solid path to a rewarding career. You’ll help people overcome their communication challenges. These programs’ clinical experiences, faculty mentorship, and proven student success rates make them great starting points for your future in speech-language pathology.