5 Best Speech Pathology Masters Programs in Oklahoma (2026)

Looking to start your career with a Speech Pathology Masters Program in Oklahoma? This smart career choice lets you make a real difference in people’s lives.

Oklahoma’s speech language pathologist college options stand out with excellent programs that compete with speech pathology programs around the country. These institutions have earned impressive accreditation credentials. Northeastern State University ranks among the Best Accredited SLP Master’s Programs in the United States. On top of that, these programs deliver outstanding results. Oklahoma State University has maintained a 95% average rate for program completion, employment, and Praxis scores in the last four years.

Here are the top five speech pathology masters programs in Oklahoma to help you find your ideal match.

University of Tulsa

The University of Tulsa ranks among the top choices for future speech-language pathologists who want to advance their careers through academic and clinical training. This private research institution in Oklahoma’s heart offers a detailed Master of Science program that leads to success in the field.

Program expresses

Students need 41 credit hours to complete the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Tulsa. The program includes 35 hours of coursework and 6 hours of clinical practicum. Students start each fall semester and follow a sequential curriculum that builds knowledge step by step.

The curriculum spans five semesters:

• Fall Year 1: Students learn foundational courses including Orofacial Anomalies, Advanced Speech Sound Disorders, Developmental Language and Literacy Disorders, and research concepts training.
• Spring Year 1: Learning advances to Cognitive Communication Disorders, Voice Disorders, Fluency Disorders, and Aphasia.
• Summer Year 1: Clinical practicum continues with Auditory Habilitation.
• Fall Year 2: Students study specialized topics like Infants and Toddlers at Risk, Motor Speech Disorders, Dysphagia, and Autism Spectrum Disorders.
• Spring Year 2: The program concludes with clinical externship, school practicum and research requirements.

The program balances theoretical knowledge with practical application. Students learn to assess and treat communication and swallowing disorders throughout life. Their expertise grows in speech sound production, fluency disorders, voice and resonance issues, language disorders, and dysphagia.

Clinical practicum experience

Clinical training serves as the foundation of Tulsa’s program. Students begin supervised clinical work at the university’s on-campus speech and hearing clinic before moving to off-campus facilities. This approach helps students build skills gradually under proper supervision.

Speech-language pathology graduate students complete their final semester at two different offsite locations—one in a hospital or rehabilitation setting and another in a pediatric/educational environment. Students gain exposure to various clinical populations and settings through this dual placement approach.

Students must use these tools to improve their practical training:

• An electronic national exam preparation system
• An online tracking system for client contact hours
• Simucase, a virtual case studies platform

These tech tools add to hands-on experience. Students can document their progress and practice with virtual cases they might not see during in-person training.

Accreditation and certification

The Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association fully accredits the master’s degree program. This recognition proves the program meets national standards for educational quality.

Program graduates qualify for American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) certification, licensure, and school certification in Speech-Language Pathology. They can start clinical fellowship positions in schools, hospitals, private practices, or rehabilitation/residential settings.

The program’s admission requirements include:

• An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0
• A GPA of at least 3.5 in communication disorders courses
• 25 hours of guided observation
• Current vaccination records
• A clean criminal background check

Students without a bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology must complete undergraduate leveling courses before entering the graduate program.

Career outcomes

The program’s excellence shows in its remarkable career outcomes. Students have managed to keep a 100% pass rate on the Praxis examination in the last three years. This perfect score reflects the quality of coursework and clinical experiences.

Graduate employment rates remain strong:

The program shows exceptional completion rates. About 98.2% of students finish within the expected time frame in the last three years. Both 2024 and 2022 saw 100% completion rates, while 2023 had 96%.

Tulsa’s graduates work in a variety of settings, from public schools to healthcare systems, rehabilitation clinics, and private practices. Major employers include Bixby Public Schools, Broken Arrow Public Schools, Hillcrest HealthCare System, Saint Francis Health System, and Tulsa Public Schools.

Tuition and financial aid

The University of Tulsa makes this excellent program available to more people through various financial support options. Full-time and part-time students can receive merit-based scholarships based on their academic performance, GPA, and standardized test scores. These scholarships need no separate application.

Teaching and research assistantships offer substantial support for graduate students. Full-time assistantship benefits include:

• A minimum stipend of $14,349 for Master’s students during the nine-month academic year
• Tuition scholarship covering up to nine credit hours per semester
• Student health insurance

Students must meet these requirements to keep their financial aid:

• Take at least nine hours of graduate work in fall and spring semesters
• Keep a 3.0 grade-point average in graduate studies
• Get written permission from the Graduate School for additional employment

Students should apply for assistantships by February 1 for fall semester admission. Some fellowship programs have January 15 deadlines.

The University of Tulsa excels among speech pathology programs in South Carolina and nationwide. It combines academic excellence with strong financial support, making it an attractive option among speech language pathologist colleges in the region.

University of Central Oklahoma

The University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond is an excellent choice for students who want advanced credentials in speech-language pathology. Students get balanced clinical exposure and complete academic training that prepares them for professional practice in a variety of settings.

Program structure

UCO’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology features a solid 50-credit hour program that combines theory with hands-on practice. Students complete 400 clinical hours through practicum rotations in medical and public-school settings. The program takes two years of full-time study, with students moving through six consecutive semesters starting in summer.

The program’s strength lies in its sequential design. Each semester builds on previous coursework, creating a natural progression that boosts learning outcomes. Students who complete the curriculum meet requirements for:

• Oklahoma State Department teaching certificate
• Oklahoma Board of Examiners license
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Certificate of Clinical Competence

Students without a bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology can take prerequisite courses to prepare for graduate work. They should expect eight semesters total—two for background prerequisites and six for the graduate program.

Graduates leave with specialized expertise in prevention, assessment, and treatment of disorders in various settings and populations. This complete preparation helps them address their clients’ needs throughout their careers.

Clinical placements

Clinical experience serves as the core of UCO’s speech pathology program. Students participate in five semesters of practicum training. These experiences let them work with diverse clients in carefully selected settings that expand their professional skills.

The practicum rotations follow this sequence:

1. Original placements in UCO’s on-campus speech and hearing clinic
2. Progression to external sites including public schools
3. Advanced placements in medical settings

Medical and educational environments help students develop versatile skills they can use anywhere in the profession. The program has strict standards for clinical progression—students must earn a “B” or higher in each practicum course before moving to off-campus medical or educational placements.

UCO holds practicum meetings before each semester and weekly throughout the term to maximize learning. These sessions provide key information, support, and guidance on clinical issues. The program has managed to keep an impressive 98.33% pass rate on the Praxis examination in the last three years.

Accreditation status

UCO is one of only four Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) accredited programs in Oklahoma. The program earned an eight-year accreditation through 2030 in 2022, showing its steadfast dedication to educational excellence and quality improvement.

This prestigious recognition came after a thorough evaluation that included:

• Program self-study
• Site visits
• Peer review

UCO showed compliance with accreditation standards in several areas:

• Administrative support
• Faculty qualifications
• Academic and clinical education
• Student outcomes
• Program resources

CAA accreditation brings significant benefits to students. Graduates from accredited programs learn core skills and knowledge needed for independent professional practice. This credential often becomes essential to get clinical certifications and state licensure in speech-language pathology.

Career readiness

The program excels at preparing students for immediate workforce entry by combining academic coursework with hands-on clinical experiences. Students develop skills in all areas needed for professional practice while learning to adapt to different workplace settings.

UCO graduates can work in many settings:

• Hospitals
• Rehabilitation agencies
• Skilled nursing facilities
• Schools
• Early intervention agencies
• Private practice

Medical and educational placements ensure graduates can serve in their preferred sector. This versatility gives UCO’s graduates an edge in the job market.

Tuition and scholarships

UCO’s premier program remains available to qualified students through competitive tuition rates. The 2024-2025 academic year costs $330.30 per credit hour for residents and $417.00 for nonresidents. The 50-credit-hour program lets students plan their educational investment accurately.

Students can offset costs through several financial support options:

Graduate Assistantships Graduate Assistant positions boost professional development while providing financial support. These roles need 10 or 15 hours of work weekly and offer:

• Monthly compensation of about $450 for 10-hour positions
• Monthly compensation of about $680 for 15-hour positions
• Partial tuition waivers

Scholarships UCO offers merit-based scholarship opportunities:

• Scott F. McLaughlin Endowed Scholarship for both incoming and continuing graduate students
• President’s Leadership Council (PLC) scholarship
• Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) scholarship

International students can receive part of UCO’s $700,000 annual scholarship fund, based on academic merit and financial need. This generous support makes the program attractive compared to speech pathology programs in other states, including South Carolina.

Full-time freshmen and transfer students who submit all admission documents by scholarship deadlines get guaranteed academic scholarships, if eligible. This commitment to financial support shows UCO’s dedication to training future speech-language pathologists without heavy student debt.

Northeastern State University

Northeastern State University (NSU) i among Speech Pathology Masters Programs in Oklahoma with its fresh clinical training approach and cohort structure. The program ranks as one of only two Oklahoma SLP programs named among the Best Accredited SLP Master’s Programs in the United States. NSU gives future speech-language pathologists a perfect mix of academic challenge and hands-on clinical practice at three strategic campus locations.

Northeastern State University unique practicum model

NSU’s practicum model shines through its well-planned progression that gets students ready for real-life professional settings. Students start their clinical education in the second semester, which helps them build practical skills early. The program lets students rotate through three university clinics in Muskogee, Tahlequah, and Broken Arrow.

NSU’s innovative school-based practicum approach makes it special among speech language pathologist college options. The university partners with several public schools where teams of three graduate students provide speech therapy under direct faculty supervision. Students get valuable experience in:

• Detailed school therapy processes
• Parent meeting facilitation skills
• IEP documentation requirements in EdPlan

Second-year students complete 31 weeks of full-day internships in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and private clinics. This deep clinical immersion gives graduates substantial professional experience before they enter the job market. Students track their progress through CALIPSO, an online portal that evaluates clinical performance and logs clock hours.

Students must complete 425 clinical practicum hours by graduation—this is a big deal as it means that they’re better prepared than many graduates from speech pathology programs in South Carolina and other competitive regions.

Cohort-based learning

NSU uses a special cohort model where students move through the program together and take similar courses at the same time. This approach brings several key benefits over traditional program structures:

Teachers can track each student’s completed coursework precisely, which helps them build new content on previous learning. This step-by-step learning creates a more connected educational experience.

The cohort structure builds strong peer relationships. The university notes, “Each cohort becomes close knit and strongly supports one another”. These bonds create a supportive rather than competitive atmosphere where students help each other succeed.

Students follow a six-semester timeline (including two summer terms), with new groups starting each summer and graduating at the end of spring semester two years later. Graduate courses happen face-to-face in Muskogee on Mondays and Wednesdays, while clinical practice runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. This regular schedule helps students balance their academic and clinical work.

Licensure preparation

The program prepares students thoroughly for multiple professional credentials. The 56-hour Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology curriculum meets requirements for:

• The Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
• Oklahoma Board of Examiners for Speech Language Pathology and Audiology license
• Oklahoma State Department of Education Standard Certificate

The Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA fully accredits the program, proving its educational quality. Students need a grade of B or better in all graduate coursework to meet professional standards.

NSU’s detailed preparation goes beyond coursework to clinical experiences that ready students for the speech-language pathology Praxis examination—a crucial credentialing step. Graduates can enter the profession confidently right after completing their clinical fellowship, thanks to the program’s structured approach.

Faculty and instruction

NSU proudly states that “All NSU SLP courses are taught by licensed certified speech pathologists”. This sets it apart from some programs where academics without clinical backgrounds might teach courses. Students learn from instructors with ground experience in treating communication disorders.

The faculty team consists of:

• Program directors with doctoral-level training
• Clinical directors who lead practicum experiences
• Instructors with backgrounds in school systems, hospitals, and private practice

Faculty members focus on developing professional maturity along with academic and clinical skills. The program emphasizes that “These skills must grow and develop within attitudes and behaviors that reflect professional maturity”. Clinical sites “report that they greatly prefer students from the NSU SLP Program”, showing the success of this approach.

Cost and location

NSU serves Oklahoma students from three campus locations: Muskogee (home to all graduate courses), Tahlequah, and Broken Arrow. Each campus runs a speech therapy clinic, giving students varied clinical experiences without long travel times.

Though specific tuition rates weren’t listed in the factual keypoints, NSU shows its commitment to affordability. The university provided $48,195,863 in financial aid during the 2020-2021 academic year, showing its investment in student success.

The program welcomes students from many backgrounds, with 47% identifying as minorities. This mix creates a rich learning environment that prepares graduates to work effectively with clients from different cultural backgrounds—a vital skill in modern speech-language pathology practice.

Oklahoma State University

Oklahoma State University stands out with its Speech-Language Pathology program that blends clinical excellence with research breakthroughs. Students at OSU become skilled at their craft through a perfect mix of classroom learning and hands-on experience. The accredited Master of Science program in Communication Sciences and Disorders shapes successful careers.

Curriculum options

The Master of Science education program in Communication Sciences and Disorders at OSU holds full accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language-Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Students can pick between two program tracks:

• Thesis option: 57 total credit hours
• Non-thesis option: 51 credit hours with comprehensive examination

Students must complete 400 clock hours of clinical practicum experience to graduate. The program runs on a strategic timeline. Students spend their first year on academic coursework and clinical practicum at OSU’s speech and hearing clinic. The second year starts with eight weeks of coursework and ends with eight-week clinical externships in fall and spring semesters.

Results speak for themselves. OSU’s program shows a 95% average rate for completion, employment, and Praxis exam scores in the last four years.

Clinical training

First-year students start their clinical education at OSU’s cutting-edge Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic in Murray Hall. Some students choose to complete their clinical practicum at the OSU-Tulsa Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic. Students work with patients who have various communication disorders throughout their lifespan.

The second year brings a unique rotation model. Students attend classes for the first eight weeks each semester. They then spend eight to ten weeks in full-time off-campus clinical rotations. These placements happen in different settings:

Students gain extensive exposure to different patient populations and treatment approaches through OSU’s partnerships with 80 different agencies. Student clinicians receive close supervision that meets or exceeds ASHA standards throughout their clinical experiences.

Research opportunities

Research excellence makes OSU stand out among speech language pathologist college options. The university’s specialized research facilities include:

• Motor Speech Lab: Breaks down normal physiology and pathophysiology of motor speech production
• Sociophonetics Lab: Studies typical speaker-hearers and those with hearing loss or speech disorders
• Phon Farm: Studies phonological learning
• Language Learning Lab: Examines various speech and language processes

Faculty researchers lead studies in various communication science domains. Dr. Ramesh Kaipa leads the Motor Speech lab and focuses on treatment outcomes for speech production. Dr. Valerie Freeman directs the Sociophonetics lab and studies acoustic-phonetic aspects of speech production and sociolinguistic perception.

Students can write a master’s thesis instead of taking the comprehensive examination. Many present their results at conferences and submit them to peer-reviewed journals. This path works well for students planning doctoral studies.

Admissions process

Applications must reach by January 15. The admissions committee looks at several factors:

• Major GPA of 3.1 or higher
• Total GPA
• GRE verbal, math, and writing scores
• Personal statement
• Three recommendation letters

Students submit applications through the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS) portal. Personal statements should highlight motivation for the degree, relevant experiences, academic achievements, and unique qualities.

Tuition and assistantships

Students might receive a .25 FTE (10 hours per week) graduate teaching assistantship. This comes with a monthly stipend and full-tuition waiver. Merit determines assistantship awards, with GRE scores and undergraduate GPA playing key roles.

• Tuition and fees (18-hour estimate): $20,786
• Housing and food: $14,825
• Books and supplies: $860
• Health insurance: $2,773
• Personal expenses: $6,665

Half-time (50% FTE) assistantships offer better benefits. These include a monthly stipend, full tuition waiver (both resident and non-resident), and health insurance. Teaching assistants help with instruction, while research assistants support faculty research projects.

OSU proves itself as a top choice among Speech Pathology Masters Programs in Oklahoma. The program combines academic excellence with extensive clinical opportunities and research engagement.

University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) is esteemed as Oklahoma’s only speech-language pathology program within a medical campus. Students get unmatched interprofessional training opportunities. The program’s location gives students direct access to a thriving healthcare community that boosts their professional growth.

Program mission

The Master of Arts program in Speech-Language Pathology at OUHSC focuses on promoting “excellent interprofessional clinical education, discovery, and community-focused care in speech-language pathology”. Students become ready for professional practice through best-practice education that combines academic and clinical foundations.

Curriculum overview

The program features a well-laid-out 58-credit hour curriculum that spans five semesters for communication sciences graduates or seven semesters for lateral entry students. The program, accredited through February 2033, has sections covering:

• Phonological disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and fluency in the first semester
• Adult neurolinguistic disorders and dysphagia in subsequent semesters
• Intensive practicum experiences in the final year

The program’s students maintain a 100% passage rate on the National Praxis in Speech-Language Pathology examination.

Practicum and internships

Students complete their required clinical hours at several locations:

• John W. Keys Speech and Hearing Center (evaluations and treatment clinics)
• Educational settings across Oklahoma
• Medical facilities like Integris Baptist Medical Center, OU Medical Center, and St. Anthony Hospital

Application requirements

A bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 credit hours is required. International students must score at least 600 (paper-based) or 100 (internet-based) on TOEFL. Students need to submit applications through both CSDCAS and the OUHSC application system.

Tuition and deadlines

Applications open July 15, and close in April. Admitted students pay a non-refundable deposit that counts toward first-term tuition. Students receive monthly tuition bills with payments due on the 15th of each month.

Choose Your Program Today

Your professional success in speech pathology starts with picking the right master’s program. Oklahoma has five excellent programs that you should think about for your academic plans.

The University of Tulsa shines with a perfect 100% Praxis pass rate and job placement record. Students who want guaranteed career placement will find it an excellent fit. The University of Central Oklahoma delivers great value through a well-rounded curriculum and a 98.33% Praxis success rate while keeping tuition costs competitive.

Northeastern State University is known for its innovative clinical training and supportive cohort structure that promotes both professional skills and personal development. Oklahoma State University blends intensive clinical training with research opportunities that prepare graduates for careers in clinical practice and academia.

The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center provides unmatched interprofessional training in a detailed medical campus setting. Students learn to work in today’s collaborative healthcare environment.

These programs have prestigious accreditation and outstanding student outcomes. The program you pick depends on what matters most to your career goals – research opportunities, clinical focus areas, location, or costs.

Oklahoma’s institutions match top programs nationwide with their detailed curricula, expert faculty, and extensive clinical placements. Any program you choose will prepare you to help people with communication disorders in a variety of populations and settings. Your path to becoming a skilled speech-language pathologist begins here with these outstanding Oklahoma options.