About the Program

Approximately 10% of U.S. children and adults have speech and/or language impairments. As such, the demand for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) is steadily growing. SLP experts are trained to help individuals across the lifespan communicate; from children with neurodevelopmental or speech disorders to aging seniors who have survived strokes, traumatic brain injuries, or dementia. The demand for qualified SLPs is increasing, with the number of SLP jobs projected to grow by 21% over the next 10 years.

Program Details

  • Eight-week online courses
  • Led by lecturers from SDSU’s SLHS department
  • Geared toward working professionals
  • SLP students have exclusive access to “How to Apply for an SLP Graduate Program” Webinar
  • Access to SLP Essential Homeroom on Canvas, which includes modules that provide students with information on how to apply to graduate programs in speech-language pathology
  • Take only the courses you need, based on interest or graduate program prerequisites
  • Non-cohort

This credit-bearing program is designed to  provide students with the foundational knowledge and preparation needed to apply to graduate programs in speech-language pathology. With eight-week online courses taught by experienced lecturers from SDSU’s renowned School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (SLHS), our program can help you prepare for your graduate clinical studies as quickly as possible. All courses are 100% online and self-paced, making it easy to fit classes into your busy schedule.

The M.A. program in SLHS at SDSU is accredited through the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Is This Program Right for Me?

If you’re preparing to earn a master’s degree in SLP, our Speech-Language Pathology Essentials program will help you build solid foundational knowledge that you can use throughout your graduate program and your future SLP career.

The program is geared towards working SLP professionals who are preparing for a graduate program and still need a few more undergraduate units. These courses are designed to satisfy undergraduate prerequisites for SDSU’s Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology program, though the credits transfer to most graduate-level SLP programs with other institutions as well.

Please take a look at the prerequisite checklist to see how these courses fit with the prerequisites for SDSU’s graduate program. Please note that taking these courses does not guarantee admission into SDSU’s graduate-level SLP program, or any other clinical graduate program.

If you are a future student, just getting started, still looking at your options, and haven’t spoken to anyone at SDSU Global Campus about your academic journey, please speak with one of our dedicated Outreach Representatives to explore our convenient certificate programs by emailing outreach.global@sdsu.edu

SDSU is a State-approved provider for the Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). If you’re unemployed or underemployed, you may be eligible to receive full or partial tuition assistance on this program. Equal Opportunity is the Law. Equal opportunity employer/program auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Click here to learn more.

What Can I Learn?

With our Speech-Language Pathology Essentials program, you’ll learn a variety of the fundamental topics necessary to succeed in a graduate-level program and throughout your career.

Course topics include:

  • Hearing science and audiology
  • Phonetics
  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Language science
  • Language acquisition and disorders
  • Hearing and speech disorders

You’ll build a solid foundation in speech, language, and hearing sciences through online courses led by expert lecturers from SDSU’s School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. Our instructors bring years of professional and academic experience to the virtual classroom, which means that you’re getting a practical education on the in-demand skills that employers are looking for.

Career Outcomes

Why Should You Choose Us?

Reputation

U.S. News and World Report ranked San Diego State University’s Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (SLHS) SLP (M.A.) graduate program the No. 1 in California and No. 29 in the nation. As a student of our SLP Essentials program, you’ll learn the fundamentals of speech, language, and hearing sciences  experts in the field from SDSU’s renowned School of Speech-Language and Hearing Sciences.

Flexibility

Our program offers the convenience of a non-cohort model, giving you meaningful choice in how you progress through your undergraduate credentials. While some courses require prerequisites and certain classes are offered in specific terms, you’ll have the ability to plan your path in a way that aligns with your goals.

With 100% online, self-paced coursework, you can move forward on a schedule that works for you—balancing your education with your personal and professional commitments.

Accessibility

We recognize that graduate school is a significant commitment, both in terms of time and financial investment. Many SLP graduate programs have rigorous admissions requirements, which can include having a bachelor’s degree and additional undergraduate prerequisite credits. For SLP professionals who didn’t complete an undergraduate degree in the field of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, you may find yourself just a few credits short.

Our Speech-Language Pathology Essentials program is designed to remove those barriers, making a graduate-level education accessible to all learners everywhere. At only $367 per unit, the online courses in our SLP program are accessible to nearly any student; all you need is a passion for communication and a desire to continue your education.