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Submit this form for your MS in Speech-Language Pathology guide and Information Session options. Learn about:
- Enrollment Support
- Admission Requirements
- Full Curriculum
- Clinical Placement Services
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An Online Pathway for Career-Changers - Designed for Your Success in Speech-Language Pathology
(No Speech-Language-Hearing Background is Required)
As you start on your speech-language pathology (SLP) journey, Ithaca College's online MS in Speech-Language Pathology program with built-in leveling courses offers you a direct path forward. You will be equipped with the academic foundation and broad clinical experience needed to enter the workforce with confidence.
This pathway is designed for those with a bachelor’s degree in any field, who are new to speech-language hearing and communication sciences and disorders and have not yet completed any prerequisite speech-language-hearing (leveling) courses.
You can graduate in 4 years.
- Prerequisite science courses must be completed prior to beginning the program.
- Prerequisite SLH/leveling courses are built into the program and completed prior to the master’s degree courses.
*Ithaca College will evaluate the transcripts of qualified applicants to determine your eligibility for either pathway. Our information session will go into detail about the two pathways and will include an opportunity for you to ask questions.
About Ithaca's Online SLP – Leveling Program
With more than 100 years of experience in SLP education, Ithaca College supports your journey to practice through fully online coursework and in-person clinical experiences near your community. The online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) is a competitively priced, accredited program designed to provide the same level of engagement and support you’d receive in our on-campus program.
Ithaca College’s Online MS-SLP - Leveling Pathway is designed for those new to speech-language-hearing (SLH) / communication sciences and disorders (CSD) with prerequisite speech-language-hearing (leveling) courses built into the program.
At Ithaca, you’ll benefit from:
- Degree completion less than 4 years
- A history of exceptional program outcomes
- Immersive virtual simulations
- Ongoing student support
- No travel requirements (outside of in-person clinical experiences)
- Clinical placement support in your local area
- The opportunity to earn your degree while maintaining work/life balance
- A connected learning environment
- Engaged faculty dedicated to student success
- A diverse community of peers from across the country
- One intake per year (every Fall)
- 71 credits
- 11 semesters, part-time (3.7 years)
- 100% online coursework
- No on-campus residency requirement
- Accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
- Tuition: $74,834
Tuition is subject to change during your academic career. The tuition information should be used as a guideline for estimating costs.
- Bachelor’s degree with 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
- 2 letters of recommendation
- Prerequisite courses
An evaluation of your transcripts will determine what prerequisite courses are needed.
Both MS-SLP General and Leveling pathways require completion of one college-level course in each of the following prerequisite science courses prior to beginning the MS-SLP program. However, you can apply to the program before the coursework is completed.
- Physics or Chemistry
- Biology
- Statistics
- Social or Behavioral Science
Please note, these courses are not offered online through Ithaca’s MS-SLP program and are typically completed elsewhere. An evaluation of your transcripts will determine what prerequisite courses are needed.
Students from a number of states are welcome to apply to Ithaca College’s online SLP program. Please see our State Authorization page for more detailed information.
Licensure Requirements:
For SLP licensure, every state requires a graduate degree and a passing* score on the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology. Licensure requirements by state can be viewed here. Please see our state licensure disclosure here.
*Each state determines its passing score for professional licensure and teacher credentialing.
Why Ithaca College?
U.S. News & World Report (2025)
*Ithaca College has offered Speech-Language Pathology programs for more than 100 years as a campus-based program
Accreditation
Ithaca College is accredited by The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Ithaca College's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (CAA)*.
*The Master’s of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (distance education) at Ithaca College is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, Maryland 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
Our current accreditation period extends through January 31, 2027.
A copy of our department's vision, mission, and strategic plan is available for review.
Information is provided about the development of normal and disordered communication in children from 3 to 21 years of age. Includes material regarding important theories, legislation, service delivery models, assessment, remediation, literacy, and specific populations of special-needs children. Attributes: TE. (3 Credits)
Objectives are to help the student understand basic statistical concepts utilized in research design and in speech-language pathology and audiology. Focus will be on the scientific method as a problem-solving process, developing experimental procedures for answering research questions, learning to establish and test hypotheses, and summarizing and interpreting data. (3 Credits)
Introduction to augmentative communication with discussion of its impact on individuals who are severely speech and language impaired. Students are familiarized with augmentative communication techniques and strategies. Assessment and intervention options are covered. Students have an opportunity for hands-on experience with a variety of augmentative communication devices and other adaptive equipment. Attributes: TE. (3 Credits)
Prepares students to identify, differentiate, and contrast the phenomenology, symptomatology, and diagnostic and therapeutic processes of adult aphasia, apraxia of speech, and related disorders. (S) (3 Credits)
Learn More at a Virtual Information Session!
Download a free MS in Speech-Language Pathology guide with links to register for our next information session, featuring a live Q&A with an Admissions Advisor.
Take the First Step
STEP 1
Complete the Form
Enter your information and instantly access your digital program guide.
STEP 2
Attend an Informational Webinar
Learn from an Admissions Advisor - Ask questions in a Live Q&A
STEP 3
Submit Your Application
Gather the information you need and get started on your application.
01
How will I secure clinical experience placements?
Our dedicated placement team will help you find appropriate clinical experiences so you can save time and focus on your studies.
02
When do the clinical experiences take place?
Throughout your program, you will have four clinical practica, as well as two full-time externships in the final semester. These experiences will prepare you for a career in speech-language pathology.
03
What is involved with clinical experiences?
The clinical experiences are designed to provide you with real-world, hands-on experience to complement your classroom learning. These off-campus experiences in practice settings near your community enrich your graduate experience by preparing you for action in the field in a variety of settings.
04
How far will my clinical experiences be from my home?
Our dedicated placement team will work with you to secure a clinical placement within a reasonable distance from your residence.
A Supportive Online Pathway to a Fulfilling SLP Career
With more than 100 years of experience in SLP education, Ithaca College supports your journey through fully online coursework with no travel requirements, immersive virtual simulations clinical experience placements near your home, the same level of support you’d receive in our on-campus program, and exceptional program outcomes.
An Immersive and Connected Online Experience
Designed with the same rigor as our campus program, our online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program provides immersive virtual simulations, dedicated faculty attention, and the ability to connect with a diverse community of peers from across the country.
The SLP leveling program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (CAA)*.
*The Master’s of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (distance education) at Ithaca College is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, Maryland 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
Our current accreditation period extends through January 31, 2027.
A copy of our department's vision, mission, and strategic plan is available for review.
The MS-SLP degree can be completed in 8 semesters (2.7 years) to 11 semesters (3.7 years), depending on the completion of prerequisite courses.
Yes! Ithaca College has a more than 100-year legacy in SLP education, so you can expect a quality education taught by expert faculty dedicated to student success.
Yes!
The program is designed with working professionals in mind. No campus visits or travel are required. However, please be aware that completing your clinical hours requires a significant time commitment—especially during your full-time externship in your final semester.
While some students are able to work, it is essential to maintain a flexible schedule and be prepared to adjust your work hours or take a leave of absence if necessary. Clinical placements can be during weekdays, evenings, or weekends—specific days and times are not guaranteed. We recommend planning ahead to ensure you can prioritize your clinical training during those semesters.
After reviewing our site, we encourage you to submit a request for information, which will direct you to your MS-SLP program guide with a link to register for one of our upcoming information session webinars. The information session is a valuable opportunity to hear from an admissions advisor to gain a comprehensive understanding of the program, General and Leveling pathways, admission requirements, application process and more. You can ask questions and learn even more during the live audience Q&A session.
General and Leveling Pathways
Prerequisites courses are grouped into two categories: general science courses and speech-language-hearing (leveling) courses.
All students must complete the general science prerequisites before beginning the MS-SLP program. Completion status of the leveling courses forms the basis for determining placement into the General or Leveling Pathway.
- Prerequisite Science Courses are one college class each in Physics or Chemistry, Biology, Statistics and Social or Behavioral Science.
- Prerequisite Speech-Language-Hearing (Leveling Courses) are Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanisms, Phonetics, Child Language Development, Basic Audiology, Basic Speech Science and Clinical Observation.
Ithaca College designed the two online pathways to an MS in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) degree to support students from different academic backgrounds in achieving their goal to become successful speech-language pathologists.
- General Pathway: For students who hold a bachelor's degree in communication sciences, speech-language-hearing, or other field and have completed at least one of the prerequisite speech-language-hearing (leveling) courses.
- Leveling Pathway: For students with a bachelor's degree in another field who have not completed any of the prerequisite speech-language-hearing (leveling) courses. These students will take their leveling courses as part of their MS-SLP program.
Both pathways provide the same graduate-level training and lead to the same degree. The main difference is whether a student has already completed some or all of the prerequisite speech-language-hearing (leveling) coursework.
Ithaca’s MS-SLP online leveling pathway includes 6 foundational speech-language-hearing courses, completed over 1 year before starting your graduate SLP courses.
Leveling courses completed with a grade of B or higher do not need to be retaken. However, you will need to complete any outstanding leveling courses at another institution to satisfy the prerequisite SLH course requirements. Upon the completion and verification of a completed CSDCAS application, your application and transcripts will be reviewed to determine your plan of study and any outstanding coursework, or requirements needed.
CSDCAS
CSDCAS (Centralized Application Service for Communication Sciences and Disorders) is a centralized application service for graduate SLP programs, including Ithaca College’s online MSSLP. When you are ready to apply to Ithaca’s online MSSLP program, you will be directed to the CSDCAS site.
Yes, to prevent delays in the verification process all applicants must provide official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities where they have received college credit. Transcripts are required to submit your courses to your CSDCAS application.
Upon the completion and verification of a completed CSDCAS application, your application and transcripts are reviewed to determine your plan of study and any outstanding requirements needed.
Due to the high demand and limited MSSLP leveling program capacity application deadlines can change.
Please refer to https://csdcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login for the most up-to-date deadline information.
SLP By the Numbers
The demand for speech-language pathologists is one of the fastest growing in the United States. Speech-language pathologists combine effective communication and collaboration skills with empathy and patience to help clients across diverse settings. They evaluate, diagnose, and treat speech, language, and swallowing disorders, making a meaningful impact on the lives of those they serve.
Common Work Settings:
- Education: early intervention, preschool, K-12 schools, colleges, and universities
- Health Care: hospitals, health care facilities (residential and non-residential)
- Private Practice and Consulting Services: independent or larger practices, corporate settings
- Local, State, and Federal Government Agencies: public health departments, uniformed services
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
Our Blog
What Can You Do With a Master's in Speech-Language Pathology?
Speech is the most basic form of communication and a critical part of our development — it makes us uniquely human. From infancy to the end of life, we use speech and language to learn, develop our personalities, and communicate our ideas and emotions. Language helps us view and adapt to the world around us.
