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Speech and language specialist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a speech and language specialist. Speech and language specialists usually study communication disorders sciences, speech-language pathology, or special education. 60% of speech and language specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 34% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 463 real speech and language specialist resumes to see exactly what speech and language specialist education sections show.
The most common colleges for speech and language specialists are the Kean University and the Kean University.
There are also many online speech and language specialist courses to help get the education required to be a speech and language specialist.
What education do you need to become a speech and language specialist?
What degree do you need to be a speech and language specialist?
- Bachelor's, 60%
- Master's, 34%
- Associate, 4%
- High School Diploma, 1%
- Other Degrees, 1%
What should I major in to become a speech and language specialist?
- Psychology, 4%
- Other Majors, 23%
Most common colleges for speech and language specialists
| Speech and language specialist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Kean University | 22.55% |
| William Paterson University of New Jersey | 9.80% |
| Montclair State University | 8.82% |
| College of New Jersey, The | 7.84% |
| California State University - San Bernardino | 5.88% |
Best majors for speech and language specialists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Communication Disorders Sciences | 38.5% |
| 2 | Speech-Language Pathology | 24.8% |
| 3 | Special Education | 8.9% |
| 4 | Psychology | 3.7% |
| 5 | Physiology And Anatomy | 3.7% |
Best colleges for speech and language specialists
The best colleges for speech and language specialists are Northwestern University, Vanderbilt University, and University of Tulsa.
A speech and language specialist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for speech and language specialists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become speech and language specialists.
1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
2. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • Private
In-state tuition
$17,653
Enrollment
16,405
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
5. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
In-state tuition
$49,816
Enrollment
6,840
6. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Enrollment
34,564
7. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
8. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
In-state tuition
$53,399
Enrollment
7,356
9. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
10. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Enrollment
1,834
20 best online courses for speech and language specialists
Advertising disclosure
1. Speech to Text Transcription with the Cloud Speech API
This is a self-paced lab that takes place in the Google Cloud console. The Cloud Speech API lets you do speech to text transcription from audio files in over 80 languages. In this hands-on lab you’ll record your own audio file and send it to the Speech API for transcription...
2. Educating Deaf Children: Becoming an Empowered Teacher
Many Deaf children around the world still leave school functionally illiterate. In some cases, there is no allowance made for the education of Deaf children at all. This 4-week course provides you with invaluable knowledge and skills about teaching Deaf children. You will learn about the importance of Deaf culture and community, the need for a language-rich environment for the Deaf child from as young as possible, and that having access to sign language can help Deaf children academically,...
3. Occupational Therapy Introduction - ACCREDITED CERTIFICATE
How to become occupational therapist, basic Psychology, Physiology & Anatomy, working with disabilities, children adults...
4. Take Lessons from an Actor -Speech & Confidence Training
Be successful in Job interviews, public speaking, committee meetings, employee evaluations, selling and auditions...
5. Teach English Now! Teaching Language Online
Whether you have already taught English as a Second Language and want to start teaching it online, you've already been teaching ESL online and want to sharpen your skills, or you are new to teaching and interested in teaching ESL online, ASU and VOXY provide you with the basic ideas and concepts you need to know in order to successfully teach ESL online. This course uses a fun and interesting theme of "International Travel" to deliver content in an entertaining way. There are also plenty of...
6. Speaking to Inspire: Ceremonial and Motivational Speeches
The most memorable speeches inspire, entertain, and praise. By blending stories and eloquence, great speeches highlight the core values motivating an audience. You might need to do this in a keynote address, a eulogy, or simply a business meeting. Inspiring audiences is a common, but difficult writing challenge. You want a speech that elevates the topic and the audience. This course gives you a method for preparing and delivering speeches that inspire and entertain. By the end of this course,...
7. Stuttering Treatment The ABC's of Smoother Speech
This Is Exactly How I Help Clients STOP Visible Signs of Stuttering - Stammering And Start Speaking More Smoothly...
8. The Complete Presentation and Public Speaking/Speech Course
From page to stage; learn everything you need to know about giving a great speech for business & personal presentations...
9. Natural Language Processing
Natural Language Processing (NLP) is a subfield of linguistics, computer science, and artificial intelligence that uses algorithms to interpret and manipulate human language.\n\nThis technology is one of the most broadly applied areas of machine learning and is critical in effectively analyzing massive quantities of unstructured, text-heavy data. As AI continues to expand, so will the demand for professionals skilled at building models that analyze speech and language, uncover contextual...
10. Lesson Planning with the ELL in Mind
In this course you will learn how to design lesson plans around the needs of your ELL students and their language level through the analysis of content language and cognitive demands. You will learn how to align language objectives to the adopted standards of your school and content area. You will learn how to modify existing course materials as well as develop graphic organizers and languages frames to support ELLs’ access to content. Analysis of second language acquisition theories will be...
11. TESOL Teacher Training: Second Language Acquisition (SLA)
Putting Theory Into Practice in the ESL/EFL Classroom...
12. Preparation for CELTA Teacher Training
Learn the skills required to succeed in your CELTA training - gain practice in lesson planning and writing assignments!!...
13. Excel at Teaching English: Be a Better ESL Teacher
Increase Understanding, Increase Productivity, Increase Teacher and Learner Satisfaction...
14. TESOL and TPRS Course (For Language Teachers)
It'll be 10 hours. Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages/Teaching Proficiency Through Reading and Storytelling...
15. Teach Children with Learning Disabilities. A Practical Guide
Insights into the neurobiology behind various learning issues – How learning is hindered & how to improve learning...
16. TESOL - Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages
Teaching Skills and Classroom Management...
17. Public Speaking Skills: Give a Great Informational Speech
Public Speaking - You can confidently present information in a way that is understandable and memorable...
18. Implementing Positive Behaviour Management in the Classroom
Practical Strategies to Address Behaviour Issues in any Classroom...
19. German Language B1 - Intermediate German
Learn German Language From A Native & Experienced German Teacher - Learn German Grammar and More!...
20. Learn German Language: Complete German Course - Intermediate
Learn German Language: Native Teacher, German Speaking, German Grammar, Vocabulary. Complete German Course. Intermediate...
Top 10 most affordable universities for speech and language specialists
The most affordable schools for speech and language specialists are Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, brigham young university, and hunter college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for speech and language specialists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for speech and language specialists.
1. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
2. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
3. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
4. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
5. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
6. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
7. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
8. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Ponce
Mercedita, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,914
Cost of attendance
13,564
9. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
10. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for speech and language specialists
The hardest universities for speech and language specialists to get into are Northwestern University, Vanderbilt University, and University of Tulsa.
Some great schools for speech and language specialists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for speech and language specialists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
3. University of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK • Private
Admissions rate
41%
SAT average
1,321
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
5. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
6. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
7. Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY • Private
Admissions rate
50%
SAT average
1,284
8. University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
59%
SAT average
1,367
9. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
Admissions rate
58%
SAT average
1,309
10. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • Private
Admissions rate
26%
SAT average
1,427
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for speech and language specialists
The easiest schools for speech and language specialists to get into are Our Lady of the Lake University, saint xavier university, and longwood university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a speech and language specialist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for speech and language specialists.
1. Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,002
2. Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL • Private
Admissions rate
74%
SAT average
1,061
3. Longwood University
Farmville, VA • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,065
4. Alabama A & M University
Normal, AL • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
957
5. Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, MA • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,073
6. Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,093
7. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
8. Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
1,086
9. Iona College
New Rochelle, NY • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,089
10. William Paterson University of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
994
Average speech and language specialist salary by education level
| Speech and language specialist education level | Speech and language specialist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $75,101 |
| Doctorate Degree | $71,318 |
Speech and language specialist education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025