Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Speech therapist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a speech therapist. Speech therapists usually study communication disorders sciences, speech-language pathology, or special education. 62% of speech therapists hold a bachelor's degree, and 31% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,751 real speech therapist resumes to see exactly what speech therapist education sections show.
The most common colleges for speech therapists are the University of Central Florida and the University of Central Florida.
There are also many online speech therapist courses to help get the education required to be a speech therapist.
There are certain speech therapist certifications that you should consider. These speech therapist certifications include Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).
What education do you need to become a speech therapist?
What degree do you need to be a speech therapist?
- Bachelor's, 62%
- Master's, 31%
- Associate, 4%
- High School Diploma, 1%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a speech therapist?
- Special Education, 11%
- Education, 4%
- Other Majors, 22%
Most common colleges for speech therapists
| Speech therapist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Central Florida | 7.82% |
| Ball State University | 6.70% |
| University of South Florida | 6.15% |
| New York University | 6.15% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 5.59% |
Best majors for speech therapists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Communication Disorders Sciences | 41.8% |
| 2 | Speech-Language Pathology | 20.7% |
| 3 | Special Education | 10.8% |
| 4 | Education | 4.5% |
| 5 | Psychology | 3.0% |
Best colleges for speech therapists
The best colleges for speech therapists are Northwestern University, Vanderbilt University, and Boston University.
A speech therapist 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 therapists. 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 therapists.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
3. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • Private
In-state tuition
$17,653
Enrollment
16,405
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. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
9. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
10. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
20 best online courses for speech therapists
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. Community Awareness Course: Sexuality and Disability
This community awareness course from the University of Minnesota Program on Human Sexuality will provide you with a solid introduction to human sexuality for those living with disabilities. Often there are assumptions that the disabled or differently abled people are not sexual, do not have sexual needs, or cannot be involved sexually. In this professionally produced one-hour course, you'll learn about the basics of disabilities and human sexuality. We'll then learn about three different...
3. Occupational Therapy Introduction - ACCREDITED CERTIFICATE
How to become occupational therapist, basic Psychology, Physiology & Anatomy, working with disabilities, children adults...
4. 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...
5. 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,...
6. Take Lessons from an Actor -Speech & Confidence Training
Be successful in Job interviews, public speaking, committee meetings, employee evaluations, selling and auditions...
7. CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Therapists & Coaches
Comprehensive CBT Therapy Training Cognitive Behavior Therapy Practitioner Level Treat Anxiety, Depression & More...
8. Introduction to Solution Focused Therapy
Learn Solution Focused Therapy To Empower Clients & Improve Outcomes Ideal For Social Workers, Coaches & Therapists...
9. 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...
10. The Art of Communications - Become A Master Communicator
Communication skills training. Confidence. Public Speaking. Promotion. Body Language. Pay raise. Job interview. Speech...
11. Tibetan Singing Bowls Sound Therapy & Sound Healing Training
Learn How To Become A Sound Healing Therapist Using Tibetan Bowls. Learn How To Work One-On-One With Clients...
12. Strong & Effective Marketing Plan (Plan Template & Example)
Innovative approach for a winning offline and digital marketing plan (important part of your business plan)...
13. Colombian Wood Therapy Course - Maderoterapia
Learn how to use Colombian Wood Therapy to help your clients reduce cellulite and melt fat...
14. Make Your Ideas Stick: Communicate with Impact
Presentations. Pitches. Proposals. Ads. Lessons. Speeches. Here's how to make your message stick!...
15. Certification in Sound Therapy & Sound Healing - Accredited
Become professional therapist / healer Fully Accredited Professional Sound Healing / Sound Therapy Certificate...
16. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): The Complete Course
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)...
17. Professional Cupping Therapy Massage Certificate Course 4 CE
Learn Cupping Therapy Massage Today to Treat Your Own Pains, Your Friends, Family Or Massage Clients Effortlessly!...
18. Understanding & Working With Autistic Clients in Therapy
Learn From an Autistic Therapist What it is Like to Be Autistic and How Autism Impacts on Problems & in Therapy...
19. Introduction to CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Online Counselling & Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Training Course...
20. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) - ACCREDITED CERTIFICATE
Counselling and psychology approaches, theoretical knowledge and practice for counsellors to be, work from home / online...
Top 10 most affordable universities for speech therapists
The most affordable schools for speech therapists are Hunter College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for speech therapists 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 therapists.
1. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
2. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
3. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
5. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
6. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
7. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
8. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
9. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
10. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for speech therapists
The hardest universities for speech therapists to get into are Northwestern University, Vanderbilt University, and Boston University.
Some great schools for speech therapists 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 therapists 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. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
4. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
5. University of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK • Private
Admissions rate
41%
SAT average
1,321
6. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • Private
Admissions rate
26%
SAT average
1,427
7. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
8. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
9. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
Admissions rate
23%
SAT average
1,398
10. Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY • Private
Admissions rate
50%
SAT average
1,284
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for speech therapists
The easiest schools for speech therapists to get into are AdventHealth University, notre dame de namur university, and our lady of the lake university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a speech therapist 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 therapists.
1. AdventHealth University
Orlando, FL • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,016
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,002
4. William Paterson University of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
994
5. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
6. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
7. College of New Rochelle, The
New Rochelle, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
982
8. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
9. Texas Woman's University
Denton, TX • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,059
10. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
Average speech therapist salary by education level
| Speech therapist education level | Speech therapist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $81,392 |
| Doctorate Degree | $78,189 |
Speech therapist education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common healthcare practitioner and technical questions.
Search for speech therapist jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025