The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program at Worcester State University provides you with the academic knowledge and clinical skills to become an in-demand speech-language pathologist.
With classes available in the late afternoons and evenings, this flexible program allows you to complete your degree on your schedule with a choice of a full-time, or accelerated options.
Attend an Information Session To learn more about the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program, register to attend an information session. Following registration, a Zoom link will be provided approximately 2 days in advance of the session. Upcoming Session Dates Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 5:00pm EST Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 5:00pm EST Tuesday, November 17, 2026 at 5:00pm EST Thursday, December 17, 2026 at 5:00pm EST
To learn more about the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program, register to attend an information session. Following registration, a Zoom link will be provided approximately 2 days in advance of the session.
In small classes, you will build upon your knowledge of communication processes and disorders and learn best practices from faculty members who are active practitioners in the field—many of whom solicit student participation in their research and clinical programs.
An integral component of our curriculum, fieldwork will provide you with valuable, real-world experience and help you establish important professional connections. During your minimum of 3 practicum experiences at our more than 75 placement sites throughout New England—one of which is at the Worcester State University Speech-Language-Hearing Center—you will engage in more than 375 hours of hands-on client service.
Graduates of this program are qualified to apply for the certificate of clinical competence (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Massachusetts state licensure, and teacher certification through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). They are sought after by employers in a variety of educational and health care settings, including public schools, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, speech and hearing clinics, and private practice.
The Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences at Worcester State University is dedicated to the education of students regarding communication sciences as well as etiologies, characteristics, prevention, assessment, and remediation of communication and swallowing disorders and differences across the lifespan. The necessity for evidence-based practice is emphasized. Based on the standards established by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Speech-Language Pathology, this program prepares students as professionals by developing excellence in academic and clinical skills. The program incorporates the diverse needs of its students to promote their success and encourage life-long learning. In addition, the program is regularly evaluated and modified in response to social, economic, cultural, and professional changes. In collaboration with other professionals and institutions, such as local schools and health care organizations, the members of the speech-language pathology graduate program facilitate community engagement and responsibility.
The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology residential at Worcester State University 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, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
The program is also approved by the Massachusetts DESE.
View the Catalog
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
A. Applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited (or equivalent) college or university.
B. Candidates for admission are required to submit a completed application, through the CSDCAS system via the following link http://csdcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login, between July 15th and January 15th. Requirements and procedures for admission to graduate studies are specified on the application form. The applicant must comply with these requirements and procedures. Submission of 3 letters of recommendation is required.
Your response to each essay should be no more than 300 words.
C. Candidates must submit official transcripts from ANY and ALL colleges/universities where courses were taken, including Worcester State University. Applicants should have official transcripts sent directly to CSDCAS, NOT the Graduate Admissions Office..
D. Candidates applying for admission must have taken or currently be enrolled in the following college-level prerequisite courses at the time of application for the master’s degree program:
*The majority (>50%) of coursework in basic human communication processes and audiology listed above must be completed at the time of application with a grade of B- or higher, and no more than 7 years old. If accepted to the program, the remaining credits must be completed by August 31.
**12 of the required 18 credits listed above must be completed at the time of application with a grade of C- or higher, and no more than 15 years old. If accepted to the program, the remaining credits must be completed by August 31.
IMPORTANT NOTE: An individual course may only be used to fulfill one prerequisite.
Students completing prerequisites at the time of application must provide evidence of enrollment. Prerequisites may be taken at Worcester State in the evening as a non-matriculated student or as a day student. Please contact the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education for enrollment information. Day students must complete an undergraduate non-degree application. Please contact the undergraduate Admissions Office for additional details at 508-929-8040.
E. The Graduate Records Examination (GRE) is not required. An applicant will not be penalized if they have not submitted scores, nor will they gain an advantage if they do submit their scores. The following proficiency assessments and scores that are accepted:
F. We are summer start program. If accepted into the program, applicants must be available from mid-May through the end of the summer for meetings, and academic courses.
G. Please see the Graduate Catalog for information pertaining to the graduate calendar, grading policy, fees, non-discrimination policy, etc.
H. Proficiency in Spoken and Written English The SLP Graduate Program admits qualified students into the graduate program and does not discriminate against candidates with communication disorders or communication differences. Students must take the TOEFL or IELTS test and receive a minimum score of 61 or 4.0, respectively, when undergraduate education or the equivalent was in a language other than English.
For more information regarding prerequisites and this program, please contact Dr. Samantha Scripture at samantha.scripture@worcester.edu. For questions regarding the electronic application or to confirm receipt of materials, please view your CSDCAS portal or contact Graduate Admissions at gradadmissions@worcester.edu.
There are 2 tracks to the M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology program. Upon acceptance, students must select one of the following tracks. Length of each program is included in parenthesis. Note that length of time includes summers.
In addition to academic coursework, students are required to complete 25 hours of observation of clinical work and 375 live hours of participation in diagnostic/therapeutic work in three distinctly different clinical settings. Observation hours and 50 of the live hours may be transferred from the undergraduate level. HIPAA training and certification is provided by HIPAA EXAMS, Inc.
You will be expected to submit a passing score from the NESPA examination in Speech-Language Pathology (PRAXIS) and complete a departmental comprehensive examination or a master’s thesis under the supervision of a faculty member. You are strongly encouraged to join the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association. In addition, you may join the Worcester State chapter of National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
To successfully complete the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) Program at Worcester State University (WSU), graduate students must be able to participate fully in academic and clinical work. In each of these areas, they must consistently demonstrate skills. As a result, the MS-SLP Program has created essential functions in the areas of Communication, Physical and Motor, Cognitive, and Emotional/Behavioral/Social to meet these requirements. Students who experience difficulty meeting these essential functions may be referred for remediation, academic or clinical support, or other appropriate program procedures. Failure to demonstrate the essential functions, with or without reasonable accommodations, may affect progression in the program and could result in dismissal.
The Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences Department is committed to equal access for all qualified program applicants. Pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). WSU will provide students with documented disabilities reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids, and academic adjustments.
To provide safe and effective patient care, all students must be able to independently, with or without reasonable accommodation, demonstrate aptitude, abilities, and skills in four areas: Communication, Physical and Motor, Cognitive, and Emotional/Behavioral/Social.
While WSU makes every effort to work with students with disabilities to accommodate their disability-related needs, WSU is not required to provide accommodations, aids, or adjustments that fundamentally alter or waive essential program requirements.
If you have any questions about the accommodations process at WSU, you can contact Student Accessibility Services at 508-929-8733.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (2026). Scope of Practice in Speech-Language Pathology [Scope of Practice]. Available from asha.org/policy.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. General Information about ASHA Certification (asha.org/certification/AboutCertificationGenInfo). Retrieved January 2019.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (2023). Code of Ethics [Ethics]. Available from asha.org/policy.
The Worcester State University Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences and the Speech-Language-Hearing Center are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination for students, faculty, staff, and clients on the basis of age, citizenship, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital/parental status, national origin including culture, language, dialect and accent, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and veteran status. Additional information regarding anti-discrimination policies can be found in the Graduate Catalog.
This five-year strategic plan outlines a comprehensive framework to elevate the Graduate Program in Speech-Language Pathology from 2026 through 2030. The plan focuses on curriculum quality, research integration, student engagement, community impact, and robust recruitment and retention to prepare students to meet or exceed the rigorous standards of the field.
Progress across all five pillars will be monitored via structured reporting practices and regular reviews. Key administrative responsibility is shared across department leadership (including the Department Chair, Graduate Coordinator, and Center Director) alongside academic and clinical faculty to ensure continuous improvement and compliance with applicable standards.
