FAQs
Thiel College is designed to help you become a speech-language pathologist without spending more time or money than necessary. With a streamlined curriculum (up to 19 fewer credits than some local competitors) and tuition below the national average for online SLP programs, you can pursue your degree while keeping your goals, budget, and schedule in focus.
The Online M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology requires 54 credits to graduate, which is up to 19 fewer credits than some local competitors. This streamlined curriculum helps students graduate and qualify to pursue licensure sooner while reducing the overall cost of earning their degree.
Yes, coursework is 100% online, allowing you to learn from anywhere. The only in-person requirement is a single four-day on-campus residency and your supervised clinical placements.
Our online program is designed around real life, so you can study part-time and continue working, earning, and managing your responsibilities until clinicals begin. Clinical experiences often require additional scheduling flexibility as they are a full-time load.
Thiel College prioritizes student support. From day one, you’ll work with an advisor to guide you through the program, help you secure clinical placements, and stay on track for graduation. Faculty members provide personalized attention, and small cohorts ensure you’ll never feel like just a number.
You'll complete 16 courses over eight semesters that explore the breadth and depth of speech-language pathology practice. Topics include communication and swallowing disorders, assessment and intervention, evidence-based practice, and clinical education experiences designed to help you build confidence as a future clinician. To view the full curriculum and course sequence, complete the form to access your program guide.
Yes. You need to complete one four-day residency in Greenville, Pennsylvania, near the end of the program. The residency includes hands-on learning experiences and serves as an opportunity to connect with faculty and peers before graduation. Complete your residency, then stay to celebrate graduation.
Tuition is $1,000 per credit hour for a total tuition cost of $54,000 before fees. With tuition approximately 13% below the national average for online SLP programs, you can pursue your future with less financial strain at Thiel College.
Yes. Thiel College tuition is approximately 13% below the national average for online speech-language pathology programs. With fewer required credits than many competing programs, you'll save both time and money.
Students may be eligible for federal financial aid, employer tuition assistance, military benefits, or other funding opportunities. Our admissions team can help you explore available options.
Yes, applicants must complete prerequisite and leveling coursework before beginning the program. If you have eligibility questions, complete the form to register for an upcoming information session.
Applications are submitted through CSDCAS. We encourage you to apply as early as possible, as space may be limited. Complete the form to learn more about upcoming deadlines and next steps.
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and a minimum 3.0 GPA overall and in science coursework. To complete your application, you'll need:
- Official transcripts
- Three letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Personal statement
- Interview
No. Thiel College does not require GRE scores, saving you time and money during the application process.
Before beginning our online SLP master's program, you must complete several prerequisite and leveling courses. We will evaluate your transcripts to determine which courses you need.
Leveling courses:
- Acoustical Phonetics
- Nature and Development of Language
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Vocal Mechanism
- Audiology/Aural Rehabilitation (6 credits)
- Speech and Hearing Science
Prerequisite courses:
- Human Biology with lab
- Physics or Chemistry with lab
- Statistics
- Social Science
- 25 observation hours
Yes. You will complete 400 supervised clinical hours, including two six-credit externships focusing on pediatric and adult populations. These placements provide hands-on experience in diverse settings, such as schools, hospitals, and private practices, preparing you for various career opportunities.
Yes. Thiel provides personalized clinical placement support to help students navigate the placement process and identify experiences that align with program requirements and learning objectives.
Clinical experiences take place in a variety of settings, which may include schools, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, outpatient clinics, and private practices.
Our team works closely with you to identify placement opportunities as close to your home as possible. Depending on site availability and program requirements, some students may need to travel up to 125 miles each way to complete clinical experiences that provide the breadth and depth of training required for speech-language pathology practice.
Yes, our curriculum is designed to provide the academic and clinical preparation needed to begin pursuing speech-language pathology state licensure and professional certification after graduation. Because licensure requirements vary by state, we encourage you to review state-specific requirements through ASHA's State-by-State Licensure Information.
The distance pathway for the Master of Science (M.S.) program in Speech-Language Pathology at Thiel College is under review by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Thiel College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation.
Speech-language pathologists work in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, private practices, rehabilitation centers, and more. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 17% job growth in the field from 2025 to 2035, with a median annual salary of $97,870 as of 2025.
Campus SLP graduates achieve:
- 100% completion rate
- 96% PRAXIS pass rate
- 98% employment within one year of graduation
Thiel graduates launch SLP careers in educational, healthcare, and community settings across the country. Recent employers include:
- Blue Cross of Western Pennsylvania
- Mercer County Behavioral Health Commission
- Jackson Memorial Hospital
- Frederick County Public Schools
- Good Samaritan Hospital Home Care
- Chardon High School
- Metamorphosis Therapy Group
To become a speech-language pathologist (SLP), you must earn a master's degree in speech-language pathology or communication sciences and disorders, complete supervised clinical experiences, and meet state licensure and certification requirements. Thiel's Online M.S. SLP combines academic coursework, clinical preparation, and 400 supervised clinical hours to help prepare you to begin to pursue licensure and certification after graduation.
Speech-language pathologists work in a variety of settings, including:
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Rehabilitation centers
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Private practices
- Early intervention programs
- Community health organizations
