Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

Tuition and Fees

SLP-Specific Prerequisite (Leveling) Courses

• Price per credit hour: $350
  does not include required textbooks or software accounts

MS-SLP Program

• Price per credit hour: $1,200
• Credit hours: 56
• Additional fees:
  
  • Enrollment deposit (applied to tuition): $200
  • Program fee (per semester): $500
  • Uniforms/supplies (purchased by student): $300 (approximate)
• Number of semesters: 4
• Number of months to complete: 16
• Total cost: $70,000

Costs associated with travel to OBU for the required on-campus residencies (meals, lodging, transportation, etc.) is the responsibility of the student and is not included in the program tuition and fees.

Admission Requirements

Students must meet the following minimum requirements for consideration for admission to the OBU MS-SLP program:

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution prior to enrollment.
• Minimum 3.0 GPA from last 60 credits earned at a regionally accredited institution is recommended.
• Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than SLP or CSD must complete both the SLP core prerequisite courses and general education prerequisite courses prior to enrollment. A minimum GPA of 3.25 in these courses is recommended. At least four of the seven required SLP core prerequisite courses must be completed at the time of application, with a final grade of B- or higher recorded on an official transcript.
• Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in SLP or CSD must have completed a Language Science course (or equivalent linguistics course) as part of their undergraduate degree OR successfully complete the OBU Language Science bootcamp with a minimum score of 80% before enrolling in graduate courses. If a Language Science course (or equivalent linguistics course) was not required in the applicant’s undergraduate program, provisional acceptance may be granted until the applicant successfully completes the OBU Language Science bootcamp (minimum score: 80%).
• Acknowledge that you have reviewed and understand the Essential Skills and Technical Standards expected for program progression and professional practice.
• This program is not currently open to international applicants.

Students must submit the following application materials to be considered for admission to the OBU MS-SLP program:

• Completed application through the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS)
  
  All information must be submitted directly to CSDCAS to complete the application, and the application must be considered complete by the application deadline. The CSDCAS application includes detailed instructions for completing all application requirements. CSDCAS requires 4-6 weeks to process student information and verify transcripts.
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• A current resume
• A written statement
• Three letters of recommendation from:
  • An ASHA certified, licensed SLP practitioner or an SLP/CSD faculty member
  • Professional reference
  • Personal reference
• Applicants whose first or native language is not English, or those who have completed a degree or prerequisite courses in a country where English is not the national language, must provide official documentation of their English proficiency test scores (TOEFL iBT, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test).

For information about transfer course evaluation, undergraduate clinical hours, and guided clinical observations, please visit the OBU Academic Catalog, Admissions and Academic Information for Graduate and Professional Studies.

Prerequisite Requirements

Speech-Language Pathology Core Prerequisites 

The following prerequisites (or transfer equivalent) are required for MS-SLP program enrollment.

*Requires completion of 25 hours of guided clinical observation that meets the ASHA certification standards (Standard V-C). Guided clinical observation hours may be completed as part of a standalone course or through an academic program without a standalone course. Refer to the requirements for documentation of guided clinical observation hours outlined in the OBU Academic Catalog, Admissions and Academic Information for Graduate and Online Programs.

Four of the six SLP core prerequisite courses must be completed with a final grade of B- or better on an official transcript at the time of application to be eligible for an admission decision. The remaining prerequisite courses may be taken prior to enrollment in the program and must be completed with a final grade of B- or better on an official transcript prior to enrollment.

Prerequisite courses are available at OBU—to apply for admission to take prerequisite courses, students should fill out an application for admission.

Non-Degree Seeking Application for Admissions

Students may also transfer in equivalent courses from another regionally accredited institution. If courses are completed at another institution, the student must submit official transcripts and may be required to provide a course description and/or course syllabus. Applicants who completed SLP core prerequisites more than seven years prior to admission, may be granted conditional admission and must complete the SLP bootcamp courses with a minimum score of 80% before enrolling.

Required General Education Prerequisites 

ASHA requires specific undergraduate prerequisite courses to be completed before the onset of the clinical fellowship year. The program requires students to complete these prerequisites prior to enrollment to ensure that they will be ready to pursue graduate coursework and advance as a clinical fellow at the end of the program. Courses must have been completed no more than ten years prior to admission. For detailed descriptions of the general education perquisite requirements, please refer to the ASHA document Prerequisite Course Content Areas Related to SLP Certification Standards.

The required areas are: 

• Biology  
• Physics or Chemistry 
• Statistics 
• Social Sciences and Behavioral Sciences

For information about transfer course evaluation, undergraduate clinical hours, and guided clinical observations, please visit the OBU Academic Catalog, Admissions and Academic Information for Graduate and Professional Studies.

Admissions Procedures

• Applicants submit a completed application through the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS) including the required application fees (CSDCAS and OBU), transcripts, resume, recommendation letters, written statements, and English proficiency test scores (if required).
• An admissions advisor will screen and score all applications to determine eligibility for admission.
• Qualified applicants will receive an invitation to complete a virtual asynchronous interview.
• Faculty reviewers will be assigned to evaluate references and interviews using a standardized rubric and will provide an admissions recommendation to the Director of Admissions.
• The Admissions Committee will accept or decline each applicant based on a holistic evaluation of the application, interview, and supporting documents.
• Applicants will be notified by email of their admission decision within 30 days of completion of the application and interview process.

The OBU MS-SLP program utilizes rolling admissions with review of applications submitted before each cohort deadline reviewed as they are received. Acceptances will be granted to qualified applicants until the cohort maximum is reached. Once the cohort maximum is reached, additional acceptances will be deferred until the next start date.  Accepted students can choose to defer their start date due to extenuating circumstances a maximum of two semesters without having to reapply by requesting a deferral in writing. Deferral requests will be reviewed and accepted or denied by the Director of Admissions. The application cycle will close 45 days prior to each cohort start date to allow students time for onboarding and orientation.

Curriculum

The OBU MS-SLP degree is designed to prepare students for entry-level clinical practice in SLP.  Required courses for the program are listed below. Course descriptions can be found in the OBU Academic Catalog.

The curriculum requires four semesters of academic work (total 56 credits). Each semester is 16 weeks in length (full semester) and contains two 8-week sessions. Academic courses will be completed during 8-week sessions while clinical experiences will be completed during a full semester.

Program Mission, Vision, and Outcomes

Mission

To prepare competent and professional service-minded leaders in speech-language pathology (SLP) who apply Christian principles and values to communication and swallowing disorder prevention, assessment, and intervention across the lifespan.

Vision

To shape the future of speech-language pathology (SLP) education and practice through an innovative hybrid accelerated education model that pairs Christian ethics and values with academic and clinical education.

Student Outcomes

Within the Scope of Practice for Speech-Language Pathology, graduates of the OBU MS-SLP program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the biological, neurological, acoustic, and linguistic foundations of communication and swallowing across the lifespan.
2. Integrate theoretical knowledge, research evidence, clinical expertise and client/family preferences to make best practice decisions in the assessment and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan.
3. Apply principles of ethical and professional conduct consistent with the standards of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and relevant licensure/certification boards.
4. Engage in reflective practice and self-assessment to continually strengthen clinical competence, professionalism, interprofessional collaboration, ethical practice, and advocacy in service delivery.
5. Integrate biblical Christian principles and values into professional interactions and clinical practice.

Admissions Data

Program launch is proposed for Fall 2026. Admissions data will be available at the end of the 2026-2027 academic year.

Student Outcome Data

Program launch is proposed for Fall 2026. Student outcome data will be available at the end of the 2027-2028 academic year.

Note: The Praxis examination reporting period is the testing year or examination cycle, not the year of graduation for the test-takers. The data for each reporting period may include test-takers who graduated from the program within the prior 3 years.

Licensure and Certification

The OBU MS-SLP program meets the requirements for the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). Prior to enrolling in the program, students should verify that the program meets state licensure requirements in the state where they plan to practice. Some states have additional requirements for employment in the school setting. Students should review state websites for educator certification requirements.

Strategic Plan Executive Summary

The ability to communicate is a gift from God. Effective communication is a human right (ASHA). We were created to communicate with God - through His Word and the Holy Spirit - and with one another through reading, writing, speaking, or signing, and singing. The ability to communicate effectively is fundamental to our identity as beings created by God.

Our MS-SLP program is designed to integrate Christian faith with professional practice, emphasizing the importance of communication in independent living, building relationships, expressing faith, and worshipping God. The strategic plan outlines our goals and strategies to recruit and retain students, innovate our curriculum, provide robust clinical experiences, support faculty development, and integrate Christian principles into all aspects of our program through five strategic focus areas.

Focus Area 1: Student recruitment and retention

The OBU MS-SLP program strives to enroll and retain students by developing outreach programs and community partnerships to attract potential students. Enrolled students are provided with mentorship and support to promote a sense of belonging.

Focus Area 2: Curriculum innovation and academic excellence

The OBU MS-SLP program utilizes innovative instructional technologies and teaching methodologies to provide a state-of-the-art educational experience. Faculty receive extensive training in evidence-based teaching and learning principles and students are provided opportunities to engage in scholarly research initiatives and interdisciplinary learning activities.

Focus Area 3: Robust and varied clinical education experience

The OBU MS-SLP program has established partnerships with a variety of clinical sites to provide students with different clinical experiences. Students will gain experience with individuals with a wide variety of communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan and will have the opportunity to select clinical settings that align with their interests. Current simulation and telepractice technologies will be utilized to develop clinical skills.

Focus Area 4: Faculty recruitment and development

The OBU MS-SLP program employs exceptional faculty with extensive clinical and academic expertise. Faculty are active in scholarly research and are leaders in the field of speech-language pathology.

Focus Area 5: Integration of Christian principles and values

The OBU MS-SLP program incorporates biblical teaching and Christian ethics into the academic and clinical training students receive. Students participate in service-learning projects and clinical simulations that encourage them to apply Christian principles and values in clinical settings.

This strategic plan meets standards set forth by the Council of Academic Accreditation in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CAA) and the Council for Clinical Certification (CFCC) of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA).  The plan outlines the foundational goals and strategies for the MS-SLP program at OBU, ensuring alignment with the institution’s mission, vision, and values while striving for excellence in academic education and clinical preparation.

Non-discrimination Policy

The MS-SLP program adheres to the OBU non-discrimination policy, which states “In compliance with federal law, including the Provision of Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Oklahoma Baptist University does not illegally discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, sex, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or military service in the administration of educational policies, programs, or activities, its admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic or other University administered programs, or employment” (https://www.okbu.edu/legal-notices/index.html).

• OBU Title IX policies and procedures
• OBU Title IX reporting form

Grievances and Complaints

The OBU MS-SLP program expects students to follow the Student Concerns policies and procedures outlined in the OBU MS-SLP Academic and Clinical Handbook and the Student Grievance policies and procedures outlined in the OBU Online and Graduate Student Handbook.  Additional concerns related to compliance with accreditation standards should be communicated to the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) through the processes outlined on the CAA website https://caa.asha.org/programs/complaints/ or by contacting accreditation@asha.org or the ASHA Action Center https://www.asha.org/about/contacts/ (Members: 800-498-2071; Non-Members: 800-638-8255).