An Online Master's Degree Preparing Skilled Speech-Language Pathologists
The Speech-Language Pathology Master of Arts – Online Program prepares you for entry-level employment as a speech-language pathologist using a clinician-researcher model that provides a strong academic background and a foundation in evidence-based practice. It is offered in a primarily online format plus one two-week Summer visit to our Greeley Campus. See details in the Course of Study section.
This program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) through September 2025.
ASLS Prerequisites / Leveling: Online Summer Courses
UNC offers summer online ASLS prerequisite / leveling courses designed for students with a bachelor’s degree who need to complete these courses to apply for this program. The courses are generally posted on our Courses & Workshops page in February each year and they begin in May.
Eligibility for the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence
This Master of Arts program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) through September 2025, and by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE).
- Students who complete this program, complete the clinical fellowship and pass the Praxis exam are eligible to apply for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
- Graduates can also qualify for licensure from the Colorado Department of Education. Eight weeks of internship in public schools are required to be eligible for licensure from the Colorado Department of Education. Each state has specific rules for licensure, so if you plan to practice out of state please check with that state's requirements to ensure that this program will fit your needs.
Career opportunities include positions in schools, hospitals and rehabilitation centers; practice in association with a range of physicians including otolaryngology, neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry and pediatrics; and private practice.
Visit the ASLS Website
The department of Audiology and Speech-Language Sciences hosts additional program information, including program outcomes data and an FAQ list.
Visit the ASLS Pages for this Degree
Online + 1 Summer Greeley Visit
This 3-year master's degree is offered in a primarily online format to meet the needs of non-traditional students with employment or family commitments that preclude participation in a traditional on-campus program. You will visit our Greeley campus for 2 weeks during your first summer term for laboratory experiences associated with coursework and academic advising.
You will progress through the program as part of a cohort (group of students moving through the program together).
The graduate curriculum provides the academic and clinical practicum components of the requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology awarded by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association.
In addition to the coursework, satisfactory performance on a culminating activity or activities approved by the program faculty, in accordance with Graduate School policy, satisfies the completion of a comprehensive examination required to complete the Master of Arts program.
Required Coursework (63-75 Credit Hours)
Graduation from this program requires a minimum of 63 credit hours. Your clinical practicum needs, course choices and internship hours may result in additional credit hours.
To see a typical list of courses per term, visit an example Current Program Students page.
See an example full-program course schedule.
Complete the Following Courses (33 Credit Hours)
- ASLS 516 Professional Issues in SLP (2)
- ASLS 555 Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology of Communication (3)
- ASLS 563 Voice and Resonance Disorders (3)
- ASLS 571 Speech and Hearing Science (4)
- ASLS 655 Acquired Disorders of Language & Cognition (3)
- ASLS 656 Feeding and Swallowing Disorders: Lifespan (2)
- ASLS 657 Motor Speech Disorders: Lifespan (2)
- ASLS 658 Assistive Technology for Communication Disorders (2)
- ASLS 661 Articulation and Phonological Disorders in Children (3)
- ASLS 664 Fluency Disorders (3)
- ASLS 682 Language Disorders in Early Childhood and Preschool (3)
- ASLS 684 Disorders of Language & Literacy: School-Age and Adolescent (3)
Internships (9-18 Credit Hours)
Research Courses (7 Credit Hours)
- ASLS 515 Foundations of Research and Writing (1)
- ASLS 615 Research in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (1)
- ASLS 686 Capstone in Speech-Language Pathology (2)
- RCS 610 Interpretation and Evaluation of Behavioral Research (3) OR SRM 600 Introduction to Graduate Research (3)
Clinical Practicum (14-19 Credit Hours)
- ASLS 474 Clinical Practicum in Audiology (1) (If Audiology hours are needed)
- ASLS 567 Diagnostic Procedures: Introduction (2)
- ASLS 568 Diagnostic Procedures: Intermediate (2)
- ASLS 569 Advanced Diagnostic Procedures (2)
- ASLS 583 Clinical Practicum: Introduction (2)
- ASLS 585 Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology: Intermediate (2)
- ASLS 586 Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology: Intermediate/Advanced (2)
- ASLS 588 Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology: Advanced (2)
Culminating Activity
Satisfactory performance on culminating activity/activities approved by program faculty, in accordance with Graduate School policy, satisfies the completion of the comprehensive exam and is required to complete the MA Program.
For full details, see the official program listing in the UNC Graduate Catalog.