Earn a Degree as a Speech-Language Pathologist Online

Speech-language pathologists are professionals that work with individuals who have difficulties speaking as well as swallowing and a myriad of other mouth-related problems. There are many reasons people suffer from communication disorders. Strokes, neurological and/or physical problems, and hearing difficulties can all cause impediments in speech. Speech-language pathologists often times help youngsters with stuttering problems, help people overcome strong accents, and help the hearing impaired with tone and articulation. Frequently infants who are born prematurely have feeding problems, and speech-language pathologists are qualified for consultation in these circumstances as well. Speech-language pathologists are also known as speech therapists.

Degrees in speech-language pathology can find job entry-level positions with a bachelor’s level education; however, most speech-language pathologists hold a master's degree in speech-language pathology. A bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology, or communicative studies, is required to move forward towards a graduate degree. Licensure standards are dependant upon state regulations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the "median annual earnings of wage-and-salary speech-language pathologists were $57,710 in May 2006."¹

Utah State University offers a completely online degree in speech-language pathology through its bachelor of science/art in communication studies program. The online bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology requires 120 hours of study to be completed before the degree will be awarded with thirty of those hours required to have been taken from USU. According to USU’s tuition & Fees webpage for 2011, the online tuition per one credit hour for resident undergraduates is $227². The length of time needed to finish the undergraduate bachelor’s degree in speech-pathology online is comparable to the length of time it would take at a regular university. Four years is usually standard for the completion of a bachelor’s degree. According to the Department of Education, Utah State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities³.

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, accessed May 20, 2009

2. Utah State University (USU) Website, 2010-2011 online tuition table, accessed July 28, 2010

3. Department of Education, accessed May 20, 2009