Arnold School of Public Health

The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology distance education program is the Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders and offers a flexible, part-time pathway to becoming a speech-language pathologist. This modality is an alternative to the full-time residential/on-campus program and is intended for students who are unable to relocate to or attend the residential program in Columbia, SC. 

Students complete the program through a three- or four-year curriculum, depending on their undergraduate background and previous coursework. Courses are typically taken part time during the fall and spring semesters, with summers reserved for clinical practicum experiences. 

Like the residential program, the distance education MS prepares students for the clinical practice of speech-language pathology. Graduates are eligible to pursue national certification, state licensure and South Carolina teacher certification. 

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Curriculum 

The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology curriculum combines academic coursework and clinical experiences designed to meet ASHA standards for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology. Students complete coursework in basic communication sciences, professional practice, related areas such as public health and evidence-based care, and clinical practicum/internship experiences that prepare them to work with communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan. See the sample course sequence.

View full program curriculum on the Academic Bulletin by program entry year. 

Outcomes 

Students graduate in August each academic year. Outcome measures are updated in October of each academic year.
Passing of the PRAXIS exam is required for national certification and often for state licensure.

Information Sessions  

Join an Information Session or an Open House to learn more about the online MS in Speech-Language Pathology. 

Fall 2026 Open House 

Lumpkin Auditorium, 8th floor, Close-Hipp Building 
October 15, 2026 
10 am – 1pm 
Register Here.

Admissions Requirements 

To be admitted into the MS program, students must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution or be on track to complete one prior to enrollment.  

Learn more about the complete admission requirements and application deadlines for the MS degree program. 

 

Where Our Grads Work 

Our grads are working in healthcare, education and private practice in places like: 

• Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System 
• Sprout Pediatrics, LLC 
• Prisma Health 
• FOX Rehabilitation 
• Richland School District 2 
• Greenville County Schools 

 

Tuition 

Tuition and fees are subject to change and vary based on enrollment status. Students are encouraged to explore financial aid options and scholarships to help support their education. Learn more from the Office of Graduate Student Services.

USC Tuition & Fees

Frequently Asked Questions 

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• Is the distance education (online) MS in Speech-Language Pathology program part-time?

  Yes. Courses are taken on a part-time basis (generally two courses each fall and spring semester) with summers being reserved for clinical practicum experiences.

• When does the program start each year?

  The exact point of entry into the distance education modality is dependent on a student’s previous coursework and clinical practicum (see course sequence). For applicants with undergraduate majors in speech-language pathology (that include a minimum of 25 hours of clinical observation and 50 hours of supervised practicum), the course sequence begins in the summer and continues for three calendar years plus a summer internship. Students with undergraduate majors in other disciplines take background coursework during fall and spring semesters prior to entry into the regular MS (distance education) curriculum that begins in the summer. 

• Are courses self-paced/asynchronous?

  No. Courses offered through distance education are not self-paced. Instead, they follow the university’s academic calendar and semester schedule. Course content is provided through streaming video as well as with internet support (e.g., interactive online chat, discussion boards, and Blackboard).

• Where and when do students complete external clinical practicum experiences?

  Students typically complete clinical practicum experiences during the summer terms. A summer internship is also part of the curriculum for students with an undergraduate background in speech-language pathology.  

  Local sStudents can build clinical skills through supervised practicum in USC’s state-of-the-art Montgomery Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic and through placements across more than 700 external sites in South Carolina and throughout the United States. These settings include hospitals, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, community clinics, auditory-verbal centers, schools and private practices. 

  External practicum placements are coordinated by program administrators and tailored to each student’s academic preparation, clinical skills, learning style and graduation requirements. Together, these experiences prepare graduates for successful careers as speech-language pathologists across a wide range of professional settings. 

• When is the application deadline?

  The application deadline for admission is December 15. 

   

• I am an out-of-state student. How can I learn more about licensing requirements in my state?

  Students should review licensure requirements in the state where they plan to practice, because requirements vary by state. 

• What can I do with a master’s degree in speech-language pathology?

  You'll be prepared to work as a speech-language pathologist in schools, hospitals, medical facilities, rehabilitation centers, private practice and other clinical or community settings.

• Who do speech-language pathologists work with?

  Speech-language pathologists work with children and adults who have communication and swallowing disorders, including speech, language, fluency, voice, feeding and swallowing difficulties. 

• What types of disorders do speech-language pathologists treat?

  Speech-language pathologists treat a wide range of concerns, including articulation disorders, motor speech difficulties, language delays, autism-related communication needs, literacy challenges, stuttering, voice disorders, stroke-related language loss, feeding difficulties and swallowing disorders. 

• Is this program accredited?

  Yes. The master’s degree program in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of South Carolina has been continuously accredited for more than 30 years by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. 

 

 

 

Join Our Top-Ranked Program 

Learn more about our application process to the nationally-ranked MS in Speech-Language Pathology and start your application. 

 

Contact Us 

If you have questions about the distance education MS in Speech Language Pathology, please contact Crystal Murphree-Holden, Director of Distance Education, at 803-777-1170 or cmholden@mailbox.sc.edu.