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Emerson College Master of Sciences in Communication Disorders online

Speech@Emerson prepares aspiring speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to help clients in their community find their voice and communicate with confidence.

About the program

  • Generalist SLP program: Graduate as a generalist, with the ability to work with people from all walks of life who are living with a range of speech challenges.
  • Two track options available: Complete the program in as few as 20 months through a 5-term track, or in as many as 36 months through a 9-term track.
  • No GRE required: Don’t worry about standardized test scores. Emerson values your commitment to making an impact in your community more. 

About Emerson College

Emerson College was established in 1880, with speech and communication as two of its founding disciplines. Today, Emerson’s online Master of Sciences in Communication Disorders program — Speech@Emerson — carries this legacy into the 21st century. Speech@Emerson prepares aspiring speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to make a tangible, positive impact on the lives of those with communication disorders.

Speech@Emerson is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Tuition and fees

Tuition and fees are subject to change and may increase each academic year. Tuition does not include student fees, technology platform licensing, or support services. Learners are also responsible for travel and accommodation costs related to any in-person immersions or residentials.

Technology and services powered by 2U, Inc., the parent company of edX.

Curriculum: foundational courses

The 54-credit online Master of Sciences (MS) in Communication Disorders curriculum is grounded in evidence-based research, and will prepare you to assess and treat a variety of communicative challenges — from aphasia to motor-speech disorders — experienced by people across their lifespan. The program’s live class sessions, on-campus immersions, and in-person clinical training will help you graduate empowered to serve clients in any setting. If you do not have a background in speech-language pathology, you may have to take up to 18 credits of foundational coursework.

  • Foundational courses include:
    • Structures and functions for speech, hearing, and swallowing
    • Language development
    • Survey of communication disorders across the lifespan
    • Clinical observations and foundations 
    • Foundations of audiology
    • Speech sounds: Phonetics and acoustics
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Admissions

Emerson Collegeseeks diverse candidates from a range of academic backgrounds. To apply to Speech@Emerson, you must hold a bachelor’s degree, in any discipline, from a regionally accredited university or college. To complete an application, you will need to submit:

  • Résumé

  • Official transcripts 

  • Three letters of recommendation 

  • One personal statement essay 

  • Interview

  • TOEFL (if applicable)


Immersions and clinical placements

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Real-world, hands-on experience is essential to developing as a skilled SLP. For this reason, you will participate in immersions and complete clinical hours to prepare for national certification and licensure as a speech-language pathologist.

  • Immersions — You will attend two weekend-long immersions on-campus. During these immersions, you will receive clinical instruction from immersion facilitators and engage in reflective practice.  

  • Clinical placements — You will complete 400 hours of supervised clinical practice in one virtual placement and four community placements. Clinical placements allow you to work directly with clients of all ages who struggle with different communication disorders.  

Emerson’s team of dedicated placement specialists will help you find nearby sites within its national partner network.

Want to learn more?

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