University of the Pacific Speech Pathology Programs

Want a career that’s set to grow by a lot? The University of the Pacific Speech Pathology Programs can prepare you for a field that will add 33,300 new positions between 2023 and 2033. This national leader in undergraduate clinical education is among the few speech-language pathology programs that let students gain clinical experience during their undergraduate years.

The University of the Pacific’s speech pathology programs in California deliver amazing results. Students typically get 70 hours of clinical experience as undergraduate clinicians. The program’s success rate is impressive – all students have passed their examinations before getting their master’s degree for over 20 years. This is much higher than the national average of 80-90%. The program also has a perfect track record with 100% employment rate within a year after graduation. California’s licensed Speech Therapists earn around $92,800 per year, making it a competitive career choice for graduates with speech language pathology graduate programs credentials. The University of the Pacific’s speech language pathology program ranks among California’s best speech pathology graduate programs. It offers CAA accreditation that prepares students for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s National Examination and state licensure.

Program Features

The University of the Pacific Speech Pathology Programs offer unique accelerated pathways that set them apart. Traditional programs typically require four years of full-time study, but Pacific gives you two faster options: a 15-month program if you have a speech-language pathology background, and a 24-month program for degrees in other fields. You can start your career 9-12 months earlier than graduates from other universities.

These programs excel at clinical preparation. Students get hands-on experience in cutting-edge facilities with 18 high-tech clinical therapy rooms that feature observation mirrors and audio-monitoring systems. The department’s facilities include the Pacific Speech, Hearing and Language Center, the RiteCare Childhood Language Center of Stockton, and the Language-Literacy Center—each designed for clinical training.

Clinical experience is the core of Pacific’s education. Students must complete 400 clock hours of supervised clinical practice, with 375 hours spent directly working with clients. This training prepares you to assess and treat communication disorders in a variety of populations. The disorders include:

• Speech sound disorders
• Fluency disorders
• Voice disorders
• Language disorders
• Neurogenic communication disorders

Students in the 15-month program start working with clients right from their first semester. The next phase involves spending two days each week for seven months in northern California public schools under certified supervision. Your final experience—a full-time, semester-long medical externship—can be completed in locations that match your preferences.

Pacific’s program aims to develop thoughtful practitioners with strong critical thinking skills and ethical foundations. The results speak for themselves—graduates achieve a 100% employment rate within one year and maintain a 98% Praxis Examination pass rate (3-year average).

Online and Hybrid Options

Flexibility plays a key role when you’re working on your graduate degree in speech pathology. The University of the Pacific understands this and has adapted parts of their speech language pathology graduate programs to meet student needs.

Pacific gives you options to get your prerequisite coursework done. You might qualify for their accelerated 15-month program even if you completed your speech-language pathology or communicative disorders coursework online somewhere else. But first, you need to pass these eight foundation courses:

• Speech and Language Development
• Phonetics
• Audiology
• Articulation and Phonology (or Speech Sound Disorders)
• Anatomy & Physiology of Speech
• Language Disorders
• Speech & Hearing Science
• Aural Rehabilitation

You can prepare for admission to one of California’s best speech pathology graduate programs without stepping into a physical classroom for undergraduate work.

California’s speech pathology programs have seen a rise in hybrid learning models lately. These programs blend online coursework with hands-on clinical training sessions. You can complete most of your academic work from home while still getting vital clinical experience.

Technology has changed how speech-language pathologists continue their education. Licensed professionals now have many online options to maintain their credentials and grow their expertise through continuing education units (CEUs).

Students who need maximum flexibility should look into programs with substantial online components. All the same, speech-language pathology training requires hands-on practice, so even programs that are mostly online need some in-person clinical work to build practical skills.

The University of the Pacific’s speech language pathology program keeps improving its teaching methods while staying true to its steadfast dedication to clinical excellence and student success.

Accreditation

Quality education in speech-language pathology starts with proper accreditation. The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential) at University of the Pacific Speech Pathology Programs holds full accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. This prestigious accreditation currently extends from 2019 through February 2027.

CAA’s accreditation works as ASHA’s stamp of approval. It shows that the program meets specific curriculum requirements that prepare graduates for CCC-SLP certification. The University of the Pacific’s speech language pathology program maintains high standards across six significant components:

• Administrative structure and governance
• Faculty qualifications and continuing education
• Curriculum based on scientific and research foundations
• Student advisement and nondiscriminatory clinical education
• Ongoing assessment systems
• Program resources

This accreditation status brings several advantages to prospective students. The program undergoes regular internal evaluations to reassess goals and maintains a long-term strategic plan. Qualified faculty members administer the program, including a program director with a graduate degree in speech-language pathology.

Students who graduate from a CAA-accredited program can apply for national certification through ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence. This credential, combined with successful program completion and passing the comprehensive examination, qualifies graduates for licensure in states of all sizes.

The CAA conducts detailed reviews during accreditation. Initial accreditation lasts for a maximum of 5 years, while reaccreditation extends up to 8 years, both with annual reviews. The program’s accreditation through 2027 shows it consistently meets or exceeds California’s speech pathology program standards.

Students receive a curriculum that gives them core knowledge and skills to practice at the highest professional level. This solid foundation without doubt contributes to the program’s exceptional outcomes.

Admission Requirements

The University of the Pacific Speech Pathology Programs sets high standards for admission. The program’s competitive nature shows in its 2023 admission cycle, where only 36 students gained admission from a pool of 105 applicants.

Basic Requirements

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution serves as the foundation. The program recommends a minimum 3.0 overall GPA and 3.25 GPA in prerequisite courses. Students who gain admission typically perform better than these standards. The last admission cycle saw an average GPA of 3.73 for the 15-month cohort and 3.61 for the 24-month cohort.

Students must complete and document at least 25 hours of clinical observation with an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist. Students whose native language isn’t English need to prove their English language proficiency.

Application Procedure

The program employs the CSDCAS application system. Your first application costs $125, while each additional program costs $50. The priority deadline falls on January 15th, with decisions coming by mid-February. The final deadline is February 1st, and decisions arrive by March end.

Your application package must include:

• Official transcripts from all post-high school institutions
• A personal statement describing your motivation and qualifications
• Three letters of reference (at least one from a university faculty member)
• A 3-4 minute video response to prompts detailed on CSDCAS

Program-Specific Prerequisites

Your background determines whether you’ll enter the 15-month or 24-month program. The 24-month program needs simple coursework in child development, biology/anatomy, chemistry/physics, statistics, and psychology/sociology. The 15-month program requires these courses plus eight additional speech pathology-specific subjects.

The admissions process doesn’t require or look at GRE scores. Students who receive an acceptance offer must respond by April 15th.

Tuition and Fees

The financial investment needed for graduate education plays a significant role in planning your academic future. Pacific University’s Speech Pathology Programs rank among California’s best graduate programs, and you need to think over the costs carefully.

The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program at Pacific University charges $1,483 per unit for the 2025-2026 academic year. The program needs 56-88 total units based on your background. Your total tuition investment could range from $83,048 to $130,504.

Your education comes with these mandatory fees:

• Wellness Center Fee: $240 per term (9+ units) or $120 per term (0.5-8.5 units)
• Activity & Recreation Fee: $120 per term (9+ units) or $60 per term (0.5-8.5 units)
• ASUOP Student Activity Fee: $150 per term (9+ units) or $75 per term (0.5-8.5 units)

The Wellness Center Fee drops to $80 during summer sessions.

Many financial aid options can help you manage these costs. Eight to nine graduate assistantship positions go to outstanding applicants yearly. These positions are a great way to get experience and include a $3,000 tuition waiver in the first year plus $5,000 in monthly stipends from September through June.

Speech pathology students can access scholarships through organizations like ASHA, NSSLHA, and specialized programs for bilingual practitioners or those with specific clinical interests.

Pacific University’s financial aid packages match your qualifications and program of study. Specific financial aid details become available after program admission and acceptance.

The investment in an ASHA-certified program with exceptional student outcomes deserves careful evaluation against California’s strong employment outlook and competitive salaries.

Career Outcomes

The University of the Pacific Speech Pathology Programs’ graduates achieve outstanding career outcomes that prove the program’s excellence. Students show they can handle this challenging curriculum with a 91% on-time completion rate averaged over three years.

The program’s 98% Praxis examination pass rate over three years stands well above the national average of 80-90%. Pacific has achieved something remarkable – a perfect 100% pass rate before graduation for over 20 years. Only two other institutions nationwide share this track record.

Career prospects look excellent, as 100% of graduates secure jobs in their field within a year. This perfect placement rate reflects how highly employers value Pacific graduates throughout California and beyond.

Speech-language pathologists can work in many different settings. The job market looks promising, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasting an 18% increase in employment between 2023 and 2033. This growth creates opportunities in communities of all types nationwide.

The field offers competitive pay that varies by workplace. Speech-language pathologists earned a median annual salary of $89,290 in 2023. In California, they average even more at $112,030. School positions typically pay $71,000 to $83,000, while healthcare settings average $82,000. Supervisors earn more, around $113,000 yearly.

What makes these results possible? Pacific graduates point to the program’s quick pace and early clinical experience. One graduate puts it perfectly: “Preparation starts at the beginning of the program… The hands-on experience we gain through working with patients is priceless”.

The University of the Pacific speech pathology programs combine academic excellence with practical training to help you succeed in this growing field.

What’s Unique about the Speech Pathology Programs at University of the Pacific

University of the Pacific Speech Pathology Programs excel through their unmatched mix of speed and student success. These programs deliver results that other schools can’t match. Pacific is one of just three schools nationwide that has kept a perfect pre-graduation Praxis examination pass rate for over two decades.

The program’s strength comes from its focus on both speed and quality. Students don’t have to pick between finishing quickly and getting a great education – they get both. You can start your career 9-12 months before graduates from other programs and still get thorough clinical training.

The program’s clinical foundation sets it apart. Many California speech pathology programs limit hands-on work for undergrads. Pacific takes a different approach. Students get real experience from day one. This creates graduates with both knowledge and skills that employers value.

The program’s facilities rank among California’s best speech pathology graduate schools. Modern therapy rooms come equipped with observation mirrors and audio systems. This setup lets students turn classroom concepts into real-world skills right away.

The program’s success shows in its job placement rate – every graduate finds work within a year. Employers clearly value Pacific’s speech language pathology graduates.

Pacific’s approach to speech pathology education stands out. It blends academic excellence with real clinical work. Students get quick completion times and thorough preparation. They learn theory and gain practical skills. Graduates hit the ground running in their careers from the start.