9 Top Communication Sciences and Disorders Programs in California for 2026

A career in speech-language pathology starts with the right educational foundation. The right communication sciences and disorders undergraduate program can speed up your path to becoming a professional. You don’t need a specific bachelor’s degree to enter a master’s program, but choosing a school with CAA-accredited graduate programs will substantially improve your chances.

Many schools now offer innovative 5-year accelerated programs that combine undergraduate and graduate coursework. Students can earn both degrees in five years instead of six. This smart approach saves a year’s tuition and living expenses while helping professionals enter the field faster to help clients. California State University’s programs include complete Bachelor of Science degrees that prepare graduates to work in healthcare, education, and research settings.

California has some of the most respected communication sciences and disorders programs nationwide. Students starting their academic path or planning to transfer can benefit greatly. This piece highlights 9 top-rated programs across the Golden State that build a strong foundation to a rewarding career in 2026 and beyond.

California State University, Chico

California State University, Chico sits in Northern California. The university’s Communication Sciences and Disorders (CMSD) program gives excellent preparation to future speech-language pathologists. The department’s reputation has grown strong throughout California in the 75+ years of creating quality professionals.

Chico State program highlights

Students can enter the speech-language pathology field through several paths:

• Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders
• Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders
• Speech-Language Services credential

The BS program builds scientific foundations in speech, language, and hearing. Students learn about biological, neurological, and cultural influences on communication. This detailed preparation gives graduates the skills they need for entry-level positions in healthcare, education, and research settings.

The master’s program at CSU Chico uses a cohort model that promotes collaboration among students. Students move through sequential coursework in speech, language, and swallowing sciences together. They need 57 total semester credit hours to graduate, and the program combines academic seminars with diagnostic and clinical practice.

CSU Chico stands out because of its student success rates. Students find jobs within three months after graduation. More than 95% of students finish their studies on time. Students have maintained PRAXIS examination pass rates at or above the national average in the last 15 years. About 90% pass on their first try in recent years.

The program creates a professional yet relaxed environment. Students benefit from easy access to faculty members. The campus’s residential setting means professors can meet one-on-one with students regularly.

Accreditation and credentials

The Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association fully accredits CSU Chico’s Communication Sciences and Disorders MS education program. The program’s accreditation runs from 2018 through 2026, with the next review set for February 2026.

Official documents show the graduate education program is “fully operational and in compliance with the Standards for Accreditation”. This accreditation status plays a vital role when graduates seek professional certification and state licensure.

Program graduates can pursue:

• National certification
• California state licensure
• California Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential

Clinical training opportunities

Students get hands-on experience at the on-campus Clinic for Communication Disorders (CCD). The clinic operates from the Aymer J. Hamilton Building and serves community members from Chico and surrounding areas.

Licensed and certified speech-language pathologists supervise first-year graduate students during their clinical practicum at the CCD. Students later expand their training through practicum placements in hospitals, medical centers, private practices, and public schools.

Students must get at least 400 total clock hours before graduation. This includes 25 undergraduate observation hours and 375 clinical clock hours. Students work in three different settings: the campus clinic during year one, followed by internships in medical/private practice settings and schools.

Students need 100 clock hours minimum in school-based internships to qualify for the speech-language pathology credential. Second-year internships involve a 4-unit section, which means at least 24 hours weekly at the internship site. Students typically accumulate about 150 hours of direct client contact.

This detailed clinical training helps students support communication needs across all age groups. Graduates work in various settings from early intervention programs and K-12 schools to hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and private practices.

San Diego State University

San Diego State University (SDSU) ranks as the #1 speech language program in California. The School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences provides outstanding education in communication sciences and disorders. Students from across the country choose SDSU because of its well-laid-out curriculum and research opportunities in 16 specialized laboratories.

San Diego State program

The Master of Arts in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences will prepare you through an intensive, full-time curriculum. The program runs for five semesters (two academic years plus summer). Students gain essential clinical knowledge and hands-on experience. The program requires on-campus attendance with no part-time or remote options.

The undergraduate program teaches human communication throughout life and helps you understand:

• Speech and language development
• Swallowing processes
• Hearing science fundamentals
• Assessment and treatment approaches for communication disorders

Students develop valuable skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, cultural competence, and evidence-based practice. These skills create opportunities for graduate education or careers in healthcare, education, and research settings.

SDSU offers advanced study options through mutually beneficial alliances with the University of California system:

• Joint Doctoral Program in Audiology (AuD) with UC San Diego
• PhD in Language and Communicative Disorders

Accreditation and credentials

The Master of Arts program has full accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. This recognition will give a quality education that meets national standards for professional certification.

The program helps you earn:

• Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) from ASHA
• California state licensure in Speech-Language Pathology
• Speech Language Pathology Services Credential for school-based practice

Students pursuing the SLP Services Credential complete one semester of student teaching in schools. They accumulate 25 hours of guided observation and 375 clock hours working with individuals who have communication disorders.

Clinical training opportunities

Clinical experience is the life-blood of SDSU’s program. Students train at the SDSU Audiology Clinic, where they provide diagnostic and rehabilitative services to people of all ages. Faculty supervision helps students become skilled at:

• Hearing assessment
• Hearing aid evaluation and selection
• Assistive listening device fitting
• Aural rehabilitation techniques

SDSU partners with many community sites in educational, medical, military, private practice, and multicultural settings. These experiences expose students to different clinical approaches and diverse patient populations.

Audiology students rotate between SDSU’s Audiology Clinic and UC San Diego’s Otology/Audiology Clinic. The program concludes with a full-time fourth-year externship. Students participate in clinical case studies and staffings where the core team discusses interesting cases and treatment approaches.

California State University, Northridge

California State University, Northridge (CSUN) boasts a nationally recognized Communication Disorders and Sciences program. The program ranks #12 out of 134 schools for speech-language pathology, which puts it in the top 10% nationwide. The university has also secured the #29 position among 297 schools for communication sciences.

CSU Northridge program highlights

Students can choose between campus-based and fully online options for the Master of Science in Communicative Disorders program. The evidence-based curriculum covers essential areas:

• Neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of speech, language, and hearing
• Neurogenic disorders of cognition and language
• Voice disorders and treatment approaches
• Advanced diagnostics in speech-language pathology
• Pediatric audiology

Students learn to think critically while building their expertise in human communication science. The program’s foundation combines psychology, cognitive science, biology, and language science fundamentals. This complete preparation helps graduates meet academic requirements for:

• Licensure in all states for medical, rehabilitative, and private practice settings
• Educational credentials for public school employment nationwide
• Professional certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

The program’s graduates show excellent employment success. They work with organizations like Los Angeles Unified School District, Kaiser Permanente, Easterseals, and many school districts throughout California.

Accreditation and credentials

The Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language-Pathology (CAA) of ASHA has fully accredited the Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology program. The program received its first accreditation in April 1976 and maintains continuous accreditation, with the current cycle running from 2021 through 2029. This recognition shows that the program meets high standards in six key areas, including curriculum design, faculty qualifications, and student support services.

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges has granted CSUN institutional accreditation. The university earned a full 10-year reaccreditation in March 2022.

Clinical training opportunities

Clinical experience is the life-blood of CSUN’s program. Students start their training at the on-campus Language, Speech and Hearing Center and later complete externships at affiliated medical centers, professional practices, and public schools.

Students must complete minimum 400 clock hours of supervised practicum to meet certification requirements. This includes 375 hours in direct client contact and 25 in clinical observation. The program offers clinical experience through five sequential practicum courses:

• Three pediatric clinical practicum experiences
• An adult externship (requiring full-time summer availability)
• A final practicum addressing any missing competencies

The program gives students experience with clients of all ages, from birth through adulthood, in at least three different clinical settings. This extensive training prepares graduates to serve people with communication needs in a variety of communities.

California State University, Fullerton

CSU Fullerton’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers a resilient program. Students become skilled at professional practice through complete academic and clinical training. The program prepares students to work with patients from all backgrounds in various settings.

CSU Fullerton program highlights

Students can complete CSU Fullerton’s Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders program in 4 semesters plus one or two summer terms. The curriculum needs 34 units of adviser-approved coursework. Students must also finish 12 graduate seminars to build their expertise.

CSU Fullerton stands out with:

• Faculty experts who hold doctoral degrees and have earned national and international recognition
• A new Multicultural Certificate option launched in Spring 2021 that shows steadfast dedication to culturally competent practice
• Strong focus on multicultural clinical issues, autism intervention, alternative communication, and swallowing disorders

Students must meet these academic standards:

• Keep a minimum 3.0 GPA both overall and in Graduate Study Plan courses
• Pass complete examinations that match ASHA knowledge competencies
• Finish required clinical practica with specific course combinations

Accreditation and credentials

CSU Fullerton’s master’s education program in speech-language pathology has full accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The program’s current accreditation runs through 2027.

Graduates can pursue:

• Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) from ASHA
• California state licensure in Speech-Language Pathology
• Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential (SLPSC) for California public schools

Students need to complete several steps to get their CCC-SLP. These include finishing the MS degree, required clinical practica, passing the National Examination in Speech-Language Pathology (Praxis), completing a Clinical Fellowship Year, and submitting proper application materials to ASHA.

Clinical training opportunities

Clinical experience is vital to the program. Students get unique clinical practica experiences in various settings with different populations. Special training includes:

• Child and adult therapy
• Audiology services
• School and medical environments
• Transgender voice communication
• Alternative communication methods

Students develop practical skills at the university’s Speech and Hearing Clinic. They also learn at more than thirty affiliated hospitals, rehabilitation agencies, schools, and private practices in the community.

The program’s clinical preparation shows impressive results. Graduates achieve a remarkable 100% job placement rate within six months of graduation. This soaring win shows the program’s quality and its strong industry connections throughout California.

California State University, Long Beach

California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) has grown into one of California’s leading institutions for training communication sciences professionals over the last 69 years. The program ranks #20 nationally among all speech-language pathology programs and stands #5 in California. These rankings place CSULB in the top 15% of programs nationwide.

CSU Long Beach program highlights

Students can earn their Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology through a cohort-based program that spans five consecutive semesters (Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall, Spring). The well-laid-out program needs 58 units of coursework, and students must keep a 3.0 GPA. The curriculum helps students learn about:

• Advanced knowledge in congenital, developmental, acquired, and neurogenic communication disorders across the lifespan
• Competence in evidence-based practice and ethical clinical decision-making
• Skills in differential diagnosis methods
• Cultural competence for a variety of patient populations

Classes take place on weekdays in person, and the program doesn’t offer online options. This residential format works best for full-time students.

Accreditation and credentials

The Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association fully accredits the program. CSULB earned CAA re-accreditation in 2019 for eight years, which continues through March 31, 2027. The program briefly lost accreditation between 1980-1985 but has managed to keep it since first receiving it in 1974.

Graduates qualify for three key credentials:

• Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from ASHA
• Speech-Language Pathologist license in California
• Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

Clinical training opportunities

The on-campus Speech-Language Clinic provides students with hands-on experience while offering free diagnostic and therapeutic services to the community. Students must complete 400 direct clinical contact hours split between:

• Two on-campus clinical practicum courses (SLP 669A and 669J)
• School-based internship (minimum 125 hours direct contact)
• Medical/private practice internship (minimum 150 hours direct contact)

The department uses CALIPSO to track student progress in knowledge acquisition, skill development, and clinical hours.

California Baptist University

CBU’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders creates a unique learning environment by blending Christian values with professional speech-language pathology training. Students experience both academic excellence and spiritual growth as they prepare for careers in communication disorders.

California Baptist program highlights

CBU provides several paths to become a speech-language professional:

• Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders
• Optional Speech-Language Pathology Assistant practicum to obtain California licensure
• Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (71 units)

Students in the master’s program advance through their coursework as a cohort and complete the degree in two years with two summer sessions. Expert faculty members teach all courses through a Christian worldview perspective. The program’s demanding nature makes it difficult to maintain employment while studying.

Accreditation and credentials

The Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology has granted full accreditation to the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program through 2026. CBU’s approval from the California Teaching Commission allows graduates to qualify for the Preliminary Speech Services Credential. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission provides institutional accreditation to the university.

Clinical training opportunities

The on-campus Clinical Education Center lets students work alongside faculty supervisors to earn their clinical clock hours. Students help people of all ages with various communication disorders under expert guidance. They treat conditions such as speech and language delays, autism, hearing impairment, aphasia, traumatic brain injury, stuttering, and apraxia. This hands-on experience prepares graduates to serve diverse populations with communication needs effectively.

Biola University

Biola University blends Christian principles with clinical speech-language pathology education. Students learn to treat communication disorders through professional expertise and spiritual guidance. The university aims to help “millions of people whose lives are affected by various speech, language, hearing, cognitive and swallowing disorders”.

Biola University program highlights

The Communication Sciences and Disorders program gives students several educational paths:

• BS degree that builds a foundation for graduate studies
• Accelerated 3+2 program that combines BS and MS degrees
• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate designed for career-changers

Qualified students can finish their undergraduate degree in three years through the accelerated program and move directly into the MS in Speech-Language Pathology. Students need a 3.6 GPA and must maintain “pleasant and professional relationships with all department faculty” to stay eligible.

The program’s success speaks for itself. About 90% of graduates get into graduate or doctoral programs. Former students consistently say they felt thoroughly prepared for their clinical work.

Accreditation and credentials

The MS in Speech-Language Pathology program maintains full accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology through 2026. The next review comes up in February 2025. This accreditation helps graduates meet professional certification requirements.

Clinical training opportunities

Students get hands-on experience at the on-campus Speech and Language Clinic. Seniors work as student clinicians and help both children and adults. Graduate students take part in the Social Skills Camp, a five-day summer program where they “assess case histories, identify individual client goals, plan treatment activities and facilitate practical communication opportunities”.

Loma Linda University

Loma Linda University combines faith-based education with clinical excellence in communication sciences and disorders. Students learn to become speech-language pathologists and audiologists, and help people of all ages with communication disorders.

Loma Linda program highlights

Students can choose from several flexible learning paths:

• Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders (online or in-person options)
• Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders (two-year, full-time program)
• Students become eligible as Speech-Language Pathology Assistants after completing their BS degree

Students learn to evaluate and treat various communication challenges. The program covers speech, language, swallowing, and cognitive communication disorders. The curriculum goes beyond academics to emphasize professional values that support whole-person care.

Accreditation and credentials

The Master of Science degree program has full accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges has also accredited Loma Linda University as an institution.

Clinical training opportunities

Students gain hands-on experience at the university’s on-campus clinic and affiliated hospitals and community sites. They work with patients of all ages, including children, adults, elderly patients, and people with developmental disabilities. Clinical rotations provide complete training in diagnostic evaluation, hearing aids, cochlear implants, vestibular rehabilitation, and aural habilitation. Students work closely with physical therapists, physicians, social workers, and other healthcare professionals through collaborative efforts.

California State University, East Bay

California State University, East Bay’s Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences builds a community that advances understanding of communication disorders. Their innovative teaching, research, and clinical practice make this possible.

CSU East Bay program highlights

The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at CSU East Bay prepares students for state licensure, ASHA certification, and public school credentials. Students can choose between residential and distance education formats – both fully accredited options. The program combines challenging academics with extensive clinical training to help students become skilled at:

• Managing speech, language, and swallowing disorders throughout life stages
• Applying evidence-based assessment and treatment approaches
• Mastering professional conduct and clinical documentation

Program graduates find success in a variety of roles as speech-language pathologists, clinical consultants, research assistants, and therapy aides.

Accreditation and credentials

The Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology has accredited the MS program. The program’s Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential preparation also holds accreditation from the California Commission on Teacher Education. Student success rates speak volumes – with a 92.31% three-year average completion rate and a remarkable 100% exam pass rate spanning three consecutive years (2022-2025).

Clinical training opportunities

Students gain clinical experience at the campus’s Norma S. Rees Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic through observation, training, and research. The program features specialized initiatives including the Aphasia Treatment Program, Conversation Club for adults with autism, and Pioneer Pals summer camp for children. Students must complete 400 clock hours across three different clinical settings to develop expertise with various populations and disorders.

Get Started

The right communication sciences and disorders program will without doubt shape your future career path. This guide highlights outstanding California institutions that offer complete education and clinical training opportunities. These programs excel with their strong accreditation status, impressive employment outcomes, and steadfast dedication to preparing competent speech-language professionals.

These top-rated programs share several key strengths. Most universities have full accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation, which ensures graduates meet rigorous national standards. Many schools also offer flexible paths—from traditional four-year degrees to accelerated 3+2 or 5-year programs that help students save time and money.

Hands-on clinical experience is the foundation of effective preparation. Each program provides extensive practical training through on-campus clinics and placements in a variety of external settings. Students build their required 400 clock hours of experience while working in multiple healthcare environments.

Job prospects look bright for graduates from these programs. Most universities see nearly 100% of their graduates employed within months, which shows both program quality and high demand for qualified professionals. Graduates can pursue many career paths in healthcare, education, and private practice with their specialized knowledge and skills.

When choosing a program, focus on what matters most to your situation and career goals. Program length, location, specialization options, and specific credential paths should match your professional dreams. Some programs focus on multicultural competence, while others specialize in areas like autism intervention or swallowing disorders.

California offers excellent educational options for future speech-language pathologists. These institutions are the foundations needed to build a rewarding career helping people overcome communication challenges. Your trip toward becoming a qualified speech-language professional starts with finding the right educational match among these outstanding programs.