Biola University’s Speech Pathology Programs
Communication serves as a basic human gift. Any disruption to this gift can affect many aspects of someone’s life. Speech-language pathologists lead the charge in diagnosing, evaluating, and treating these communication disorders for patients of all ages.
Biola University offers a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program that prepares future certified speech-language pathologists from one of the top schools in California. Students benefit from rigorous academic instruction combined with extensive clinical education in communication sciences. This two-year, 63-unit master’s degree gives you the theoretical knowledge and practical skills you need to excel in this growing field.
Biola’s approach to speech-language pathology education features four distinctive hallmarks:
- Strong Theoretical Framework – Students receive challenging instruction in relevant theoretical knowledge that promotes curiosity and lifelong learning in communication sciences and disorders.
- Excellence in Clinical Practice – Students gain the required 400 supervised clinical hours needed for certification through a variety of clinical experiences.
- Biblical Perspective – Biola stands out by merging Christian worldview with evidence-based practice to create a comprehensive understanding of human communication needs.
- Influential Education – Students apply their studies to ground contexts and learn to serve diverse populations effectively.
The program started in 2016 after receiving candidacy of accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA). This pre-accreditation status lasts five years while the program shows it can maintain high standards.
Biola created this speech pathology program in part to address the most important shortage of credentialed professionals in this field. The program’s success shows in its numbers. Biola’s undergraduate students achieve 95-100% acceptance into competitive graduate programs, far exceeding national averages of 29-42%.
Program Features
Biola University’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) program features a detailed curriculum that prepares you to excel in clinical practice. Students must complete 63 credit hours and earn a grade of B- or above in each course.
The program’s courses cover specialized areas of communication disorders. Students learn about childhood language and literacy disorders, motor speech disorders, cognitive-communicative disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and dysphagia. The Theology of Disability course gives students a fresh point of view on treating patients with disabilities through a biblical worldview.
Clinical education serves as the core of Biola’s speech pathology program. Students work at the university’s on-campus Speech-Language Clinic with clients aged two to 82 who have various communication disorders. Licensed supervisors provide immediate audio/visual monitoring to support student learning.
Students gain valuable experience through externships at local schools and medical facilities. They work at four local private schools to assess and treat children with speech-sound disorders, language disorders, fluency issues, and social pragmatic disorders. The program includes a one-semester medical externship where students work with adults who have different communication deficits.
Expert faculty members bring specialized knowledge to the program. Dr. Tonya Dantuma specializes in speech sound disorders and telepractice. Dr. Teri Clemons brings expertise in swallowing disorders and neurogenic communication disorders. Dr. Matt Rouse focuses on neuroscience and neurogenic communication disorders.
The Social Skills Camp stands out as a unique program feature. This five-day summer camp lets graduate students assess case histories, set client goals, plan treatment activities, and aid practical communication opportunities. Students observe clients outside traditional therapy rooms during this special internship, which builds their clinical skills further.
Students complete more than 400 hours of clinical practicum throughout their studies to ensure they’re ready for professional practice.
Online and Hybrid Options
Many aspiring speech pathologists struggle to balance their education with work and personal life. Biola University understands this challenge and now offers flexible learning options in its speech pathology programs.
Biola’s hybrid program serves adult learners and non-traditional students who want to pursue graduate education while managing other responsibilities. Students can study whenever it fits their schedule through asynchronous online classes. The program includes monthly campus visits with 3-4 day lab immersions each term to build practical skills.
The hybrid format works better than fully online or traditional campus programs. Students can easily manage their studies around work and family commitments. They learn at their own pace while developing clinical skills. This setup makes perfect sense for working professionals and parents who need flexible schedules.
Biola delivers quality education through its digital platforms. The university’s online learning environment includes access to library resources and disability services. The same experienced Christian faculty teach both online and on-campus classes to maintain high educational standards. Biola follows strict quality guidelines and complies with state regulations. Their technical systems work well even with slow internet connections and support assistive technology.
Clinical experience plays a vital role in speech pathology education. Biola’s hybrid approach strikes the right balance. Students get the convenience of online learning and hands-on training they need to develop practical skills. This combination helps them prepare for certification and professional practice effectively.
Accreditation
Accreditation stands as a vital marker of quality and excellence in speech-language pathology education. The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology at Biola University holds full accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language-Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. This recognition spans from 2021 to 2026 and confirms the program’s compliance with strict accreditation standards.
Biola’s speech-language pathology program started its path to excellence in 2016. The program received Candidate for Accreditation status, a pre-accreditation designation that developing programs can hold up to five years. Students could still take their exams to earn California State SLP licenses, California State SLP services credentials, and American Speech Language Hearing Association Certification during this time.
The program achieved full accreditation status in 2021. The next accreditation review will take place in February 2025. This review will give a detailed evaluation of curriculum, clinical training, and assessment practices.
Biola University also holds institutional accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission, a 61-year old partnership. This accreditation adds another layer of assurance about the university’s educational quality.
Your choice of an accredited program brings real benefits. The program meets national standards for clinical preparation. You need this accreditation to practice professionally. Most employers look for candidates from accredited institutions, which boosts your career opportunities.
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the United States Department of Education recognize the CAA. This recognition confirms that your education at Biola will build a strong foundation for a successful career in speech-language pathology.
Admission Requirements
Biola University’s speech pathology program looks for candidates ready for graduate-level study. The program sets specific academic standards that align with its Christian values.
Students need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. The program offers two paths to get in. You can have a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders or complete prerequisite courses with a degree in another field.
The program has both general education and communication sciences prerequisites. Here are the general education courses you need:
- Biological Principles
- Physical Science Survey
- Introduction to Probability and Statistics
- Developmental Psychology — Lifespan
Students without a Communication Sciences and Disorders degree must complete ten more prerequisite courses. These courses include Neuroanatomical Foundations, Clinical Phonetics, Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing, and others.
The application needs official transcripts from all colleges and GRE scores with minimum requirements. The GRE requirements are 290 overall, 145+ verbal, 145+ quantitative, and 3.0+ writing. You’ll also need three recommendation letters – one pastoral and two from employers, character references, or academic sources.
A program faculty member will interview you before final admission. International students who aren’t native English speakers need a TOEFL score of 100 IBT.
The university’s 3+2 Program lets students finish faster but needs a higher GPA of 3.6. Each year, about 134 students apply and 59 receive admission offers.
Early action deadline falls on December 1 with priority consideration. The regular deadline is January 15. After admission, you’ll need a Certificate of Clearance before starting any public school-based field activities.
Tuition and Fees
The cost of a graduate program in speech pathology is a vital factor in your decision-making process. Biola University provides clear cost information that helps you plan your finances.
Students enrolled in Biola University’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program pay $1,084 per credit. A full-time course load between 12-19 credits costs $16,255 per term. The total tuition reaches $68,292 based on 2025-26 rates and required program credits.
The detailed cost breakdown goes beyond just tuition. Most Talbot School of Theology master’s programs, except Marriage and Family Therapy, have additional expenses based on 9 credits per term for 2025-26. Students need $15,210 for housing, $7,530 for food, and $5,040 for personal expenses. Transportation costs run $1,230, while books and supplies amount to $720. The average loan fees are $198.
These expenses total approximately $43,068, though speech pathology program costs might differ slightly.
Biola University has several financial aid options to make graduate studies more affordable. Graduate students can access multiple funding sources. The Direct Unsubsidized Loan provides up to $20,500 yearly with April 15 application deadlines. Students can get a Direct Grad Plus Loan that covers attendance costs minus other aid. Private Student Loans start at $1,000 with June 1 application deadlines.
Communication Disorders majors benefit from the Psalm 139 Scholarship, which helps ease undergraduate debt for future graduate students.
Graduate education requires significant financial planning. Each school at Biola offers unique scholarships, grants, and loan opportunities for specific programs. Students should submit financial aid applications early since some options have priority deadlines by April 15.
Career Outcomes
Speech Pathology graduates from Biola University step into a profession with promising job prospects and many career paths. Speech-language pathologists work in settings of all types – schools, healthcare facilities, private practices, research institutions, and even online through telepractice. They cooperate with professionals from different fields, such as teachers, physicians, audiologists, psychologists, and rehabilitation counselors.
Graduates with a master’s degree must complete several steps to practice. They need to pass the Speech-Language Pathology PRAXIS exam and apply for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). They also must get a Temporary Speech-Language Pathologist State License and finish a clinical fellowship year under licensed supervision.
Students in Biola’s program achieve outstanding results. All 20 graduates from the first MS-SLP class passed the national licensure exam on their first try. These graduates quickly landed jobs in public schools, private rehabilitation clinics, hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities.
Biola’s undergraduate program shows excellent outcomes too. Communication Sciences and Disorders majors at Biola consistently beat national averages for graduate school acceptance. The national acceptance rate for master’s programs in speech-language pathology is 39.0%, while Biola graduates achieve a remarkable 95.2% acceptance rate. California programs have an average acceptance rate of just 22.5%, but Biola students maintain a strong 90.5% acceptance rate.
Licensed Speech Therapists earn about $92,800 yearly, while Speech-Language Pathology Assistants make around $43,490 per year. Other career paths with an undergraduate degree include audiologist assistant ($83,343), voice coach ($53,365), and special education teacher ($56,126).
The field has strong job prospects. Speech-language pathologists saw 5% job growth between 2010 and 2014. The profession continues to expand as the population ages and more people understand communication disorders.
What’s Unique about the Speech Pathology Programs at Biola University
Biola University’s speech pathology program stands out with elements that create a remarkable learning journey. The program combines faith with clinical practice, which makes Biola’s approach different from other programs across the country.
Biblical worldview naturally flows through every part of the curriculum. Instead of keeping faith separate from professional practice, Biola teaches special courses like Theology of Disability. These courses help students approach communication disorders with a view that includes both scientific evidence and spiritual aspects.
The Social Skills Camp is another special feature you’ll find only at Biola. This five-day summer program lets students watch and treat clients in ground settings outside regular therapy rooms. Students learn to assess case histories, set goals, and help with practical communication activities. These experiences build clinical skills that are hard to get in regular programs.
Students also benefit from Biola’s adaptable study paths. The fast-track 3+2 Program helps qualified students finish both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years instead of six. This smart approach saves time and cuts down education costs.
The program’s results tell a powerful story. Biola’s undergraduate students get into graduate programs at rates of 95-100%, while the national average sits at 29-42%. The first MS-SLP graduating class achieved perfect scores on their first try at the national licensure exam.
Expert faculty members in a variety of specialties give students detailed training. Teachers bring their specialized knowledge in speech sound disorders, telepractice, swallowing disorders, and neurogenic communication issues right to the classroom.
Biola’s speech pathology programs ended up creating more than just skilled practitioners. The program shapes caring professionals who see their work as both science and calling. They combine excellent technical skills with genuine care for their patients.