California Baptist Speech Pathology Programs

Speech-language pathologists have excellent career prospects right now, and California Baptist Speech Pathology Programs prepare graduates for success in this expanding field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects jobs for speech-language pathologists to grow by 21 percent in the next decade. This growth will create around 14,000 new positions each year.

Cal Baptist has become a top choice school for students pursuing speech pathology master’s degrees, ranking as the #90 most popular school nationwide. The university’s bachelor’s program shows strong performance too, earning the #59 spot on College Factual’s Best Schools for speech-language pathology list. These achievements stand out even more since California offers more than 20 different speech pathology degree programs.

The financial outlook for this career path looks promising. Speech-language pathologists make a median yearly salary of $79,060. Their earnings can range from $51,310 to $125,560 based on where they work, their experience level, and the type of facility. These numbers help paint a clear picture of what you can expect if you’re thinking about joining California Baptist University’s SLP Masters program.

Program Features

California Baptist University’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology uses a cohort model that lets you complete your degree with the same group of peers. You can finish the program in two years, including two summers. Expert faculty members share their academic knowledge and clinical experience in developmental and acquired communication disorders throughout your journey.

The speech pathology master’s program demands your complete attention because of its challenging schedule. Students should not work while pursuing this degree. You’ll gain practical experience through at least 400 supervised clinical hours in schools, community centers, and medical facilities.

The program combines theory with clinical practice. Core courses include:

• Diagnostic Assessment Processes
• Multicultural and Multilingual Issues
• Counseling in Communication Disorders
• Research Design and Methods
• Various disorder-specific courses covering areas from autism to dysphagia

The speech pathology program sits within the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders in the College of Health Science. This setup makes shared communication and problem-solving easier between disciplines. Students develop professionally while embracing spiritual values that align with the university’s Christian worldview.

Graduates can apply for the Required Professional Experience for California state licensure and the Clinical Fellowship Year that leads to ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech Language Pathology. The program’s accreditation by the California Teaching Commission allows graduates to pursue the Preliminary Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential for public school positions.

Students receive ongoing evaluations in both academic and clinical work to track their progress toward becoming qualified speech-language pathologists. This complete preparation gives you the skills to work in education, healthcare, and community settings after graduation.

Online and Hybrid Options

California leads the nation with its more CAA-accredited speech-language pathology master’s programs than any other state. Students looking beyond traditional campus-based learning can choose from three fully online or hybrid programs across the state.

Students who want alternatives to California Baptist University’s speech pathology program should check out California State University Northridge. Their fully online 63-credit program serves students nationwide. The program has three supervised externships and matches their campus version with the same faculty, curriculum, and CAA accreditation. Students pay about $862 per credit, which adds up to $54,300.

California State University San Marcos brings two great options to the table. Students can pick between a fast-paced five-semester campus program or a part-time hybrid version. The hybrid program smartly combines online learning with short campus visits. Their 76-unit program shines with its simulation labs and strong emphasis on bilingual/bicultural training that matches San Diego County’s diverse community. The program costs about $599 per credit, totaling $45,500.

Pepperdine University’s program stands out with its flexible 53-credit online curriculum. Students visit the Malibu campus three times for hands-on training. The program fits different schedules with full-time (five trimesters) or part-time (eight trimesters) options and three yearly start dates – perfect for working professionals. The program costs about $1,800 per credit, reaching $95,400 total.

California Baptist University offers online programs in business administration, healthcare administration, and cybersecurity. The school’s speech pathology programs don’t seem to have clear online or hybrid options right now. All the same, knowing what other California schools offer helps you make the right choice based on your situation and learning style.

Accreditation

Accreditation is a vital indicator of program quality for aspiring speech-language pathologists. The Master of Science (MS) in Speech-Language Pathology program at California Baptist University has earned accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. This recognition will give students confidence that their education meets national standards for speech pathology.

The Cal Baptist speech pathology master’s program holds full accreditation status through 2026. ASHA records show the next review will take place in August 2025. This status confirms the program meets all professional standards needed for speech-language pathology education.

The California Baptist University speech pathology program also holds accreditation from the California Teaching Commission. Graduates can apply for the Preliminary Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential with this valuable certification. This credential allows professionals to work with children in public school settings.

Cal Baptist’s institutional accreditation adds strength to its SLP masters program. The university secured its Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) accreditation in May 2019. This accreditation runs from July 2019 through July 2025 and offers additional proof of educational quality.

Students who graduate from Cal Baptist speech pathology programs receive significant benefits. They meet ASHA certification requirements for clinical fellowship. They also fulfill the Required Professional Experience (RPE) criteria for California state licensure.

The program’s steadfast dedication to excellence shows through its multiple accreditations – program-specific, teaching credential, and institutional. Future students can trust their education will earn recognition from employers and licensing bodies throughout their careers.

Admission Requirements

Students who want to join California Baptist University’s speech pathology programs must meet several specific criteria. You must have a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders from an accredited institution or its evaluated equivalency. Students with degrees in other fields must complete a post-baccalaureate certificate program in communication disorders before they can apply.

The program just needs an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 (either cumulative or last 60/90 units). Records show accepted applicants’ GPAs ranged from 2.45 to 3.98.

Your application must go through the Centralized Application Service for Communication Science & Disorders Programs (CSDCAS). Here’s what you should include:

• Official sealed transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
• Three recommendation letters (two from faculty/instructors, one professional)
• Resume showing relevant volunteer or field experience
• A complete essay (minimum 500 words) that explains why you want to enter the program, how it lines up with your purpose, and your connection to CBU’s mission

Keep in mind that specific prerequisite coursework must be completed. ASHA requirements include biological sciences, physical sciences, statistics, and social/behavioral sciences. CBU also requires these courses with a “C” or better:

• Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech/Hearing Mechanism
• Speech/Hearing Science
• Normal Child Language Development
• Phonetics
• Aural Rehabilitation

Students whose native language isn’t English must prove their proficiency through recent TOEFL or IELTS scores. The program admission committee invites selected candidates for interviews, though not everyone gets this chance.

Accepted students must show a passing score on the Basic Skills Requirement for the Preliminary Speech-Language Services Credential (unless they have a degree from a regionally accredited university). They must also complete a Live Scan background check.

Tuition and Fees

The cost of speech pathology programs at California Baptist deserves a close look from students who plan their education budget. CBU’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology comes with a competitive price tag.

Students pay annual tuition of $33,902 for CBU’s Speech-Language Pathology Master’s program. This amount covers core educational expenses but does not include housing, food, transportation, books, and other daily needs. Graduate students enrolled in specific courses pay $928 per unit.

CBU stands out as an affordable choice among private institutions. The university keeps tuition increases minimal compared to other colleges nationwide. This strategy makes CBU available to students who might limit their search to public institutions.

Students need to plan for these extra costs:

• Books and supplies: Estimated at $1,062 to $2,000 annually
• Room and board: Approximately $12,140 per year
• Health insurance: $1,013 per semester (optional “opt-in” coverage)

CBU’s total estimated yearly cost reaches approximately $54,430, including tuition, fees, room and board, books, and supplies. This places CBU among the top 40% of colleges nationwide in terms of cost.

CBU’s on-campus housing costs range from $4,040 to $4,280 per semester for shared rooms. Students can choose from various meal plans that start at $719 per semester for commuters and go up to $4,347 for complete plans.

CBU works hard to provide quality education at reasonable costs. Many students receive financial aid packages that reduce these expenses, which makes the speech pathology master’s program a practical choice for future professionals in this growing field.

Career Outcomes

California Baptist Speech Pathology Programs open doors to amazing career opportunities. Graduates can work as Speech-Language Pathologists, Audiologists, School Audiometrists, Behavior Modification Specialists, Researchers, Consultants, and Special Education Teachers.

Money talks, and Cal Baptist’s graduates are doing well financially. Students with bachelor’s degrees in communication sciences earn a median salary of $38,559 per year. This is a big deal as it means that the national average of $24,702 for similar graduates. The numbers get even better for master’s degree holders who earn a median of $78,992, way above the national average of $59,094 for communication sciences graduates.

The job market looks bright for Cal Baptist speech pathology graduates. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 21 percent growth in speech-language pathologist jobs over the next decade, with 14,000 job openings annually. This growth comes in part from an aging population that needs specialized speech therapy services.

Student success rates tell the program’s story perfectly. Cal Baptist managed to keep a stellar 100% program completion rate during 2021-2024. Students also achieved an impressive 95.6% three-year average pass rate on the Praxis examination.

Program completion sets you up to apply for:

• Required Professional Experience for California state licensure
• Clinical Fellowship Year leading to ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence
• Preliminary Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential for public school positions

California Baptist University’s Career Center helps students start their careers with job interviews, resume preparation, career testing, and employer referrals. These resources make a real difference – 70% of recent graduates got help from the university’s Placement Service. Many found great positions in education, healthcare, and private practice settings.

What’s Unique about the Speech Pathology Programs at California Baptist

California Baptist University’s speech pathology programs excel in several unique ways. We integrated Christian values with rigorous academic training through a faith-based educational approach. This distinctive viewpoint helps students develop both as clinicians and as individuals dedicated to service and ethical practice.

CBU’s intimate learning environment makes it special. Students receive individual attention and mentorship throughout their educational trip with a student-faculty ratio of 17:1. Faculty members know their students personally and invest in their growth, which creates a supportive community you rarely find at larger schools.

The program’s state-of-the-art teaching facilities stand out. Students gain hands-on experience while serving real clients under expert supervision at the on-campus Speech and Language Clinic. This clinic serves both as a training ground and a community resource, offering more extensive clinical integration earlier than many similar programs.

CBU goes beyond technical training to emphasize cultural competence and ethical decision-making. Students learn specialized skills to work with California’s diverse populations and address communication disorders in various cultural and linguistic settings.

The university’s strategic location in Riverside offers distinct benefits. Students access exceptional clinical placement opportunities at medical centers, school districts, and specialized facilities throughout Southern California’s healthcare hub.

The program’s strong alumni network adds significant value. Former students often return as guest lecturers, mentors, and employers of new graduates, which creates lasting professional connections beyond graduation.

CBU’s speech pathology program combines academic excellence, practical experience, spiritual growth, and community service through an all-encompassing approach. This creates graduates who excel in their field through technical expertise and compassionate care.