CSU Fresno Speech Pathology Programs
CSU Fresno’s Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology creates professionals who help people with speech, language, voice, fluency, cognition, and swallowing disorders. These specialists help people of all ages enhance their communication skills. They work together with doctors, psychologists, audiologists, and social workers to provide complete patient care.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) has accredited the program and school through 2032. CSU Fresno launched a 36-unit graduate program in fall 2003 to meet ASHA requirements. Every student must complete this detailed curriculum.
Speech-language pathology offers excellent career prospects with staff shortages in every state. The program accepts students who hold bachelor’s degrees in communicative disorders or related fields. Successful candidates have shown academic excellence and strong clinical potential. Students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA in their last 60 units and CSDS coursework.
Most graduates find jobs right after graduation. Many students secure positions even before they complete their degree. New speech-language pathologists earn about $65,000 yearly in schools (9-month contracts) or $90,000 in hospitals (12-month contracts). ASHA-certified professionals earned between $61,000 and $99,000 in 2020.
Career options exist in hospitals, schools, nursing facilities, and private practices. These professionals treat everything from swallowing disorders to language difficulties and behavioral issues. The master’s program meets all academic and clinical practicum requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech Pathology and State License eligibility.
Program Features
CSU Fresno’s Speech Pathology master’s program has a well-laid-out curriculum that takes 36 units of graduate-level coursework. Students can finish the program in about two years of full-time study. The program blends tough academic training with hands-on clinical experience. Students need to show their graduate-level writing skills through the writing part of CSDS 200 before moving ahead with their candidacy.
Students should complete a statistics course before getting their master’s degree. Many take this during their undergraduate years. The program tailors coursework to each student’s needs based on their thesis or project priorities and any state or national requirements.
Clinical training is the core of this program. Students must log at least 400 clinical hours before graduating. They need to complete 300 of these hours at the graduate level. Students learn through the University Speech and Hearing Clinic and at least two other places like internships or student teaching.
Each student must finish their program with a thesis, project, or complete written exam. Faculty availability limits thesis and project options.
The program covers everything needed to get the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in Speech Pathology. After graduation, students start their Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) of paid, supervised work and must pass the Praxis II Speech-Language Pathology Test to earn ASHA certification. This certification helps you work anywhere except public schools.
Getting a state license requires a year of Required Professional Experience (RPE) and passing the Praxis exam. Most graduates complete their CFY and RPE requirements together in their first job.
Online and Hybrid Options
Traditional on-campus learning remains popular, but speech pathology students in California now have access to more flexible study options. The factual information doesn’t mention online or hybrid programs at CSU Fresno specifically. Students can think over several alternative formats at various California institutions.
California State University San Marcos has a part-time, cohort-based online master’s program in speech-language pathology. The program runs through eight consecutive semesters and includes two summer terms. Students complete their entire curriculum online and meet all practical certification requirements. The program’s cost is $599 per unit with a requirement of 76 total units.
California State University, Northridge features a fully online Master of Science in Communicative Disorders. Students receive individual-specific support from dedicated faculty in this nationally recognized program that lets them complete all coursework remotely. The program comes with a total cost of approximately $53,235.
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in San Marcos presents another online master’s program option in speech-language pathology. Their curriculum covers prevention, identification, assessment, and treatment of communication and feeding/swallowing disorders.
These online programs blend virtual lectures with practical clinical experiences effectively. Students must complete 400 supervised clinical clock hours despite the distance-learning format. Programs often arrange clinical experiences at convenient locations near students’ homes—like in schools, hospitals, or assisted care facilities.
These online master’s programs uphold the same high academic standards as traditional on-campus courses. They provide similar preparation for licensure and certification with added flexibility. Students can balance their educational goals with existing professional or personal commitments.
Students should verify each program’s accreditation status with the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) before applying. This ensures the program meets all certification and licensure requirements.
Accreditation
CSU Fresno’s speech pathology program quality shines through its accreditation from leading bodies. The Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology Program holds full accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The program earned continued accreditation until 2032 after a full evaluation that showed it met all CAA standards and student outcome expectations.
Students who choose this program can trust their education meets the high standards needed for certification and licensure. This accreditation confirms that graduates will have the right qualifications to practice professionally.
The program has earned recognition from several key professional organizations:
- ASHA: Issues the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) to graduates who complete a master’s degree and a one-year Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY), plus pass the Praxis II examination
- CCTC: Accredits the credential allowing speech-language pathologists to work in California public schools
- CED: Provides certification for students specializing in education of the Deaf
- SLPAB: Manages California state licenses for speech-language pathologists
A degree from CSU Fresno’s accredited program gives graduates many advantages. Students complete all academic and clinical requirements needed to get the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech Pathology. The program also meets California state licensure educational requirements. Both credentials need post-graduation experience – a Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) for national certification and Required Professional Experience (RPE) for state licensing. Students can complete these requirements at the same time.
The program’s strong accreditation status through 2032 shows its lasting quality. Employers across California value degrees from CAA-accredited programs like CSU Fresno, which helps graduates stand out when looking for jobs.
Admission Requirements
CSU Fresno’s Speech Pathology program welcomes students who hold bachelor’s degrees in communicative sciences or related fields. The program looks for candidates who have shown academic excellence and the potential to excel in clinical work.
The application process has two steps through Cal State Apply. Students must submit applications to both the university and the department. Requirements include:
- A minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 units of any coursework
- A minimum 3.0 GPA in CSDS coursework
- Three letters of recommendation
- A letter of intent (Statement of Purpose)
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
Your Statement of Purpose should be a one-page document that outlines your interest in speech-language pathology. Make sure to include your background experience, graduate study motivation, career goals, and any experience with diverse populations.
Students must document 25 hours of Supervised Clinical Observations. Those who haven’t completed these hours during application need to finish them before the program begins.
Successful applicants typically complete at least 30 units of prerequisite courses to qualify for full classified admission. Two essential courses stand out:
- An introduction to Statistics course (university requirement)
- A course in Physics or Chemistry (ASHA requirement)
The physical sciences course should provide fundamental knowledge without requiring lab work.
Students from other countries must provide qualification proof and scores from IELTS and TOEFL exams.
The program might accept students with specific gaps as conditionally classified. This status allows up to 10 units of graduate work to count toward the master’s degree.
The admission committee values students who show outstanding clinical potential. They also support applicants with disabilities and those bringing multicultural or bilingual experience.
Tuition and Fees
Money matters significantly when choosing a speech pathology program. Students need to understand the total cost structure to plan their educational investment at CSU Fresno effectively.
CSU Fresno’s graduate speech pathology program bases tuition on enrollment status. Full-time graduate students who take 7+ units will pay $4,919.50 for Fall 2025. This amount has a tuition fee of $4,032.00 plus mandatory campus fees. Part-time graduate students enrolled in 0-6 units will need $3,227.50, which has $2,340.00 in tuition fees.
The mandatory campus fees have these components:
- Bulldog Card Fee: $5.00
- Facility Fee: $3.00
- Health Service Fee: $160.00
- Instructionally Related Activities Fee: $380.00
- Student Academic Service Fee: $18.00
- Student Body Fee: $34.50
- University Student Union Fee: $287.00
Spring 2025 costs drop slightly. Full-time graduate students pay $4,432.50 and part-time students pay $2,836.50.
International students should expect to pay about $14,304 for first-year tuition fees. This amount equals approximately ₹12,26,425 at an exchange rate of 1 USD = ₹85.74 as of October 2024.
Non-resident and international students must pay extra fees. Starting Fall 2025, they will pay a Non-Resident Tuition Fee of $444.00 per unit on top of regular tuition and fees. Spring 2025’s additional charge is $420.00 per unit.
Summer 2025 tuition works differently based on unit count. Graduate students taking 10+ units will need $3,804.00 in tuition plus $260.00 in mandatory campus fees, which totals $4,064.00.
Students must also factor in a nonrefundable $70.00 application fee, payable online during application. Specific classes may need additional course fees ranging from $4.00 to $1000.00, as listed in course descriptions.
Career Outcomes
CSU Fresno’s speech pathology graduates step into a field with excellent job prospects. Speech-language pathology services just need more professionals, with job openings expected to rise by 32% in the next decade. This is a big deal as it means that the growth outpaces most other careers, making speech pathology a stable career choice.
CSU Fresno graduates find plenty of job opportunities. Most students get positions right after graduation or even while finishing their studies. California’s medical and educational settings just need speech-language pathologists. New professionals benefit from this favorable job market.
Salary expectations for graduates depend on their work setting:
- School settings (9-month contracts): Average starting salary of approximately $65,000
- Hospital settings (12-month contracts): Average starting salary of about $90,000
- ASHA-certified SLPs nationwide: Median salary range of $61,000-$99,000 as of 2020
Graduates choose careers in private practices, rehabilitation centers, nursing facilities, home health services, and telehealth beyond schools and hospitals. Some take academic or research positions and help advance the field through scholarly publications while educating future professionals.
The master’s degree completion meets all academic and clinical requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in Speech Pathology. Graduates then complete a paid, supervised Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) and must pass the Praxis II Speech-Language Pathology Test to get ASHA certification. State licensure requires a year of Required Professional Experience (RPE) plus passing the Praxis exam. Graduates can complete these requirements together during their first professional position.
The program shows its effectiveness by helping address critical shortages in California. State funding has helped boost program graduates from 265 to 289 since the 2021-22 academic year, leading to a 9% increase. These funds continue to support CSU system’s success in producing qualified speech-language pathologists.
What’s Unique about the Speech Pathology Programs at CSU Fresno
CSU Fresno’s Speech Pathology Program sets itself apart from other California institutions with unique features that help future speech-language pathologists succeed.
The program delivers exceptional value compared to others nationwide. Students pay much less than they would at private institutions while receiving quality education. This makes it possible for students from different backgrounds to join the profession without crushing student loan debt.
Years of successful graduates have built a strong alumni network throughout California’s healthcare and education systems. These professionals often help current students and recent graduates with mentorship, clinical placements, and job opportunities.
CSU Fresno’s faculty brings expertise in many specialty areas of speech-language pathology. They combine research with clinical practice and bring their ground experience to the classroom. Students learn exactly what they need to handle challenges in clinical settings.
The program puts special focus on serving California’s diverse communities. Students work with clients from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds, which is particularly valuable in areas that need bilingual speech-language pathologists.
Students get extra clinical training through mutually beneficial alliances with local healthcare providers, school districts, and community groups. These connections create practical experiences that help students grow professionally.
The program shows its dedication to the community by addressing California’s speech-language pathologist shortage. It adapts to new professional standards while preparing highly qualified practitioners consistently.
Students looking for specialized training in speech-language pathology will find CSU Fresno offers a unique path. The program combines academic excellence with hands-on preparation at an affordable price point, all while staying connected to the community.