CSU Fullerton Speech Pathology Programs
Looking to build a rewarding career as a speech-language pathologist? California has over 20 different speech pathology degrees to choose from. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) has accredited nearly 20 of these programs. CSU Fullerton Speech Pathology Programs stand out among these excellent choices with their exceptional educational foundation.
The Cal State Fullerton speech pathology program gives students a complete training experience through their Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Students can finish this CSU Fullerton speech pathology masters program in 4 semesters plus one or two summer terms. The program’s students learn from doctoral-level faculty and gain hands-on experience in a variety of clinical settings. These settings include child care, adult care, audiology, schools and medical facilities. Speech-language pathologists learn to treat speech, swallowing, and language disorders at every life stage. This creates many job opportunities in schools, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and private clinics.
Let’s take a closer look at everything you need to know about applying to the CSU Fullerton SLP program for 2025 admission. We’ll cover requirements, tuition, career outcomes and what makes this program special.
Program Features
CSU Fullerton Speech Pathology Programs excel at preparing future speech-language pathologists with several standout features. Their Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders program serves as the core of these programs, structured to be completed within 4 semesters plus one or two summer terms. Students need 34 units of adviser-approved coursework and must complete 12 graduate seminars to build their expertise.
Cal State Fullerton’s speech pathology program shines through its remarkable faculty. These professors specialize in communicative disorders, and many have earned national and international recognition for their research and professional work. Students learn directly from doctoral-level faculty members who bring innovative technology and knowledge to graduate seminars.
Clinical experience serves as another part of Fullerton’s speech pathology education. Students get unmatched clinical practica experiences in settings and populations of all types. They receive specialized training in child and adult therapy, audiology, school and medical environments, transgender voice communication, and alternative communication methods. Students develop practical skills at the university’s Speech and Hearing Clinic and get placements at more than thirty affiliated hospitals, rehabilitation agencies, schools, and private practices throughout the community.
Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA both cumulatively and within their Graduate Study Plan courses. They also need to pass comprehensive examinations that test knowledge competencies set by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
The program launched a Multicultural Certificate option in Spring 2021, showing its steadfast dedication to training culturally competent practitioners. The curriculum’s strengths lie in multicultural clinical issues, autism intervention, alternative communication, and swallowing disorders.
Students can also pursue the Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential in Language, Speech and Hearing (SLPSC) needed for California public school practice. This credential lets holders assess language, speech, and hearing while providing specialized educational services to students from birth through age 22.
Online Options
CSU Fullerton gives students the chance to mix online and classroom learning in their speech pathology program. The main master’s program runs in person, but several courses include digital elements to help students with different schedules.
Students looking to get their Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) license after their bachelor’s in Communication Disorders can take some required courses online. Two key courses are fully online – Communication Disorders 005 (Therapy Materials and Procedures) and Communication Disorders 007 (Service Delivery Issues). These courses are the foundations of clinical practicum needed for California SLPA licensure.
CSU Fullerton also offers a great hybrid option. Communication Disorders 009 (Assessment and Remediation) combines face-to-face classes with online work. This setup creates an ideal mix of flexibility and hands-on experience that speech pathology students just need.
Getting good grades is crucial – students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all three courses to qualify for licensure verification. The program director can only sign the Fieldwork Experience Verification Form after students show they’ve mastered the clinical skills.
California has many fully online speech pathology master’s programs that offer more flexibility than CSU Fullerton. Yet these programs still require some in-person clinical work, whatever their online status.
CSU Fullerton’s online and hybrid courses show its steadfast dedication to top-notch clinical training while adapting to students who need more flexible learning options.
Accreditation
CSU Fullerton’s Speech Pathology Programs have earned full accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). This recognition shows the program’s dedication to high-quality education and professional standards.
California State University, Fullerton’s Master of Science education program in speech-language pathology maintains its accreditation by meeting strict industry standards. The residential program and the Communication Sciences and Disorders department share this distinction, which guarantees students an education that meets professional standards.
Students need ASHA accreditation to become certified speech-language pathologists. The M.A. degree program makes graduates eligible for ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). Getting this credential requires graduates to:
- Complete the required clinical practicum with prescribed combinations of clinical courses
- Achieve all knowledge-based and skill-based competencies
- Pass the National Examination in Speech-Language Pathology
- Successfully complete a Clinical Fellowship Year
- Submit appropriate application materials to ASHA
This certification improves job prospects, career growth potential, and professional credibility in the field. Almost every state’s regulatory agency accepts ASHA recognition, which lets professionals work across different regions easily.
California requires speech-language pathology licenses for work in most settings. Public schools and some federal positions are the only exceptions. The Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board of the Medical Board of California issues these licenses to professionals who meet basic competency standards.
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) has accredited CSU Fullerton as an institution. This complete accreditation system proves that CSU Fullerton delivers quality education while excelling in specialized programs.
Admission Requirements
CSU Fullerton Speech Pathology Programs has specific admission criteria you need to meet. Applications for Fall admission open on October 1 and close on January 15, at 8:59 pm Pacific Standard Time. You should submit your materials 4-6 weeks before the deadline to allow time for verification and corrections.
The master’s degree program requires a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (also known as Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, Speech-Language Pathology, or Speech and Hearing Sciences). Students must complete 12 CSD prerequisite courses and one statistics course.
The program mandates nine specific equivalent courses:
- COMD 241 Introduction to Phonetics
- COMD 242 Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders
- COMD 307 Speech & Language Development
- COMD 344 Anatomy & Physiology of Speech & Hearing Mechanism
- COMD 350 Speech & Hearing Science
- COMD 352 Child Language & Phonological Disorders
- COMD 461 Audiology & Audiometry
- COMD 474 Neurology & Neurogenic Communication Sciences and Disorders
- COMD 476 Clinical Methods and Procedures
Your application package must include two copies of electronic transcripts from all colleges you’ve attended, sent to both Cal State Apply and CSDCAS. While the minimum GPA requirement is 3.0, successful applicants usually have GPAs above 3.7 in CSD courses.
Your personal statement should highlight your experience, professional interests, and future goals within 5,500 characters (about 650-700 words). Three recommendation letters should come from people who know your academic potential, clinical experience, and work ethic.
International students must score at least 550 on TOEFL. The program doesn’t require GRE scores, unlike many other graduate programs.
The department won’t review incomplete applications, so make sure you include all required materials.
Tuition and Fees
The cost of education plays a vital role in choosing a speech pathology program. The California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees has approved a multi-year tuition increase that started with the 2024-2025 academic year.
Graduate students in the CSU Fullerton Speech Pathology Programs will pay $4,498.81 for seven or more units starting Fall 2024. Students taking six or fewer units will pay $2,902.81. These rates apply to California residents in graduate programs. Out-of-state students need to add $420.00 per semester unit to their budget.
CSU Fullerton provides affordable education compared to other California speech pathology programs. Public universities in California typically charge between $23,000.00 and $75,000.00 for complete Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) programs. Private institutions charge much more – from $50,000.00 to $90,000.00. This makes Cal State Fullerton’s speech pathology program one of the most cost-effective ways to earn your credentials.
Students should plan for extra costs beyond tuition. Most California SLP programs charge one-time fees – about $70.00 for applications and $150.00 for enrollment intent. Each semester brings roughly $840.00 in fees that cover student services, health facilities and student unions.
The CSU system works hard to keep student costs low. The university policies state that fees might increase if public funding falls short. The Board of Trustees, Chancellor, or university Presidents can approve changes to these estimated fees.
Public university graduates, especially from CSU Fullerton, often say they’re happy with their program’s cost. The reasonable tuition helps them concentrate on their studies instead of worrying about money.
Career Outcomes
CSU Fullerton Speech Pathology graduates find jobs in many different settings. They work as speech-language pathologists in public schools, clinics, private practices, and hospitals. These hospitals include acute care, rehabilitation centers, psychiatric facilities, and extended care units. Their expertise helps people of all ages with communication disorders. They treat children who have developmental challenges and adults recovering from injuries or illnesses.
The career outlook for speech-language pathology graduates looks bright. The field expects a 29% job growth from 2020 to 2030, which is much higher than most other jobs. Local numbers paint an even better picture. The counties around CSU Fullerton saw a remarkable 35% increase in speech-language pathologist positions between 2015 and 2019. Future projections show another 19% rise between 2020 and 2025.
CSU Fullerton graduates do well financially. The program ranks No. 3 nationwide on the 2020 Best Graduate Schools for Earning Potential list. New graduates earn a median salary of $68,100 in their first year. Licensed Speech Therapists make around $92,800 yearly, while Speech-Language Pathology Assistants earn about $43,490.
Career paths extend beyond clinical work. Some speech-language pathologists choose to teach at universities, conduct research, or take on administrative roles. Others create specialized products and devices for people with communication disorders.
Professional certification opens more doors. The Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association boosts job prospects, mobility, and career growth. Almost every state’s regulatory agency recognizes this certification, which lets professionals work anywhere in the country.
CSU Fullerton’s program builds a strong foundation for a rewarding career. Graduates help people overcome communication challenges and find opportunities both in the United States and worldwide.
What’s Unique about the Speech Pathology Programs at CSU Fullerton
CSU Fullerton’s Speech Pathology Programs stand out with features that lift them above other California options. The Speech and Hearing Clinic serves as the core of the program where students get hands-on experience and provide affordable services to community members. Students receive ground clinical training under expert supervision throughout the academic year.
Cal State Fullerton’s speech pathology program shines with its exceptional placement record. The program has achieved a remarkable 100% job placement rate within six months of graduation, which shows how much employers just need these well-prepared graduates. This success rate speaks volumes about the program’s quality and its strong industry connections.
Student research adds another bright spot to the program. Fullerton’s speech pathology students team up with faculty on research projects and present their findings at regional and national conferences. Students start their research journey as undergraduates and build on it through graduate school, which boosts their career prospects significantly.
CSU Fullerton’s steadfast dedication to cultural competence training makes it unique in California’s diverse setting. The program added a Multicultural Certificate option that helps students work effectively with culturally and linguistically diverse populations – a vital skill in Southern California’s multilingual communities.
The program has built strong bonds with over thirty affiliated clinical sites throughout Orange County and nearby areas. These strategic collaborations give students varied clinical experiences and help them build professional relationships that often turn into job offers.
Students learn to use advanced diagnostic tools, therapy software, and communication devices throughout their training. This focus on technology prepares them for modern practice environments effectively.
The program offers something unique in terms of accessibility. Unlike many competitive speech pathology programs in California, CSU Fullerton welcomes new students twice yearly—in fall and spring. This flexibility, combined with more affordable tuition rates than private institutions, makes the program an exceptional value without sacrificing educational quality.