CSU Long Beach Speech Pathology Programs

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Speech-Language Pathology at California State University, Long Beach has earned full accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The program’s accreditation extends from 2019 through 2027, which reflects the school’s excellence in training professional speech-language pathologists.

Students progress through five consecutive semesters (Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall, Spring) with the same group of peers in this residential program. The program has dedicated semesters for school-based and medical/private practice internships that give students real-life experience.

Graduates qualify for three key credentials: the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from ASHA, the Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential from the California Commission for Teacher Credentialing, and the State of California Licensure in Speech-Language Pathology.

The program gives you the:

• Advanced knowledge of speech, language and communication disorders in patients of all ages
• Skills in evidence-based practice and ethical clinical decision-making
• Expertise in differential diagnosis methods
• Cultural awareness to work with patients from various backgrounds

Students complete 400 direct clinical contact hours working with communication disorders of all types. These hours are split between on-campus practicum and off-campus internships in educational and medical settings.

Students must complete a minimum of 58 units, and academic seminars are offered once yearly. The program follows a cohort structure where all students take the same course sequence, and a 3.0 GPA must be maintained.

CSULB’s Speech-Language Pathology Department runs a Speech and Language clinic that serves as both a clinical and research laboratory. This facility gives undergraduate and graduate students valuable hands-on experience throughout their academic trip.

Program Features

The Department of Speech-Language Pathology at CSU Long Beach is 69 years old and has created a legacy of excellence in preparing speech-language professionals. This distinguished program ranks #20 among all speech-language pathology programs in the United States, which places it in the top 15% of all colleges and universities nationwide. CSULB stands proud as California’s #5 ranked program.

The department’s on-campus Speech and Language Clinic serves dual purposes as a professional training ground and community resource. Students gain hands-on experience at this pro bono facility. They learn to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat various disorders including speech, language, fluency, voice, social communication, cognitive communication, and swallowing in both children and adults. Certified and licensed speech-language pathologists supervise all clinical work to ensure high-quality care and learning.

Dr. Pei-Fang Hung’s leadership has brought several innovative clinical education approaches to the department:

• Immediate supervision methods that show improved results
• Clinical simulation technologies integration
• A simplified electronic health records system for better documentation

Students can now conduct self-reflections, enhance their clinical communication skills, and develop professional documentation practices in a supportive environment. The department also provides extensive field placement opportunities at local hospitals, rehabilitation agencies, language/speech/hearing clinics, and public schools.

The department’s leadership actively works to build a clinical doctoral program in speech-language pathology. This program would complement the existing Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Master of Arts (M.A.) degree options.

The program’s steadfast dedication to research and professional development benefits students greatly. The department has managed to keep its mission clear since day one – excellence in academic preparation, research advancement, and service to both the university and broader community.

Online and Hybrid Options

Flexibility plays a vital role when you pursue a speech pathology education. The CSULB Speech-Language Pathology degree has received official approval for distance education from the Western Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Students now have more options beyond traditional classroom learning.

California’s online speech-language pathology programs show how distance learning has grown in this field. California State University San Marcos runs a part-time, cohort-based online master’s program that takes 8 consecutive semesters, with two summer terms included. California State University, Northridge has also launched a fully online Master of Science in Communicative Disorders program. Students can complete their coursework from any location while getting customized support.

These online programs deliver the same quality education as their on-campus counterparts. The biggest advantage lies in their convenience and flexibility, which helps students who juggle multiple responsibilities. Students can access engaging learning materials through virtual lectures and interactive projects from their homes.

CSU Long Beach has built a strong reputation for distance education programs. The School of Social Work runs a three-year part-time MSW program where students and faculty connect through teleconferencing. The university’s Public Policy and Administration department has also created a distance learning MPA program. Working professionals can complete their degree in just 24 months without putting their careers on hold.

Students looking into speech pathology programs with distance learning should know about the clinical requirements. Most programs need 400 supervised clinical clock hours. Students can complete these hours at convenient locations like schools, hospitals, and assisted care facilities. This mix of online theory and hands-on clinical work will give graduates everything they need for certification and licensure.

Accreditation

Accreditation serves as a key indicator of program quality and strict educational standards. The Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology program at CSU Long Beach holds 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 proves the program meets or exceeds quality standards needed to prepare skilled professionals.

CSULB’s Speech-Language Pathology program earned CAA re-accreditation in 2019 for eight years, which continues through March 31, 2027. This achievement shows the program’s excellence in curriculum design, faculty qualifications, and student outcomes.

The program’s accreditation journey shows notable milestones. The program received its first accreditation in June 1974. It briefly lost accreditation between November 1980 and April 1985 before regaining and keeping it since then. This 49-year-old accreditation highlights the program’s dedication to educational excellence.

Therefore, graduates from CSULB’s accredited program meet all academic and clinical practicum requirements for:

• Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) from ASHA
• Speech-Language Pathologist license issued by the State of California
• Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential (SLPSC) from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

California State University Long Beach also maintains institutional accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission. This regional accreditation, which began in 1957, covers the entire university.

Choosing an accredited program plays a vital role in your career. Accreditation will give you an education that meets industry standards, helps with license eligibility, and proves your credentials to employers. Many clinical fellowship positions and jobs require candidates to graduate from an accredited program.

Admission Requirements

Getting into the Speech-Language Pathology program at CSU Long Beach means meeting specific requirements at both university and department levels. Graduate applicants need to meet general university standards and program requirements.

You can enter the graduate program with either a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders/Speech-Language Pathology from an accredited institution. A bachelor’s degree in another field works too, but you’ll need at least 30 semester units (or 45 quarter units) of coursework in speech-language pathology/communication disorders. These prerequisites must be completed before you start the graduate program.

The deadline to submit applications for Fall semester is January 15th through Cal State Apply. Your department application should include:

• CV/Resume
• Statement of Purpose
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Unofficial transcripts

The admission committee looks at several factors to assess your application:

• GPA in speech-language pathology coursework
• Overall GPA
• Quality of recommendation letters
• Statement of purpose
• Interview results (for qualified candidates)

Before starting the program, you need to pass four ASHA Basic Science courses with a C grade or better:

• Biology (from Biology Department)
• Chemistry or Physics (from respective departments)
• Statistics (from Math or Psychology Department)
• Social/Behavioral Science (from Psychology, Sociology, or Anthropology)

The SLP program’s undergraduate admission follows a specific sequence with prerequisites. Pre-SLP majors must complete lower division courses like SLP 261 (Anatomy & Physiology), SLP 271 (Phonetics), and an elementary statistics course to advance to declared major status.

International students have extra requirements. They need to prove English language proficiency through TOEFL (minimum score 80) or PTE (minimum score 58).

Your application path doesn’t matter – you’ll need to complete 25 guided observation hours with patients of all types in both assessment and intervention sessions. Licensed SLPs must certify these observations, and SLPA practicum hours won’t count as substitutes.

Tuition and Fees

Your academic trip at CSU Long Beach’s Speech-Language Pathology program needs solid financial planning. The total tuition fee comes to $19,806, making it a competitive choice among California’s speech pathology graduate programs.

California residents pay tuition fees each semester. Part-time students (0-6 units) pay $1,764 while full-time students (7+ units) pay $3,042. Students also need to cover mandatory campus fees each semester. These include facility ($5), Associated Students Inc. ($78), Instructionally Related Activities ($89), University Student Union ($220), Student ID Card ($5), Student Excellence Fee ($173), and Student Health Center ($75).

Students from outside California pay more. They need to add $420 for each credit unit. A non-resident taking 12 units would pay $8,729 per semester. This includes standard resident tuition and fees ($3,689) plus the non-resident premium ($5,040).

Summer semester costs more than fall and spring terms. Note that these rates might change. The CSU system can adjust any fees until classes start for a particular semester.

Students can get financial help through:

• Institutionally-sponsored loans
• Scholarships
• Federal Work-Study opportunities

Students must submit their FAFSA application by March 2nd to access these resources. California residents might qualify for state grants that could reduce their tuition costs.

Planning your budget for speech pathology education at CSULB should go beyond tuition and mandatory fees. Books, supplies, living costs, and transportation add to your total educational investment. The university offers complete financial aid packages based on individual student needs and circumstances.

Career Outcomes

CSU Long Beach’s Speech Pathology programs boast a 100% employment rate for SLP graduate students. Career prospects in this field look promising with a projected 19% job growth over the next decade – this is a big deal as it means that the growth rate exceeds the national average for other occupations.

Students who complete these programs earn attractive salaries. Bachelor’s degree holders earn a median salary of $29,270, which exceeds the national average of $24,702 for communication sciences graduates. Master’s degree graduates earn even better with a median salary of $71,102, well above the national average of $59,094.

California offers excellent opportunities for speech pathology professionals. Speech-Language Pathologists in the state earn a median wage of $112,030, compared to $89,290 nationally. Licensed Speech Therapists can earn about $92,800 yearly, while Speech-Language Pathology Assistants earn around $43,490 annually.

Graduates can earn several valuable professional credentials:

• Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from ASHA
• Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential from California Commission for Teacher Credentialing
• State of California Licensure in Speech-Language Pathology

The program’s excellence shows through its Praxis examination results, with 100% total pass rates for 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-2024 academic years. First-attempt pass rates remain strong at 100% for both 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 cohorts.

CSU Long Beach prepares students for careers in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and private practices. Bachelor’s graduates can pursue state licensure as Speech-Language Pathology Assistants, while master’s graduates typically become fully licensed Speech-Language Pathologists.

Program quality shines through completion rates. During 2023-2024, 34 of 38 students completed the program on time, and all 35 students finished as scheduled in 2022-2023. These results set graduates up for excellent career opportunities in this expanding field.

What’s Unique about the Speech Pathology Programs at CSU Long Beach

CSU Long Beach stands out among speech pathology programs with several unique features that make the educational experience exceptional. Students benefit from a state-of-the-art Speech and Language Clinic that helps over 100 clients weekly. This gives students valuable real-life clinical experience throughout their academic trip. The facility allows students to complete more than the required 400 clinical clock hours while working with patients of all backgrounds.

The program’s research-focused curriculum makes it different from other schools. Faculty members work on state-of-the-art research in specialties of all types. Students get a chance to participate in meaningful studies that push the field forward. Many students present their work at state and national conferences, which adds significant value to their resumes.

CSULB’s integrated educational model blends classroom learning with clinical practice naturally. Students build theoretical knowledge and practical skills at the same time, unlike other programs where coursework comes before clinical practice.

The program’s community engagement initiative sets it apart further. Students work with local schools, hospitals, and community organizations on service-learning projects that solve real problems while building professional skills. These connections often lead to internships and jobs after graduation.

The department’s cohort model builds a supportive learning community. Students move through the program with the same group of peers, which encourages teamwork, networking, and lasting professional relationships.

The program’s bilingual emphasis option helps serve California’s diverse population. This specialized track helps students work with multilingual clients effectively – a crucial skill in today’s healthcare setting.

These distinctive features have built CSULB’s strong reputation in the field. The program receives more than 200 applications for about 35 spots each year, making it one of California’s most competitive speech pathology programs.