CSU Monterey Bay Speech Pathology Programs
The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) at California State University, Monterey Bay prepares future practitioners to serve their local communities. Students gain deep insights into human communication and its disorders throughout life.
This 2-year-old year-round program lets students earn 77 credit hours. New students start each Summer term. Applications for Summer 2026 open July 15, 2025, and close January 15, 2026.
The MS-SLP program builds on three key pillars:
- Evidence-based practices
- Community partnerships
- Innovative technologies
These foundations shape graduates into ethical professionals ready to work in many healthcare settings. Students benefit from a hybrid course format that blends classroom and online learning while maintaining high academic standards.
Students build skills that match four main learning goals:
- Describing typical and disordered communication and swallowing throughout life
- Mastering professional practice through effective communication, ethics, teamwork, and leadership
- Applying theory, research, and evidence-based principles to prevention, assessment, and intervention
- Building knowledge and skills needed for entry-level practice
This CAA-accredited SLP master’s degree qualifies you for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s National Examination and state licensure. The program meets requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP), the gold standard for professional speech therapists.
Our graduates work in schools, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, and private practices. Many alumni now serve at Montage Health, Salinas Valley Memorial, Natividad Medical Center, and school districts throughout the region.
Program Features
CSU Monterey Bay’s Speech-Language Pathology program stands out with its hybrid course format. Students enjoy a mix of online learning and in-person instruction that maintains academic excellence while offering flexibility. You can easily balance your studies with other commitments as you work through this intensive curriculum.
The program excels with five distinct practicum placements that enrich your learning experience. These clinical opportunities help you develop practical skills and broaden your viewpoint. CSUMB graduates stand apart from their peers at other institutions because of these experiences.
Medical speech pathology training plays a vital role in the program. Clinical placements include hands-on experience with acute care and outpatient Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES). Healthcare employers value these advanced diagnostic skills highly. This enhanced medical focus goes beyond typical speech pathology programs and makes you more competitive in the job market.
The program’s core is its dedication to serving diverse populations. As a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, students gain experience through multilingual practicum opportunities. These prepare you to work with California’s culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Graduates then develop unique cultural competencies that regional employers actively seek.
Students complete a Culminating Portfolio instead of a traditional thesis. This full picture demonstrates your mastery of core competencies and readiness for professional practice. You’ll also have evidence of your clinical achievements.
The program’s National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) Chapter is a great way to get networking opportunities. Professional development events and connections to the broader speech pathology community help you build lasting relationships. These often lead to mentorship and job opportunities after graduation.
Online and Hybrid Options
CSUMB’s Speech-Language Pathology program offers a flexible hybrid learning model that works well for students with different needs. Students experience a mix of traditional classroom learning and digital opportunities. You can complete your 77 credit hours quickly through this balanced approach that runs for 24 months year-round.
Students benefit from three main components: classroom sessions, online coursework, and hands-on clinical practicums. This three-part structure gives you detailed training in both theory and practical skills needed by speech pathology professionals. The program stands out from fully online options by offering valuable face-to-face time with teachers and classmates during vital learning moments.
Your educational experience builds strategically as you learn foundational concepts through online modules at your own pace. The classroom sessions focus on developing clinical techniques and professional networking that online environments can’t fully provide.
Clinical practicums complement your academic studies throughout the program. These practical sessions happen at schools, hospitals, and assisted care facilities in your area, offering real-life application of what you learn in class.
The hybrid format works best for students who:
- Want flexible schedules around work or family
- Learn better at their own pace
- Need in-person training for complex clinical skills
- Want to build local healthcare connections
More importantly, this approach prepares you for today’s digital world where telehealth and remote service delivery keep growing. You’ll develop versatile skills in both traditional and tech-based speech-language pathology that employers value highly.
Students who think over fully online programs should know that most speech pathology courses, even those labeled “online,” need some in-person clinical work. CSUMB’s hybrid model addresses this requirement by combining both learning styles from the start.
Accreditation
The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology at California State University, Monterey Bay now holds Candidate for Accreditation status with the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. This achievement marks a major milestone in the program’s growth.
The program earned its candidacy status as a “preaccreditation” credential from February 2021 to January 2026. CSUMB can now accept students into the program while it documents compliance with accreditation standards.
The Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology sets and monitors these quality standards. Students and professionals who want to ask about compliance with these standards can find guidance in Chapter XII: Complaints of the CAA Accreditation Handbook.
CSU Monterey Bay has also earned regional accreditation through the Western Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). This ensures that:
- Your credits and degrees transfer easily
- You stay eligible for federal financial aid
- Your education meets high quality standards
The university’s professional credentials cover programs in the College of Business, Education, and Health Sciences and Human Services. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation includes the Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology among CSUMB’s accredited programs.
This strong accreditation system creates better job prospects and professional credibility. Your CSUMB speech pathology degree meets national standards that employers and licensing boards value and trust.
Admission Requirements
The MS-SLP program at CSU Monterey Bay has specific academic requirements and a detailed application process. You’ll need an undergraduate degree in Communicative Disorders or Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. Students with a bachelor’s degree in other fields must complete prerequisite courses and earn a grade of C or better in:
- Introduction to Communicative Disorders
- Phonetics
- Speech & Language Development
- Anatomy & Physiology of Speech and Hearing Mechanism
- Introduction to Audiology/Hearing Science
- Child and/or Adolescent Development
- Neuroscience
ASHA requires students to complete coursework in biological science, social/behavioral science, physical science, and statistics.
The application process works through two systems. You’ll need to submit applications through both the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS) and the Cal State Apply Graduate application system. A non-refundable $70.00 application fee applies.
Your application package needs three letters of recommendation from people who can speak to your academic abilities. You’ll also need to submit a letter of intent and written responses to prompts. Shortlisted candidates must complete an interview that includes a timed writing exercise.
Yes, it is mandatory to attend interviews to be considered for admission. The admissions committee takes a comprehensive look at your GPA (minimum 3.0 overall and in speech pathology coursework), fit with program mission, interview performance, and application materials.
The application deadline for 2025 admission is January 1. Last cycle saw 328 applications, with 181 admission offers going to candidates whose GPAs ranged from 2.67 to 4.00.
Clinical placements require a Certificate of Clearance from California. This process involves background checks that could take up to two months if you have violations beyond minor traffic offenses.
Tuition and Fees
Students pursuing CSU Monterey Bay’s Speech-Language Pathology program need a clear understanding of their financial commitment. The MS-SLP program requires 77 units spread across six consecutive semesters. Current tuition costs $700 per unit. The rate will rise to $750 per unit starting Fall 2025.
Students can expect to pay around $54,000 in tuition at current rates. This cost will climb to roughly $57,750 with the 2025 increase. Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment add about $921 each year to the total cost.
CSUMB stands out as one of California’s most affordable public universities. U.S. News & World Report ranked the university #1 for social mobility in the West. This ranking shows CSUMB’s steadfast dedication to quality education at reasonable prices.
Financial aid helps reduce costs substantially for most students. The university covers full tuition through financial aid for 64% of its undergraduate students. Students can access many financial assistance options like need-based grants, merit scholarships, work-study programs, and student loans.
The university’s scholarship programs include the President’s Scholarship that offers up to $5,000 yearly for high-achieving freshmen. Transfer students can benefit from the Otter Promise Scholarship. Each department also offers its own scholarships.
Students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application if they’re eligible undocumented students. March 2nd marks the priority deadline each year.
CSUMB students receive an average financial aid package of $12,000 yearly. The university takes part in federal and state aid programs that include the Pell Grant, Cal Grant, and Middle-Class Scholarship.
The university charges $1,695 in mandatory campus fees along with standard CSU system tuition. These fees cover health facilities ($246), health services ($254), instructionally related activities ($315), student association ($180), and student center ($700).
Career Outcomes
CSU Monterey Bay’s Speech Pathology program graduates step into a booming job market with bright career prospects. The program’s results speak for themselves. Students show remarkable success with 92% finishing on time in 2023 and 96% in 2024. The certification exam results are equally impressive – 96% passed in 2023 and 92% in 2024. These numbers add up to a solid three-year average of 94% for both completion and pass rates.
CSUMB speech pathology graduates find their place in many different work settings. Their thorough training helps them become ethical professionals who work well in team environments. They build their careers on evidence-based practices, community connections, and modern technologies. This foundation serves them well as they assess, treat, and prevent communication and swallowing disorders.
The job outlook for speech-language pathologists looks bright. The field expects 18% growth between 2023 and 2033. This growth rate is much higher than other careers and creates plenty of jobs in healthcare, education, and private practice.
Speech pathology graduates’ salaries depend on their expertise and experience. Regular speech-language pathologists earn about $65,548 yearly. Those who speak multiple languages make more, averaging $68,661. Experience pays off too – senior speech pathologists earn around $71,567. Leadership roles offer even better pay: supervisors make $76,449, managers $76,950, and directors $84,042.
CSUMB graduates choose many career paths beyond clinical work. They become pediatric specialists, research coordinators, executive leaders, nonprofit managers, and corporate trainers. Faculty members guide students through their clinical experiences. This mentorship helps graduates land positions in healthcare facilities, schools, and community organizations throughout the region.
What’s Unique about the Speech Pathology Programs at CSU Monterey Bay
CSUMB’s Speech Pathology program has several unique features that set it apart from other California programs. The culturally rich Monterey Bay area gives students clinical opportunities rarely found elsewhere.
The program accepts only 32 students each year. This small class size means you get individual attention throughout your educational trip. Students build close relationships with faculty mentors who bring years of clinical experience to the classroom.
Students benefit from collaboration with CSUMB’s Nursing program and other health science departments. This approach helps prepare them for ground application in healthcare settings where speech pathologists work with various medical professionals.
CSUMB goes beyond basic curriculum to offer specialized training in:
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) – With dedicated coursework and hands-on experience using advanced communication devices
- Dysphagia management – Through specialized clinical rotations focusing on swallowing disorders
- Bilingual service delivery – With emphasis on Spanish-English bilingual assessment and intervention techniques
The program’s community connections create excellent learning opportunities. Students gain diverse clinical experience through partnerships with Montage Health, Salinas Valley Memorial, Natividad Medical Center, and many local school districts.
CSUMB shows steadfast dedication to helping underrepresented populations. As one of California’s Hispanic-Serving Institutions, the program gives speech-language pathologists the tools to help multilingual and multicultural communities – skills that become more valuable in California’s diverse healthcare world.
California’s strong alumni network helps graduates find job opportunities. This reliable professional community supports your growth after graduation, offering career advantages that other California speech pathology programs can’t match.