Pepperdine University SLP Programs
Pepperdine University’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program gives students a unique chance to become speech-language pathologists. Students learn to provide the highest level of care while respecting each patient’s dignity and value.
The program blends challenging academics with hands-on clinical experiences under Pepperdine’s Christian mission. Students can prepare themselves to excel in one of the fastest-growing healthcare professions nationwide and in California. They learn both theory and practice of speech-language pathology principles, with emphasis on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of communicative disorders.
Expert faculty members provide outstanding instruction and clinical training in communication and swallowing development, disorders, and differences. Students at this school get detailed training to assess and treat patients of all ages across the care spectrum.
Christian Values Integration
Pepperdine’s SLP program stands out by weaving faith into its curriculum. This foundation builds an educational experience based on Truth, promotes ethical research, and encourages integrated clinical approaches. Students learn to value their patients’ physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness. The program, among few speech-language pathology programs at Christian universities, believes communication creates human connection and growth.
Students at the School of Speech-Language Pathology learn to practice with skill, integrity, and compassion. Their clinical work stems from dedication to treating the whole person. This approach matches Pepperdine’s mission since 1937: students grow stronger for lives of purpose, service, and leadership where academic excellence builds on Christian faith and values.
Program Structure
Students can choose between full-time (five trimesters) and part-time (eight trimesters) options. Their learning experience has weekly online sessions, three onsite visits to the Calabasas Campus, and 400 supervised clinical hours at a convenient location. The curriculum builds from basic knowledge to advanced practices in speech-language pathology. Students become skilled at caring for patients throughout their lives.
The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at Pepperdine University runs as a distance education program. Graduates can qualify for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP).
Program Features
Pepperdine University’s SLP Programs offer complete training in all major areas of speech-language pathology. Students learn both theory and practical skills that help them handle communication disorders with confidence.
The speech pathology program follows a well-laid-out curriculum that builds expertise step by step. Students start with simple courses and move to specialized topics. This helps them master both fundamental and complex concepts. The program covers all nine knowledge areas needed for ASHA certification.
Clinical education is the life-blood of learning at Pepperdine. Students must complete 400 supervised clinical hours in different settings. This exposes them to various patient populations and disorders. The program also includes three onsite immersion experiences at the Calabasas Campus. Here, students get intensive hands-on training under expert supervision.
Innovative technology sets Pepperdine’s speech-language pathology education apart. Students use advanced simulation tools, virtual patients, and specialized software to build clinical reasoning skills before working with real clients. Weekly online sessions create an interactive environment where students connect directly with faculty and peers, regardless of location.
The program uses a cohort model that builds a supportive learning community. Students progress through their studies with the same group, which creates opportunities for collaboration and networking that last beyond graduation. This approach helps develop teamwork skills needed in healthcare settings.
Faculty members do more than teach – they mentor students throughout their academic experience. Their open-door policy means students get personal attention and support whenever needed. This helps students overcome challenges and get the most from their learning experience.
Research-based practice principles are built into every course. Students learn to make clinical decisions based on current research. This prepares them to provide high-quality care while adapting to new developments in speech-language pathology.
Online and Hybrid Options
Pepperdine University’s Speech-Language Pathology programs put flexibility first with learning models that work for students of all backgrounds. The online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program gives you two scheduling options: a full-time track completed in five trimesters or a part-time track that takes eight trimesters.
The program combines different learning elements to give you a detailed educational experience. You’ll attend weekly online classes along with three required on-site sessions at the Calabasas Campus. These weeklong (Monday–Friday) campus visits let you practice through simulation activities, connect with classmates, develop your clinical skills, and mark key program milestones.
The program maintains strong clinical training despite being mostly online. You’ll complete 400 supervised clinical clock hours at locations near you. This hands-on practice happens in the final stages of your program. You’ll develop practical skills in real-life settings with qualified supervisors.
The program structure gives you amazing scheduling flexibility while maintaining high educational standards. New groups start three times a year—January, May, and August. You can begin your educational experience when it suits you best.
Students who need prerequisite courses can join Pepperdine’s online Post Baccalaureate Speech-Language Pathology Foundations program. This prep program lets you:
- Take just the courses you need
- Learn at your own speed without fixed course loads
- Complete prerequisites in as few as 15 weeks per course
When you’re accepted to the foundations program, an admissions counselor helps you pick which of the six available courses you need. You might also complete required clinical observation hours virtually under a Pepperdine course instructor’s supervision.
Pepperdine University brings together online learning convenience with vital in-person clinical experiences. The program prepares you well for professional practice in speech-language pathology.
Accreditation
Accreditation is a vital indicator of academic quality for Pepperdine University SLP Programs that will give a solid education meeting rigorous industry standards. The Master of Science (MS) education program in speech-language pathology at Pepperdine University holds Candidate for Accreditation status from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
The candidacy status represents an official “preaccreditation” standing. Developing or emerging programs can receive this status for up to 5 years. Pepperdine’s SLP Program meets all applicable ASHA CAA Standards. Students can feel confident that their education lines up with professional guidelines.
Students attending a program with CAA candidacy status can pursue ASHA Certification (CCC-SLP) after graduation. This nationally recognized credential opens doors to professional practice. Your Pepperdine degree will have the recognition needed for licensure and employment opportunities.
Pepperdine University maintains regional accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). This institutional accreditation verifies the university’s overall educational quality and qualifies students for federal funding, including financial aid.
ASHA’s stamp of approval comes through CAA accreditation for SLP graduate programs meeting specific curriculum requirements. The accreditation process reviews six program components: administrative structure, faculty qualifications, curriculum design, student outcomes, assessment practices, and program resources. CAA ensures programs deliver education at the highest level of professional practice through this detailed review.
Students need to graduate from a CAA-accredited program to sit for the Praxis exam and qualify for licensure in most states. Pepperdine University’s steadfast dedication to maintaining accreditation standards shows its commitment to preparing students for successful careers in speech-language pathology.
Admission Requirements
Pepperdine University’s speech pathology programs have specific admission criteria for each program option. The university takes an all-encompassing approach to assess candidates based on their academic history, professional potential, and how well they line up with the institution’s goals.
The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program requires a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA. The program’s requirements include:
- An online application with a non-refundable $65 application fee
- Official transcripts from all previous college coursework
- Three letters of recommendation (preferably two from academic professors in communication sciences)
- A statement of interest addressing your purpose in pursuing speech-language pathology, your background, and your capacity for success
- Proof of completed foundational courses in communicative disorders
Students who haven’t completed the required foundational courses can take an alternative path through Pepperdine’s Post Baccalaureate Speech-Language Pathology Foundations program. This prep program has more available entry requirements – a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.5 GPA and just one letter of recommendation.
International students must prove their English proficiency if English isn’t their first language. They need either a TOEFL score of at least 600 (paper-based) or 95 (internet-based), or an IELTS band score of 7.0. Students who spent four or more years at an English-taught institution can request an exemption from this requirement.
The university doesn’t accept international students right now, but this will change in Fall 2026 when the program welcomes international applicants.
New cohorts begin three times a year – in January, May, and August, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. This flexible schedule helps prospective students plan their educational path to become speech-language pathologists.
Tuition and Fees
The financial investment plays a key role in your decision to join Pepperdine University’s SLP Programs. The online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program’s tuition costs $1,800 per credit for the 2025-2026 academic year. Students can expect to pay approximately $95,400 in total tuition for the complete 53-credit program.
Students enrolled in the online Post Baccalaureate Speech-Language Pathology Foundations program pay the same rate of $1,800 per credit. The total cost reaches $28,800 for those who need all 16 credits.
Your enrollment status determines the graduate fees:
- Full-time students (five trimesters): $1,700
- Part-time students (eight trimesters): $2,000
The graduate fees cover program software, clinical tracking software, drug testing, background checks for clinical placement, and student practice insurance. Students also get access to health resources through the mandatory wellness fee included in the university fees.
The MS program requires a $500 non-refundable enrollment deposit, while the Post Baccalaureate program needs $100. The good news is that these deposits count toward your first term’s tuition after enrollment.
Students should budget for additional expenses beyond tuition. Books, course materials, computer hardware, accessories, and individual health insurance remain separate from the estimated costs.
Pepperdine University’s Board of Regents determines moderate annual tuition increases. Students who withdraw during a trimester may receive refunds based on their withdrawal date.
Career Outcomes
Pepperdine University SLP Program graduates step into a thriving job market with excellent employment prospects in a variety of settings. The speech therapy profession will grow substantially. The U.S. market is expected to expand from $5.23B in 2025 to $8.37B by 2032. This is a big deal as it means that the field will see an 18% growth from 2023-2033, which is much faster than average professional growth rates.
Many career pathways await you after graduation. Right now, about 50% of SLPs work in K–12 schools, while 40% serve in healthcare settings such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes. Private practice, including telepractice, employs about 23% of professionals. Specialized areas like pediatrics, geriatrics, and teletherapy show strong growth potential.
Speech-language pathologists earn competitive salaries nationwide. The median annual wage reached $95,410.00 in May 2024, and top earners make more than $132,850.00. California stands as the second highest-paying state for SLPs, where professionals earn an average of $92,280.00 annually.
Your time at Pepperdine includes complete career support. The Office of Career Services offers professional development workshops, individual career counseling, resume review, mock interviews, and alumni networking opportunities. These valuable services continue even after graduation to help with future job transitions.
Program completion prepares you to pursue:
- ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP)
- California state licensure from the Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology Board
- Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential for public school positions
The strong job market creates over 13,000 openings annually, and the profession will add more than 33,000 jobs by 2033. Some settings offer higher pay, with skilled nursing facilities providing the highest average salaries ($113,630.00).
Pepperdine’s emphasis on rigorous academic standards, hands-on clinical experiences, and values-centered education sets you up for career success in this growing field.
What’s Special about the SLP Programs at Pepperdine
Pepperdine University’s SLP Programs stand out because they combine academic excellence, practical experience, and values-centered education. The program thinks over how to integrate faith with scientific rigor—a rare combination in speech-language pathology education across the country.
The program promotes both technical expertise and ethical decision-making skills, unlike many other programs. Students receive tailored attention throughout their educational trip thanks to the small cohort structure that builds a supportive learning community.
A strategic balance between theoretical knowledge and ground application makes this program unique. Graduates become well-prepared to handle communication disorders in patients of all types and settings.
The faculty excels at teaching while conducting active research. This dedication will give students exposure to current best practices and state-of-the-art developments in the field. The program’s connection with Pepperdine’s broader academic community adds viewpoints from other disciplines to enhance your professional skills.
The program’s comprehensive approach to professional preparation makes it exceptional. Students develop critical thinking abilities, ethical awareness, and interpersonal skills beyond technical competence. These skills help provide compassionate, evidence-based care. This detailed educational philosophy creates graduates who become more than skilled clinicians—they become thoughtful leaders ready to advance speech-language pathology.