This curriculum is designed to meet American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) standards for entry into professional practice. After completing these requirements, you are prepared to apply for ASHA's requirements for clinical certification.
This program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA)
As part of the allied health professions, Speech-Language Pathology represents one of the fastest growing fields in the country. Speech-Language Pathologists also have broad-based opportunities to make a difference across a wide range of clinical populations. In this program, you will have the opportunity to work closely with faculty who are ASHA-certified and who have extensive experience and specialized training in various practice areas of clinical speech-language pathology and audiology.
The clinical speech-language pathology program has a strong clinical emphasis which places a high premium on addressing the communicative and learning needs of culturally and linguistically diverse populations and includes a comprehensive, up-to-date array of academic coursework and clinical practica that mirror current needs in the field. Graduate students in this program have the opportunity to learn from clinical faculty members, who operate a full service speech,-language-hearing clinic.
See the American Speech-Language-Hearing-Association (ASHA)
To receive a master's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master's degree programs require more than 30 units.
You must additionally complete:
Individual degree programs may exceed the baseline University Policy for a master's degree. The program-specific requirements are provided on the Details tab below.
Read the full policy here.
In addition to University Requirements:
| Minimum Units for Completion | 63 - 69 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required. |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Required |
| Research | Individualized research may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option. |
| Additional Fees/Program Fees | Required |
| Progression Plan Link | View Program of Study |
| Licensure | This program may lead to licensure. |
| Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan | Optional |
Purpose Statement
The Master of Science in Clinical Speech-Language Pathology prepares students academically and clinically to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, cognitive-communication, social communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults. In this degree program, students acquire the knowledge and skills to work in early intervention, preschool, school-based, private practice, and medical settings.
Students are trained in a supportive environment by highly committed professionals who foster life-long learning. This challenging program prepares students to deliver ethical and evidence-based services to their clients by including authentic content using case scenarios, simulations, and direct client contact. There is an emphasis on interprofessional engagement to provide culturally responsive services.
Student Learning Outcomes
Outcomes align with the accreditation standards of the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) on behalf of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.
Admission requirements include the following:
Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
Ready to apply? Begin your application now.
International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
*See the application for details.
This Master's degree requires 63 - 69 units distributed as follows:
Take the following 63 - 69 units:
Clinical Speech-Language Pathology Coursework (39 units)
Fieldwork Experience or Externship (12 units)
Graduate Certificate plus Additional Coursework or Coursework Requirement - Select one (12 - 18 units)
Graduate Certificate plus Additional Coursework Option (15 - 18 units)
Coursework Option (12 - 15 units)
Plan Completion Tracks
You may complete this plan through one of the following tracks:
Full-time Track
If you have a bachelor's degree in speech-language pathology, you will complete the plan requirements in consecutive semesters.
Full-time Leveler Track
If you have a bachelor's degree in another discipline, you will complete the plan requirements, including undergraduate prerequisite courses, in consecutive semesters.Summer Track
If you have a bachelor's degree in speech-language pathology and are currently employed in the field, you will complete the degree requirements through summer course work, some online academic-year course work, two clinical practica at your work site, and one non-school/medical site in the fourth summer.
All students must pass a comprehensive examination that is administered by the department.
This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan wherein a student may start a master's degree while simultaneously completing their bachelor's degree.
Students enrolled at the Flagstaff campus for both undergraduate and graduate programs are eligible to complete the Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders and start a Master of Science in Clinical Speech - Language Pathology at NAU.
A total of 12 units will be shared between the plans:
Additional Admission Requirements for the Accelerated Program
For those applying for fall 2026 and beyond, the following will be required:
In addition to the individual program admission requirements listed above, applicants to the accelerated program have the following requirements.
Following approval by the committee, an NAU application must be submitted by 15 January of year 3.
Master's Requirements
Students accepted into the Accelerated Program should complete the same requirements for the graduate degree as defined above.
Some courses may have prerequisites. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.
Program fees are established by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR). A program fee has been approved for this program. See program fee details. Program fees are subject to change and updated July 1 for the next academic year.