Find Your Voice—And Help Others Discover Theirs
Step confidently into a career that demands both compassion and clinical excellence. Calvin’s Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology offers rigorous, hands-on training with expertly guided practicum placements and a nearly 100% PRAXIS pass rate.
We built our program for those who are ready to meet the demands of a challenging, high-impact profession. Courses emphasize clinical experience, ethical leadership, and career readiness—building skills through practice at sites such as our university speech and hearing clinic. You'll benefit from close faculty mentorship, a strong sense of community, and a learning environment that integrates faith with professional growth.
At Calvin, we know you’re not just launching a career—you’re stepping into a role that transforms lives. Whether helping a child find their voice, supporting stroke survivors in regaining communication, or advocating for accessible care in underserved communities, your work has the power to restore dignity, foster connection, and create lasting social impact.
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At a Glance
A Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from Calvin is comprehensive and affordable:
- $966/credit
- 72 credits for both programs
- 5 clinical practicums
- Additional scholarships available for Calvin alumni
Accreditation
The Master of Arts (M.A.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential and distance education) at Calvin University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
Which Mode Works for You?
Calvin offers two different ways of learning, sharing the same rigorous academic experience, but in different contexts depending on your needs.
Residential Mode
Designed for students in west Michigan, near Calvin's campus.
- Complete your degree in two years (full-time)
- Participate in five semesters of clinical placements
- Best for students who can learn on-campus at Calvin University
Distance Education Mode
Designed for students outside west Michigan.
- Complete your degree in two to three years (full-time)
- Virtual/telehealth clinical placements followed by in-person at a local speech pathology service provider
- Best for students who cannot travel to Calvin (no on-campus visits required)
Calvin students are provided with an incredible advantage coming into externships. They are introduced to technical and soft skills that are needed in their clinical placements. The students have a grasp on standardized testing, documentation, and rapport building that sets them up with a foundation to build on and succeed.
Why earn a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from Calvin?
Unmatched Clinical Support: Calvin’s team personally arranges your practicum placements—no cold calls on your own. You can focus on building skills and confidence through in-house clinical experiences before stepping into the field.
Affordable Excellence: Calvin delivers a comprehensive, high-quality education with a competitive tuition rate.
Tight-Knit Mentorship: Faculty at Calvin don’t just teach—they know you and your career goals. You’ll work closely with professors and the clinical director in a community that’s intentionally built to support your growth.
Proven Outcomes: Nearly every graduate who seeks employment finds it. Our program’s rigor and real-world readiness is shown by a PRAXIS pass rate close to 100%.
Admissions
Prospective graduate applicants with a bachelor's degree related to speech pathology and audiology or a bachelor's degree in another discipline along with prerequisite coursework may apply to the Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology program. Applications are submitted through CSDCAS.
For prospective students without the prerequisite coursework, we offer a Speech and Hearing Foundations certificate to prepare for applying to the master's program.
Admissions Details
Admission Requirements
Degree Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent coursework in speech pathology and audiology, or with degrees in other disciplines/areas of study.
- If you have a degree in another major, you need to complete the necessary prerequisites PRIOR to starting to the Master’s program.
Transcripts
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended. Must be uploaded to CSDCAS application.
Additional Requirements
- 3 letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your academic and/or professional abilities. (Must be uploaded to CSDCAS application.) Strong applications have at least one academic recommendation.
Prerequisite Content Areas
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism
- Phonetics
- Speech & Hearing Science
- Child Language Development
- Audiology: Testing and Diagnosis
- Biology course
- Statistics course
- Social Science or Behavioral Science course
- Physics or Chemistry course
Prerequisite CSD courses must have been completed within the last seven years.
How to Apply
CSDCAS Application
- This application is required in order to enroll in the Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology program.
- Application must be completed (e-submitted, payment received, transcripts received) at least four weeks in advance of the deadline to ensure the application is verified on time by CSDCAS. Applications not verified by the deadline will not be eligible for that admissions cycle.
- CSDCAS charges a fee to apply using the centralized application system. Calvin does not charge a separate application fee.
Additional Information
- Complete this online form to provide additional information for Calvin's MA in speech-language pathology.
Application Deadlines
MA program, residential and distance mode: Applications for Fall 2026 start date will open via CSDCAS at the end of July and are due January 15, 2026.
International Students
- Due to students being required to be supervised by ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists for all clinical placements, including externships, our program is unable to accept international students for the distance education mode
- Applicants who have been granted asylum in the U.S. are eligible to apply to the distance education mode. If an online student with asylum status leaves the US during their program, externship placements cannot be guaranteed and students will be unable to complete the program.
The care and consideration poured into the courses to include up-to-date evidence-based practice, neurodiversity affirming and whole-person care, and the overall rigor of the programs has thoroughly prepared me to begin my externships. I feel confident in my clinical skills and have felt well-supported throughout the entire program. Every instructor truly wants us to succeed.
Curriculum
Through the program's 21 courses, you’ll prepare for a speech-language pathology career by analyzing language, neurological, physical, speech-sound, and voice disorders. Coursework is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) and features evidence-based perspectives to treatment.
Course Spotlights
Cognitive Communication Disorders
Through the lens of person-centered care and collaboration, you'll explore the role of the SLP in cognitive communication (including assessment, intervention, counseling, and public health roles) as guided by standards of evidence-based practice.
Language Disorders: Infants, Toddlers & Preschool Children
Study the nature, assessment and treatment of language disorders in infants, toddlers, and preschool children. Learn strategies for working with families with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
This seminar focuses on serving individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) across the lifespan. You'll gain practical knowledge and skills for your future career working with individuals, families, communities, and other professionals.
Explore Speech Pathology and Audiology at Calvin
Learn more about our program and career outcomes.
Excellent outcomes
See the PRAXIS examination pass rates and graduation rates for our students.
View our student handbook
There's a lot to know about our programs. Browse through our handbook to learn more.
FAQs
Have a question not answered here? Email spaud@calvin.edu.
We combine a Christian perspective and academic excellence in all our courses and clinical experiences. You'll think deeply about your work as a redemptive servant of God. You'll reflect on what authentic compassion means and learn ways of respecting differences. We emphasize empowering those with disabilities and cultivating solutions for grief, poverty, injustice, and racism.
Yes, the Master of Arts (M.A.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential and distance education) at Calvin University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296- 5700.
If you enroll in the program as a first-year student, you will complete three semesters of undergraduate pre-professional requirements and then apply to the BA-MA program by January 15, usually during your junior year. Transfer students may apply after completing designated prerequisite courses. If you are accepted into the five-year program, you will earn both a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology and audiology and a master’s degree in speech pathology. You must meet the academic requirements, as outlined in the SPAUD Student Academic and Clinical Handbook to remain in the program. If you are not accepted into the five-year program, you may continue to be enrolled in the four-year program and apply to graduate programs at other institutions in your senior year, as long as you meet the retention requirements.
Yes, the bachelor’s degree is a four-year program in speech pathology and audiology designed for students who plan to complete their graduate work at other institutions. It includes additional cross-disciplinary undergraduate requirements in science and math. Students who choose this option may enroll only in undergraduate-level courses, not graduate-level courses. You must meet the academic requirements, as outlined in the SPAUD Student Academic and Clinical Handbook to remain in the program.
You must earn at least a 3.0 (B) grade point average every semester across all of your courses, You also must meet the essential functions required to practice as a speech-language pathologist, as outlined in the appendix of the SPAUD Student Academic and Clinical Handbook.
We accept those with bachelor's degrees in other areas if they meet the prerequisites. We offer an online Speech and Hearing Foundations Certificate of six courses to help you meet the communication sciences and disorders prerequisites.
