Points of interest…
- Bethel's MS-SLP launches summer 2027 with two-year and three-year tracks.
- Total tuition and fees for the 60-credit track are $34,600.
- Clinical training exceeds ASHA's 400-hour practicum requirement.
In summer 2027, Bethel University will enroll the first cohort of its Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP), making it one of the few Christ-centered graduate programs in the Upper Midwest.
The program builds on the university’s recent launch of a B.S. in speech-language pathology and offers two paths: a 60-credit, two-year track for those with a relevant bachelor’s, and a three-year option for career changerstransitioning to SLP that includes 26 credits of foundational coursework.
Students progress through the curriculum as a close-knit cohort and gain clinical experience in the forthcoming John and Joan Wories Center, set to open in fall 2027. The program’s candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) signals an early commitment to meeting national standards, an important consideration for aspiring clinicians planning their CCC-SLP certification pathway.
Two Pathways to Your SLP Career at Bethel
What Are the Admission Requirements for Bethel’s MS-SLP?
Since this is a brand-new program, Bethel University is still finalizing application details. For the most current requirements, we recommend going directly to the source.
- Visit the official program pageBethel’s MS-SLP website is the primary place to find updated GPA minimums, prerequisite courses, and deadlines. Bookmark it and check back regularly as the summer 2027 launch approaches.
- Consult ASHA and CAA resourcesThe American Speech-Language-Hearing Association outlines common prerequisites for SLP graduate programs. Additionally, the Council on Academic Accreditation offers guidance on what to expect from accredited and candidate programs.
- Talk to the program coordinatorFor personalized advice, like GRE requirements or specific paperwork, reach out to Bethel’s MS-SLP program coordinator via email or phone. They can clarify any unofficial policies and help you assemble a strong application.
- Join an online information sessionMany programs host virtual info sessions covering admission steps, tips, and timelines. These events are a great chance to ask questions and hear directly from faculty about what they look for in applicants.
What Will You Study? Inside the MS-SLP Curriculum
Today's speech-language pathology graduate programs increasingly integrate online learning with hands-on clinical preparation to reflect the field's evolving practice landscape. Bethel University's MS-SLP curriculum is designed around this blended approach, combining synchronous and asynchronous online coursework with required on-campus intensive sessions and clinical placements.1
Core Course Sequence: Building Clinical Competence
The 60-credit, two-year track (or 86-credit, three-year career change track)1 moves through a lockstep sequence covering the full scope of SLP practice. You will study speech sound disorders, child and adult language disorders, swallowing and dysphagia, AAC devices, fluency, voice, and professional issues.2 A dedicated research methods course (SLPL 530) equips you to critically evaluate clinical evidence, while a comprehensive exam (SLPL 700) assesses your readiness for practice. The curriculum culminates in a capstone project that synthesizes academic and clinical learning.2
Online and On-Campus Blend
Most coursework is delivered online, with a mix of live synchronous sessions and self-paced asynchronous activities. However, several on-campus residencies bring the cohort together for intensive clinical labs, simulations, and in-person collaboration. You will complete slp clinical placements through supervised on-campus practicum hours and off-campus externships, ensuring you meet the clinical hour requirements for CCC-SLP certification while gaining experience with diverse populations.1
Praxis Preparation Woven In
From day one, the curriculum explicitly prepares you for the Praxis exam in speech-language pathology.1 Practice exams and targeted review sessions are embedded within courses, and faculty provide structured guidance so you can confidently take the test as you approach graduation.
Cohort Model: Learning Together
Bethel's MS-SLP uses a cohort model1, meaning you and your classmates take the same courses in the same sequence throughout the program. This shared journey fosters peer support, collaborative study groups, and a strong professional network that often lasts into your career.
Did you know? Over two million Americans are living with aphasia, a language disorder often caused by stroke. Many never receive adequate speech therapy, underscoring the critical demand for more speech-language pathologists to fill this care gap.
Clinical Training: How Many Practicum Hours Will You Complete?
How Many Clinical Hours Does Bethel Require?
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) mandates 400 total clinical practicum hours for certification, including at least 375 hours of direct client contact1, the baseline for SLP clinical hours requirements. Bethel University's MS-SLP program far exceeds that floor: students complete over 750 clinical hours before graduation2, blending intensive on-campus practice with diverse off-site externships. This depth ensures you not only meet licensure requirements but also enter the field with robust, hands-on confidence.
On-Campus Training at the Wories Center
Bethel's on-campus practicums unfold at the John and Joan Wories Speech-Language Pathology Clinic3, a working clinical facility that serves clients across the lifespan4, from toddlers with articulation delays to older adults recovering from stroke. Starting in your first semesters, you'll deliver assessment and treatment sessions under the direct supervision of licensed faculty clinicians. The curriculum includes three dedicated on-campus practicum courses2, each progressively building your skills. You'll design therapy materials, write SOAP notes, and counsel families, all while refining your clinical judgment in a supportive, faith-integrated environment.
Off-Campus Externships Across the Twin Cities
The second half of your training stretches beyond campus. Bethel coordinates SLP externships at a broad network of educational and medical sites throughout the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro. Typical placements include acute care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation centers, public school districts, and private practice clinics. You will work with both pediatric and geriatric populations, addressing communication and swallowing disorders in settings that mirror real-world SLP roles. Externships account for a significant portion of your clinical hours usually 135 or more2 and are designed to round out your experience with complex cases and multi-disciplinary teams.
ASHA Supervision Standards and Program Compliance
Every hour you log adheres to ASHA's supervision requirements: at least 25% of direct client contact must be supervised in real time by a licensed, ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist1. Bethel ensures that all on-site supervisors and externship preceptors hold current CCC-SLP credentials and state licensure. Weekly meetings, live observation, and detailed feedback protocols guarantee you never practice without qualified guidance, preparing you to sit for the Praxis exam and step into a clinical fellowship yearASHA clinical fellowship with full competence.
Is Bethel’s MS-SLP Accredited? What CAA Candidacy Means for You
The landscape of speech-language pathology education continues to shift as new programs emerge, often launching with candidate status rather than full accreditation. For prospective students, understanding this distinction is key to making a confident, well-informed decision.
Understanding CAA Candidacy Status
Candidacy is a formal status granted by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). It signals that a developing program has met foundational standards and is on a path toward full accreditation. During the candidacy period, the program undergoes rigorous reviews, including site visits and progress reports, to ensure it aligns with CAA's comprehensive requirements.
A program typically enters candidacy before its first class enrolls or early in the cohort's journey. The timeline to full accreditation can span several years, often coinciding with the graduation of the inaugural class. Because Bethel’s MS-SLP program is a candidate for accreditation, it is actively working through this multi-step process.
How to Confirm Bethel’s Current Accreditation Status
Since accreditation statuses evolve, the most reliable approach is to check directly with the official source. Start by visiting the CAA website (caa.asha.org) to view the official roster, or browse our list of CAA-accredited SLP programs for a broader search. The site provides up-to-date listings and any public disclosures about a program's progress. Next, visit Bethel University's program webpage or contact the program coordinator. Official announcements there often share anticipated milestones, such as the target date for a full accreditation decision. For the newest details, directly emailing the program office can clarify where Bethel stands in the candidacy cycle.
What Candidacy Means for Your Certification and License
Graduates from a program with CAA candidacy are generally considered eligible to apply for ASHA's CCC-SLP certification, provided the program achieves full accreditation by the time they complete their degree, or within a specified grace period. However, this is not automatic, and individual circumstances can vary.
State licensure boards set their own requirements, and most accept degrees from CAA-accredited or candidate programs. Before you commit, review ASHA's certification standards (asha.org/certification), contact your state's licensing board, and understand what to look for in an SLP graduate program when evaluating your options. This quick verification step can prevent surprises down the road and ensure your path to professional practice remains smooth.
What Will Bethel’s MS-SLP Cost? Tuition and Financial Aid Breakdown
The total cost for Bethel University’s MS-SLP program is $34,600 for the standard 60-credit track, including tuition, mandatory fees, and enrollment deposit. Additional costs such as books, supplies, and living expenses will vary. Contact the financial aid office at [email protected] or 651-638-6241 to explore graduate assistantships, scholarships, and need-based aid options.
The Wories Center: A Donor's Aphasia Journey Becomes a Training Hub
How did a donor's stroke and aphasia recovery inspire a state-of-the-art training clinic at Bethel University? The John and Joan Wories Center for Speech-Language Pathology is born from personal experience. After John Wories suffered a stroke that left him with aphasia, he and his wife Joan saw firsthand the transformative power of speech therapy exercises for stroke patients. Grateful for the care he received, they made a visionary gift to establish a training hub that would both prepare future clinicians and serve the community.1
The Story Behind the Center
John's journey through aphasia rehabilitation deeply moved the couple. Their donation funds not only scholarships for aspiring speech-language pathologists but also a dedicated on-campus clinic where graduate students gain experience treating neurogenic communication disorders, at no cost to clients.1
What the Center Offers
The center is designed as a welcoming, technology-rich environment. Plans include individual therapy rooms for one-on-one sessions, group treatment spaces for social communication and support groups, and advanced observation and recording equipment that allows supervisors to provide live feedback. This setup ensures students practice with real clients in a supervised, learning-focused setting, while community members with aphasia and related conditions access free diagnostic and therapy services.
Opening in Fall 2027
The Wories Center is set to open by fall 2027, aligned with the arrival of Bethel's first MS-SLP student cohort. From day one, students will complete three clinical practicum courses on campus, mentored by a dedicated Clinical Coordinator.2 This immediate immersion in a state-of-the-art clinic, rooted in a story of hope and recovery, sets Bethel's program apart.
Bethel Vs. Other Minnesota SLP Programs: How They Stack Up
Bethel's new MS-SLP stands apart through its Christ-centered mission, cohort model, and the forthcoming Wories Center. Here's how key features compare to two public programs in Minnesota.
| Program | Institution Type | Faith-Based | Cohort Model | Program Duration | Total Tuition (approx.) | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethel University | Private | Yes | Yes | 24–27 months | $106,500 | CAA-candidate (pursuing full accreditation) |
| University of Minnesota – Twin Cities | Public | No | No | 2 years (typical) | Varies; often lower for in-state students | CAA-accredited |
| Minnesota State University, Mankato | Public | No | No | 2 years (typical) | Varies; often lower for in-state students | CAA-accredited |
Questions to Ask Yourself
Bethel's MS-SLP program weaves faith into every aspect of learning, preparing you to serve clients with compassion and ethical conviction. This foundation can be a powerful guide in challenging clinical moments.
Progressing through the program as a cohort creates a built-in support system, helping you navigate rigorous coursework and clinical training alongside peers who share your goals.
The Wories Center for Speech-Language Pathology will open in fall 2027, offering cutting-edge technology and dedicated spaces for hands-on practice, right on campus.
Bethel's mission centers on serving others with empathy, an approach that directly shapes how you will connect with and treat future clients as an SLP.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bethel’s MS-SLP Program
Get quick answers about accreditation, program structure, and where to find the most current information on tuition and deadlines for Bethel University's new master's in speech-language pathology.
- Is Bethel University's MS-SLP program accredited?
- The program holds candidacy from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Candidacy is a recognized pre-accreditation status and does not guarantee final accreditation, but it allows graduates to meet academic requirements for state licensure and CCC-SLP certification after the program receives full accreditation.
- How long does it take to complete the MS-SLP at Bethel?
- The program offers two tracks. Students who already hold a bachelor's in speech-language pathology or communication disorders can finish the 60-credit curriculum in two years. Those entering from other fields complete a three-year path that includes 26 credits of SLP prerequisites before beginning the core graduate sequence.
- Where can I find the latest tuition, fees, and application deadlines?
- Tuition rates and deadlines are set annually and may change before the summer 2027 launch. For the most accurate and current figures, visit Bethel University's official MS-SLP program page or contact the admissions office directly. They can also explain financial aid options and any scholarship opportunities tied to the program.
- What is the job outlook for speech-language pathologists?
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects steady demand for speech-language pathologists, driven by an aging population and increased awareness of communication disorders. While salaries vary by setting and location, SLPs typically earn competitive wages. For the most recent data on job growth and pay in your area, check the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
