Last Updated
April 16, 2025Written By
Benjamin Thompson, M.S., CCC‑SLPIdaho is a friendly place for anybody wishing to obtain a high quality SLP degree. The best program in the state is offered by Idaho State University and this program is ASHA accredited and offers both on-campus and online graduate studies. If you opt for the traditional classroom learning, you can obtain your master’s degree in about two and a half years, whereas the online speech pathology program can stretch up to three years and is perfect for the person who needs to work or attend to family responsibilities. The job market is strong here and is expected to grow by approximately 18% in the coming decade. The current estimates put the average salary of speech language pathologists in Idaho between $73,000 and $75,000 a year. Many employers of speech pathologists in Idaho provide other incentives like sign-on bonuses and loan repayment, especially in the rural areas that lack enough SLPs. Thus, studying in Idaho you can also benefit from the beautiful scenery and the low costs of living. Whether you are based in the larger centers such as Boise or one of the smaller towns, you will find yourself among a community of professionals and many opportunities to mix. Due to the supportive environment, it is easy for new graduates to transition into clinical practice. All of these factors make Idaho a good choice for your speech pathology education and career goals.
Looking for the best SLP programs in Idaho? peechpathology.org ranks top speech pathology degrees to help you choose the best one for you. Our list highlights programs known for quality, research, and clinical training. We focus on what matters to students and professionals in Idaho. Learn how we rank schools at speechpathology.org/rankings-methology.
Pocatello, ID - Public 4-Year - isu.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Idaho State University's on-campus Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) program, accredited by ASHA, is Idaho's only such program. This comprehensive program provides extensive clinical experience in on-campus clinics and diverse community settings, culminating in an eight-week externship. Students gain experience with clients of all ages and a variety of communication disorders. The program boasts a high average GPA range of 3.57-3.75 for admitted students. Graduates are well-prepared for the Praxis exam and careers in communication health. Requires Praxis.
Online Learning - Visit Website
Idaho State University's online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) is ASHA-accredited and offers a flexible, 36-month format. As Idaho's sole accredited SLP program, it provides comprehensive training through evidence-based practices and diverse clinical experiences in educational and medical settings. The program culminates in a full-time externship, preparing graduates for the Praxis exam. The average GPA for recent cohorts is 3.69. This program allows working professionals to pursue an advanced degree while maintaining their current commitments. Requires Praxis.
Some students in Idaho are not quite sure whether to get a bachelor’s or a master’s in speech pathology. A Communication Sciences and Disorders degree is a good starting point. It prepares for support roles like a speech language pathology assistant or jobs in similar positions like a special education aide. Entrance to these programs is typically a high school diploma, transcripts, and possibly standardized test scores. The costs are different, but in many cases the in-state tuition at public universities in Idaho is lower than in other states. Nevertheless, a SLP bachelor’s degree will not allow you to work as a speech-language pathologist. Master’s degree holders are able to work as licensed speech language pathologists in clinical, school or hospital environments. The admission process is usually quite similar and requires the applicant to have a bachelor’s degree in CSD, or a related field, to have taken certain pre-requisite courses, to maintain a certain GPA, and to submit letters of recommendation. It is often the case that tuition fees at the graduate level are higher, but many Idaho programs have arrangements for reduced tuition for residents of the state. The typical salary of a licensed SLP in Idaho is between $73,000 and $75,000 on an annual basis. This higher ending salary, along with the ability to practice without a doctorate and work independently, makes the master’s degree the more future oriented and more beneficial choice in the long run.
In Idaho, there are limited doctoral choices for speech-language pathology, but both PhD and SLPD degrees are good for people planning to go further in their profession. A PhD in speech-pathology is geared towards research, or academic or higher level clinical positions. This degree is suitable for those wishing to teach, do research or in any other way contribute to the field. Admission is based on a good academic record, research potential and sometimes master’s degree in SLP or equivalent fields. However, there is no PhD program in speech-language pathology offered by Idaho. Prospective students can search for online or hybrid programs from out of state universities. An SLPD (Doctor of Speech Language Pathology) is more clinical and helps graduates to manage healthcare organizations or achieve advanced clinical positions. Admission is usually made on the basis of a master’s degree in speech pathology, clinical experience, and letters of recommendation. Similar to the PhD path, there is no SLPD program offered by Idaho. Nonetheless, students may go for hybrid or out-of-state programs, which can be done partially from home. The expense of tuition for doctoral programs is usually higher, particularly for out-of-state students. Salaries for those in doctoral positions are much higher and may start from $85,000 and go up to $100,000 or even more, depending on the region and management positions. This means that the best opportunities may be in remote learning or migration due to the absence of local programs.
To practice as an SLP in Idaho, one must possess a master’s or higher in speech-language pathology from an accredited university. Another condition is to take the Praxis exam before applying for the speech pathology license. Another important condition is to have at least 1 260 hours of postgraduate clinical experience that must be done within 36 weeks or 9 months. This fellowship has to be supervised by a licensed SLP in good standing. When these steps are done, then you can submit your application to the Idaho Speech, Hearing, and Communication Services Licensure Board. Your license will need to be renewed yearly, with the renewal date being on your birthday. Part of the renewal process is completing 10 CEUs. These hours should be relevant to your clinical practice or professional development. Just in case your license is ever audited, you should keep a record of your CEUs. If you let your speech pathologist license sit expired for 5 or more years, you need to apply for a new license instead of just renewing your license. Some SLPs will get the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) from ASHA to better their job prospects. The CCC-SLP is not necessary for licensure in Idaho, however, most employers require it. Whether you decide to get that certification or not, it is important to follow the renewal and education requirements set by Idaho to keep your speech-language pathologist license active and provide the best service to your clients.
If you wish to quickly complete your SLP education in Idaho, there are several paths to choose. The speech pathology programs in Idaho also require a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders which takes four years at full time learning. This provides a good starting point but does not enable one to practice fully as a speech-language pathologist.
The fastest accredited master’s programs are 24 months if you attend full-time in campus. Only Idaho State University offers this, however they have an online version that is 36 months. Some students prefer the flexibility of online learning even if it takes more time.
If you have plans to achieve a doctoral level degree, then three to five years more for a traditional PhD programs after master’s degree. This research track is for those planning on being university teachers or lab researchers.
In contrast, an SLPD is a clinical doctorate that is also approximately three years in length following the master’s degree. Neither type is typically offered in a quick combined format within the state of Idaho. There currently aren’t any universities in Idaho that offer dual bachelor’s-master’s tracks, so students looking to graduate in the fastest amount of time are most likely to achieve their goals with a SLP related degree and then the 24 month on campus master’s degree at Idaho State University.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
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| Idaho State University |
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Idaho is generally inexpensive and thus suitable for speech-language pathology, given that tuition is relatively low. At a public university, in-state tuition for a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders can range between $7,000 and $9,000 per year. That’s often much lower than the costs in many other states. Bursaries and financial aid options can even make the expense of the course even more affordable.
A SLP master’s degree in Idaho can be obtained for a little over $9,000 per year (excluding fees) for in-state students. Nonresidents will pay more, but it is still competitive with out-of-state programs. The primary choice for an accredited master’s that meets licensure standards is Idaho State University. The cost of tuition, coupled with a lower standard of living, means that you will graduate with less debt.
For the Speech Pathology PhD or the clinical doctorate (SLPD), you may have to consider other states. There are hardly any advanced clinical doctorates offered by in-state universities here. But you can get your bachelor’s or master’s degree in Idaho to keep the tuition costs low, then move on to a doctorate program. This is a great way to take advantage of the beautiful and friendly environment of Idaho while keeping the overall costs of education low.
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
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| Idaho State University |
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If you are interested in pursuing a career in SLP and have been researching licensing requirements or are simply interested in learning more about SLP
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Our mission is to empower future speech-language pathologists by providing the most accurate, up-to-date, and accessible information available. Our team is dedicated to guiding individuals through the journey of becoming an SLP—whether you’re just exploring the field or actively pursuing a degree. We specialize in delivering reliable insights on state-by-state availability, affordability, and the fastest paths to certification and licensure. Our goal is to help you make informed decisions based on real data, trusted resources, and the evolving needs of the profession. With a strong commitment to educational clarity and career transparency, we’re here to support and simplify your path toward a rewarding future in speech-language pathology.
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