Last Updated
April 16, 2025Written By
Elizabeth Monroe M.S., CCC‑SLPLouisiana has a strong reputation for quality training and affordable tuition, and the speech pathology programs are excellent and welcoming with a lot of hands on learning. Some of the top schools include LSU in Baton Rouge, LSU Health in New Orleans and Shreveport, Louisiana Tech, Southeastern Louisiana University, UL Lafayette, and UL Monroe which provides both the undergraduate and master’s degrees that are ASHA accredited. They offer both classroom learning and real world clinical practice. You’ll finish 400 supervised clinical hours, pass the Praxis exam or get your CCC-SLP and finish a 36 week clinical fellowship.
In-state tuition is very reasonable here — it typically ranges between $8,000 and $12,500 per year. Students also have the added benefit of assistantships, scholarships and other financial aid to help pay for school. Another big plus is the job market here as well. The demand for speech language pathologists is high particularly in the rural and underserved areas. Graduates can expect to begin with salaries between $64,000 and $74,000 annually. This is because you not only get a good education but also a good paying job. If you want to make a difference in people’s lives, in an affordable education and strong job market, consider pursuing your SLP degree in Louisiana.
Explore the top-rated speech pathology programs in Louisiana with our curated rankings. Whether you’re just starting or ready for the next step, speechpathology.org showcases the best SLP schools in Louisiana for aspiring professionals. Discover how programs are selected at speechpathology.org/rankings-methology.
Ruston, LA - Public 4-Year - latech.edu
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Louisiana Tech University's Bachelor of Arts in Pre-Professional Speech-Language Pathology builds a foundation for graduate studies in speech-language pathology or audiology, with a concentration option in audiology. This campus-based program combines liberal arts with coursework in speech and hearing disorders, preparing students for roles in speech pathology assistance, medical sales, or healthcare administration without requiring ACT or SAT exams.
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Louisiana Tech University's Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology prepares students for certification to diagnose and treat communication disorders across diverse healthcare settings and all age groups. The program requires GRE scores for admission and 19 prerequisite undergraduate hours, offering rigorous academic and practical training for careers in medical facilities, schools, and private practices.
New Orleans, LA - Private 4-year - xula.edu
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Xavier University of Louisiana provides campus-based Speech Pathology programs at undergraduate and graduate levels, preparing students for clinical practice without a specified entrance exam. The curriculum aligns with CAA standards, focusing on theoretical and practical approaches to communication disorders. Competitive admissions and costs make it accessible, with the Master of Science degree essential for licensure. As a Roman Catholic HBCU that is military-friendly, it offers a supportive environment for aspiring speech-language pathologists to build foundational and advanced skills.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Xavier University of Louisiana offers a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology as a hybrid program requiring a GRE score of 280. This two-year residential curriculum spans 51 semester hours, emphasizing cultural and linguistic diversity through multiple clinical practica. Admission is competitive, requiring a 3.2 GPA, prerequisite coursework, three recommendation letters, and an interview, with a January 15 deadline. The program is a candidate for CAA accreditation and is military-friendly, catering to diverse student needs in a Roman Catholic HBCU setting.
Monroe, LA - Public 4-Year - ulm.edu
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The Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Louisiana at Monroe is a pre-professional degree preparing students for graduate study in speech-language pathology or audiology. The comprehensive curriculum covers anatomy and physiology of speech, language acquisition, and multicultural issues in communication disorders, with hands-on experience through supervised clinical observations. Admission requires a 2.75 GPA and a C or better in all major courses, with 25 hours of observation needed. For this bachelor's level program, entrance exams like the ACT or SAT may be required; applicants should check current admission policies.
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The University of Louisiana at Monroe's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is a CAA-accredited residential program that transforms students into skilled communication professionals through rigorous academics and extensive clinical experiences. Students serve diverse populations across various settings, preparing for dynamic healthcare careers. The program admits a fall cohort annually with a January 15th deadline and emphasizes personalized faculty mentorship to develop advanced clinical skills. As a master's level program, it may require an entrance exam like the GRE, though specific requirements should be verified with the institution.
Baton Rouge, LA - Public 4-Year - lsu.edu
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Louisiana State University's Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders prepares students for academic, research, and leadership roles through an apprenticeship model, with close mentorship and committee guidance to tailor research interests. The program offers competitive graduate teaching assistantships and aims for four-year completion, supported by faculty expertise across diverse research areas. This doctorate-level program requires an entrance exam, such as the GRE, for admission, focusing on advancing careers in academia, policy development, or clinical research.
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Louisiana State University's MA in Speech-Language Pathology provides a comprehensive curriculum with 48 credit hours, including 33 academic hours and 15 clinical practica, available in thesis and non-thesis tracks. Students benefit from state-of-the-art research labs, interdisciplinary opportunities, and diverse clinical training environments, guided by doctoral-level faculty. The program prepares for national certification and state licensure, accommodating students with BA degrees in Communication Disorders or related fields, with prerequisite options for others. This master's-level program requires an entrance exam, such as the GRE, for admission.
Lafayette, LA - Public 4-Year - louisiana.edu
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University of Louisiana at Lafayette's Bachelor of Arts in Speech Pathology and Audiology is a pre-professional program focusing on communication sciences. Students gain hands-on experience at the on-campus Speech, Language and Hearing Center, covering phonetics, language acquisition, and audiology. The 120-credit program requires a minor and minimum GPA for graduation, preparing students for graduate studies in speech-language pathology or audiology. Admission requires meeting university standards, including ACT or SAT entrance exams. This program is ideal for those passionate about helping individuals overcome communication barriers through theoretical and practical application.
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University of Louisiana at Lafayette's Master's in Speech Language Pathology is ranked #1 in Louisiana and #78 nationally by U.S. News & World Report for 2024. This CAA-accredited program prepares students for ASHA certification with a strong emphasis on clinical practice and research integration. Unique features include a two-course research sequence, capstone seminar, and collaboration between academic and clinical faculty. The program requires an entrance exam for admission. Graduates are well-prepared for licensure, particularly in Louisiana, through a curriculum that translates theory into diverse clinical applications.
Hammond, LA - Public 4-Year - southeastern.edu
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Southeastern Louisiana University's Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders is a rigorous campus-based program requiring 36 credit hours and entrance exams for admission. With two annual admission cycles (fall deadline March 1st, spring deadline October 1st), this competitive program accepts approximately 30 students yearly, taking 2.5-3.5 years to complete. Students benefit from five clinical practicum semesters with pediatric and adult placements across diverse settings, preparing them for ASHA certification and state licensure. The program offers day and evening classes along with graduate assistantships, positioning graduates for careers in healthcare, education, and rehabilitation as skilled, ethical speech-language pathologists.
New Orleans, LA - Public 4-Year - suno.edu
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Southern University at New Orleans offers a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology that prepares students for careers addressing communication disorders. This program meets ASHA standards and requires a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA, GRE scores, and prerequisite courses in biological science, physical science, statistics, and social/behavioral sciences. The curriculum covers pediatric swallowing, speech sound disorders, aphasia, and other areas, with advanced practicum experiences. Students must complete 25 ASHA-approved observation hours before starting.
Baton Rouge, LA - Public 4-Year - subr.edu
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Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, LA, offers a campus-based Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. This HBCU program prepares students for diagnosing and treating communication disorders through a curriculum covering speech and hearing sciences, clinical practicum experiences, and hands-on learning. Admission requires meeting the university's general criteria, which may include ACT or SAT entrance exams. The program is designed for those aiming to make a difference in individuals with communication challenges, emphasizing practical skills and foundational knowledge for further study or entry-level roles in the field.
Shreveport, LA - Public 4-Year - lsuhs.edu
Concentration: Clinical Practicum - Campus Based - Visit Website
LSU Health Shreveport's Master of Communication Disorders with a Clinical Practicum concentration provides intensive, hands-on training in diagnosing and treating communication disorders. The program spans 6-9 semesters with full-time, on-campus classes and CAA accreditation. Students benefit from expert faculty supervision, modern facilities, and diverse clinical settings, preparing them for state licensure and ASHA certification. With a summer start and January 15 application deadline, it emphasizes practical experience without requiring an entrance exam. Graduates enter a growing field with strong job prospects and opportunities to impact patient lives.
Concentration: Research Opportunities - Campus Based - Visit Website
Focused on Research Opportunities, LSU Health Shreveport's Master of Communication Disorders integrates rigorous academic training with extensive clinical experience. This CAA-accredited program runs 6-9 semesters full-time on campus, welcoming students from various backgrounds. It uses the CSDCAS application system with a January 15 deadline and summer start, offering in-state tuition for AR/TX residents. No entrance exam is required, and graduates are equipped for state licensure and ASHA certification, entering a dynamic field with high employment growth and competitive salaries.
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LSU Health Shreveport's Master of Communication Disorders delivers comprehensive speech-language pathology education through a 6-9 semester, full-time on-campus program. CAA-accredited and without an entrance exam requirement, it prepares students for diverse clinical roles with state licensure and ASHA certification eligibility. The curriculum includes clinical practicums, simulation labs, and multiple training sites, using CSDCAS for applications due January 15 with a summer start. In-state tuition is available for AR/TX residents, and graduates benefit from a median salary of $89,290 and 18% job growth projections.
If you are looking for speech pathology careers in Louisiana, both bachelor and master degrees will be useful. A bachelor of speech-language pathology or Communication Sciences and Disorders gives you a good starting point in the field. It provides a good understanding of the theoretical aspects and the rudiments of clinical practice and enables one to work as an SLP assistant or an early intervention aide. Admissions for a bachelor’s program are made on the basis of high school grades, science and humanities subjects and, in some cases, on an entrance exam. Some do it to gain some experience before progressing further.
On the other hand, for those looking to practice as a speech-language pathologists a master’s degree is necessary. SLP master’s degrees in Louisiana, from places such as LSU, Louisiana Tech, and UL Lafayette, may require a previous bachelor’s degree, a high college GPA, GRE scores, and letters of recommendation. These offer both advanced coursework and clinical practice that is supervised and amounts to about 400 hours. The costs of in-state tuition for master’s programs typically range between $8,000 and $12,500 per year. Lower wages are observed in the bachelor’s level positions; the annual salary of master’s graduates is between $64,000 and $74,000, which shows that the advanced degree is worth it for someone who is willing to work in the profession completely.
In Louisiana, when comparing doctorate degrees in speech-language pathology, there are two paths: the Ph.D. and the SLPD. If you love research, teaching and academic leadership then a Ph.D. is ideal for you. You may dream of being a university professor or running clinical studies. These programs are offered at schools like LSU and UL Lafayette; they usually require a master’s degree, strong GRE scores, research experience, and heartfelt letters of recommendation.
The SLPD is more practice based. It is for those who wish to advance their clinical skills to the maximum level and to manage health organizations. Even though fully accredited SLPD programs are not available in Louisiana, you can turn to out of state or hybrid programs if clinical leadership is what interests you. The admission for SLPD programs is based on clinical experience and good academic performance.
Both doctorate paths’ tuition is comparable to the national figures. Some schools offer financial aid, assistantships, or scholarships to help pay for the costs. Ph.D. graduates often get fulfilling jobs in academia and research at favorable salaries while SLPD holders are likely to get better paying advanced clinical positions. Which speech pathology doctorate degree you choose, largely depends whether you envision your future in the research and teaching or clinical practice leadership.
The process of becoming a licensed speech pathologist in the state of Louisiana is a great process that incorporates a strong educational background as well as a lot of clinical practice. First, you have to have a master’s degree from a SLP program that is accredited. During your studies, you must have at least 400 hours of clinical instruction. This real life experience allows you to actually work with clients and gain experience that will be useful to you in the future. After graduation, you will have to take the Praxis exam in Speech-Language Pathology or gain the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) from ASHA, either of which will show that you are prepared for the real world. The next step is to do a 36 week clinical fellowship, which is like an extended internship where you are trained by experienced SLP professionals. When you have fulfilled these conditions, then you can apply for a provisional license from the Louisiana Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, with copies of your education, test scores, fellowship hours, and a criminal history background check. You are required to renew your license every year and take 10 contact hours of continuing education, five of which must be in speech-language pathology. This ensures you are always in the best position to assist those you serve in the best way possible.
For the fast track to a career in speech-language pathology in Louisiana, several appealing options are available for students. If you start with a Communication Sciences and Disorders bachelor’s degree, you will be studying a four-year program that provides a good theoretical and practical base. In order to become a licensed speech pathololgist, you will require a master’s degree and many Louisiana programs can be completed in about two years of full time study. These master’s programs contain about 400 hours of clinical practice supervised by faculty and may feature accelerated delivery. For example, some universities permit undergraduates to enroll in graduate level courses in their last year, which means effectively shortening the time.
If your interest is in research or teaching, then a Ph.D. may be what you need. Although conventional Ph.D. programs require four to six years of study after obtaining a master’s degree, there are some schools that provide combined or concurrent programs that enable students to work on both the degrees at the same time. These integrated paths are a very good choice if you are interested in advancing to academic or leadership positions. In general, Louisiana’s flexible, efficient SLP programs are designed to help you enter the profession faster so you can begin to help people without having to wait.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
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| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College |
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| University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
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| Southeastern Louisiana University |
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If you’re on a budget, Louisiana offers some great, affordable SLP programs without skimping on quality. First of all, public universities are a good starting point due to the lower tuition costs. The Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders is four year program that offers a good starting point without having to spend too much. Master’s programs, however, are needed to become a fully licensed speech language pathologist and you can expect in state tuition to range between $8,000 and $12,500 per year. Their affordable costs make them quite competitive, and institutions such as Louisiana Tech and Southeastern Louisiana University are highly regarded. Even bigger schools, including LSU, provide good programs, although they may be more expensive. There are also some universities that offer combined bachelor’s/master’s degrees that will help you to become a licensed speech pathologist in a shorter time and at a lower cost. To add to this, assistantships and scholarships for financial aid are also available to help lighten the financial load. In this way, Louisiana’s options are inexpensive, but still offer a quality, accredited SLP education. The financial accessibility of this option is especially attractive to students who want to enter into a rewarding career in speech language pathology without the high costs.
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
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| University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
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| Xavier University of Louisiana |
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| Louisiana Tech University |
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