Last Updated
April 14, 2025Written By
Benjamin Thompson, M.S., CCC‑SLPMississippi has several good quality CAA accredited Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Several public universities for instance, Mississippi University for Women, Jackson State University, the University of Southern Mississippi, and the University of Mississippi have challenging on-campus clinical training and close mentoring at relatively affordable tuition fees. These CAA accredited master’s programs meet the eligibility requirements for licensure in Mississippi, the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence and school credentials. The time to completion is typically two years, making them some of the fastest ways to start an SLP career.
Besides that, the state has a strong job market for speech pathologists, with an especially high demand for SLPs in hospitals, schools, and rehabilitation facilities. About 1,460 speech-language pathologists are still practicing in Mississippi and the need is likely to rise due to population aging and more attention to pediatric speech pathology speech problems. This is reflected in SLP salaries in Mississippi: The average annual salary for an speech pathologist in Mississippi is $74,740, a very good salary for a state with a lower cost of living than many other states.
The benefits of being a student include small class sizes, well-directed clinical practice, and a high level of community participation. For a practical and promising choice in a supportive and affordable environment, undertaking a speech-language pathology career in Mississippi is a good idea.
Find your future in SLP by exploring the best degrees in Mississippi available. Our team at speechpathology.org highlights top-ranked speech-language pathology programs in Mississippi to help you start or advance your career. Programs are evaluated for academic strength, research, and clinical excellence. Learn more about our process at speechpathology.org/rankings-methology.
Columbus, MS - Public 4-Year - muw.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Speech-Language Pathology BS program at Mississippi University for Women is a pre-professional undergraduate program focusing on communication disorders, covering phonetics, anatomy, and therapy principles. It requires a 2.75 GPA for progression to advanced classes and builds a scientific knowledge base for decision-making, laying the foundation for graduate studies. This campus-based program emphasizes practical skills and theoretical knowledge, preparing students for further education in speech-language pathology without requiring entrance exams like the ACT or SAT.
Campus Based - Visit Website
Mississippi University for Women's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is a CAA-accredited, 5-semester program requiring 51 credit hours (36 academic, 15 practicum). It prepares graduates for ASHA certification, state licensure, and teacher licensure, with competitive admission requiring a 3.0 GPA, GRE scores, and prerequisite courses for non-majors. The program emphasizes rigorous clinical training, boasts high Praxis pass rates, and has a 100% on-time completion rate, offering both on-campus and off-campus practicum opportunities.
Jackson, MS - Public 4-Year - jsums.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Jackson State University's Master of Science in Communicative Disorders is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, preparing students for licensure by the Mississippi State Department of Health and ASHA's Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology. The program emphasizes academic and clinical excellence, offering hands-on experience at the Central Mississippi Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic. It also qualifies graduates for the Standard Educator License Speech Pathologist (Class AA) in Mississippi. An entrance exam is required for this master's level program.
Hattiesburg, MS - Public 4-Year - usm.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
At the University of Southern Mississippi, the pre-professional Speech Pathology and Audiology program in Hattiesburg provides foundational knowledge in speech production, hearing mechanisms, and communication disorders to prepare students for graduate studies. Through hands-on clinic experiences and community service projects, students gain practical skills while exploring American Sign Language options. This undergraduate program requires meeting standard admission criteria and focuses on building the necessary background for future certification as Speech-Language Pathologists or Audiologists, without specifying entrance exam requirements at this level.
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Southern Mississippi's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is a comprehensive five-semester, 60-credit program that blends academic rigor with extensive clinical training. Students benefit from both on-campus and off-campus clinical experiences under the supervision of CCC-S holders, preparing them for diverse roles in schools, hospitals, and early intervention programs. The program emphasizes writing, oral communication, and research application, while preparing graduates for the Praxis II examination and state licensure. Admission requires GRE scores (though waived for the 2021 cohort), a bachelor's degree in Communicative Disorders, transcripts, a statement of purpose, and three recommendation letters. With nearly 100% employment rates and CAA accreditation, this cohort-based program offers financial support and an application deadline of February 1st for fall admission.
If you wish to make a difference by helping people to communicate and connect then there are great opportunities for you with the Speech Pathology Programs in Mississippi. At the bachelor’s level, the schools that are traditional four year institutions in Mississippi include Mississippi University for Women, Jackson State University, the University of Southern Mississippi and the University of Mississippi which offer degrees in communication sciences.
These programs, which are usually offered to students who have completed basic high school or GED, and have a minimum GPA or ACT/SAT scores, provide students with hands-on experience. You cannot practice on your own as an SLP with just a bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology, but you can work as a speech-language pathology assistant or an audiology assistant in clinics or schools if you so desire – a great way to get real world exposure quickly.
However, an SLP master’s degree from a CAA accredited program will enable one to practice independently and be licensed. You may be required to complete a set of prerequisite courses, submit GRE scores, recommendations, and transcripts for graduate admissions. Within the next two years (and for about $25,000 to $30,000 in state tuition), you will gain more clinical and theoretical knowledge to make you ready to practice as an SLP. With the annual speech pathologist salary sitting around $74,740 and the cost of living below the national average, you may want to consider studying here and saving some money while you’re at it.
In Mississippi, prospective doctoral students interested in advancing their education in the field of speech-language pathology may be surprised to find that no in-state universities offer a PhD or Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology (SLPD) that is specific to SLP majors. The PhD in Communication Sciences and Disorders focuses on research and academia and therefore requires a master’s degree, GRE scores, and a clear interest in research. Graduates pursue university faculty positions, conduct pioneering studies, and establish clinical best practices.
On the other hand, an SLPD concentrates on refined clinical skills and management. Admission requirements are rather standard and include the current Mississippi SLP License, ASHA certification, and appropriate work experience – useful for those who wish to continue working as clinicians but assume management positions in healthcare organizations or school districts.
As neither of these speech pathology doctorate degree paths is currently offered by Mississippi universities, students usually turn to neighboring states or fully online SLP programs that incorporate some campus visits with distance learning. The expense differs significantly, but the costs of doctoral programs can start at $30,000 and go up to $60,000 or even more, depending on the mode of delivery and the institution. If you can see yourself in academia, clinical supervision or high-level administration, then further steps may be worth taking to explore out-of-state or online doctoral programs, due to Mississippi’s solid foundation of Speech-Language Pathology master’s programs and job prospects.
If you want to help people find their voices, then one of the first things you need to do is understand Mississippi SLP License and certification processes. You will need to pass the Praxis exam in Speech Pathology after graduating from a CAA accredited master’s degree in speech language pathology (typically 400 supervised clinical clock hours spread over a 50-60 credit hour program). This is usually followed by about nine months of full time supervised professional employment; often referred to as your Clinical Fellowship year, to make sure you are work ready.
When you have these pieces in place, you can apply for a Mississippi SLP License through the Mississippi Department of Health, which will request your transcripts, exam scores, and proof of that supervised experience. It is important to maintain it once licensed; Mississippi requires 20 hours of continuing education every two years (clinical practice must be at least half of that), so make sure to keep on accumulating knowledge.
There may also be a need for a specific educator license to work in schools from the Department of Education. Maintaining them, which is usually done annually, allows you to continue practicing without missing a beat. It may seem like a lot, but it all helps to ensure that you are as prepared as you can be to support those with communication issues, and that’s why you became an SLP.
If you are looking for a fast track to a speech-language pathology career, there are a few fast SLP degree options in Mississippi. For undergraduates, the B.S. in Speech-Language Pathology at Mississippi University for Women or Jackson State University, among others, typically take four years, but some students can accelerate through summer classes or with transfer credits. Grad students wanting full SLP licensure, though, often go for intensive master’s programs at places like Mississippi University for Women or the University of Southern Mississippi. These last for about 50–60 credit hours and can be done in as few as five consecutive semesters, or just under two years if you begin this summer.
But for doctoral routes like a PhD, be warned that Mississippi doesn’t currently offer a dedicated SLP PhD or SLPD in-state and that extends the timeline if you go with an out-of-state or online program. Combined bachelor’s-to-master’s or master’s-to-doctorate tracks aren’t standard in Mississippi, but some universities allow high achieving undergraduates to reserve graduate coursework early, potentially trimming a semester or two off the total. The speed of each program depends on things like prior coursework, clinical placements, and your capacity to manage an accelerated schedule.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi University for Women |
|
|
| University of Southern Mississippi |
|
|
| Jackson State University |
|
|
Mississippi’s public universities are oftentimes ranked high in the nation for affordable SLP programs and are a good choice to consider for someone interested in becoming a speech language pathologist. At the bachelor’s level, schools like Delta State University and Jackson State University are relatively inexpensive especially for in-state students, and the tuition and fees can be between $8,000 and $9,000 per year, sometimes even less if the student gets scholarships or grants.
Another school that is also worthy of mention is Mississippi University for Women (MUW) which provides a good B.S. in Speech-Language Pathology without compromising on the quality. In case you are planning to pursue a master’s degree that is the requirement for licensure, then MUW, Jackson State, Ole Miss, and the University of Southern Mississippi are all within the $25,000 – $30,000 range in total tuition (for in-state students) over the course of two years of full time study. These SLP programs are still quite attractive when compared to out of state or private institutions and featured here, many offer graduate assistantships that further lower the costs.
Although Mississippi does not currently offer in-state doctoral programs (PhD or SLPD) in speech pathology, its master’s programs are quite affordable, thus attracting students from within the state as well as other states. Based on tuition, fees, and the cost of living, Mississippi still offers a good opportunity for individuals seeking a reasonably priced route to an SLP profession.
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi University for Women |
|
|
| Jackson State University |
|
|
| University of Southern Mississippi |
|
|
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
Dyslexia, a common learning difference affecting reading, writing, and language processing, can present unique challenges for students transitioning from high school to college. Fortunately, a
If you are pursuing the position of a speech-language pathologist, then you may have heard of the Praxis exam from your professors, classmates, or even
If you have ever been researching speech-language pathology careers and come across the words ‘speech pathologist’ and ‘speech therapist’, you might wonder if they are