Last Updated
April 16, 2025Written By
Alexandra Turner, M.A., CCC‑SLPOklahoma is a prime location for students planning to pursue a Speech-Language Pathology career, offering both affordable SLP programs and a good employment outlook all while providing quality education. The state has several excellent programs that suit the future SLPs and are designed to address the particular challenges and potential of Oklahoma.
For example, the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) in Edmond offers both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees and has a combined program, which can help you finish your education faster than many other places. Oklahoma State University (OSU) in Stillwater offers a research-focused master’s degree and has nice labs, such as the Motor Speech Lab, that provide practical experience that is not easy to get elsewhere. The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) is located in Oklahoma City and is surrounded by a growing medical community, which provides numerous clinical practices due to its location near hospitals.
What makes Oklahoma interesting is not only the programs, but also the speech pathologist job prospects and the wages. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects 18% growth in the demand for SLPs in the United States between 2023 and 2033, and Oklahoma matches that same trend or even exceeds it with increasing demand owing to the rising population of elderly people and more people being diagnosed with communication disorders.
The average salary of speech-language pathologists in Oklahoma is $75,000 to $85,000. It varies with the job, for instance, rural areas earn slightly lower salary than urban areas like Oklahoma City or Tulsa. When comparing Oklahoma to costly states such as California or New York, one can see that Oklahoma is a wise decision from the financial point of view, especially where the cost of living is relatively low. In this regard, anyone who wants to make a real positive change in the speech pathology field without having to pay a lot of money in tuition or for living expenses will find Oklahoma to be a sensible choice.
Looking for the best speech pathology programs in Oklahoma? peechpathology.org ranks top SLP 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 Oklahoma. Learn how we rank schools at speechpathology.org/rankings-methology.
Tulsa, OK - Private 4-year - utulsa.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Tulsa's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is an ASHA-accredited campus program requiring 41 credits with clinical practicum. Admission demands a 3.0 overall GPA, 3.5 in communication disorders courses, and 25 observation hours. The curriculum addresses speech sound disorders, language development, cognitive communication, voice disorders, aphasia, dysphagia, and autism spectrum disorders. Students gain hands-on experience through on-campus and off-site placements in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and schools. This program prepares graduates for ASHA certification, state licensure, and school certification, emphasizing evidence-based practice and professional ethics. No entrance exam is required for admission.
Norman, OK - Public 4-Year - ou.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Oklahoma's Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology prepares students for clinical certification through a unique two-campus structure. Beginning with preparatory coursework at the Norman campus, students then apply to complete training at the Oklahoma City Health Sciences Center. This program boasts a 100% national exam passage rate and meets all ASHA certification requirements. Clinical experience is gained through on-campus clinics and interdisciplinary units. The program requires the GRE entrance exam and is accredited by both the North Central Association and ASHA's Council on Academic Accreditation.
Campus Based - Visit Website
As Oklahoma's only speech-language pathology program, the University of Oklahoma offers comprehensive graduate education with multiple degree options including MA, MS, and PhD. Students begin at the Norman campus before transitioning to specialized training at the Oklahoma City Health Sciences Center. The program maintains a perfect 100% national exam passage rate and provides diverse clinical experience across various settings. Graduates meet all requirements for ASHA's Certificate of Clinical Competence. This program requires the GRE entrance exam and is accredited by both the North Central Association and ASHA's Council on Academic Accreditation.
Shawnee, OK - Private 4-year - okbu.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Oklahoma Baptist University's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is a hybrid, accelerated program designed to be completed in 16 months across four semesters. This program focuses on developing entry-level clinical skills for evaluating and treating communication and swallowing disorders across all age groups. Clinical experiences are conducted within the student's home community, including diverse settings such as hospitals, schools, and outpatient clinics. The program is pending candidacy accreditation status, with a planned launch in August 2026 and applications opening in July 2025. No entrance exam is required for admission to this master's level program.
Edmond, OK - Public 4-Year - uco.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at University of Central Oklahoma is a pre-professional program designed to prepare students for graduate studies. It provides a comprehensive foundation in speech and language disorders, neuroscience, and therapy techniques, with hands-on practicum experiences. Admission requires a permission form and transcripts during the junior year. This bachelor's program emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and prepares students for licensure and certification pathways. An entrance exam (ACT or SAT) is required for undergraduate admission to the university.
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University of Central Oklahoma's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is a rigorous six-semester program requiring 50 academic hours and 400 clinical clock hours. Admission is competitive with a January 31 deadline, needing a 2.75 overall GPA or 3.00 in the last 60 hours, plus prerequisites. The program prepares students for Oklahoma teaching certification, state licensure, and ASHA clinical competence credentials through extensive practicum placements in educational and medical settings. This master's program does not require an entrance exam, focusing instead on academic and clinical preparation for professional certification.
Tahlequah, OK - Public 4-Year - nsuok.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Northeastern State University's Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology serves as a pre-professional undergraduate foundation for graduate studies. This campus-based program in Oklahoma emphasizes both academic coursework and clinical foundations in communication disorders, taught by licensed professionals. Students benefit from a cohort model that fosters interprofessional education and professionalism. An accelerated five-year bachelor's-to-master's pathway is available. As a bachelor's-level program, it requires ACT or SAT entrance exams for admission.
Chickasha, OK - Public 4-Year - usao.edu
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The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma's undergraduate Speech-Language Pathology program provides comprehensive preparation for graduate studies and health professions careers. This campus-based program can be completed in three years and includes 47 hours of specialized coursework. Students gain hands-on clinical experience at the John A. Morris Speech and Language Clinic while benefiting from small class sizes and personalized advising. The curriculum covers diverse topics, preparing graduates for work in hospitals, schools, and private practices. As a bachelor's program, it requires ACT or SAT entrance exams for admission.
Oklahoma City, OK - Public 4-Year - ouhsc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center's PhD in Speech-Language Pathology is a research-intensive doctoral program requiring 90 post-baccalaureate credit hours. This campus-based program emphasizes individualized scholarly development through research projects, grant writing, and teaching experiences. Students gain interdisciplinary learning opportunities and professional mentorship, preparing them for leadership roles in academia and clinical innovation. As a doctorate-level program, it requires the GRE entrance exam. The program is military-friendly and recommends full-time enrollment with potential stipends and assistantships.
Campus Based - Visit Website
This PhD in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center specializes in voice science, requiring 90 post-baccalaureate credit hours. The campus program focuses on advanced research and teaching in voice disorders, with coursework in statistics and research methods. Admission requires a 3.0 GPA, GRE scores, and an interview. Financial aid and assistantships may be available. This doctorate-level program emphasizes independent scholarship, professional leadership, and interdisciplinary learning in voice science specifically.
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center offers a PhD in Speech-Language Pathology with a neural processing concentration. This rigorous campus program requires 90 post-baccalaureate credit hours and focuses on advanced research in communication neuroscience. Students develop research skills through mentored experiences and interdisciplinary scholarship. Admission requires a 3.0 GPA and GRE scores. The program prepares graduates for leadership in academia and research, with full-time enrollment recommended and potential stipend opportunities.
Tulsa, OK - Public 4-Year - medicine.okstate.edu
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Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences offers a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, a comprehensive two-year program that includes 36 credit hours of coursework and 15 credit hours of practicum. The program features diverse clinical rotations across hospitals, clinics, schools, and private practices, with research opportunities and options for a thesis or comprehensive exam. Accredited by ASHA, it prepares graduates for Oklahoma licensure and clinical certification. Admission requires the GRE, with recommended scores of 296 and 3.5 analytical writing, along with a 3.4 GPA. Financial aid including graduate assistantships is available to support students.
In Oklahoma, choosing between a bachelor’s in speech-language pathology and master’s degree in speech pathology depends on your career goals. A bachelor’s degree is four years and is an entry level option. It is appropriate for those who have not yet decided whether to proceed to graduate study or who wish to begin in speech pathology assistant roles. The foundational topics like communication processes and basic disorder studies are covered by these programs offered at UCO and OUHSC.
Admission is also rather simple and requires you to submit high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, and sometimes even recommendation letters. They can become SLP assistants, teaching assistants, or research assistants. The annual salary is approx. $30,000-$40,000. The wage can also be used to purchase a degree that would enable one to pursue further education.
A master’s degree, which is two years after the bachelor’s degree, is needed to fulfill the requirements for a full license as an SLP in Oklahoma. These ASHA-accredited programs at UCO, OSU and OUHSC comprise of academic coursework and clinical practice to meet the state and national standards. The admission process involves a bachelor’s degree—communication sciences or equivalent, 3.0 or higher minimum GPA, phonetics or anatomy as prerequisite courses, and, in some cases, GRE scores.
They can work in schools, hospitals or private practices meeting needs of childhood speech delays or adult rehabilitation, and the average salary is $80,000 annually. Specialized roles, like working as a pediatric speech-language pathologist or geriatric populations, are available to the master’s which is necessary to move forward in one’s professional practice in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma does not have in-state PhD or SLPD doctorate programs for SLP, so students have to look for options out of state. A doctorate in Communication Sciences is research based and may take 4 to 6 years to complete and is for people who are interested in academic or industry research. Admission is to some extent similar to that of master’s programs – a master’s degree, good academic record, GRE scores, and a clear interest in research. Some of the out of state programs can be as expensive as $20,000 to $50,000 every year and returns are also very high, above $90,000 in positions like university teaching or research leadership.
The SLPD is a professional doctorate that concentrates on advanced clinical practice and leadership over the three to four years. It has almost the same admission requirements as the PhD – a master’s degree, good grades, and clinical experience, but focuses on the practical experiences rather than research. Tuition is approximately equal to that of the PhD program, and graduates can earn over $100,000 per year in positions including clinic directors or educators. Since there are no local options, students can try online speech pathology degrees or the neighboring states, for example, Texas or Kansas. This option is good for practicing SLPs who want to achieve a higher education.
To work as a Speech Pathologist in Oklahoma, a state license is required, and the process involves specific educational and professional steps. Candidates need a master’s degree from a program accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). After completing the degree, a clinical fellowship follows, requiring 1,260 hours of supervised practice—typically over 36 weeks—to gain hands-on experience. Passing the PRAXIS exam, a national test administered by the Educational Testing Service, is also necessary to demonstrate competency. The Oklahoma Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (OBESPA) then issues the state license based on these achievements.
Many SLPs pursue ASHA’s national Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP), which mirrors Oklahoma’s requirements and provides a widely recognized credential. Maintaining both the state license and CCC-SLP involves 20 hours of continuing education every two years, including 3 hours in ethics, completed through ASHA-approved workshops, seminars, or online courses.
For Speech-Language Pathology Assistants (SLPAs), Oklahoma has its own licensure requirements, complemented by the option of national certification from ASHA. State licensure requires an associate’s degree or higher with an SLP focus—available online through Oklahoma City Community College—and 100 hours of supervised clinical experience. This supervision must come from a licensed SLP who has completed additional training, with a limit of two assistants per speech-language pathologist.
Additionally, ASHA offers the C-SLPA certification, which enhances professional standing and is recognized beyond Oklahoma. To earn the C-SLPA, candidates must complete one of three educational pathways (such as a 2-year SLPA program or a bachelor’s in communication sciences), 100 hours of clinical fieldwork under an ASHA-certified SLP, and three 1-hour courses in ethics, universal safety precautions, and patient confidentiality within two years of applying. After submitting transcripts and an application with a $249 fee, candidates take the ASHA Assistants Certification Exam, needing a score of 162 or higher to pass.
Both the state SLP license and C-SLPA require 20 hours of continuing education biennially, including 3 hours in ethics, aligning with ASHA’s national standards. SLPAs typically earn around $35,000 annually in Oklahoma, supporting licensed speech pathologists under clear supervision guidelines. This dual framework ensures that both SLPs and SLPAs meet rigorous state and national expectations for quality care.
In Oklahoma, Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) programs vary in length, but options exist to expedite licensure. A bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) or the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center takes four years, followed by a two-year master’s, like Oklahoma State University’s five-semester program.
UCO’s combined bachelor’s and master’s program stands out as the fastest SLP program, allowing completion in five years instead of six by integrating graduate courses into the senior year. This accelerates entry into the required 1,260-hour clinical fellowship, typically 36 weeks, and subsequent PRAXIS exam, enabling swift application for an Oklahoma license via the Oklahoma Board of Examiners. To further hasten licensure, students can prepare for the PRAXIS during their master’s, schedule it post-fellowship, and take prerequisites early.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
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| Oklahoma Baptist University |
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| University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma |
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| University of Central Oklahoma |
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The cost is an important factor for Speech-Language Pathology students in Oklahoma because the programs offer competitive pricing. The University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) has in-state students pay around $8,616 every year while out-of-state students pay $18,624, which is cheaper than many of the out of state schools. The same is true with Oklahoma State University (OSU) because it has the same range of prices for residents of Oklahoma at $8,000-$9,000 and non-residents up to $19,000 with some exceptions for waivers. The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center has similar prices, which are based on residency. Since SLP Bachelor’s programs are charged based on undergraduate rates, which range between $7,000 and $8,000 per year for in-state students.
Another way to save is through the Oklahoma Speech-Language-Hearing Association scholarships. Hence, compared to the higher cost of tuition in other states, the tuition fees especially at UCO and OSU are reasonable to attain an affordable speech pathology degree with a promising salary, which is suitable for students who are conscious of the costs.
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center |
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| Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences |
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| Northeastern State University |
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