Last Updated
April 15, 2025Written By
Daniel Ortiz, M.A., CCC‑SLPCommunication Sciences and Disorders is a strong undergraduate foundation that University of Delaware offers. A graduate program following this path will help you meet all spoken and written requirements for speech-language pathology. The only ASHA accredited graduate program in Delaware is also at UD. The master’s program is quite challenging and practical, with direct in-person clinical practice on campus and through internships at local clinics. The Delaware community is described as friendly and small, while the cost of living is lower than in big cities.
Delaware’s approach is unique. The state wants to increase its number of trained speech pathologists. For example, the Delaware Department of Education provides financial assistance to students through incentive programs. This can be a game changer in terms of the costs. There are many excellent SLP programs at schools near Delaware, but staying within the state helps you build a strong network of local contacts and you will have easier access to job openings in your area. Delaware makes Speech-Language Pathology licensure straightforward: an accredited master’s, the Praxis exam, and a clinical fellowship are required. In short, Delaware offers a quality education, community support, low costs, and a straightforward route to licensure, which makes it a good choice for your SLP career.
Looking for the best speech pathology programs in Delaware? 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 Delaware. Learn how we rank schools at speechpathology.org/rankings-methology.
Newark, DE - Public 4-Year - udel.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Delaware offers a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology, a campus-based program preparing students for clinical certification. Tuition is $1,116 per credit for the 2025-2026 academic year, totaling around $33,000 annually. Admissions require a bachelor's degree, prerequisite coursework in areas like phonetics and speech science, and application through CSDCAS with optional GRE scores. The full-time program spans 21 months, including clinical practicum experiences across various settings, and covers topics from language disorders to dysphagia.
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Delaware offers a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology, an accredited program preparing students for clinical certification. The curriculum includes 60 credits over 21 months, blending academic coursework with hands-on clinical practicums. Tuition is $1,116 per credit, with total yearly costs around $33,000 plus living expenses. Admissions require a bachelor's degree, prerequisite coursework, 25 clinical observation hours, and application through CSDCAS. GRE scores are optional, and English proficiency tests are needed for non-native speakers. The program emphasizes evidence-based practice, cultural humility, and interprofessional collaboration across diverse clinical settings.
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Delaware's Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders is a pioneering doctoral program training future scholars in speech-language pathology research. Designed for ambitious researchers, the program offers intensive training in language, cognitive, speech, and swallowing processes. Students benefit from nationally ranked faculty, robust mentorship, and opportunities to contribute to groundbreaking research funded by prestigious institutions like NIH and NSF. The program provides comprehensive funding, with stipends typically covering three years and tuition remission, positioning graduates for competitive fellowships and faculty roles in academic and medical settings.
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Delaware offers a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology, designed for students aiming to excel in this dynamic field. This campus-based program prepares graduates for clinical practice, research, and leadership roles in speech-language pathology. With a focus on comprehensive clinical training and evidence-based practice, students gain hands-on experience in diverse settings. The program emphasizes innovative research and practical skills, ensuring graduates are ready to meet the demands of the profession. Admissions requirements include a bachelor's degree and prerequisite coursework. Financial aid and scholarships may be available to eligible students, making this program accessible to a wide range of applicants.
The trajectory of study differs in Delaware depending on whether the student wants to pursue a bachelor’s in speech-language pathology or master’s degree in speech-language pathology. Students who major in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the bachelor’s level receive a comprehensive education in language development structures as well as speech anatomy and auditory process understanding. This degree is therefore appropriate for those who have an interest in the field. It also helps to ensure that they will be ready for graduate school. The typical admission requirements include good high school results, positive writing abilities, and interest in Communication Sciences. The possible career paths after a bachelor’s degree include positions like speech-language pathology assistants or research support staff. These positions enable you to get valuable experience which will help you to progress in your career.
Speech-language pathology is a subject that is entered directly through a master’s degree at Delaware. This program is ASHA-accredited and focused on clinical practice. A master’s program generally needs an undergraduate degree, communication sciences prerequisite courses, and a 3.0 GPA or higher and GRE scores for admission. Even though the master’s tuition is rather high ($1,069 per credit) at the University of Delaware, it enables the student to become a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and practice in schools, hospitals or private clinics. In brief, a bachelor’s is a good way to gain experience and develop some skills, while a master’s is necessary to practice as a clinician and get licensed in Delaware.
In Delaware there are two different paths for doctorate degrees in speech-language pathology: the research oriented SLPD and the clinically oriented PhD. The University of Delaware offers a PhD in Communication Sciences and Disorders, with a focus on rigorous research, grant writing, and academic scholarship. Typical admission requires a master’s in speech-language pathology, strong GRE scores, research or clinical experience, and a good statement of purpose. SLP PhD students usually receive full funding which includes a tuition scholarship and a grant, thus it is suitable for those who are interested in academic or research activities. Some of the jobs done by graduates include university teaching, research, or leadership in clinical research.
In contrast, the SLPD is meant for practicing clinicians who want to increase their clinical skills and assume leadership positions. Online speech patholgy degrees or hybrid SLPD programs from reputable universities are available for Delaware residents since there is no in-state program. An SLPD admission requires a master’s degree, good clinical experience, and proof of professional proficiency. The SLPD is mostly self-funded and is aimed at advanced clinical practice, and the graduates are able to work as clinic directors, master clinicians, or senior healthcare practitioners.
In Delaware there are two options for gaining licensure. The first is through reciprocity. If you hold a speech pathology license in one of 24 states you are able to get a license to practice in Delaware even if you don’t meet the requirements to get a license by examination.
The second way to obtain a SLP license is through examination. The state of Delaware uses the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) from ASHA as their “examination” standard. Once you have met the requirements for the CCC-SLP you are able to complete your application and become a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in Delaware.
The requirements for the CCC-SLP are simple, but not easy. First you must graduate from an accredited university with at least a master’s degree in an applicable field. Then you must complete a Clinical Fellowship of 1,260 hours (~9 months). Finally, you need to take and pass the Praxis for Speech Pathology with minimum score 162.
After obtaining your license, you will need to renew it every two years. In the state of Delaware, renew requires that you have completed 30 continuing education credits. This ensures that Speech-Language Pathologists are staying current with new research and providing the best care possible to their patients.
The University of Delaware offers some of the most efficient options if you are seeking the quickest way to enter a career in speech-language pathology in Delaware. There is no bachelor’s degree in SLP alone but UD’s undergraduate program in Communication Sciences and Disorders is pre-professional and helps you meet the requirements for quick completion of the prerequisites. It means that when you are ready to graduate from your bachelor’s and proceed to graduate studies, there are no superfluous courses to delay your progress.
When you are prepared to start clinical work, the master’s program in Speech-Language Pathology at UD is the only ASHA-accredited program in the state. This program generally requires two years of full-time study to achieve ASHA and licensure standards. Some students with good background knowledge or those who have taken the required courses may be able to reduce their time to graduation through summer classes or extra units. The UD PhD in Communication Sciences and Disorders is a research-oriented program that can be engaged right after the master’s for those interested in advanced study. The typical PhD program takes four to five years, but the defined environment at UD makes it possible to advance through the stages efficiently. Thus, with on-campus support and focused curriculum, Delaware provides streamlined pathways to help you achieve your career goals faster.
Delaware provides cheap SLP degree options to step into a speech-language pathology career, so long as you are an in-state resident. Communication Sciences and Disorders is the undergraduate program at the University of Delaware that prepares students for advanced study in the field. The in-state tuition at UD is more affordable than that of private universities and includes important classes for advanced study.
After you receive a bachelor’s degree, your next step is the ASHA-accredited master’s program in Speech Pathology at UD. This program costs about $1,069 per credit which makes the total tuition for two years approximately $64,000 to $68,000. As far as that sounds expensive, it is actually quite cheap for the same type of programs in other states, especially in neighboring states, where the out-of-state tuition is much higher.
Additionally, there is another advantage of Delaware – it has very liberal policies regarding saving money. For example, the Delaware Department of Education may offer tuition assistance and loan forgiveness to SLP students who agree to work in the state after graduation. For those who are interested in advanced research, the PhD program in Communication Sciences and Disorders at UD is also well funded, and often provides full funding, including tuition and stipend. In short, the programs offered by Delaware are great for local students, affordable, well-supported and of great quality.
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
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
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 have ever been researching speech-language pathology careers and come across the words ‘speech pathologist’ and ‘speech therapist’, you might wonder if they are