Last Updated
April 16, 2025Written By
Cynthia Harris, M.S., CCC‑SLPSeveral ASHA-accredited SLP programs are hosted by Tennessee, each having their own particular emphasis. In Johnson City, East Tennessee State University offers an M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology, with an emphasis on clinical practice and research. The University of Memphis has a rather comprehensive program with very strong clinical training components. The University of Tennessee – Health Science Center in Memphis is especially strong in research and clinical practice; Vanderbilt, a very prestigious institution, has a highly regarded speech pathology program with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration. Tennessee State University in Nashville offers a Master of Science in Speech and Hearing Science with an emphasis on SLP, and has a particular emphasis on diversity and inclusivity.
The state’s appeal is in the job outlook, the BLS expects speech-language pathologist positions to grow by 29% from 2020-2030, which is significantly higher than that of other occupations (BLS Outlook). According to BLS OES Data, the average annual salary in Tennessee is $73,260, which is slightly lower than the national median salary of $89,290. Career opportunities for SLPs in Tennessee are also boosted by the state’s location, as well as its focus on early intervention programs, especially those offered by the Department of Health.
Looking for the best speech pathology programs in Tennessee? peechpathology.org ranks top speech-language 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 Tennessee. Learn how we rank schools at speechpathology.org/rankings-methology.
Nashville, TN - Private 4-year - vanderbilt.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Vanderbilt University's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is a rigorous two-year campus program that exceeds ASHA certification standards. The comprehensive curriculum includes specialized tracks in autism, hearing loss, and language disorders, with extensive clinical experiences across multiple healthcare settings. This ASHA-accredited program requires GRE scores for admission and welcomes students from diverse academic backgrounds. The program features a five-semester curriculum, ten-week clinical externship, and optional research thesis, preparing graduates for professional certification and diverse career opportunities in speech-language pathology.
Concentration: Children with severe to profound hearing loss - Campus Based - Visit Website
Vanderbilt University's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology with a concentration in Children with severe to profound hearing loss provides specialized training through a two-year campus program. Students gain extensive clinical experience in pediatric and adult care facilities, focusing on hearing loss interventions. This ASHA-accredited program requires GRE scores and accepts interdisciplinary backgrounds. The curriculum includes multiple clinical training venues, a ten-week externship, and optional research, preparing graduates for the Certificate of Clinical Competence and advanced practice in communication sciences.
Concentration: Autism spectrum disorders - Campus Based - Visit Website
Vanderbilt University's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology with a concentration in Autism spectrum disorders offers targeted training through a two-year campus program. Students develop expertise in autism interventions with clinical experiences in children's and university hospitals. This ASHA-accredited program welcomes diverse academic backgrounds and requires GRE scores. The curriculum includes specialty tracks, multiple clinical venues, and an optional thesis, exceeding national certification standards to prepare graduates for professional practice in pediatric communication disorders.
Campus Based - Visit Website
Vanderbilt University's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is a 20-24 month campus program in Nashville, TN, providing comprehensive academic and clinical education that surpasses ASHA standards. Students engage in hands-on training across diverse healthcare settings, with optional specialty tracks and research opportunities. Admission requires strong GRE scores and a background in related fields. This ASHA-accredited program prepares graduates for certification and various career paths in speech-language pathology, emphasizing practical experience and professional development.
Concentration: Speech-Language Pathology - Campus Based - Visit Website
Vanderbilt University's Ph.D. in Hearing and Speech Sciences with a concentration in Speech-Language Pathology is a campus-based program designed for research and teaching careers. It requires 72 graduate credit hours, with up to 24 transferable from a master's degree, and includes two research projects, a teaching practicum, and tailored coursework before dissertation work. The program fosters interdisciplinary collaborations and provides financial support. Graduates often secure faculty positions, present at conferences, and publish in leading journals. An entrance exam is required for admission.
Johnson City, TN - Public 4-Year - etsu.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
East Tennessee State University's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is a comprehensive two-year campus program that prepares students to diagnose and treat communication disorders across all age groups. The program admits 35 students annually with a February 1 application deadline and requires the Praxis entrance exam. Students gain hands-on clinical experience in diverse settings including hospitals, schools, and rehabilitation centers, with curriculum covering neurological communication, language disorders, and motor functions. The program boasts a 100% graduate completion rate and 99% Praxis exam pass rate, accredited by ASHA, positioning graduates for careers in a field projected to grow 19% by 2032.
Concentration: Clinical - Campus Based - Visit Website
East Tennessee State University's Clinical concentration Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology focuses on preparing students for diverse healthcare and educational settings through rigorous clinical training. This two-year full-time campus program requires the Praxis entrance exam and admits 35 students yearly with a February 1 deadline. Students develop advanced skills in diagnosing and treating communication disorders across all ages, with hands-on experience in pediatric, geriatric, hospital, and rehabilitation environments. The program maintains a 100% graduate completion rate and 99% Praxis pass rate, accredited by CAA-ASHA, offering strong career prospects in a field with 19% projected employment growth.
Concentration: Pediatric - Campus Based - Visit Website
East Tennessee State University's Pediatric concentration Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology specializes in preparing students to work with children's communication disorders. This two-year campus program requires the Praxis entrance exam and admits 35 students annually with a February 1 application deadline. The curriculum emphasizes practical interventions and neurological communication foundations through hands-on clinical training in multiple settings. With a 100% graduate completion rate and 99% Praxis exam pass rate, accredited by CASLPA, graduates are equipped for careers addressing pediatric speech and language needs in a profession projected to grow 19%.
Knoxville, TN - Public 4-Year - utk.edu
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The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's Bachelor of Science in Audiology and Speech Pathology is a unique 120-credit joint program with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, completed entirely on the Knoxville campus over four years. Students spend their first three years at UTK and the final year through UTHSC, focusing on the scientific study of human communication sciences and disorders. This program requires a 3.0 GPA and specific course prerequisites for admission, preparing graduates for advanced study in speech pathology or audiology. As a bachelor's level program, it may require ACT or SAT entrance exams, though specific requirements should be verified with the institution.
Murfreesboro, TN - Public 4-Year - mtsu.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Middle Tennessee State University's Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology provides comprehensive training in diagnosing and treating speech and hearing disorders through a campus-based curriculum. Students engage in hands-on clinical experiences at the university's clinic under certified supervision, while coursework covers communication development, disorder assessment, and intervention techniques. This program emphasizes undergraduate research opportunities and prepares graduates for advanced studies in speech-language pathology or audiology, requiring further graduate education for professional certification. As a bachelor's level program, entrance exams such as ACT or SAT may be required for admission, though specific requirements should be verified with the university.
Clarksville, TN - Public 4-Year - apsu.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Austin Peay State University's Master of Speech-Language Pathology is a two-year, five-semester hybrid program combining full-time face-to-face learning with a flexible final semester. The curriculum provides rigorous academic training and hands-on clinical experiences at an on-campus community clinic, aligning with ASHA certification standards and eligibility for Tennessee licensure. As a candidate for CAA accreditation, the program focuses on preparing graduates for professional success in treating communication disorders across diverse populations. This master's level program requires an entrance exam.
Nashville, TN - Private 4-year - lipscomb.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Lipscomb University's Communication Sciences and Disorders undergraduate program, affiliated with Churches of Christ and military-friendly, uniquely prepares students for speech-language pathology careers. It covers pediatric, geriatric, neurological, and educational practices, offering 100 clinical hours for hands-on experience. Graduates can pursue Speech-Language Pathology Assistant licensure or advanced degrees, with strong employment growth of 15-21% and an average salary of $52,000. As the only such program in Nashville, it emphasizes career flexibility and diverse settings. Entrance exams like ACT or SAT are required for this bachelor's-level program.
Nashville, TN - Public 4-Year - tnstate.edu
Concentration: speech-language pathology - Campus Based - Visit Website
Tennessee State University's Master of Science in Speech and Hearing Science, with a concentration in speech-language pathology, is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation and offers both on-campus and distance education options. This graduate program requires an entrance exam and includes comprehensive clinical training, preparing students to become skilled communication disorder specialists. Applicants must complete 15 prerequisite course hours and submit a CSDCAS application by the February 1st deadline. The program welcomes non-degree seekers and those from diverse academic backgrounds, providing flexible entry pathways.
Memphis, TN - Public 4-Year - uthsc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center's BS in Audiology and Speech Pathology is a 120-credit undergraduate program that provides a strong foundation in human communication sciences and disorders. This campus-based program in Knoxville prepares students for graduate studies and professional certification through a curriculum blending general education with major-specific courses. Admission requires a minimum 3.0 GPA and B grades in introductory courses. The program emphasizes collaborative learning with extensive resources and clinical experiences. As a bachelor's level program, it requires ACT or SAT entrance exams for admission.
A bachelor’s degree in speech pathology is an excellent place to start, especially for those planning to become SLPAs or advance to other careers. It is a good starting ground for graduate studies and the career paths include special education or other related fields in communication disorders. For a bachelor’s degree, standard admission requirements include high school transcripts and SAT or ACT scores.
With a bachelor’s degree, you can work as a Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant (SLPA) or in other supporting roles where you can expect to earn around $22/hour when you are first starting out and work up to $30/hour or more as you gain experience.
A master’s degree in speech-language pathology is necessary for licensure as an SLP, which entails more in-depth training in assessing and treating communication disorders. It enables one to work in various environments including as school SPLs, medical SPLs or in your own practice. For example, ETSU, UTHSC and Vanderbilt programs include clinical practicums and research to ensure students are ready for professional practice. For a master’s degree, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, a B or better GPA, possibly GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and clinical observation hours.
An SLP master’s degree allows the graduates to apply for the licensure as SLPs and start working in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers or in private practices. Typical salaries for speech-language pathologists in Tennessee average out to $73,260 per year, but can vary based on location and job title.
At the moment, Tennessee has no PhD in SLP or Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology (SLPD) programs. A PhD is a research degree, which is suitable for academic or research orientation, and an SLPD is a clinical degree for the advanced level of practice in the clinical setting.
A PhD is perfect for people who want to help grow the field through research and might end up being professors or researchers. The SLPD, however, is for the clinician who wants to specialize, to become a master clinician, or a clinical administrator. Since there are no such programs in Tennessee, students may have to go for nearby out-of-state universities, for instance, the University of Kansas, or online universities such as Loma Linda University.
Students can get doctoral degrees from neighboring states such as Kentucky or Georgia or can take online speech pathology courses that are approved by ASHA. The cost of tuition for such programs varies, with national averages for PhD programs ranging from $500-$800 per credit in-state and $800-$1,200 out-of-state, while SLPD programs online might range from $600-$900 per credit. Annual earnings for PhD graduates exceed $100,000 in academic positions, while SLPD graduates can earn similar amounts in high-level clinical positions depending on the region and practice time.
In Tennessee, the Board of Communication Disorders and Sciences licenses speech-language pathologists. This calls for a master’s or doctoral degree from an ASHA accredited program, a clinical practicum completed under supervision and postgraduate professional experience. The PRAXIS exam must also be passed, and the applicant should have no disciplinary actions taken against them. The total cost is $250, which includes a $150 application fee and a $100 licensure fee. A provisional license, good for up to 24 months and good for one renewal, helps those in training while working under a licensed SLP. It is renewed every two years and requires 20 continuing education hours and a $100 fee.
SLPAs must register through a supervising licensee at $50 for two years. It entails 60 semester credit hours and 100 supervised field hours, and the renewal is 20 CE hours and $50. ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) goes to speech pathologists, which requires an accredited speech pathology graduate program, the PRAXIS exam, and a clinical fellowship. Education is an ongoing process, which makes it more credible and improves employment opportunities. If SLPAs decide to go for it, they can take ASHA’s C-SLPA certification, which involves a degree, clinical hours, and an exam to boost their professional status.
The SLP programs in Tennessee provide a faster track to a speech pathology career, with the ability to reduce the time in certain ways. The time frame for a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders is four years for 120 credits, depending on the school. This can be brought down to three years by attending summer sessions or by coming in with advanced placement credits from high school. Senior year community college credits can also count towards this, but it is recommended that this is discussed with an advisor.
In the master’s category, East Tennessee State University has a two-year, 60 credit program that is four semesters of full time study which includes course work and clinical practice to prepare for SLP licensure. There are no combined bachelor’s-master’s programs in the state, which enable students to reduce the learning years. For those who want to fast track their education, there are also online master’s degrees from out of state schools such as the 20 month track offered by Emerson College, although the trade off is a higher price tag.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
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| Vanderbilt University |
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| East Tennessee State University |
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| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville |
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For in-state students, public universities offer the most affordable speech-language pathology degrees. East Tennessee State University has the rate of $488 per credit hour for graduate students which makes the total amount for a 60 credit SLP master’s degree program about $29,280, using their tuition rates. Tennessee State University has an annual in-state master’s degree program tuition fee of $11,092 which when accumulated for the two years is roughly $22,184.
These are compared with out-of-state or online alternatives and attending these public universities in person is cheaper since there are no additional technology fees and local clinical placements which do not involve travel costs. For instance, Vanderbilt University’s tuition stands at approximately $2,800 per credit hour, which would amount to $168,000 for the entire 60 credits, more than twice the in-state public universities’ charge. However, financial aid such as scholarships i.e. Freeman McConnell Scholarship at Vanderbilt can be helpful, but in-state tuition at ETSU and TSU is still the least expensive way to get your speech pathology education.
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville |
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| Middle Tennessee State University |
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| East Tennessee State University |
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