About this Program
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) evaluate and treat individuals of all ages and backgrounds living with speech, language, hearing and swallowing impairments. The profession is growing quickly with the increased awareness of communication and feeding disorders in young children, as well as the growing number of aging adults with communication and swallowing impairments. Qualified SLPs are needed to meet the diverse needs of clients across a variety of settings, including schools, health care facilities, private practices and early intervention centers.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the professional and credentialing organization for SLPs, and ASHA sets rigorous education and experience requirements for those applying to become certified speech-language pathologists. In this nine-course certificate program, you’ll complete the foundational undergraduate coursework and clinical observation hours you need to apply to an ASHA-accredited graduate program in speech-language pathology. You’ll get an in-depth overview of the social, behavioral, physical and biological bases of speech, language, hearing and swallowing. You’ll also learn about the clinical processes used to identify, prevent and treat individuals with communication and swallowing disorders.
This program is offered by the UW Department of Speech & Hearing Sciences, which is ranked fifth in the nation and first in Washington state for speech-language pathology graduate education by U.S. News & World Report. Our faculty are experts in a range of disciplines and bring years of academic and clinical experience to the program.
Designed For
Those with a bachelor’s degree outside of the communication sciences and disorders discipline who want to acquire the ASHA-required prerequisites for graduate study in speech-language pathology.
NOTE: This program is not intended for those seeking to become licensed and/or certified speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs). For more infomation, see your state's SLPA requirements.
See Requirements
Admission Requirements
To apply, you must have:
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution (or an equivalent baccalaureate degree from a non-U.S. institution)
- A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
Time Commitment
You should expect to spend about 18 to 24 hours each week on coursework.
English Proficiency
If English is not your native language, you should have advanced English skills to enroll. To learn how to demonstrate proficiency, see English Language Proficiency Requirements – Credit Programs.
International Students
Because this offering is 100% online, no visa is required and international students are welcome to apply. For more information, see Admission Requirements for International Students.
Technology Requirements
You must have access to a computer, and we recommend a high-speed internet connection.
Earning the Certificate
You earn the certificate by successfully completing the required courses. You must earn a grade of at least 2.0 or “pass” in each required course and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. For more information, see Earning the Certificate.
What You’ll Learn
- The fundamentals of speech, language, hearing and swallowing processes
- The causes and characteristics of common communication and swallowing disorders and differences
- Clinical practice methods for the prevention, evaluation and treatment of individuals with communication and swallowing disorders
- Graduate school admissions processes and strategies for applying to master’s programs in speech-language pathology.
Earn Credit for Your Master’s Program Prerequisites
By completing this certificate program, you’ll earn the undergraduate credits and guided clinical observation hours you need to apply to an ASHA-accredited graduate program in speech-language pathology.
There are additional undergraduate basic science and statistics courses required for graduate study in speech-language pathology. You can review the required prerequisite coursework on the UW Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology website.
Obtain Clinical Observation Hours
To meet ASHA requirements, you'll complete 25 (or more) faculty-guided clinical observation hours of speech-language pathology service delivery. In these convenient, prerecorded sessions, you’ll get the opportunity to observe diagnostic and treatment interventions that encompass a continuum of clients and disorders.
Career Stats
19%
Projected job growth for speech-language pathologists in the U.S. (2022-32)
$89,290
Average salary for speech-language pathologists in the U.S. (2023)
OUR ENROLLMENT COACHES ARE HERE TO HELP
Connect with an enrollment coach to learn more about this offering. Or if you need help finding the right certificate, specialization or course for you, reach out to explore your options.