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Frequently Asked Questions

Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

We know that applying to graduate school—and preparing for a career in speech-language pathology—comes with a lot of questions. The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) program at California State University, Monterey Bay is designed to support you every step of the way, from application through graduation and beyond.

Below, you’ll find answers to the most common questions we receive about admissions requirements, program structure, and clinical experiences. Whether you’re just beginning to explore the field or preparing to submit your application, this FAQ is here to help you make an informed and confident decision.

If you don’t see your question answered here, our team is happy to help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cal State Monterey Bay offers a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology.

Students are not required to have their undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders or Speech-Language Pathology. However, students with an undergraduate degree from another discipline are required to complete prerequisite or leveling courses.

A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for both your undergraduate degree and in Speech-Language Pathology coursework. Applicants must have been awarded a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, with the degree and award date noted on the transcript.

Students get their clinical clock hours through 5 practicum opportunities. Most clinical practicum experiences will occur with our community partners throughout the Tri-County region (Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties), providing students with authentic, supervised clinical experiences across a variety of service delivery settings. These placements are intentionally designed to expose students to diverse client populations, disorders, and models of care across the lifespan.

In addition to community-based placements, students will have opportunities to participate in on-campus clinical experiences through the CES Speech-Language Clinic. These on-site experiences complement off-site placements by providing additional opportunities for clinical learning, interprofessional collaboration, and supervised service delivery.

The MS-SLP program prepares students to work in various settings, including the California public schools. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to receive their preliminary Speech Language Services Credential from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC).

The job outlook for Speech-Language Pathologists is projected to grow by 15% from 2024 to 2034, which the BLS (2026) indicates is much faster than the average occupation.  Furthermore, BLS reports that the national median annual salary for SLPs is $95,410, and in California, it is $112,030 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2026).

Yes, all applicants must apply through both CSDCAS and the Cal State Apply systems simultaneously when applying to the program. Please consult the MS-SLP website for the specific application timeline.

The program is delivered in a hybrid format and includes both in-person and online learning. Most didactic (academic) courses alternate between meeting in person one week and online the following week.

Clinical practicum experiences are conducted in person and typically require attendance multiple days per week at assigned clinical sites. Because hands-on clinical training is an essential component of the program, students should expect to be available for in-person clinical placements.

Applicants without the Certificate of Clearance may be conditionally admitted to the program. The program must receive the Certificate of Clearance before the start of the program.

Currently, CSUMB  does not offer the prerequisite leveling courses for those without an undergraduate degree in the field of Communication Sciences Disorders. The required courses are listed on our website.

No, the GRE is not a requirement for admission.

Yes, the MS-SLP program is accredited. The Master of Science (M.S.) education program (residential) in speech-language pathology at California State University, Monterey Bay is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.