Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology Online Programs

NEW! Colorado Schools Consortium-Cohort 1

The next application cycle will open October 1, 2025 for admission in Fall of 2026. 

To address the critical shortage of SLPs in Colorado, UNC has developed a new Colorado Schools Consortium. This cohort will operate exactly as the long-standing Online Program, but  students must be Colorado residents. The admissions committee will prioritize applicants employed as SLP Assistants from school districts that are members of the consortium including: 

• Academy District 20
• Cañon City School District
• Douglas County School District
• Fountain-Fort Carson School District
• Jefferson County School District
• School District 49
• Thompson School District

We anticipate that numerous spots will be available outside of those districts and encourage SLP Assistants from any school district in Colorado to apply. 

Cohort 15 (no residential requirement)

The next application cycle will open October 2026 for admission in Fall of 2027. 

This three-year program, which is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), is designed to prepare students for entry-level activity as speech-language pathologists. The program uses a clinician-researcher model to prepare students to be life-long learners with a strong foundation in evidence-based practice (EBP) and academics. The curriculum supports the development of skills related to EBP in a sequence that builds on students’ hands-on learning opportunities in clinical practicum settings. Throughout the curriculum, students gain experience formulating clinical questions, examining research, collecting data, evaluating outcomes, and presenting their findings in written and oral formats. Through their coursework and clinical training students develop critical thinking skills that will support their future work and development as speech-language pathologists.

The online program was developed specifically to meet the needs of nontraditional students with employment and/or family commitments that preclude participating in a full-time on-campus program, who wish to earn a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology. This program assumes an undergraduate background in Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, or Communication Disorders. Students who do not have such a background must complete a core of undergraduate courses prior to beginning the program.  Additionally, students must be employed as an SLPA or the equivalent, or under a Temporary Teacher Endorsement (TTE)/SLP, to participate in the online program.

During the program, students use web-based instruction and other technologies to participate in academic classes and clinical seminars. On-campus class meetings are required for two to three weeks during the first summer (third semester) of the program and a full-time, 12-week internship in a medical setting is required during the final summer of the program. All students must have access to the Internet. Email accounts provided by the university must be used throughout the program.

Clinical practicum courses are completed through a partnership between university faculty and a clinical supervisor(s) at each student's place of employment. Once admitted to the program, students must maintain employment as a speech-language pathology assistant at a site where they can obtain their clinical hours under the supervision of an ASHA certified Speech-Language Pathologist throughout each semester beginning with the first spring semester.  If the student's place of employment is not a public school, they will be required to complete a 2nd full-time internship at a school.  This would add an additional semester to the program.

Upon completion, graduates are eligible to take the National Examination in Speech-Language Sciences (NESPA) and to complete the Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) required by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). Graduates are also eligible for the licensure/certification through the Departments of Education in most states. The program is accredited by the Council of Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and by the Colorado Department of Education. Certified speech-language pathologists find employment in the public schools, private practice, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities and freestanding clinics.

Students are admitted in cohort groups who progress through the program together. The next cohort (Cohort XV) will begin in Fall 2027.  

2025-2026 Open House Information

You are invited to several information Open House sessions in the fall of 2025 and spring of 2026. During the event, you'll meet with the Graduate Program Coordinator, Dr. Nicole Reisfeld, and then have an opportunity to talk with current graduate students and tour our on-campus clinic.

After the Open House, you are welcome to stay for campus tours with our Graduate School Enrollment Coach.

To RSVP, please email us with your name, date you'd like to attend and how many people will attend with you. We will respond to your email with specific information about where our department is located and/or zoom link information. 

• October 9, 2025, 6:00-8:00pm MST (virtual) for applicants interested in the new Colorado Schools Consortium
• October 10, 2025, 11:00-1:00pm MST (in-person)
• November 13, 2025, 6:00-8:00pm MST (virtual)
• January 16, 2026, 11:00-1:00pm MST (in-person)
• January 22, 2026, 6:00-8:00pm MST (virtual) for applicants interested in the new Colorado Schools Consortium
• February 20, 2026, 11:00-1:00pm MST (in-person) 

Virtual Open House Recordings

• Wednesday, October 14, 2020 from 6:00pm - 7:00pm   

• Wednesday, November 18, 2020 from 6:00pm - 7:00pm