Last Updated
April 14, 2025Written By
Elizabeth Monroe, M.S., CCC‑SLPThe University of Nebraska system has good Speech-Language Pathology degree programs in reputed universities, including the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska at Omaha, and University of Nebraska at Kearney. All these programs are fully accredited and prepare students for state and national licensing as speech therapists. The University of Nebraska at Kearney is also a hub for a flexible online SLP master’s program, which is useful for people who need a more flexible approach. This is a good decision for the state’s speech-language pathologists’ population to grow as the state needs more of them, especially in schools and healthcare facilities.
The speech pathologist job market in Nebraska is strong and continues to grow with an average annual salary for SLPs coming in just above $80,000. The cost of living is usually lower than that of many other states, so that salary will be worth more. Also, Nebraska’s programs provide excellent local clinical placements, which will help you gain practical skills and build your professional network. A wise decision is to choose Nebraska for your SLP training as it offers quality education, promising job opportunities and a decent standard of living in a congenial environment.
Find your future in speech-language pathology by exploring the best degrees in Nebraska available. Our team at speechpathology.org highlights top-ranked speech-language pathology programs in Nebraska to help you start or advance your career. Programs are evaluated for academic strength, research, and clinical excellence. Learn more about our process at speechpathology.org/rankings-methology.
Kearney, NE - Public 4-Year - unk.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Nebraska at Kearney's Communication Disorders Comprehensive bachelor's program prepares students for graduate studies in speech-language pathology and audiology. This campus-based program emphasizes practical skills, research opportunities, and faculty guidance. With a reduced general studies requirement, transferring credits is simplified. The New Nebraskan Scholarship makes in-state tuition rates available to all undergraduates.
Online Learning - Visit Website
The University of Nebraska at Kearney's online Master of Science in Education in Speech-Language Pathology is a 56-credit hour program designed to prepare students for careers in the field. This ASHA-accredited program offers a part-time, nine-semester track, providing flexibility for working professionals. It includes comprehensive clinical practicums and leveling coursework for those needing additional background. Graduates are prepared for professional certification and can pursue careers in various settings, such as schools, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers.
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Nebraska at Kearney's on-campus Master of Science in Education in Speech-Language Pathology offers a 53-56 credit hour curriculum. This ASHA-accredited program prepares graduates for careers in diverse settings like schools, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers. Students gain advanced skills in communication disorders through comprehensive clinical practicums and multiple internship options. Applications are accepted for the fall semester by January 15th.
Online Learning - Visit Website
The University of Nebraska at Kearney offers a Master of Science in Education in Speech-Language Pathology with on-campus and online tracks (53-56 credits). This CAA-accredited program prepares students for ASHA certification, state licensure, and diverse careers in healthcare and education. Applicants need a minimum B undergraduate GPA and three recommendation letters. The fall application deadline is January 15th. The program includes multiple practicum experiences.
Lincoln, NE - Public 4-Year - unl.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology stands out as an exceptional program preparing communication professionals through a robust, research-driven curriculum. Students engage in comprehensive clinical training across diverse age groups, leveraging cutting-edge research facilities and mentorship from internationally recognized faculty. The program uniquely balances theoretical knowledge with practical experiences, ensuring graduates are equipped to address complex communication challenges. With national top 10% ranking and full ASHA CAA accreditation, students benefit from comprehensive learning opportunities, diverse clinical exposure, and strong professional development pathways.
Concentration: Speech-Language Pathology - Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Ph.D. in Human Sciences, specializing in Communication Disorders with a focus on Speech-Language Pathology, prepares advanced scholars and researchers for leadership roles in academia and clinical management. This program emphasizes rigorous scientific research design, advanced theoretical studies, and comprehensive understanding of human communication challenges. Doctoral candidates develop sophisticated research skills, engage in teaching experiences, and prepare for university-level positions. The program's curriculum integrates scholarly competence with practical research methodologies, positioning graduates to make significant contributions to communication disorders research and education.
Omaha, NE - Public 4-Year - unomaha.edu
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The University of Nebraska at Omaha offers a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, a program designed for those aiming to excel in the field of speech-language pathology. Accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation, this campus-based program spans two years, providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary for Nebraska teacher certification, state licensure, and ASHA certification. With a requirement of 400 clinical clock hours, students engage in advanced clinical practicum experiences, focusing on diverse communication disorders. The program boasts a Fast Track option, educational and medical externships, and a January 15 application deadline. Prerequisites include specific communication disorders courses, ensuring a solid foundation for all participants. Highlights include comprehensive clinical training and a focus on evidence-based practices, interdisciplinary collaboration, and cultural competence.
When searching for a college that provides speech pathology programs in Nebraska, it should be noted that a bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology is a decent place to start. But, almost all states demand a master’s degree to practice as a speech therapist. Many universities provide the first degree but they are introductory to graduate studies and offer courses in speech and hearing science. Admissions differ from one institution to another but are basically dependent on a high school diploma, good GPA and ACT or SAT scores. With a bachelor’s degree, one is only permitted to work as an SLPA which is a supporting staff that earns about $40,000 each year.
To become a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) in Nebraska, a master’s degree in speech pathology is needed which means having a bachelor’s degree, course prerequisites in communication disorders, an undergrad GPA of about 3.0, letters of recommendation, and sometimes GRE scores. UNL, UNO and UNK provide good, accredited master’s programs that are going to enable you to become a licensed speech pathologist. Graduates can usually find satisfying employment in schools, hospitals, rehab centers or in private practices. The SLP job outlook is positive in Nebraska as well, with a need for more licensed speech pathologists to fill the positions. Salaries are good as well, ranging from $80,000 and the cost of living is relatively low so that figure becomes even more appealing.
If you are looking for doctorate degrees in Speech Pathology in Nebraska, there are two tracks: The PhD and the SLPD. There is currently no SLPD program in Nebraska, but the University of Nebraska-Lincoln provides a PhD in Communication Disorders. If you are interested in research, teaching or being a leader in the discovery process of speech and language, then the PhD might be what you are looking for. Admission is generally a master’s degree, high GPA (often above 3.5), research experience, recommendation letters, and potentially GRE scores. You could become a professor, a researcher, or an academic administrator and earn $75,000 to $100,000 or more per year with a PhD.
On the other hand, if you think that your passion is more on advanced clinical speech pathology practice or healthcare leadership, then SLPD might be more suitable for you. Despite the fact that Nebraska does not have an SLPD program at this time, it is possible to study at an online SLP program or nearby out-of-state university. The SLPD graduates are able to work in specialized clinical positions, management positions in hospitals or clinics or in healthcare administration and get $85,000 to $110,000 annually. In the end, it will depend on whether you get more enthusiasm for revolutionary research or for direct clinical leadership and practice.
If you are interested in becoming a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in Nebraska, here are a few things that you should know. First off, you will need a master’s degree from an accredited speech pathology program. It will include at least 400 hours of practical training, called clinical practice, which is usually divided between the graduate course work and practical attachment or SLP internships. In order to practice in Nebraska, you must also do a Clinical Fellowship, which is an additional 36 weeks of full time professional experience (roughly 1,260 hours) supervised.
Next, you will need to pass the Praxis exam, which is a standardized exam for Speech-Language Pathology, it will test both your knowledge and skills. Only after completing these steps, can you apply for your Nebraska SLP license from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
Maintaining your Nebraska SLP license requires renewal every two years. The biggest part of renewal is completing your continuing education classes. In Nebraska, you are required to complete 20 CEUs to renew your license. Most SLPs in Nebraska also hold the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). It is a national certificate and is helpful if you ever have to practice in another state, or when applying to jobs. Employers recognize the certification as another testament of your competency. There is nothing complicated about maintaining your license, but it does show your clients and your employers that you care about staying current and delivering the best possible treatment.
If you want to start working as an SLP and you are interested in knowing the shortest speech pathology degree tracks available in Nebraska, this is what you need to know. Many universities offer a four year degree in Communication Disorders or Speech-Language Pathology, but to become a fully licensed Speech Pathologist, one needs a master’s degree as well. These master’s programs usually take two years of full-time study, including clinical practice. There are currently no official combined bachelor-to-master degree programs in Nebraska, but it is possible to minimize the time by selecting appropriate courses at the beginning of the study.
Today, there are no combined master’s and doctorate or accelerated SLPD programs within the state. So, if time is the most valuable resource, then the best way to go about it is to first obtain your bachelor’s degree in speech pathology and then proceed to a master’s program. If you want to plan your studies well and work hard, you will be able to help your clients to communicate with more confidence!
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
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| University of Nebraska at Omaha |
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| University of Nebraska-Lincoln |
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| University of Nebraska at Kearney |
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If you are looking for affordable Speech-Language Pathology programs in Nebraska, there are several options for you to consider. At public universities, for undergraduate degrees, Nebraska residents are typically paying between $250-$350 per credit hour, which is about $30,000 to $35,000 for the four years. A master’s degree is often more expensive than a bachelor’s degree. Nebraska residents can expect the cost at public universities to be between $500-$700 per credit hour, which makes the total cost of the program between $25,000 and $42,000. There are also options at private universities, but the tuition and fees are much more expensive than public universities.
There is one PhD program at UNL, and because it is quite expensive ($600-$800 per credit), it is usually covered by assistantships, scholarships or grants. Nebraska doesn’t have an SLPD program as of now, but online SLPD degrees are usually in the range of $1,000-$1,800 per credit nationally. In general, the costs of attending an SLP bachelor’s or master’s program in Nebraska are quite reasonable given the low tuition fees and low cost of living and good employment opportunities upon graduation.
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
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| University of Nebraska at Kearney |
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| University of Nebraska-Lincoln |
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| University of Nebraska at Omaha |
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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
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
Our mission is to empower future speech-language pathologists by providing the most accurate, up-to-date, and accessible information available. Our team is dedicated to guiding individuals through the journey of becoming an SLP—whether you’re just exploring the field or actively pursuing a degree. We specialize in delivering reliable insights on state-by-state availability, affordability, and the fastest paths to certification and licensure. Our goal is to help you make informed decisions based on real data, trusted resources, and the evolving needs of the profession. With a strong commitment to educational clarity and career transparency, we’re here to support and simplify your path toward a rewarding future in speech-language pathology.
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