Last Updated
April 14, 2025Written By
Daniel Ortiz, M.A., CCC‑SLPPursuing Speech-Language Pathology degrees in North Carolina is exceptional in that it offers both ASHA accredited programs and a career landscape that is as promising as that of other states. The Appalachians’ rolling hills or Raleigh and Charlotte’s vibrant urban centers will ensure that this state offers a unique background for SLP education.
The state is particularly attractive for its strong job market for SLPs, with a projected growth rate of 21% from 2021 through 2031, higher than the national average, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This growth is real; there are more than 200 job postings available across the state today, including schools and hospitals. Salaries for speech pathologists are average here, about $70,810, with the potential to earn more in metropolitan areas, which compares quite favorably to those in states with lower demand or market saturation.
The public universities of the state, Appalachian State University and East Carolina University, provide excellent SLP programs that suit different learners’ requirements, from online speech pathology degrees to in-person training. North Carolina’s commitment to education is evident in its ASHA-accredited programs, which help graduates meet licensure and practice requirements. Not limited to central cities, some states, North Carolina extends its academic richness to various areas, thus enabling students to get a good education without having to move to one particular metropolitan area. When compared to South Carolina or Virginia, where costs or program variety may not be as favorable, the relatively affordable tuition for in-state residents makes North Carolina a compelling choice.
Explore the top-rated speech pathology programs in North Carolina with our curated rankings. Whether you’re just starting or ready for the next step, speechpathology.org showcases the best speech pathology schools in North Carolina for aspiring professionals. Discover how programs are selected at speechpathology.org/rankings-methology.
Chapel Hill, NC - Public 4-Year - unc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers a Master of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences, designed to equip students with the expertise needed for a fulfilling career in speech-language pathology. This 60-semester-hour program stands out for its dual-track approach, allowing students to choose between clinical and non-clinical paths. With a strong emphasis on evidence-based practice and cultural sensitivity, the curriculum prepares graduates to meet the diverse needs of populations they will serve. The program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) and aligns with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) certification requirements, ensuring a robust foundation for professional success. Highlights include hands-on laboratory and clinical experiences, preparation for North Carolina licensure, and opportunities for research and industry engagement.
Greenville, NC - Public 4-Year - ecu.edu
Concentration: speech-language pathology track - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
East Carolina University's Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a concentration in speech-language pathology track is a hybrid program designed to equip students with the skills needed for professional practice. This two-year, 56 credit hour program offers both on-campus and distance education tracks, ensuring flexibility for students. It prepares graduates for ASHA certification through a curriculum that combines academic rigor with extensive clinical experiences across diverse settings. The program admits 30-32 campus students and 10-12 distance education students annually, with a July 15-January 15 application cycle. Highlights include a 3.0 GPA requirement, up to 9 transfer credits accepted, and 21 prerequisite credit hours needed.
Concentration: communication science track - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders at East Carolina University, focusing on the communication science track, is a hybrid program that blends academic and clinical training over two years. With 56 credit hours, students can opt for on-campus or distance education, preparing for ASHA certification. The program emphasizes hands-on experience in various communication disorder settings and includes a clinical internship. It admits 30-32 campus students and 10-12 distance learners each year, with applications accepted from July 15 to January 15. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required, and a thesis option is available for interested students.
Greensboro, NC - Public 4-Year - uncg.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
UNC Greensboro's Bachelor's in Speech Pathology and Audiology provides a foundation for graduate studies in communication sciences. Aligned with ASHA standards, this program equips students with skills in assessing and treating communication disorders. The curriculum blends academic coursework with clinical observation, preparing students for diverse career paths. A 3.0 GPA and 55 semester hours are required for admission.
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro's on-campus M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology is a 66-credit hour program that prepares students for clinical practice. The curriculum covers a lifespan perspective on speech, language, swallowing, and hearing disorders. Students gain practical experience at the UNCG Speech and Hearing Center and community sites. Graduates are prepared for diverse roles in settings like hospitals, schools, and private practices. The program is CAA-accredited.
Online Learning - Visit Website
UNC Greensboro's online M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology offers a flexible path for aspiring clinicians. This 66-credit program provides comprehensive training in assessment and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders. Primarily asynchronous coursework allows flexibility, preparing graduates for various settings, including hospitals, schools, and rehab centers. The program is accredited by ASHA and prepares graduates for CCC certification and state licensure.
Boone, NC - Public 4-Year - appstate.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Appalachian State University's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program offers a rigorous curriculum designed to equip students with the skills necessary to assess and treat a wide range of communication and swallowing disorders. With a focus on both pediatric and adult populations, the program integrates academic coursework with hands-on clinical experiences across various settings, including healthcare and educational environments. Admission requires 25 observation hours and the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), ensuring candidates are well-prepared for the challenges of the profession. Graduates emerge ready to pursue certification and make a significant impact in the lives of individuals with communication needs. Highlights include 'Requires GRE' and a comprehensive approach to speech-language pathology.
Greensboro, NC - Public 4-Year - ncat.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
North Carolina A&T State University's Bachelor of Arts in Speech/Language Pathology and Audiology is a comprehensive 120-semester-hour program, with 55 hours focused on major-specific courses. It emphasizes a strong foundation in communication sciences, requiring students to uphold a 3.0 GPA for both their major and overall studies. Admission to the clinical phase is contingent on achieving a 3.0 GPA in foundational courses. The curriculum spans from basic speech principles to ethical considerations in the field, equipping graduates for diverse roles in speech and audiology. As an HBCU, it offers a unique cultural perspective on healthcare education. Highlight: Requires ACT/SAT.
In the state of North Carolina, the choice between a Bachelor’s in Speech-language Pathology and Master’s degree in Speech Pathology is contingent on what you hope to achieve within this rewarding profession. The initial step is a Bachelor’s degree, which provides the foundation in speech, language and hearing.
If you are new to this field or still unsure of your vocation, this is the ideal program for you. These types of programs are four year programs and to admit a student, the university will require that the applicant has a high school diploma, a good GPA of 3.0 to 3.5 or better and may require prerequisites in science and communication. Some of the jobs that bachelor’s graduates can get include working as SLP assistants (SLPAs) in schools or clinics, working under the direction of a licensed speech pathology professional and with limitations on the level of practice and lower wages of about $40,000 annually.
On the other hand, a Master’s degree in speech language pathology is necessary to practice as an SLP independently, and North Carolina has great programs for this. These degrees also provide clinical training and more specialized classes to enable you to be able to assess and treat communication disorders on your own.
Entrance requirements are quite similar and entail having a Bachelor’s degree (not necessarily in SLP), a 3.5 or higher GPA, GRE scores for some programs, and letters of recommendation to prove your readiness. The two-year program is to enable one to practice as an SLP in various settings, including hospitals, private practices, or schools, and one can decide to work with children, speech therapy, or neurogenic disorders and earn more than $70,000 annually.
To extend your practice beyond the clinical setting, there is a doctoral level but in-state programs are limited to the research based PhD. The PhD in Speech and Hearing Sciences provided by UNC Chapel Hill is ideal for those who want to be researchers and teachers of speech pathology.
This program attracts those who are interested in contributing to the field of speech-language pathology through research, for instance, on language acquisition or hearing loss treatment. To be considered for admission, one must have a Master’s degree (preferably in SLP or a related field), high cumulative GPA, research experience, and a well-articulated vision of your future scholarly interests, which is often presented in a statement of purpose. Some become university professors, research directors or policy makers, and the wages are usually above $90,000 in the academic or similar professions.
The SLPD, a clinical doctorate, is not offered in North Carolina, which may come as a surprise to those wanting to enhance their practical skills without having to leave the state. Where a PhD concentrates on theory and research, an SLPD would focus on clinical expertise–from managing complex cases to starting a specialty practice. Since there are no local options, other possibilities include out-of-state programs such as Kean University’s SLPD in New Jersey, which would mean moving or studying through distance learning.
In terms of costs, the tuition fees of UNC Chapel Hill PhD for the in-state students may start from $12,000 per year and for out-of-state students it may be approximately $36,000 per year, while the cost of an SLPD at another institution could be even more. Career earnings for PhD holders are mainly academic salaries, while SLPD graduates can expect clinical incomes of more than $100,000 in private practice.
Thus, the choice between these is based on motivation: whether to focus on research or practice. Thus, North Carolina’s PhD programs make it a center for academic activity, despite the absence of clinical doctorates within the state boundaries.
In North Carolina, the process of becoming a licensed SLP is supervised by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists. The first step to becoming licensed: one must complete 54-66 credit hours of coursework and clinical practicum – as part of their ASHA accredited Master’s degree. This is followed by the PRAXIS exam, a standardized test to signify the entry level of SLPs.
Next comes the clinical fellowship year (CFY), where you work up to 1,260 hours over at least 36 weeks, gaining supervised experience and mentoring from a CFY supervisor. After that, apply to the board and you’re good to go. In order to retain that license, one must have 30 continuing education hours every three years; these can be attained through workshops, courses, or conferences to keep one’s skills up to date.
North Carolina has its own unique way of licensing speech-language pathologist assistants (SLPAs). You must have an associate or bachelors degree in a related field, have 100 hours of clinical experience supervised (including 35 direct patient contact hours), and be registered with the state board. SLPAs hold certificates, but they work under the supervision of licensed speech pathologists and cannot provide service independently. They renew their registration every year and have continuing education requirements of 10 hours. There is no specific state endorsement, but the process is a clear example of how North Carolina guarantees high quality service: a human touch for both the practitioner and the patient.
Speeding up your Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) journey in North Carolina is tricky due to fixed educational and licensure requirements, but there are ways to nudge it along. For a Bachelor’s, like at Appalachian State or East Carolina, the four-year timeline can dip to three or three-and-a-half with AP credits, community college transfers, or summer classes—ensuring prerequisites for a Master’s are met. The Master’s, essential for licensure, takes two years at places like UNC Greensboro or East Carolina, with ASHA’s 60 credit hours and 400 clinical hours leaving little room to rush. Online speech pathology options might streamline logistics and provide the fastest SLP degree options, though.
You can overlap your clinical fellowship year (CFY)—1,260 hours over 36 weeks—with work by securing a temporary license, potentially cutting post-graduation delays if you transition smoothly from school clinicals. North Carolina lacks combined Bachelor’s-to-Master’s tracks or an SLPD, and the PhD at UNC Chapel Hill (four to six years) resists haste. At best, you could trim six months to a year off the typical seven-year path—three years for a Bachelor’s, two for a Master’s, and a swift CFY start. It’s not drastic, but maximizing credits and planning clinicals strategically can help. Check with programs for summer or transfer options to fine-tune your pace.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
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| University of North Carolina at Greensboro |
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| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
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| Appalachian State University |
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The cheapest SLP programs in North Carolina are reasonable and play a role in deciding your educational choices and many of them are offered by public universities. One example is a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Appalachian State University, which costs $4,000 for in-state students per semester and $12,000 for out-of-state students, all for four years of preparation. Other costs for technology or labs may increase the costs slightly but, overall, the value is great. Master’s programs, including those found at East Carolina University or UNC Greensboro, are also quite affordable for in-state students and are within the range of $4,000 to $5,000 per semester for tuition.
The cost may increase for online speech pathology programs, but for out-of-state students, it can be three times more expensive because of residency requirements. These two-year degrees are important for SLP licensure and fuse clinical and academic training without costing locals too much. The PhD at UNC Chapel Hill is a research-focused program and is more expensive, costing $12,000 per year for in-state students, due to its specialization, with no comparable program offered by a SLP-D. The costs of North Carolina’s public institutions are reasonable, especially for residents, and do not compromise the quality of education for a good job prospect – a good investment for becoming a speech-language pathologist with minimal financial strain.
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
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| University of North Carolina at Greensboro |
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| East Carolina University |
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| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
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