Last Updated
April 14, 2025Written By
Daniel Ortiz, M.A., CCC‑SLPNevada is especially good for aspiring speech pathologists because of its rapidly increasing job market for speech-language pathologists, with an exceptional projected employment growth of 37.9% between 2020 and 2030, which is significantly higher than the national average. Salaries for SLPs in Nevada are also above the national average, with professionals receiving about $100,620 every year.
There are many accredited Speech-Language Pathology degree programs in Nevada for SLP candidates to choose from including bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Nevada State University (NSU) and the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). Nevada State University provides an ASHA accredited B.A. in Speech Pathology which enables students to enter the high demand educational settings of the state directly under a unique Department of Education endorsement.
NSU also offers a relatively affordable and accelerated master’s path that can be accomplished in less than two years, which includes summer terms, for early workforce entry. The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) provides bachelor’s, master’s and the only Ph.D. level program in the state, which is well known for its strong clinical training and numerous regional externships.
This appealing combination of accelerated educational pathways, a robust job market, competitive salaries, and the state’s favorable tax structure makes speech-language pathology degrees a particularly good investment in Nevada.
Speechpathology.org brings you the top speech-language pathology programs in Nevada based on what students care about most: strong academics, real-world experience, and reputation. Discover leading SLP programs in Nevada and learn how we choose them at speechpathology.org/rankings-methology.
Reno, NV - Public 4-Year - unr.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Nevada-Reno's Bachelor's program in Speech Pathology and Audiology is a 120-credit, pre-professional curriculum aimed at equipping students for advanced studies in the field. Spanning four years, it delves into the anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing, alongside exploring normal and disordered communication processes. Admission prerequisites include a high-school diploma and a minimum GPA of 2.75. The program stands out for its integration of biological and physical sciences, statistics, and linguistics, preparing students for the growing demand in speech-language pathology and audiology careers. Highlights include courses on American Sign Language and cultural diversity in communication. Requires ACT/SAT.
Henderson, NV - Public 4-Year - nsc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Nevada State University offers a Bachelor's degree in Speech Pathology designed to tackle the pressing need for qualified professionals in Nevada's educational settings. This program provides students with the essential skills to evaluate, diagnose, and manage speech and language disorders, with a particular emphasis on serving children between the ages of 3 and 21. Through practical training, students gain firsthand experience in addressing communication challenges, preparing them for immediate impact in schools and as a stepping stone for advanced studies. The curriculum covers a broad spectrum of communication disorders, paving the way for rewarding careers in educational and clinical environments. Highlights include an undergraduate focus on speech pathology, specialized training for young populations, experiential learning opportunities, master's degree preparation, and addressing local workforce gaps. Requires ACT/SAT.
Nevada offers SLP degrees accredited at the bachelor’s and master’s levels for different career goals and employment opportunities. Admission to a Bachelor of Speech Pathology at Nevada State University or the University of Nevada, Reno is usually made on the basis of completing high school or the equivalent and, in some cases, fulfilling prerequisite courses, while maintaining a certain level of academic performance. These bachelor’s degrees enable graduates to work immediately in the schools of Nevada as a “speech therapist” endorsed by the state to address critical shortages of school speech pathologists.
Tuition is quite reasonable, ranging between $203 and $281 per credit hour, which makes this pathway quite economical. The entry-level salaries in Nevada schools for bachelor’s level practitioners are usually in the range of $45,000 to $55,000. However, to practice clinically in hospitals, clinics or private practices in Nevada one needs to be a fully licensed SLP which requires a master’s degree in speech-language pathology. NSU and UNR’s accredited master’s programs are rigorous and demand a bachelor’s degree, GRE scores, prerequisites and clinical practicum hours. The master’s tuition is $273-281 per credit and graduates get high paying jobs in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation facilities and school districts averaging $100,620 annually.
Nevada has one Ph.D. in Speech-Language Pathology offered by the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), but there are no institutions offering SLPD (clinical doctorate) programs at this time. The Ph.D. at UNR is mainly research and advanced theoretical training based, and prepares individuals for academic, research or senior clinical administration careers. The Ph.D. program admission is competitive and requires successful completion of an accredited master’s degree in speech pathology, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, research experience, and a specific research interest.
Many Ph.D. candidates receive tuition waivers and stipends through teaching or research assistantships that greatly reduce the out of pocket costs. The career outcomes for Ph.D. graduates in Nevada are mainly in academic positions, clinical research, and healthcare administration and the salaries are often over $100,000 per year.
However, there is no accredited SLPD program in Nevada. SLPs in Nevada who wish to obtain an SLPD must often pursue online SLP programs or hybrid programs from other universities in order to enhance their clinical expertise and leadership roles in hospitals, private practice, or healthcare administration. In either case, both doctorate options provide high potential earnings given Nevada’s increasing healthcare industry.
To become a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) in Nevada, you will need to meet the following educational and examination requirements stipulated by the Nevada Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology & Hearing Aid Dispensing Board. First, you will need a master’s degree or higher from an ASHA accredited SLP program, with at least 300 clinical practicum hours. Next, you will require to pass the national Praxis exam in Speech Pathology.
Curiously, Nevada does not require a Clinical Fellowship (CF) for licensure – upon graduation and passing your Praxis, you are eligible to apply for full you Nevada Speech Language Pathology License; however, the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) still requires a 36 week fellowship fellowship nationally.
To maintain your Nevada SLP license, you will be required to have at least 10 hours of continuing education every year, which may include ethics training. If you want to practice specifically in schools, Nevada also has a special Department of Education endorsement that permits bachelor’s degree holders to work as “speech therapists” if they pass certain Praxis exams. Nevada does not currently license Speech-Language Pathology Assistants (SLPAs) and instead focuses more on the fully credentialed SLP professionals. These credentials are good to have in order to practice in Nevada’s growing healthcare and educational markets.
In the state of Nevada, the shortest road to becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) might be Nevada State University. It has one of the shortest master’s programs, a five-semester accelerated SLP master’s degree that can be completed in less than two years by including summer courses to increase the frequency of graduation and help meet the state’s need for more qualified speech pathologists. In the bachelor’s degree, Nevada State University and University of Nevada, Reno provide four-year programs but their graduates can practice in Nevada’s school systems as long as they hold the Department of Education’s unique bachelor-level speech therapist endorsement which gives them instant employment and experience before pursuing graduate education.
There are no combined bachelor’s-master’s or master’s-doctorate programs in Nevada, and there is no SLP clinical doctorate (SLPD) either. However, UNR does provide a Ph.D. in speech-language pathology for individuals planning to teach, engage in research or assume senior level clinical roles; this is generally one more 3-5 years of study beyond the master’s. This way, the educational system in Nevada is well positioned to help people enter quickly into a high paying SLP market, which currently stands at $100,620 annually.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| University of Nevada-Reno |
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| Nevada State University |
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The cheapest Speech-Language Pathology programs in the state of Nevada are provided by Nevada State University (NSU) and the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). The undergraduate programs, especially the one that Nevada State offers a very economical bachelor’s degree, the current tuition stands at $203 per credit for residents this makes it about $6,700 annually. Similarly, the bachelor’s program at UNR is also not expensive and lies between $281 and $303 per credit, this makes it about $8,430 per year for the in-state students.
In the graduate level, NSU has the cheapest master’s program in the state, the in-state tuition stands at $273 per credit which makes it $16,000 to $17,500 for the whole program. This is a rather accelerated master’s program which enables students to graduate in less than two years, which further reduces the overall educational costs. UNR’s master’s program is a little bit higher at $344.25 per credit but still quite reasonable, coming to about $20,000 for the entire program. Both the universities provide financial aid, assistantships and scholarships to help overcome the costs of learning.
Although there is no SLPD program in Nevada, UNR’s Ph.D. program usually includes financial support through assistantships that cover the tuition fees for doctoral students. With the higher average salaries of speech language pathologists in Nevada ($100,620 annually), these affordable programs are a good investment as the market rewards well in the state.
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| University of Nevada-Reno |
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| Nevada State University |
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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
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 are interested in pursuing a career in SLP and have been researching licensing requirements or are simply interested in learning more about SLP
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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