Last Updated
April 16, 2025Written By
Elizabeth Monroe, M.S., CCC‑SLPThe University of South Carolina presents a specific and particular natural environment which is conducive to the pursuit of a career in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) given that the job market is growing and the pay is good.
The latest data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop indicates that the number of jobs for SLPs in the state is expected to increase by 23% from 2022 to 2032, which is above the national average of 19% (Bureau of Labor Statistics, September 2024). This rate means about 50 new positions every year, created to meet the increasing demand in the education sector, healthcare and in the sector of private practice.
South Carolina has a mean hourly salary of $42.85, which amounts to $89,290 annually according to the BLS May 2023 estimates of OEWS, and thus provides a good income for individuals entering this field or wishing to progress further in it. These statistics show steady demand, which makes the state a sensible choice for speech pathologist career development.
The University of South Carolina and the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) are institutions that offer master’s degrees with solid clinical training to fit the state’s professional environment. The first also provides a research-focused PhD. These SLP Programs in South Carolina help graduates meet licensure requirements quickly, in two to two and a half years at the master’s level. Another advantage of working in South Carolina is the ability to work with rural and urban populations, starting from early intervention programs like BabyNet to the aging population in cities like Charleston.
Choosing the right speech-language pathology program in South Carolina just got easier. Our rankings focus on what truly matters—outcomes, clinical training, and academic quality. speechpathology.org helps speech-language pathology students in South Carolina compare the best schools. Find out how we rank them at speechpathology.org/rankings-methology.
Greenville, SC - Private 4-year - bju.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
At Bob Jones University, the Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders is tailored for students aspiring to enter the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology. This campus-based program combines scientific coursework with practical experiences, including 25 hours of therapy observations and a semester-long practicum in local schools. It covers speech and language development, disorders, and foundational subjects, preparing students for advanced studies or roles as speech-language pathology assistants in various states. The program emphasizes a biblical worldview, integrating faith into professional practice, and requires a high school diploma for admission. Graduates are equipped to work in schools, clinics, and hospitals, with eligibility for SLPA licensure in many states.
Campus Based - Visit Website
Bob Jones University's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is a campus-based program designed to prepare students for professional certification and licensure in the field. It offers a blend of rigorous academic coursework and practical clinical experiences, focusing on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of speech, language, and swallowing disorders. The program is ideal for individuals at various career stages, providing a comprehensive curriculum that incorporates the latest research and techniques. With an Evangelical Christian affiliation, the program integrates faith with professional practice, preparing graduates for diverse roles in speech-language pathology.
Florence, SC - Public 4-Year - fmarion.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Francis Marion University's Master of Speech-Language Pathology (MSLP) program is a rigorous five-semester, full-time course designed to equip students with the necessary skills for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology. Accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation, it offers a blend of academic and clinical training focused on communication and swallowing disorders. Tailored for those with a bachelor's in Communication Sciences and Disorders, the program also accommodates students from other disciplines with prerequisite courses. Emphasizing hands-on clinical experiences, it prepares graduates for licensure and certification, supported by faculty with extensive clinical expertise and research opportunities in speech pathology.
Columbia, SC - Private 4-year - columbiasc.edu
Concentration: Clinical Track - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Columbia College's Bachelor of Arts in Speech Language Pathology with a Clinical Track concentration is tailored for students pursuing Speech-Language Pathology Assistant licensure. This hybrid program uniquely combines online and on-campus learning, emphasizing human communication, disorders, and therapeutic techniques. It stands out by integrating academic rigor with hands-on clinical experiences, preparing graduates for various professional settings. Key courses include phonetics, anatomy, and audiology, providing a solid foundation in the field. Prerequisites include psychology, statistics, and life sciences courses. Ideal for aspiring speech-language pathologists, the program melds theoretical insights with practical application, underscored by a liberal arts education. Highlight: 'Requires ACT/SAT'.
Charleston, SC - Public 4-Year - web.musc.edu
Concentration: medical speech-language pathology - Campus Based - Visit Website
The Medical University of South Carolina offers a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology with a concentration in medical speech-language pathology, designed for students aiming to specialize in medical settings. This program stands out for its rigorous curriculum that blends advanced medical knowledge with extensive clinical practice, preparing graduates to address complex communication and swallowing disorders. With clinical experiences integrated each semester, students are immersed in real-world healthcare environments from the start. The program is recognized for its state-of-the-art facilities and its focus on equipping students with the skills needed for a career ranked among the top in healthcare. Requires GRE.
Orangeburg, SC - Public 4-Year - scsu.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Bachelor of Speech Pathology & Audiology at South Carolina State University is a unique offering among HBCUs in South Carolina, focusing on equipping students with the skills to address communication disorders. This program combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience through an on-campus clinic, ensuring graduates are ready for careers or further study. With a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio, students benefit from personalized attention. The curriculum covers language disorders and diagnostic procedures, leading to high employment rates and SLPA licensure success. 'Requires ACT/SAT' for admission, this program stands out for its affordability and comprehensive training.
Campus Based - Visit Website
South Carolina State University's Master of Arts in Speech Pathology & Audiology program is tailored for future speech-language professionals, offering a blend of rigorous coursework, clinical practicums, and research opportunities aligned with ASHA certification standards. With flexible program durations of two to three years, students gain hands-on experience in diagnosing and treating speech, hearing, and language disorders. The program emphasizes practical skills through day clinical practicums and evening graduate courses, preparing graduates for state licensure and professional practice. Highlights include 400 clinical practicum hours, research involvement, and preparation for the Praxis II exam. 'Requires GRE' for admission.
South Carolina has no bachelor’s degree programs in Speech-Language Pathology or Communication Sciences and Disorders. Most students interested in this field usually choose to study other areas such as psychology, communication or education and later on join master’s courses. Students doing this just need to be sure that they are taking the necessary prerequisite courses to be accepted into a master’s degree.
Master’s degrees in Speech Pathology are offered by universities in South Carolina and can be used to begin an speech-language pathologist career. These SLP programs are usually two years and involve classroom learning as well as clinical hours. Some of the universities that offer master’s degree programs in speech pathology include the University of South Carolina, Francis Marion University, South Carolina State University and MUSC.
The admission criteria are a bachelor’s degree (any field but majors in the related fields are preferred), 3.0 GPA, GRE scores (some programs require), and letters of recommendation. Additionally some schools have certain prerequisites in speech and hearing sciences that must be met before a student can be considered for admission. The masters program prepares graduates to become licensed SLPs and work in schools, hospitals and other facilities helping patients with their speech and swallowing issues.
As there is no specific SLP bachelor’s degree option in-state, students may attend undergraduate studies at another institution, or online, and then apply to a master’s program at a South Carolina university. A bachelor’s degree lets individuals work as speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs) with oversight, but it does not permit practice as an speech pathologist independent of supervision. The master’s degree is necessary for certification and licensure, and it is the preferred level of education for someone wanting to work as an SLP in South Carolina.
At the doctoral level, South Carolina has one Doctorate in Communication Sciences and Disorders which is offered by the University of South Carolina but there is no Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology (SLPD) program available.
The PhD, a 4-5 year program, is research based and is appropriate for individuals interested in academic or research related careers. Admission is customary to require a speech pathology or related master’s degree, strong academic history, GRE scores, and a specific research interest. They are able to secure positions as university professors or researchers who earn between $90,000 and $120,000 annually depending on experience and institution. The tuition of the University of South Carolina’s PhD is about $6,867 per semester for in-state students, which comes to $54,936 to $68,670 over 4-5 years.
The SLPD, which concentrates on advanced clinical practice and leadership, is not offered in South Carolina. Students who seek this degree must seek out of state or online programs such as the one offered at Nova Southeastern University. The admission requirements for SLPD are similar to PhD but differ based on clinical experience rather than research. Career paths include heavy clinical roles or private practice management and can earn over $100,000 annually depending on specialization and area. Out-of-state SLPD programs, which are usually 2-3 years in length, range from $40,000 to $60,000, although non-residents will pay more.
In order to practice as a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) in South Carolina, candidates must hold a master’s degree from an ASHA accredited program with a minimum of 60 semester hours in speech, language, and related disorders classes. However, a nine-month clinical fellowship that is the equivalent of 1,260 hours of clinical experience is also required. The next step is to pass the PRAXIS exam in Speech Pathology and then to apply to the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology with transcripts and exam scores. The South Carolina Speech Pathology License must be renewed every two years by March 31, and usually requires 16 hours of continuing education; however, it should be a confirmed requirement with the board.
If a nationally recognized credential is desired, ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) is the most widely recognized, and serves as a mark of advanced expertise. It can increase the potential for job opportunities in other states and make it easier to get a license if you do change states.
The requirements for Speech-Language Pathology Assistants (SLPAs) include a bachelor’s degree in a SLP related field and 100 hours of clinical fieldwork supervised by a licensed SLP. One must get an approved supervisory agreement from the board before practicing, which guarantees that SLPAs work directly under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist and do not practice independently. Like SLPs, SLPAs also renew their licenses biennially and are required to meet continuing education standards. ASHA’s Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Certification (C-SLPA) can also be obtained by an SLPA, which is a standardized credential that can help to prove skills and may increase the chance of employment in settings that emphasize the ASHA certification.
SLP Programs in South Carolina are efficient at the master’s level, which is the standard duration of two years. Francis Marion University’s Master of Speech-Language Pathology is five semesters including summers, or about 24 months with full time enrollment. MUSC’s Master of Science program is also four semesters, thus two years, with clinical training woven through it. The absence of specific bachelor’s SLP degrees also means that there are no combined undergraduate-to-graduate options, leaving the standard path of getting a bachelor’s and then a master’s degree as the quickest professional entry point.
The University of South Carolina’s PhD, which is research focused, is 4-5 years as a result of its depth, not speed. There are no specific SLPD or accelerated speech pathology programs offered in-state. For those wishing to enter the workplace as quickly as possible, the best option is to look for opportunities to take extra courses, or take summer classes during their undergraduate degree. Then they should look for the two-year master’s programs that provide a clear path to licensure and practice without compromising on academic and clinical training.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
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| South Carolina State University |
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| Bob Jones University |
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| Francis Marion University |
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Cost is also an important factor and the affordable SLP programs in South Carolina offer great value for the money especially at the master’s level. The cheapest university is Francis Marion University which charges $22,776 for in-state students for two years, and $44,000 for out-of-state students. South Carolina’s two year master’s is $27,468 in-state and $59,520 out-of-state. The speech language pathology program of South Carolina State University is $22,920 in-state and MUSC is a little more expensive at $35,148 for the 2 year program for in-state students because of its medical orientation.
These estimates do not include other expenses such as other fees and living costs which depend on the location. The PhD at the University of South Carolina is $6,867 per semester for in-state tuition, or between $54,936 and $68,670 for 4-5 years. Francis Marion’s lower tuition together with South Carolina’s relatively low cost of living makes it a good investment for entering the field of speech pathology, without sacrificing on quality.
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina State University |
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| Francis Marion University |
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| Columbia College |
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