Last Updated
April 16, 2025Written By
Cynthia Harris, M.S., CCC‑SLPWest Virginia stands as an attractive destination for speech-language pathology students because it combines small-town charm with growing student interest in the field. The state offers SLP careers with substantial growth potential and average salaries around $75,000 while its affordable cost of living enables new graduates to succeed. The educational programs focus on building a tight-knit community through practical clinical training which supports students who want a supportive academic environment.
Students at West Virginia University, Marshall University and West Liberty University have access to traditional campus programs while also benefiting from hybrid and online learning options. The online track at WVU enables students to serve as speech-language pathology assistants in local schools while studying remotely which suits working professionals and those living in rural areas. The state of West Virginia provides accessible ASHA-accredited pathways to speech pathology students who need online flexibility and those who want on-site clinical mentorship.
The state’s affordability makes it more attractive because West Virginia residents pay affordable in-state tuition which financial aid programs help to reduce costs. Students who come from outside the state typically find tuition rates at West Virginia to be reasonable compared to other parts of the country. The distinctive location of West Virginia offers both its scenic Appalachian landscape and its close academic community which makes it an attractive destination for SLP students to start or continue their education.
Choosing the right SLP program in West Virginia just got easier. Our rankings focus on what truly matters—outcomes, clinical training, and academic quality. speechpathology.org helps speech-language pathology students in West Virginia compare the best schools. Find out how we rank them at speechpathology.org/rankings-methology.
Morgantown, WV - Public 4-Year - wvu.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
West Virginia University's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is a full-time on-campus program designed to equip students with the skills to diagnose and treat communication disorders in diverse populations. Offering a five-semester track, the program includes extensive clinical practicums, externships, and interprofessional practice opportunities in healthcare and educational settings, as well as telepractice. Students engage in research and gain hands-on experience across the lifespan, preparing them for a successful career in speech-language pathology. Highlights include telepractice service delivery and options for research engagement. Requires GRE.
Online Learning - Visit Website
West Virginia University provides a flexible online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology for aspiring clinicians and working professionals. This program, which can be completed in 6-10 semesters, offers part-time and full-time options, starting in the summer. It requires 400 clinical clock hours and a 3.0 GPA for graduation, with optional on-campus activities. The curriculum focuses on practical training, preparing students for certification as speech-language pathologists, with a particular emphasis on serving West Virginia communities. No GRE Required.
Huntington, WV - Public 4-Year - marshall.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Marshall University offers a hybrid Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, designed to prepare students for a rewarding career in addressing communication and swallowing disorders. This CAA-accredited program since 1992 combines rigorous academics with extensive clinical practice, enabling students to work across various age groups and settings. With a focus on diverse faculty specialties and research opportunities, graduates are well-equipped to tackle challenges related to apraxia, hearing impairments, autism, and neurological conditions. The program emphasizes community-based learning and offers clinical practice experience, ensuring a comprehensive education in speech-language pathology. Highlights include its accreditation, diverse learning opportunities, and strong career prospects in a growing healthcare field.
West Liberty, WV - Public 4-Year - westliberty.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
West Liberty University's undergraduate Speech Pathology and Audiology program serves as a robust pre-professional pathway for aspiring communication disorder specialists. This comprehensive four-year degree cultivates a strong scientific and humanistic foundation in communication disorders, preparing students for advanced graduate studies. With a distinguished 100% graduate program acceptance rate, students gain rigorous training in assessment techniques, intervention strategies, and professional ethics. The curriculum adheres to national ASHA standards, offering students a competitive edge in exploring diverse career opportunities within healthcare and educational sectors.
Campus Based - Visit Website
West Liberty University's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology provides an exceptional 56-credit graduate program designed to transform passionate students into skilled communication disorder professionals. Through intensive clinical training and comprehensive coursework, students develop advanced assessment and intervention techniques across pediatric and adult settings. The program boasts a remarkable 100% Praxis exam pass rate and offers extensive hands-on experience through in-house and community clinical rotations. Graduates are strategically positioned to excel in diverse healthcare environments, leveraging a curriculum meticulously aligned with professional certification standards.
The undergraduate programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) at West Virginia universities including WVU, Marshall and West Liberty are a good foundation for future speech-language pathologists. You will be introduced to basic topics such as speech and hearing science, phonetics, and language development in your bachelor’s degree. Sometimes, you’ll even get to clock some observation hours. The level of education is not enough for full licensure, but it is enough to allow you to work as a speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) in schools or clinical environments or to find similar positions in rehabilitative healthcare.
The master’s degree in speech pathology, however, is the standard professional license required to practice SLP in the state. The programs include advanced study in diagnostics, evidence-based interventions, and practical learning that occurs in the field, such as at hospitals, clinics or schools. Graduates can then start the CF process and apply for state licensure and the ASHA certification. Even though many schools have dropped the GRE, they will still consider your GPA, recommendations, and any prerequisites you may have taken in your previous college education.
While the bachelor’s degree in SLP provides important pedagogical knowledge in communication science, the master’s degree in speech pathology opens up more job opportunities and higher salaries. Many in-state public universities can help you save money and be able to get both degrees without spending too much. Whether you plan on moving on to the master’s right after or you want to work as an SLPA first, the programs in West Virginia will help you get the academic and clinical experience you need for a future in this important field of healthcare.
PhD and SLPD programs in speech pathology are for different professional goals but can take you beyond the scope of what a master’s level practice offers. A PhD is research oriented and is to help you contribute to knowledge in the field of communication sciences, write for publication and become a university teacher. Additionally, many PhD programs offer assistantships or stipends that make them less expensive than they might appear. The graduates usually get faculty positions in the universities, conduct highly specialized research or head laboratory and research projects.
On the other hand, the SLPD is a clinical doctorate in speech-language pathology that focuses more on practice than on research. These programs often include topics such as leadership, supervision, and clinical specialization, enabling you to sharpen your skills without having to write a long dissertation. SLPDs usually set some prerequisites of a SLP master’s degree, the certification by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and a few years of working experience. Since they are designed for working clinicians, many SLPD programs are available online or in a hybrid format so that you can work and study at the same time.
At the moment, there are no PhD or SLPD programs in speech-language pathology offered by West Virginia universities, which means you would have to attend school out of state or online. Either track can prepare you for advanced speech pathology careers and management. The PhD graduates may become the professors or the principal investigators, while the SLPD holders are likely to progress to supervision or distinct clinical roles. A doctorate is not currently needed in West Virginia to obtain a license, but it can enhance both your and the future of the profession.
In West Virginia, the goal is a master’s degree from an accredited program and a clinical fellowship before applying for state licensure through the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. The speech pathology Praxis exam and a jurisprudence exam covering state laws must also be passed. A provisional license to practice is available, and full SLP license is available once all requirements are met. Practice is required every two years, and continuing education courses, including ethics, are required to stay current.
In addition to the Board license, those working in public schools need additional credentials called Student Support Certificates from the West Virginia Department of Education. These are parallel to teacher certifications and confirm eligibility to serve in K-12 settings. The Board license covers clinical practice, but a Student Support Certificate is required to work in schools specifically.
SLPA’s register with the Board, usually after an associate’s or higher degree. They can provide support services, but without independently diagnosing or creating treatment plans, they must work under a licensed SLP.
In all cases, professionals must adhere to ethical and professional standards, maintain a current speech-language pathologist license through timely renewals, and meet continuing education requirements — a system that benefits both the practitioner and those the individuals they serve.
Usually, the fastest way to become a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP) is to achieve a bachelor’s and then a master’s degree in SLP. In West Virginia, four-year bachelor’s programs are standard for bachelor programs while two years for master’s programs, assuming the student has fulfilled all entrance requirements. Some students reduce the length of their undergraduate studies by attending summer sessions or by enrolling in dual enrollment courses, which brings them to around three and a half years. However, there are no traditional “combined” bachelor’s-to-master’s speech pathology tracks in the state that would help reduce the total time by a significant amount.
In graduate school, the continuous training system is widely used by such universities as West Virginia University and Marshall University, which allows reducing the length of the course to five semesters (two academic years and one summer). If you are coming from a different undergraduate major, one or two years of leveling courses are expected.
Concerning doctoral degrees, the PhD programs are four to four and more years after the master’s degree while the clinical doctorates (SLPD) are provided for two years in part time. West Virginia does not currently provide in-state doctoral SLP programs; however, online or out-of-state programs may provide flexible and accelerated learning opportunities.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia University |
|
|
| Marshall University |
|
|
| West Liberty University |
|
|
For students who are seeking to become speech pathologists, the public universities in West Virginia offer the most affordable degrees particularly for residents of the state. In terms of SLP bachelor’s degree programs, West Virginia University, Marshall University and West Liberty University have relatively lower tuition fees than many other schools in other states. At graduate level, Marshall is also considered to be one of the more affordable schools, and West Liberty has relatively the same prices. Although WVU may be a bit more expensive, it offers assistantships that can help cover the tuition.
West Liberty is also a fairly inexpensive school for out-of-state students, and oftentimes has lower non-resident fees than WVU. The cost of living in West Virginia is also lower than the national averages, which further lowers the overall costs. However, the state does not have its own PhD or SLPD programs, but online or hybrid doctoral programs from other universities can have different prices – sometimes higher tuition for the convenience of distance learning.
For the most affordable, it is wise to stay with in-state public universities as much as possible, get scholarships, be a teaching or research assistant, or apply for financial aid to lower the costs. Thus, because the cost of living is quite moderate and tuition is relatively low, West Virginia may be one of the more economical areas to start a speech-language pathology career.
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia University |
|
|
| Marshall University |
|
|
| West Liberty University |
|
|
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 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
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.
PLEASE NOTE: The contents of this website is for informational purposes only. All trademarks are the property of their respective trademark holders.