OBU Prepares Students for Graduate Program Admission with Online Speech-Language Pathology Prerequisite Courses
April 16, 2025
Students aspiring to become speech-language pathologists can now take the first step toward graduate studies through Oklahoma Baptist University’s fully online, asynchronous prerequisite courses. These courses provide a flexible and accessible pathway to OBU’s forthcoming Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) program, which is slated to launch in fall 2026, pending accreditation.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national demand for speech-language pathologists is projected to increase by 18 percent over the next decade. OBU is helping to address the workforce shortage by preparing students with essential coursework required for graduate-level study.
Because there are 19 hours/seven prerequisite courses for the SLP master’s degree, OBU will be offering those as a minor and the courses will be available online starting in fall 2025. The courses are also being offered to non-degree-seeking students. Students who already have completed or are in the process of completing a bachelor's degree can take the prerequisites to prepare to apply to the OBU MS-SLP program.
Required Prerequisite Courses for OBU’s MS-SLP Program
Students planning to apply for OBU’s MS-SLP program must complete seven prerequisite courses, which align with the core requirements for most graduate SLP programs. These include Communication and Swallowing Disorders Across the Lifespan, which explores communication and swallowing disorders from infancy through adulthood; Language Science for Speech-Language Pathologists, which provides foundational knowledge in language structure and function; and Acoustic and Articulatory Phonetics, which focuses on the science of speech sounds, including their production, perception, and classification.
Additional required courses include Anatomy and Physiology of Speech, Hearing, and Swallowing, which examines the biological structures and functions involved in communication and swallowing; Speech and Language Development, which covers normal speech and language acquisition in children and sets the foundation for identifying and addressing developmental speech and language disorders; and Audiology Fundamentals for Speech-Language Pathologists, which introduces principles of audiology, including hearing loss assessment and intervention strategies. Students must also complete Guided Clinical Observation, which offers opportunities to observe evaluation and intervention for communication and swallowing disorders, a key requirement for graduate program admission.
Some of these courses require additional general education prerequisites as outlined by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. OBU encourages students interested in other graduate SLP programs to verify specific prerequisite requirements with their intended institutions.
Flexible, Affordable, and High-Quality Education
OBU’s prerequisite courses are designed for accessibility, with an eight-week, online, asynchronous format that allows students to complete coursework from anywhere. Tuition is $350 per credit hour for all students, regardless of residency. Small class sizes, capped at 30 students, ensure personalized instruction from faculty with extensive experience in speech-language pathology. Students will also have access to state-of-the-art technology for learning anatomy and completing observations.
SLP Minor Provides Additional Pathway to Graduate Study
For current OBU undergraduate students exploring a career in speech-language pathology, OBU offers an SLP minor, which includes the same prerequisite coursework. Completing the minor provides a strong foundation in communication sciences and disorders, making students more competitive for graduate admissions.
Exclusive Benefits for OBU SLP Applicants
Students who complete all core SLP prerequisite courses at OBU with a GPA of 3.25 or higher will receive preferential consideration for admission to OBU’s MS-SLP program as well as an application fee waiver. These advantages provide a streamlined path for students aiming to continue their education at OBU.
Building the Future of Speech-Language Pathology
The MS-SLP program, led by Dr. AnnMarie Knight, will be part of OBU’s expanding health sciences programs, which includes upcoming graduate programs in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and physician associate studies. The accelerated, hybrid model will combine online coursework with in-person lab immersions on the OBU campus, preparing students for clinical practice while maintaining the flexibility of remote learning.
“As we prepare to launch this program, our goal is to equip future speech-language pathologists with the knowledge and clinical skills to serve their communities effectively,” Knight said.
Speech-language pathology plays a critical role in healthcare, and OBU’s commitment to developing well-trained professionals will help meet the urgent need for specialists in Oklahoma and beyond.
For more information on SLP prerequisite courses, the minor, or OBU’s MS-SLP program, visit the MS-SLP program page or contact slp@okbu.edu.