M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology
Excel in Speech-Language Pathology at SXU
Make a meaningful impact through the power of the field of speech-language pathology. Our program prepares you to become a skilled, compassionate clinician ready to serve diverse populations across the lifespan.
Highlights of the program:
- Make a difference in the lives of individuals with communication and swallowing disorders.
- Engage in evidence-based practice and real-world clinical decision-making.
- Gain hands-on experience with clients across the lifespan—from pediatrics to geriatrics.
- Thrive in diverse clinical settings, including schools, hospitals, rehab centers, and private practice.
- Designed for:
- Students with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD).
- Students from other backgrounds who have completed required CSD bridge coursework: CSD bridge courses.
- Career-ready preparation aligned with national certification and licensure standards.
Take the next step in your journey to becoming a speech-language pathologist—where your passion meets purpose.
Format
In-Person
Program Length
1.5 Years (5 Semesters)
Credit Hours
51
Important Dates
Next Start Date:
Fall I - August 25, 2025
(Priority Deadline: January 15)
Cost
Tuition Per Credit Hour: $1,025
Credit Hours to Complete: 51
Approximate Cost: $52,275
Why Earn Your M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology?
Pursuing a degree in speech-language pathology isn’t just a career choice—it's a calling to make a real difference in people's lives. As an SLP, you'll help individuals find their voices, regain their abilities to communicate, and safely enjoy life's simple pleasures, like eating and connecting with others.
Here's why this path is both meaningful and practical:
- Make a lasting impact by helping people overcome communication and swallowing challenges—your work changes lives every single day.
- Engage your mind with a dynamic, evolving field that keeps you learning and growing throughout your career.
- Develop essential skills like clinical reasoning, problem-solving, and compassionate communication.
- Work in a variety of settings, from schools and hospitals to private practices, outpatient clinics, and rehab centers.
- Collaborate with other professionals in health care and education, becoming a vital part of a care team.
- Enter a high-demand field with strong job security, flexibility, and opportunities across the country.
- Enjoy competitive salaries and benefits that recognize your advanced training and specialized expertise.
- Maintain work-life balance with a career that values both personal well-being and professional fulfillment.
- Be part of something bigger—whether it's through contributing to research, advancing education, or mentoring the next generation of clinicians.
This is a profession that feeds both your heart and your intellect. If you’re looking for a career with purpose, connection, and lifelong growth, speech-language pathology might be the perfect fit.
Ranked among the most diverse schools in the Midwest region by U.S. News & World Report, SXU is dedicated to serving a diverse community in conjunction with its core values, which made it easy for me to flourish in such a welcoming environment. Whether you’re a commuter or resident, there are a variety of resources and campus involvement opportunities available to you.
As a first-generation student, I wanted to feel supported and attend a school with a small yet strong community, so I knew SXU was right for me. The professors are all very supportive and knowledgeable. SXU offers a state-of-the-art on-campus speech and language clinic that provides an optimal learning environment for hands-on experiences.
The great experiences I had here during undergraduate and graduate school influenced my decision to continue my education at SXU. Through hands-on learning, I have been given the opportunity to complete my clinical as a speech pathologist in a school setting.
About the Program
At SXU, we believe in the power of personalized education. Our small, supportive cohort model means you'll be more than just a number—you'll be known, mentored, and challenged to grow into a confident, compassionate clinician.
Here’s what makes our SLP program stand out:
- Comprehensive training to assess and treat speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders across the lifespan.
- Areas of focus include:
- Fluency – Help clients navigate stuttering and find their flow in communication.
- Cognitive Communication – Strengthen attention, memory, problem-solving, and executive function for real-world success.
- Voice and Resonance – Support healthy voice use and address challenges with pitch, quality, and breath support.
- Speech Sound Production – Guide clear and accurate articulation for effective verbal expression.
- Swallowing Disorders – Restore one of life's most essential functions: safe and satisfying eating.
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) – Empower communication through tech-based and nonverbal systems.
- Hearing and Auditory Rehabilitation – Understand the impact of hearing loss and support communication access.
- Social Communication – Build skills for real-world connection, from conversations to social cues.
- Language – Support understanding and expression, whether spoken, written, or signed across ages and cultures.
- Culturally responsive care, with coursework that emphasizes bilingual influences and inclusive, equity-minded assessment and treatment practices.
- Academic coursework in research, evidence-based practice, and current clinical trends.
- 400 supervised clinical hours across settings and populations—pediatrics to geriatrics, schools to hospitals.
- Strong professional networking with access to local health care systems, school districts, alumni, and guest speakers.
- Close faculty mentorship from experienced clinicians and educators who are deeply invested in your success.
- Tight-knit community that fosters collaboration, support, and personal growth.
We may be small, but our impact is big, and our commitment to your success is even greater. Join a community where your voice matters, your growth is guided, and your future as a speech-language pathologist is built on a strong, student-centered foundation.
A Legacy of Service. A Hub for Learning.
Named in honor of its founder, Sister Mary Antonine Ludden, R.S.M., the Ludden Speech and Language Clinic has been a cornerstone of Saint Xavier University for over 60 years.
Established in 1959, the clinic has provided life-changing services to thousands of children and adults with a wide range of communication and swallowing disorders. It stands as a proud symbol of our Mercy heritage—offering compassionate, high-quality care to the community while serving as a premier training ground for future speech-language pathologists.
For Students:
- Gain immediate, hands-on experience in your first semester.
- Work directly with real clients under close faculty supervision.
- Learn in a supportive, real-world environment just steps from your classroom.
For the Community:
- Access affordable, high-quality speech and language services.
- Receive care from graduate clinicians trained in the latest evidence-based practices.
The Ludden Clinic is more than a learning site—it's a place where service meets education, where you’ll grow as a clinician while making a real difference in people's lives.
Simulation bridges the gap between classroom learning and clinical practice. You'll engage in realistic, risk-free scenarios that strengthen your:
- Critical thinking
- Clinical decision-making
- Confidence in complex cases
High-Fidelity Simulation Lab
Practice with advanced mannequins and real equipment to develop the skills you'll
need before stepping into real externships.
Computer-Based Learning
Interactive case studies and virtual patient scenarios reinforce diagnosis and treatment
skills—anytime, anywhere.
The Result?
You’ll enter your externships more prepared, more confident, and better equipped to
succeed as a future speech-language pathologist.
What Makes Our Graduate SLP Program Stand Out?
At Saint Xavier University, we offer more than just a degree—we offer opportunities that prepare you to lead, serve, and thrive in the field of speech-language pathology.
Unique Program Features:
Community-Based Project Option
- Dive deep into a topic you're passionate about.
- Contribute original research to advance the field.
ISBE Bilingual Certification Opportunity
- Gain specialized training to serve diverse, multilingual communities.
- Stand out in the job market with a highly sought-after credential.
On-Site Clinical Experience from the Start
- Begin hands-on work at our Ludden Speech and Language Clinic early in the program.
- Build clinical confidence under expert faculty supervision.
Diverse Off-Site Placements
- Expand your skills in real-world settings: schools, hospitals, rehab centers, and private clinics.
- Graduate with a well-rounded, comprehensive clinical foundation.
Whether you’re passionate about research, bilingual service delivery, or clinical excellence, our program is designed to support your goals and set you up for success.
Our Mission: Shaping Future Speech-Language Pathologists
The goal of Saint Xavier University's graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology is to prepare highly competent, compassionate clinicians who are dedicated to serving individuals with communication and swallowing disorders—from infancy through adulthood.
What Sets Our Program Apart
Strong Academic Foundation
- Understand the normal development of communication and swallowing.
- Explore the nature, causes, evaluation, and treatment of disorders.
- Learn to work effectively with culturally and linguistically diverse populations.
Extensive Clinical Experience
- Begin hands-on practicum early in the program.
- Work with clients across the lifespan.
- Train in real-world settings: schools, clinics, hospitals, rehab centers, and private practice.
Collaborative, Client-Centered Care
- Develop clinical diagnostic and intervention skills.
- Engage with families and interdisciplinary teams.
- Learn to manage complex cases with confidence and compassion.
Commitment to Inquiry and Research
- Foster a spirit of scientific curiosity.
- Integrate evidence-based practice into all aspects of training.
At SXU, our program reflects the University’s broader vision:
“Saint Xavier University, the affordable Catholic Mercy institution, will become known for the strength of its relevant curricular and co-curricular offerings, accomplishments of its faculty, staff, and students, robust community engagement, and success of its graduates.”
Join us, and become part of that vision.
At SXU, you're more than a student—you're part of a mission-driven community preparing to make a real impact. Our program blends rigorous academics, hands-on clinical training, and strong values to shape confident, compassionate speech-language pathologists.
Accredited and License-Ready
Our program meets the standards for:
- ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP)
- Illinois State Professional Licensure
- Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) for working in public schools
- Illinois Bilingual Certification
Real-World Experience Starts Here
We don’t believe in waiting to apply what you learn—at SXU, hands-on experience begins
your very first semester. Through our on-campus Ludden Speech and Language Clinic,
you'll work directly with clients across the lifespan, gaining real-world skills,
clinical confidence, and a deep understanding of what it means to be an effective,
compassionate clinician.
Faculty Who Know Your Name
At SXU, our faculty don't just teach—you'll be mentored by experienced clinicians
who specialize in everything from early childhood language to adult neurogenic disorders.
From day one, we treat you as a future colleague, because that's exactly what you
are. The relationships you build here will support you long after graduation.
A Program Rooted in Values
Service. Integrity. Excellence. These values guide everything we do, inside and outside
the classroom, preparing you to be not only a great clinician but also a thoughtful,
ethical leader in your community.
Built for Lifelong Learners
Our program equips you with more than a degree—it helps you develop the mindset and
adaptability needed to grow with an evolving health care field.
Small program. Big heart. Strong outcomes.
At Saint Xavier University, you'll find the perfect mix of personal support, professional
preparation, and purpose-driven education.
The Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology (residential) at Saint Xavier University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
The degree designator of the accredited program is the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Quick Links
Request Information
Want to know more about graduate programs at Saint Xavier University? Please fill out the form below!
Graduate Admission
- 773-298-3053
- Email: graduateadmissionFREESXU
Student alumni speak about their experiences in the program
Brianna Brown '25
Alexis Oralia-Rodriguez '25
Members of the 2025 Graduating Class
Student testimonial
"The dedicated speech-language pathologists at Ludden Speech and Language Clinic helped me overcome my impediment and left an incredible mark on my life. This experience is why I am so passionate about giving back and helping others navigate their communication challenges. I've gained valuable experience, and seeing firsthand my clients' weekly progress reminds me of the hard work and dedication required to be a speech therapist. I have never felt more at home than I do at SXU, thanks to my professors' unwavering support and warmth. The University's commitment to excellence and student well-being is evident in every aspect."
Director of Communication Sciences and disorders
Lisa Osier
Director of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Phone: 773-298-3564
Email: osierFREESXU
Meet the Faculty
Ernest Cherullo
Lecturer
Phone: 773-298-3281
Email: e.cherullo@sxu.edu
Melanie Greenspan
Assistant Professor
Phone: 773-298-3566
Email: greenspan@sxu.edu
Giselle Nunez
Academic Director - CSD
Phone: 773-298-3563
Email: gnunez@sxu.edu
Lisa Osier
Director of Clinical Educ
Phone: 773-298-3564
Email: osier@sxu.edu
Miriam Rodriguez-Guerra
Assistant Professor
Phone: 773-298-3469
Email: rodriguez-guerra@sxu.edu
Kristina Simak
Lecturer
Phone: 773-298-3568
Email: simak@sxu.edu
Carry Zaras
Lecturer
Phone: 773-298-3559
Email: zaras@sxu.edu