UTHSC’s accredited Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is a full-time program based in Knoxville. Applicants apply through CSDCAS and complete Casper. Students with a communication-disorders background follow the traditional six-semester program; others can enter through a leveling year.
- Program
- Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP)
- Credential
- MS-SLP
- Location
- Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
- Casper
- Required
- Next deadline
- January 1, 2027 (Completed CSDCAS application deadline)
- Length
- Two years and six semesters for the traditional program; applicants without a communication-disorders degree complete two additional semesters of undergraduate-level coursework.
Casper Requirement for University of Tennessee Health Science Center Speech-Language Pathology
University of Tennessee Health Science Center Speech-Language Pathology requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Languages
- English
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Casper is required. Select the MS-SLP program for score distribution when registering; scores go directly to selected programs.
Casper format
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.
Practice with Bright Doctor's Casper Question Bank, featuring 100+ scenarios and 300+ expert responses.
University of Tennessee Health Science Center Speech-Language Pathology Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- CSDCAS
- Applications open
- July 15, 2026
- Application fee
- CSDCAS charges $150 for the first program and $60 for each additional program; a program may charge a separate supplemental fee.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Completed CSDCAS application deadline | January 1, 2027upcoming |
University of Tennessee Health Science Center Speech-Language Pathology Admissions Statistics
Period: 2025-2026 academic year
- SLP Praxis first-attempt pass rate: 41 of 41 graduates (100%)
- SLP on-time program completion: 56 students; 97% completion rate
Eligibility Requirements for University of Tennessee Health Science Center Speech-Language Pathology
- Degree / credits
Bachelor’s degree.
Admission pathways
- Communication-disorders background: Applicants with at least 18 hours of specified communication-disorders coursework may enter as second-year students.
- Other bachelor’s degrees: Applicants without a communication-disorders background may enter as first-year students and complete a leveling year.
Complete transcripts from all colleges and universities attended are required.
Selection Factors University of Tennessee Health Science Center Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| MS-SLP admission | No specific prerequisite courses are required for admission. Applicants without communication-disorders coursework complete a leveling year before graduate-level coursework. |
| Direct second-year placement | At least 18 hours of communication-disorders coursework, including anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing, phonetics, acoustics, hearing science, and speech and language development or equivalents. |
GPA
- How it is calculated
No GPA calculation method is specified in the MS-SLP application requirements.
The MS-SLP application requirements do not state a minimum GPA.
Admissions tests
- GRE (optional): Submit optional scores through CSDCAS using code 0779.
- TOEFL (required for some applicants): Required if you are not a native English speaker or have not completed a bachelor’s or higher degree at an English-speaking institution; submit through CSDCAS.
Supplementary application
Submit an admissions essay, complete transcripts from every college or university attended, and three recommendation letters through CSDCAS.
How applicants are ranked
The program reviews academic potential, professionalism, interpersonal skills, and commitment to speech-language pathology holistically. Completed applications are reviewed in the second half of February, ranked, and offered admission in groups; the program uses a waitlist.
Interview Format at University of Tennessee Health Science Center
The published MS-SLP application information does not describe an admissions interview.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at University of Tennessee Health Science Center Speech-Language Pathology
- Program length
- Two years and six semesters for the traditional program; applicants without a communication-disorders degree complete two additional semesters of undergraduate-level coursework.
- Structure
Full-time academic and clinical training in Knoxville, including on-campus clinics and off-campus placements; one of the final two semesters is a full-time off-campus clinical externship.
- Campuses
- Knoxville
Emphasizes clinical proficiency from the start. A foundational course introduces basic clinical methods and assessment skills for beginning graduate students in speech-language pathology. The department also offers a Bachelor of Science in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology as a joint undergraduate pathway.
Campus and facilities
The MS-SLP operates from Knoxville, Tennessee, with administrative ties to the Memphis campus and access to clinical affiliations across the health science center network. Facilities support competency-based training in assessment and intervention. Prospective students should visit the Knoxville site to evaluate lab and simulation resources. Knoxville offers work-life balance; Memphis connections provide urban clinical exposure. Administered through the UTHSC College of Health Professions.
Tuition and Funding at University of Tennessee Health Science Center
- 2026-2027 in-state graduate audiology and speech pathology total: $19,848
- 2026-2027 out-of-state total: $37,500
- 2026-2027 international total: $39,696
UTHSC lists these graduate audiology and speech pathology totals. Fees for programs taught at the Knoxville campus are subject to change.
What Applicants Are Saying
Matriculated students describe a selection process that rewards demonstrated readiness for clinical work in speech-language pathology. Students report a structured curriculum progression building toward independent practice. Matriculated students describe supportive cohorts, with doubled class sizes enabling diverse peer networks. Forums like Student Doctor Network report medical school-level selectivity.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your University of Tennessee Health Science Center Speech-Language Pathology Application
- Calculate your GPA across all transcripts, targeting above 3.0.
- Secure three strong letters of recommendation from professors or clinicians.
- Draft CSDCAS short answers, revising for clarity on your SLP motivation.
- Verify prerequisites and book Casper well before the score distribution deadline, selecting an early test date to allow score release.
- Practice Casper rigorously: aim for 50+ scenarios using Bright Doctor's web-based Casper Question Bank.
- Submit early to avoid technical issues.
More About University of Tennessee Health Science Center Speech-Language Pathology
- National ranking
The program stands out for its national ranking.
- College
UTHSC College of Health Professions
Frequently Asked Questions About University of Tennessee Health Science Center Speech-Language Pathology
Does University of Tennessee Health Science Center Speech-Language Pathology require Casper?
Yes. UTHSC lists Casper among its MS-SLP application requirements.
What is the minimum GPA for UTHSC Speech-Language Pathology?
The published MS-SLP application requirements do not state a minimum GPA. The 3.0 GPA rule belongs to UTHSC’s separate BS major.
Can I apply to UTHSC MS-SLP without a communication disorders bachelor's?
Yes. Applicants without a communication-disorders background may enter as first-year students and complete a leveling year before graduate-level coursework.
What are UTHSC Speech-Language Pathology Casper test dates?
Check Acuity Insights for available Casper sittings. UTHSC does not publish program-specific future test dates on its MS-SLP application page.
How competitive is University of Tennessee Health Science Center Speech-Language Pathology?
UTHSC reviews applicants holistically, ranks completed applications, offers places in groups, and uses a waitlist. Its published student outcomes are not an admissions acceptance rate.
Where is UTHSC Speech-Language Pathology located?
The program is based in Knoxville and administered through UTHSC’s College of Health Professions.
What does the UTHSC SLP application require?
Apply through CSDCAS with a bachelor’s degree, transcripts from all institutions attended, three recommendation letters, an admissions essay, and Casper. GRE scores are optional; TOEFL is required under the program’s stated English-language conditions.
Are interviews required for UTHSC Speech-Language Pathology?
The published MS-SLP application information does not describe an admissions interview.
Sources
- UTHSC MS in Speech Pathology
- UTHSC MS-SLP Application Information
- UTHSC BS in Audiology and Speech Pathology
- UTHSC Accreditation
- UTHSC Bursar Fee Information
- CSDCAS Application Cycle Dates
- CSDCAS Application Fees
- Acuity Insights About Casper
Last updated: September 26, 2026