In schools, residential healthcare facilities, private clinics, and homes across Oklahoma, speech-language pathologists are collaborating with other healthcare professionals, advocating and education people about communication disorders, and providing acute care and rehabilitative services to clients across the lifespan.
Opportunities to explore the field of speech-language pathology continue to grow here, thanks to outstanding providers located throughout the state. Take, for example, the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. SLPs at OU Health work out of the hospital system’s outpatient rehabilitation clinics in Oklahoma City, Edmond, and Tulsa and also provide teletherapy services for patients in rural areas or for those unable to travel.
- Emerson College - Master's in Speech-Language Pathology online - Prepare to become an SLP in as few as 20 months. No GRE required. Scholarships available.
- Arizona State University - Online - Online Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science - Designed to prepare graduates to work in behavioral health settings or transition to graduate programs in speech-language pathology and audiology.
- NYU Steinhardt - NYU Steinhardt's Master of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders online - ASHA-accredited. Bachelor's degree required. Graduate prepared to pursue licensure.
- Pepperdine University - Embark on a transformative professional and personal journey in the online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program from Pepperdine University. Our program brings together rigorous academics, research-driven faculty teaching, and robust clinical experiences, all wrapped within our Christian mission to serve our communities and improve the lives of others.
OU Health’s SLP professionals provide services aimed at individuals with aphasia, articulation disorders, apraxia, neurological disorders, fluency disorders, and more. They also provide evidence-based SLP treatment through their Neurogenic Communications Disorder Program for people with acquired speech-language disorders; a Pediatric Speech-Language Program for children from birth to age 18; and a Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Program that specializes in evaluating people with cleft lip/palate and other resonance disorders.
It’s an outstanding time to learn how to become an SLP and begin making meaningful changes in the lives of those with speech and language disorders in Oklahoma. But first you’ll need to become licensed through the Oklahoma Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.
Follow the steps in this guide to learn how to become a speech therapist in Oklahoma by earning your SLP license:
Step 1. Earn a Speech Therapist Degree: Complete a Master’s Degree Program in Speech-Language Pathology
The first step towards earning your SLP license in Oklahoma is pursuing a master’s degree in speech-language pathology that’s accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA), part of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
Oklahoma is home to five CAA-accredited programs, but you may also choose to earn your degree through an online CAA-accredited program if you’re looking for the convenience and flexibility of online study.
You’ll need to have a bachelor’s degree in order to apply to a master’s program. If your bachelor’s degree isn’t in speech-language pathology, you’ll need to complete fundamental prerequisites before beginning the graduate program. These usually include:
- Science of Language
- Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Language
- Introduction to Audiology
- Topics Within Communication Disorders
- Phonetics
- Development of Language Across the Lifespan
You’ll also need to have competitive undergraduate GPA and GRE scores in the 30th percentile in order to be accepted into a graduate program.
After completing prerequisites, you’ll begin core courses. Core coursework covers the following topics:
- Diagnostics in Speech-Language Pathology
- Phonological Disorders
- Fluency Disorders
- Voice & Resonance Disorders
- Aphasia Treatment
- Cognitive & Other Neurological Communication Disorders
- Motor Speech Disorders
- Assistive Technology
- Trends & Issues in Communication Disorders
- Advanced Audiology
You’ll also be able to choose a number of electives, which focus on more specialized areas of SLP. These courses might include:
- Professional Issues in SLP
- Research and Evidence Based Practice
- Articulation Disorders
- Treating Patients with Brain Injuries
- Culturally Appropriate Service Delivery
You’ll need to complete a 400-clock-hour practicum in order to graduate. Through the practicum, you’ll learn to screen, evaluate, assess, and diagnose patients, develop treatment plans, and administer therapy. You’ll be supervised in all of your activities by a licensed SLP.
Step 2. Complete a Nine-Month Clinical Fellowship
After graduating, you’ll enter into a clinical fellowship. The clinical fellowship is a nine-month-long paid period of clinical employment. You must apply for a temporary license before you can begin your clinical fellowship. In addition to completing the online application through the OBESPA Online Licensing portal, you’ll need to submit:
- Completed Application
- Passport Photo
- Application Fee of $85
- Academic Preparation Practicum Form
- CF Plan
- CF Letters of Agreement
- Three Letters of Reference (submitted on the required form)
- Official Transcripts
- Background Check from Trak-1
You’ll be supervised by a licensed SLP, who will be directly involved in all activities you perform during your clinical fellowship. These activities may include screening, evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment procedures.
There must be at least 36 supervisory visits that occur during the nine-month period.
You may choose to work thirty or more hours a week for nine months, or you may fulfill a part-time commitment by working at least 15 hours per week for 18 months.
After completing the clinical fellowship, you and your supervisor will complete and sign the Report of Clinical Fellowship form that describes the activities you performed and how they were supervised during your clinical fellowship.
Step 3. Pass the National SLP Exam and Consider Earning the CCC-SLP Credential
You’ll need to pass the American Speech Language Hearing Association’s National Examination in Speech Language Pathology to become licensed. You’ll register for this exam, administered by Praxis (Praxis exam 5331), directly through Praxis.
When registering for the exam, you’ll choose a date, time, and location that’s convenient for you. In Oklahoma, there are Praxis testing centers located in Oklahoma City, Stillwater, and Tulsa.
The test is split into three sections:
- Foundations and Professional Practice
- Screening, Assessment, Evaluation, and Diagnosis
- Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation of Treatment
Within these three sections, you’ll answer questions relating to proper diagnostic procedures, therapeutic methods, and how to develop case histories and treatment plans.
You’ll need to score a 162 on a 100-200 scale in order to pass the exam.
Praxis offers study materials that will help you prepare for the exam. They offer a study companion that includes practice questions, a breakdown of the topics on the exam, and more detailed information about the test.
Consider the CCC-SLP
You may also choose to apply for Certification of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) credential once you’ve passed the national exam. Offered through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the CCC-SLP is not required for licensure in Oklahoma but may help add credibility to your resume. You must apply directly through ASHA, which includes furnishing proof of your graduate program, Praxis exam, and clinical fellowship.
Step 4. Apply for Licensing and Begin Practicing as a Speech-Language Pathologist
You’re now eligible to apply for licensure in the state of Oklahoma. You’ll apply for your license through the OBESPA Online Licensing portal. You must provide the Board with your Praxis score and an application fee of $85 at this time.
It usually takes two-three weeks to hear back from the Board, at which time you may launch your career in whichever way you prefer:
Join the Clinic that Provided Your Clinical Fellowship
If you’d like to pursue a full-time position at the clinic where you completed your clinical fellowship, you may contact your clinical fellowship supervisor to inquire about opportunities. This is a good way to launch your career, as you’re already familiar with the clinic’s practices, staff, and patients.
Open an Independent Practice
You may consider opening an independent practice if you’d like to reach a specific patient population and set your own schedule.
Pursue Job Openings in Oklahoma
There are many employers in Oklahoma who employ qualified SLPs. A few of these include:
- Es Speech
- Excel Home Care & Hospice
- Rehab Care
- The Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital
- Comfort Keepers
- Brookdale
- Oklahoma City Public Schools
- Parcway
- Norman Regional Hospital
- Soliant Health
- Therapitas
- Norman Public Schools
- Therapy Management Corporation
Step 5. Renew Your License and Complete Continuing Education Requirements
Your SLP license must be renewed every two years (January of odd-numbered years) upon the completion of 20 continuing education hours, 3 of which must be in professional ethics.
Continuing education can consist of conferences, workshops, webinars, or academic courses related to the practice of speech-language pathology.
The Board maintains a list of approved continuing education providers on their Continuing Education Verification form, which you’ll use to document your CE activities.
The Oklahoma Speech-Language-Hearing Association (OSHA) is a great source of continuing education. Continuing education opportunities here are often focused on treating childhood apraxia of speech, multi-sensory language-based classroom approaches, and the use of academic language therapy curriculum.
Speech-Language Pathology Salary in Oklahoma
The average SLP salary in Oklahoma is $82,280, or $39.56 an hour. The highest-paid SLPs (90th percentile) in the state earn about $121,090, or $58.22 an hour.
High Levels of Job Growth for Speech-Language Pathologists in Oklahoma
The number of SLP jobs in Oklahoma is projected to increase by 33% over the decade leading up to 2030. That’s the tenth-best job growth rate among all states. During this time, the state should see an average of 170 SLP job openings every year due to a blend of new job growth, retirements, and natural job turnover.
Private outpatient clinics like the following are among the top employers for SLPs in Oklahoma:
Oklahoma City:
- Baker Speech Clinic
- John W. Keys Speech and Hearing Center
- Therapitas
Tulsa:
- Faith Therapy Clinic
- Prohab Therapy Specialists
- Swallowing and Neurological Rehabilitation, LLC
- Tulsa Sunchine Center Pediatric Speech, OT, PT, and Counseling
Other Cities in Oklahoma:
- Guthrie: Guthrie Socttish Rite Clinic
- Jenks: Speech and Beyond, LLC
- McAlester: Rite Care Clinic
Salaries for Speech-Language Pathologists in Oklahoma by City and Region
When it comes to SLP salaries statewide, Lawton takes the number one spot, followed by OKC, Tulsa, metro Fort Smith, and rural Southeast Oklahoma.
For high-end SLP salaries (90th percentile) in Oklahoma, rural Southwest Oklahoma, rural Southeast Oklahoma, Tulsa, metro Fort Smith, and Oklahoma City hold the top spots.
Regions throughout Oklahoma are ranked below by highest average salary, and also show the range between the entry-level (10th percentile) and high-end (90th percentile):
Lawton:
- Average: $92,180 annually, $44.32 hourly
- Entry-level to high-end range: $59,470 – $108,330 annually, $28.59 – $52.08 hourly
Oklahoma City:
- Average: $83,730 annually, $40.26 hourly
- $51,350 – $118,040 annually, $24.69 – $56.75 hourly
Tulsa:
- Average: $83,700 annually, $40.24 hourly
- $50,390 – $124,800 annually, $24.23 – $60.00 hourly
Metro Fort Smith:
- Average: $82,550 annually, $39.69 hourly
- $58,100 – $119,580 annually, $27.93 – $57.49 hourly
Rural Southeast Oklahoma:
- Average: $78,830 annually, $37.90 hourly
- $41,590 – $133,800 annually, $19.99 – $64.33 hourly
Rural Southwest Oklahoma:
- Average: $77,830 annually, $37.42 hourly
- $43,350 – $138,070 annually, $20.84 – $66.38 hourly
Rural Northwest Oklahoma:
- Average: $76,990 annually, $37.02 hourly
- $46,670 – $118,040 annually, $22.44 – $56.75 hourly
Rural Northeast Oklahoma:
- Average: $75,330 annually, $36.22 hourly
- $43,950 – $107,120 annually, $21.13 – $51.50 hourly
2023 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures shown here for Speech-Language Pathologists. Job growth projections are from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, CareerOneStop. Figures are based on state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed March 2025.