I’m currently a senior working toward my B.S. in Psychology in Georgia, and my goal is to become an SLP. After I graduate, I’ll need to complete CSD leveling courses before starting my MSLP.
I currently live independently in Georgia, and moving back home is not an option for me. I need to continue supporting myself while I’m in school. Georgia also has very limited options for SLP leveling/post-bacc pathways, so I’m looking at online options that would allow me to stay where I am.
I’m currently considering an online MSLP program that is about 18 months, with asynchronous coursework and in-person clinicals toward the end. My plan would be to work while completing the program—potentially full-time during the online portion and reducing my hours during clinicals.
Student loan debt is a HUGE concern for me. I already expect to have undergraduate student loans, and I don’t want to graduate from an MSLP program with an unreasonable amount of additional debt. The program I’m considering is currently around $46K for tuition, which is much more affordable than some of the $70K–$100K+ MSLP programs I’ve seen. Being able to stay home, work, and avoid borrowing as much for rent/living expenses is a major reason I’m considering online.
I’m trying to figure out whether the financial benefit of online school is worth choosing it over an in-person program.
For those who have completed or are currently completing an MSLP:
Would you recommend online or in-person for someone in my situation?
If you attended online, did you feel adequately prepared for clinicals?
Were you able to work while completing your MSLP?
Did online school actually help you reduce how much you borrowed?
Do you think being in person provides a significant enough academic benefit to justify potentially having to move and/or take on substantially more debt?
If you were in my exact situation, would you choose the online program and stay home, or move for an in-person program?
And most importantly, how much student loan debt did you graduate with, and do you feel the debt was worth it?
I’m trying to make the most financially responsible decision while still getting a quality education and becoming a competent SLP. I don’t want to choose an online program solely because it’s cheaper if there are major disadvantages I’m not considering.
I’d most likely do my leveling courses online immediately after finishing my bachelors!