Planning for Entry into Graduate School in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Choosing an Academic Program
Embarking on a career in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) can be exciting and challenging. There are so many career options in this field with a great employment outlook. ASHA has compiled a series of questions and answers with resources to assist you in the process of identifying your career interests, finding the right academic program to meet your career goals, and facilitating a successful graduate school application experience.
The following steps are designed to help walk you through choosing an academic program that will best meet your needs:
Step 1: Explore your personal interests
Step 2: Learn about academic programs and how to select a program that best matches your personal goals
Step 3: Learn how to navigate the application process
Step 1: Explore your personal interests
What is motivating me to pursue a career in CSD?
Perhaps a friend or loved one has a hearing, balance, communication or swallowing disorder or you are drawn to the science of the professions. Whatever the motivation, it is important to give some thought to what you want for your future career.
What are my professional goals?
Do you envision working as a clinician with certain populations such as children, adolescents or adults with a particular disorder such as autism or hearing impairment? Perhaps you will consider clinical administration in health or education settings or choose to pursue a PhD and career as a faculty-researcher. There are many career options available in the professions so getting a sense of what your goals are can impact where you choose to study and what degrees will be necessary to achieve your goals.
How can I find a program that will be a good match for me?
Geographic location is a consideration for all students as some may have flexibility in where they can go to school while others may be constrained to a particular area. There are numerous CAA accredited programs offering entry-level degrees in audiology and/or speech-language pathology and approximately 70 PhD degree programs to choose from throughout the US. Academic programs are found in urban, suburban and rural settings in all 50 states. EdFind helps you locate academic programs by state, degree level and program characteristics. Visiting the campus and talking with students offers valuable information about the faculty and student body that will help guide your decision. It is recommended that you visit the facilities such as the clinic, classrooms and any research labs.
Your CSD program may be in an institution with an established research tradition or be part of a small teaching focused college. To learn about the different institutional classifications, you can review descriptions online at the Carnegie Foundation website. Despite the size of university institutions, graduate CSD programs rarely exceed 50 students. Learning about a program's faculty, curriculum, research interests and clinical education opportunities will help you decide which program is best for you.
Step 2: Learn about academic programs
What is CAA accreditation?
Why is it important to consider an accredited graduate program? The Council of Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) is the entity within ASHA that accredits clinical doctoral programs in audiology and master's programs in speech-language pathology that prepare graduates for entry into professional practice. Graduation from a CAA-accredited program is necessary for eligibility for ASHA's Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC); in addition, many states require graduation from an accredited program for licensure or teacher certification. CAA's accreditation program is standards-based and promotes excellence in professional preparation by requiring academic programs to participate in continuous program improvement activities. As a result, students benefit by being taught the most current academic course work and participating in supervised clinical experiences-preparing them with the knowledge and skills they need to get a job and have a successful professional career. The Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA) has posted a video "The Value of Accreditation" on YouTube that describes the value of accreditation to help students and parents make informed decisions.
What is an entry-level degree?
An entry-level degree is required for individuals who seek the necessary credentials to practice in the professions (e.g., ASHA's Certificate of Clinical Competence, state licensure). To learn more about the specific requirements, visit the ASHA Certification webpages.
- The entry-level degree to become an ASHA-certified audiologist is currently a doctoral or other recognized graduate degree for which a minimum of 75 semester credit hours of post-baccalaureate credits have been earned. Beginning January 1, 2012, a doctoral degree is required as the entry-level degree for certification in audiology.
- The entry-level degree to become an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist is a master's degree.
What is a master's degree in school-based speech-language pathology?
A master's degree program in school-based speech-language pathology prepares graduates solely for employment in a school setting and to qualify for credentialing from a state department of education. It is important to recognize that master's degree programs with such a limited scope of purpose may not be eligible for accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) and do not prepare graduates to meet requirements for ASHA's Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) or state licensure, which is required to practice in a variety of work settings. While the student may be completing comparable master's degree requirements, employment will be limited to an elementary or secondary school setting. Students are encouraged to compare and contrast master's degree program requirements (see EdFind); accreditation of the graduate academic program; eligibility of a program's graduates to obtain ASHA certification, state licensure and Department of Education credentialing; and make an informed decision relative to personal career goals and employment objectives.
What is the difference between a clinical doctoral and a research doctoral degree?
- The clinical doctorate (e.g., AuD, SLPD), whether pursued as an entry-level or post entry-level degree program, comprises a curriculum designed to cover the breadth and depth of clinical practice and may include a research experience or a research requirement (e.g., thesis or capstone project). This degree prepares individuals for clinical practice, administration, and clinical track faculty positions. The clinical doctorate does not automatically qualify one for a faculty position at institutions where a research doctoral degree is required for such an appointment. For this reason, professionals may choose to continue their education to include the research doctoral degree.
- The research doctorate (e.g., PhD) is designed to prepare one for an academic and research career with the expectation of contributing to the science of the discipline as well as to the preparation of future professionals and scientists. The program of study for a PhD degree is designed to permit one to more extensively study a focused area of interest within the discipline, to learn the scientific method, to acquire the skill set necessary to independently pursue a line of research and to secure funding for research in one's area of interest.
What degree designator should I look for?
The degree awarded is an institutional prerogative based on consistency with the mission and structure of the college/university. Often, the difference may be related to course requirements, thesis requirement or administrative authority of the program to confer a particular type of degree. Check with the particular program for further information. Some common degree designators used in CSD are identified below.
- Master's degree designators: A Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MS) are common degree designators for graduate programs in speech-language pathology. Other examples include, but are not limited to, the Master of Education (MEd) and Master of Health Science (MHS).
- Clinical doctoral degree designators: The Doctor of Audiology (AuD) is a prevalent degree designator for audiology clinical doctoral degrees. Other audiology degree designators include the Doctor of Science (ScD) and the clinical Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Examples of speech-language pathology clinical doctoral degree designators include the Doctor of Clinical Science (CScD) and Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology (SLPD).
- Research doctoral degree designators: The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is the most prevalent research doctoral degree awarded in CSD. Other designators include the Doctor of Education (EdD), the Doctor of Arts (DA) and the Doctor of Science (ScD). It is critical that you review the degree program requirements to determine if the program of study results in a research doctoral or clinical doctoral degree in order to pursue the degree that allows you to achieve your personal goals.
Will I have an opportunity to engage in research activities?
Many undergraduate and graduate programs offer research experiences and/or require that students participate in research activities such as writing a thesis or completing a capstone project. Research opportunities may also include individual or collaborative research projects that result in conference presentations, or assisting with research club, literature reviews, data collection, and subject selection related to a faculty member's research endeavors. Exposure to research can provide valuable tools for future clinical and research practice.
How do I find out about faculty teaching and research interests?
You can review the program's research interests on EdFind or contact the program directly. Another source is conducting a literature review on the topic of interest and learning who the authors are and where they are conducting research and teaching.
Where will I go for clinical externships? Will I have an opportunity to work with different populations and different settings?
Yes, you will be required to gain the necessary knowledge and skills to work with a variety of populations and disorders in various settings. Check with the academic program's clinic director to find out the range of student placements available through the academic program.
Are there distance education options?
Yes, some programs now offer distance education options that range from online courses to online degrees. EdFind will also allow you to search specifically for programs that offer distance education options. Just as with on campus program, students should ensure that the entry-level degree program offered through distance learning is CAA-accredited. Distance master's programs generally target individuals holding a bachelor's degree in CSD such as those currently providing speech language services in public school settings who were credentialed by state departments of education. Online courses and distance education learning have increased access for students but it is not for everyone. It is recommended that prospective students inquire about the technology used and consider personal learning styles when planning their education. Distance education students participate in academic classes and clinical seminars utilizing e-mail, video, audiotape, web-based instruction, compressed videos, audio conferencing, and other technologies. One tool available is Peterson's "Distance Learning Assessment," a questionnaire which determines one's readiness for online education.
Is financial aid available?
Financial aid is available for graduate education in CSD. You can search for programs offering funding with EdFind. Consult the university's financial aid office to learn more about financial aid offerings and the specific costs they cover such as tuition and housing. Ask the financial aid counselor or officer about obligations for receipt of funding (e.g., work study, assistantships), enrollment requirements, and funding availability (i.e., by semester, 12 months or multiple years).
Where are the graduates of the program employed?
One indicator of the value of a degree program is the placement of graduates of the program. Inquire about the types of positions and work settings where a program's graduates have secured employment in recent years. For example, do many graduates choose private practice? Perhaps many graduates go on to pursue a PhD which may suggest a research focus or perhaps many of the graduates work in schools suggesting an emphasis on child and adolescent language and school based issues. By evaluating your own career interests and learning about where graduates of a particular program work at least their first few years following graduation, you will find the academic program that best matches your personal goals.
Step 3: Learn about the application process
Do I need an undergraduate degree in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) to apply?
No, not necessarily. Many programs accept students without a CSD undergraduate degree. For non CSD majors, certain prerequisites may be required adding to the time-to-degree. Each graduate program determines the courses that are required for admission to their program. Some schools admit students to their program and then provide the prerequisite classes for them, while other programs admit students on a conditional basis pending successful completion of the prerequisite coursework. Some academic programs offer online prerequisite courses. You can search EdFind for prerequisite courses. Many audiologists and speech-language pathologists began their education with an undergraduate degree in a major other than communication sciences and disorders.
What are my chances of getting accepted?
Graduate programs seek to admit students who show promise for successfully completing graduate level studies in audiology or speech-language pathology. You can review the information in EdFind for specific admissions criteria but, typically, programs require a minimum 3.00 grade point average (GPA), Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores, an essay and letters of recommendation. For this reason, it is important to do your best in undergraduate school and secure letters of recommendation from faculty who have taught you and can speak to your ability to succeed in graduate school. Including information on related work or volunteer experience may also be valuable.
Admission to graduate school is competitive but keep in mind that many programs must turn away well qualified students because the programs do not have the capacity to accept all qualified students. Reviewing the average GPA and GRE score of those enrolled in a selected program on EdFind will provide a profile of the students who were offered admission. You can also gauge how competitive a program is by reviewing the number of applications received and the number of admissions offered on the "Application and Admission" section of the Program Profile on EdFind. Ask the program director about the percentage of students recruited from the institution's undergraduate program and percentage of students recruited from other institutions. The admissions profile may guide you in identifying academic programs that are a good fit with your academic goals.
When should I apply and when will I hear if I am accepted?
Search EdFind to review the application deadline for the academic programs that you are interested in attending. Some programs conduct an annual application and admission protocol. Other programs offer rolling admission which means that applications are received and reviewed on an ongoing basis and admission and enrollment occur during each semester of the academic year. Prepare and submit your application well in advance (at least three months prior to the deadline). Some institutions offer a centralized application service similar to the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CAPCSD) Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS) for Clinical Education in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. Have an objective person read your application. Do not submit an incomplete application or one that has errors.
It is important to also note that an earlier application deadline is required in order to be considered for financial assistance. For annual admissions, applications are typically due February 1 for financial assistance and March 1 for regular admission. Following the review process, students are notified of their admission in early spring.
Who can help?
Resources are available at:
or contact by e-mail at academicaffairs@asha.org.