MA Communication Sciences and Disorders: FAQs

An open house is offered each fall and spring if you wish to visit and tour our department. Individual visits are not recommended, unless you are visiting from out of state, due to the heavy load our faculty have with teaching, research, advising and scheduled meetings. We encourage you to plan to join us at an open house. Dates will be posted on the website.

We accept applications for full-time start in fall semester; however, all students are required to take one online course in summer. Students have the option to add more courses over the first summer.

Your official GRE score report must reach CSDCAS by the required date. It is in your best interest to take the GRE at least 4-6 months prior to the deadline so that you may the opportunity to retake if necessary. GRE exams taken after the required deadline date will not be accepted.

All application materials are due by the deadline. The GRE scores are submitted through CSDCAS.

No, GRE scores are valid for a maximum of five years.

Letters from faculty in communication sciences and disorders with whom you have taken courses and/or worked on research projects are the most helpful to our admission committee. Up to two letters from employment supervisors can be accepted but preferably from those supervisors who work in CSD or a related field and you will be at a disadvantage if we do not receive at least some input from academic faculty with whom you have worked. Failure to provide three letters of reference will result in your application being considered incomplete.

Letters of reference must be submitted through CSDCAS.

We evaluate each and every application individually, carefully assigning scores to all factors such as GRE scores, cumulative GPA, personal statement, letters of recommendation, volunteer and research experience, honors or awards, and interview if invited for interview. Successful applicants will be the top applicants who are likely to be successful as a graduate student in our academic and clinical program. Students must pass the interview to be accepted into the program regardless of their accomplishments in other areas. We do have minimum requirements for GPA; all applications are considered carefully.

No, we understand that you may still need to complete courses in the spring and/or summer. To be competitive for admission, though, you must be able to show that you will complete all of the required prerequisites by full-time start in the fall.

The personal statement will be one or two pages. Applicants are asked to describe:

• Academic and/or personal experiences leading to an interest in graduate study in speech-language pathology,
• Future career plans, and
• Choice of OLLU

Interviews are required for students short-listed as potential candidates for the master’s program. Any student who interviews but is not accepted for the program will be wait listed.

Decisions are typically announced in February by email immediately following school interviews. It is in your best interest to use a personal email account instead of a school account and an address where you can receive correspondence even after you graduate from your current school.

We would like to know as soon as possible, but in any case, no later than April 15, which is the deadline across the U.S. agreed by the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CAPCSD). No school should pressure you for a commitment prior to this date.

We do not offer deferred enrollment. If an applicant is accepted but wishes to defer, the applicant will need to reapply to the program and will be reconsidered via regular admissions processes.

Dr. Christine Carmichael
CSD Graduate Admissions Coordinator
210-431-3938
ccarmichael@ollusa.edu

You must apply through the CSDCAS process.

The deadline to apply is Jan. 15.