Frequently Asked Questions About the Master s Program in Speech-Language Pathology

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Master’s Program in Speech-Language Pathology

What materials does the application process require?

(1) GRE scores

(2) Unofficial transcripts from all colleges/universities attended. Official transcripts will be required if you are admitted to the program.

(3) Three letters of recommendation from people who can comment on your academic skills and your clinical and research potential. We recommend that at least two letters be from faculty members. The letters of recommendation need to be submitted electronically.

(4) A personal statement (1 single-spaced page) that addresses the following:

- Discuss the factors that led you to pursue studies in speech, language, and hearing sciences. You may comment on aspects of the discipline that interest you, insights gained from coursework, and clinical, research, or other personal experiences.

- Describe your career goals.

(5) Resume that includes the following:

- Any academic, scholarly, and professional awards that you have received.

- Leadership experience, extracurricular activities and volunteer experience.

- Any supervised clinical practicum experience (indicate number of hours and nature of the disorders).

(6) For nonnative English speakers: TOEFL or IELTS scores

What grade point average (GPA) and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores do I need to be accepted into the MS program at University of Arizona?

The typical successful applicant has a GPA of 3.5 or better on the last 60 units, has a verbal GRE score of 500 or better, a quantitative GRE score of 600 or better, and a GRE analytic writing score of 4 or better. The typical successful applicant also demonstrates participation in a research laboratory, volunteerism, and/or a solid work history and has strong letters of recommendation.

Note that these are not criteria for admission, just descriptions of the types of students admitted to our program in recent years.

What is the process for determining which applicants are accepted into the MS program?

A faculty committee rates applicants on several variables including GPA (4-year and last 60

units), GRE (verbal, quantitative, and writing), personal statement, extracurricular activities, and

letters of recommendation. Applicants are ranked according to their summed rating score and

acceptance into the program is based on these rankings.

Is there funding available for graduate students?

We typically have several teaching assistantships per year for incoming students, and occasionally we have research assistantships available. We also may offer some out-of-state tuition waivers. We encourage prospective domestic students to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA; see https://financialaid.arizona.edu/faq/fafsa). In addition, some prospective domestic students, who have shown academic achievement despite facing

challenging social, economic, or educational obstacles, may qualify for funding (see https://grad.arizona.edu/gaf/).

Is there an application fee?

Yes, there is a $75 application fee.

Does UA accept students with undergraduate degrees in other disciplines?

Yes. Students with degrees in other disciplines usually enroll in our 3-year MS program (rather than our traditional 2-year program). The applicant with an undergraduate degree in another discipline follows the usual procedures for applying to the MS program. If the applicant is accepted, we will assess the undergraduate courses and determine what additional courses will need to be taken.

What is the difference between a 2-year and a 3-year master’s program?

Students who have an undergraduate degree in speech, language, and hearing sciences (or

communication disorders, speech-language pathology, etc.) will be enrolled in a 2-year program.

Students who have an undergraduate degree in another discipline may be enrolled in a 3-year program (depending on what undergraduate courses they have taken) in which the first year is spent in foundational (primarily undergraduate) courses, and the second year begins the regular 2-year graduate program. The application process is exactly the same for both these programs. If the applicant is accepted into our program, we will determine whether the applicant requires a 2- year or 3-year program.

Are my GRE scores too old?

If you have taken the GRE within the past 5 years, they are still considered current. If they are older than 5 years, you need to take the GRE again.

Who should I ask for letters of recommendation?

We require three letters of recommendation. At least two of those should come from academic

faculty members. If you have had some clinical experience, it is also a good idea to include a

letter from your clinical supervisor.

Are there special requirements for second-language English speakers?

English proficiency is one of the conditions for admission to the UA Graduate College for all applicants whose native language is not English. Applicants must submit a minimum TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 550 paper based (PB), 79 internet based (iBT), or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) composite score of 7 (no subject area below a 6).

To be admitted into our clinical master’s program, and particularly to perform successfully in the clinic, a student also needs to meet our technical standards, which includes:

“Students must be able to communicate effectively, sensitively, and efficiently with clients and colleagues; comprehend technical, procedural and professional materials; and follow instructions. Students must possess the ability to readily communicate

observations and findings, prepare progress notes, correspondence, and evaluation or treatment reports in a clear, logical and professional manner.

Students must be able to perceive the speech of clients and accurately judge its quality.

They must be able to readily comprehend language expressed in oral, graphic, and gestural forms. The speech and English language skills of a student must be such that colleagues and clients readily understand them. Moreover, students must be able to model desired exemplars of voice, fluency, articulation, and oral/nasal resonance, as well as features of English grammar and syntax, consistent with the objectives for clients in treatment. Finally, the students’ speech and language skills must be intelligible to allow for administration of speech and language assessment instruments in a reliable and valid manner.”

A minimum or even high score on the TOEFL or IELTS does not guarantee meeting this

standard. Non-native English speakers are strongly encouraged to request an interview in person or by phone to help make this determination prior to accepting an offer of admission to be sure they will be able to participate in the clinical program.

To view our technical standards for speech-language pathology, see Technical Standards for the Clinical Speech-Language Pathology Program (see Appendix A of the Program Requirements:

Cactus Book).

Do you accept applicants with disabilities?

To be admitted into our master’s program, a student needs to meet our technical standards. These standards relate to observation, communication, motor, and intellectual skills. See Technical Standards for the Clinical Speech-Language Pathology Program (see Appendix A of the Program of Requirements: Cactus Book).

Do you accept late application materials?

No. ALL materials must be received by February 1

for your application to be considered. This

includes your online application forms, resume, unofficial transcripts, GRE scores, and letters of

recommendation.

Do you allow students to begin the program in January?

No. All students begin their master’s program in August (fall semester).

Do you allow part-time students in the MS program?

No. Our master’s program is a full-time program.

May I visit the University of Arizona?

Yes. The best time to visit the department is on the designated visitation dates (contact the department for the specific dates). On these days you will meet academic faculty, clinical faculty, and current students and you will get tours of the clinics and research laboratories. You may also visit on other dates; however, be sure to contact someone several weeks before your trip so that some arrangements can be made for you to meet some of the faculty.

What types of clinical opportunities do you offer?

All graduate students complete a minimum of 400 clinical hours. Our in-house clinics include pediatric and adult populations from birth to senescence. Disorders include genetic syndromes, neurogenic disorders, autism, dysphagia, vocal abuse/misuse, specific language impairment, phonological disorder, articulation, cochlear implant and hard-of-hearing, aphasia, traumatic brain injury, stuttering/cluttering, phonological awareness. Special programs include, but are not limited to, Aphasia Program, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, LSVT, Cochlear Implant Program, Accent Reduction, Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing, ALS/MDA Clinic. We are affiliated with over 50 off-campus sites including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, schools, private practices, and clinics.

Is it possible to do a clinical rotation outside of Tucson during the master’s program?

Yes. Although it is not possible to do this during the fall or spring semester, it is possible to do during the summer. If this is something you might want to do, you need to discuss this with your clinical supervisors during your first semester in the program.

Is it possible to get experience in bilingual speech-language pathology in the UA program?

Yes, given Tucson’s diverse population, there are many clinical and research opportunities to

develop your understanding of cultural diversity and bilingual speech-language pathology skills

(particularly Spanish-English) in the UA program.

Is a Masters thesis required?

No, a Masters thesis is not required. However, applicants who are interested in doing a Masters thesis are encouraged to start this process as early as possible once they are in the program.

What is the employment rate of those who graduate with an MS in speech-language pathology from the University of Arizona?

100%