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MANAGEMENT
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Speech-Language Pathology

MS Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for your interest in our Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program. Please also review our MS SLP Admissions Guide for more information.

We kindly ask that you do not reach out with questions regarding course equivalencies or requesting pre-admission advising. Due to the number of inquiries that we receive, we are unable to review students for eligibility without an application. Please utilize the information and resources we have provided below. Thank you for understanding. 

Admissions

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Application

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  • Are letters of recommendation required?
    Yes, three (3) letters of recommendation are required for your application. Each recommender must also complete an evaluation form. These materials must be submitted through CSDCAS in order for your application to be verified and reviewed by CSUSM for admission.
  • Is the GRE required?
    No, the GRE is not required nor considered for admission. 
  • Do I need to send AP scores?
    No, you do not need to send AP scores. 
  • Do I need to submit all transcripts?
      • Yes, you need to submit official transcripts for all colleges attended; we need a full academic record. Applications are not considered complete until all official transcripts are received. Incomplete applications are not reviewed. All official transcripts should be verified by CSDCAS by the application deadline. Please plan accordingly; it takes two (2) days for applications to be verified.
      • For more information about how to apply and where to send transcripts, please review the MS SLP Admissions Guide.
    Transcript Submission

    Applicants to the MS SLP program are required to apply through both CSDCAS and Cal State San Marcos (CSUSM). For the initial application review, you only need to submit your official transcripts through CSDCAS.

    CSUSM will use the CSDCAS-verified transcripts to determine whether your application is complete and eligible to move forward for faculty review. You do not need to submit a second set of transcripts directly to CSUSM during the initial application process.

    If you are offered admission to the program, you will then be required to submit your official transcripts directly to CSUSM by the deadline specified with your admission offer.

    Please do not send official transcripts to CSUSM unless you receive an offer of admission and are instructed to do so.

  • If I attended community college and transferred the courses to a four-year college, do I still need to submit official transcripts for the community college?
      • Yes, you need to submit official transcripts for all colleges attended; we need a full academic record. Applications are not considered complete until all official transcripts are received. Incomplete applications are not reviewed. All transcripts should be verified by CSDCAS by the application deadline. Please plan accordingly; it takes two (2) days for applications to be verified.
      • For more information about how to apply and where to send transcripts, please review the MS SLP Admissions Guide.
  • If I graduated from or previously attended CSUSM, do I still need to submit official transcripts for CSUSM?
    Yes, you must submit CSUSM transcripts. Please follow the instructions on CSDCAS.  
  • If I previously submitted official transcripts to CSUSM for a different application, do I need to resubmit those transcripts again?

    Yes, you need to submit official transcripts for all colleges attended; we need a full academic record. Applications are not considered complete until all official transcripts are received. Incomplete applications are not reviewed. All transcripts should be verified by CSDCAS by the application deadline. Please plan accordingly; it takes two (2) days for applications to be verified.


    For more information about how to apply and where to send transcripts, please review the MS SLP Admissions Guide.

  • How do I confirm my application was received?
    • You must complete two (2) separate applications to be reviewed for this program: the university application through Cal State Apply AND the department application through CSDCAS.  
    • Once you submit your CSDCAS application, you can check whether it has been verified. Verification typically takes up to two (2) business days.  
  • Who do I work with for my student status/admission if I'm an international student?
    All students will work directly with Extended Learning Student Services for these matters. Please see our Advising link for more information. 
  • Do I need to apply to CSU Mentor to apply to the SLP program?
    You should only apply to our programs through the active link on our websites. CSU Mentor applications should not be used for programs such as ours, administered through Extended Learning. 

Admission Decisions & Process

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Student Experience

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  • When does the program begin?
    A cohort starts every Fall semester. 
  • How long is the program?
    The program is 2 years, or 5 semesters, long (including summer). 
  • What is a cohort?
    A cohort is a group of students who work through a curriculum together to achieve the same academic degree. Because they are accepted into the same program, take their classes together and graduate together, students in cohorts tend to form a strong support system and professional network that benefits them during their degree program and beyond. 
  • What does a typical day look like for a MS SLP student?

    Residential full-time students can be expected to be in classes and clinic Monday - Friday during typical working hours. Some exclusions may apply to evenings and weekends on rare occasions.

    Online students can expect to be in classes Monday – Thursday on weeknights from 5:00-9:00 p.m. with additional asynchronous content and assignments.

  • What is the schedule and location for clinicals?

    Residential full-time students can be expected to be in classes and clinic Monday - Friday during typical working hours. Some exclusions may apply to evenings and weekends on rare occasions. Clinical placements will be in the San Diego County and surrounding region.

    Online students participate in their first clinical experience during the during the first five weeks of summer (between years 1 and 2) and is fully online, with full-day Monday – Friday clinic participation for five weeks. In the second summer, students again complete an online clinic that runs for 10 weeks and requires Monday – Friday full-day participation. In the final year, students complete a full-time, in-person clinical placement (4-5 days per week). Placements are arranged as close to your home as possible; however, this cannot be guaranteed, and some travel may be required.

  • Can I continue to work during the program?
    We do not recommend working during the program, but we understand that you may need to. Please make sure that your work is flexible as your school schedule will vary each semester. The MS SLP program is a full-time program and will require a major commitment of time to complete. Prospective students should take into consideration the demanding nature of this program prior to applying for admission. Clinical rotations may vary by day and time each month; therefore, you should not plan on working while enrolled in this program.
  • What services do you offer to active military, veterans, and dependents?
  • What are the program completion rates? What are the Praxis pass rates?

    Please review the Student Achievement Data for more information about program completion rates and Praxis pass rates.

  • After I graduate from the MS SLP program at CSUSM, can I work in any state within the U.S.?
    • The SLP Program and University Credentialing office will provide information to you during your last semester to assist you in 1) applying for Clinical First Year (CFY) status that leads to your national Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC), 2) temporary SLP state licensure, and 3) preliminary credentialing for the state of California. For more details about other state requirements, please view the State by State list for SLP licensure.
    • For a credential to work in a school setting outside of California, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) offers links to educational organizations in other states. Please note that employers may have different licensure and credentialing requirements for applicants.

Cost & Financial Aid

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