Communication Disorders Graduate Admissions
Admission to the Program
Admission to the Commuication Disorders Program is on a competitive basis. Students who wish to be admitted to this program must apply to the Cratis D. Williams Graduate School.
A complete application includes:
- application form
- three letters of recommendation (preferably from faculty members)
- transcripts of all undergraduate coursework
- scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
- letter of intent
The CDP at Appalachian conducts admission reviews twice each year: once for admission in the Fall (application deadline February 1) and again for admission in the Spring (application deadline October 1). Thirty-four new students are admitted each year for Fall entry. Twenty-two spaces in the Fall are for students with sufficient coursework in speech-language pathology, and twelve are for out-of-field students. A smaller number (usually 10) with adequate speech-language pathology undergraduate coursework are admitted for January entry. This number varies depending on the number of December graduates.
Basic Criteria for Consideration: Applicants must complete the necessary application process as required by the Graduate School and the Communication Disorders program.
Other Criteria for All Applicants: For students to be considered for admission, undergraduate and post baccalaureate transcripts should be included in the application. Students must present scores from the GRE, but no minimum score is required. In general, successful applicants have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and a minimum GRE score (verbal + quantitative) of 900. A one-page letter of intent must be included with the application. In the letter, students must comment on (1) their undergraduate course of study and performance, (2) their goals and aspirations for graduate study in the communication disorders program, and (3) if applicable, their post baccalaureate study and performance. Note that admission is on a competitive basis. Therefore, not all students who meet these minimum requirements will be offered admission.
In-field versus Out-of-Field Status. Most students who possess an undergraduate degree in communication sciences and disorders or similar major (e.g., Speech Pathology or Audiology) qualify for in-field status. Students with majors in related disciplines (e.g., communication sciences) may have completed some (8-15 semester hours), but not all, of the coursework prerequisite to the graduate program. Such students may be admitted as an in-field student but will be expected to complete remaining prerequisites before beginning the graduate program. Students will be notified at the time of admission if prerequisite coursework is needed.
If you have additional questions about Appalachian's program in communication disorders, please don't hesitate to write or call. Due to the extremely large number of applicants for the Master's Program in Speech-Language Pathology, it is not possible to grant individual interviews to each interested student. Therefore, two "visitation" dates are scheduled for the Fall 2009 semester: Friday, October 23rd and Friday, November 6th at 10:00 AM. You may also join us for the time-honored tradition of Family Weekend September 25-27, 2009: http://familyweekend.appstate.edu/
Applicants are encouraged to visit the Communication Disorders Program at University Hall, 400 University Hall Drive, Boone NC 28607 (828-262-2185) on one of these dates to receive additional information regarding the academic and clinical aspects of the program. In addition, applicants have the opportunity to ask questions and to talk with current graduate students. The Communication Disorders Program faculty at Appalachian are constantly seeking qualified students to study and learn with us. If you are interested in a quality program where you can work with a great group of students and faculty, Appalachian is the place.
Learn more about assistantships and scholarships available to graduate students.
