Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
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Some of The Most Frequently Asked Questions About Master's Level Study
What programs of study are available at the master's level?
Students entering our master's program may be interested in pursuing studies leading toward certification to provide clinical services in speech-language pathology or they may be interested in a non-clinical program in the communication sciences. We invite you to look at the enclosed materials about our faculty and identify one or more whose area of specialization interests you. Please feel free to contact those faculty members directly if you would like more information from them.
What if I do not have an undergraduate major in communication disorders?
Some students requesting entry into our clinical program at the graduate level have an undergraduate major that is not in speech-language pathology. We welcome applications from such students because we feel they bring with them valuable knowledge and experience that can be directly applied to their education in the profession of speech-language pathology and audiology. Prerequisite students are expected to take specific prerequisite courses before enrolling in some graduate level courses in our department. If the student has no previous courses in speech-language pathology and audiology, then it will be necessary to take courses, in such areas as anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanism, phonetics, language development, and speech and hearing science, that are prerequisites to other courses that the student will take later. These courses will be incorporated into the students program. On the other hand, some students may decide to take some or all of the prerequisite courses either at Purdue University or elsewhere before applying for graduate admission at Purdue. However, it is not necessary to do so. When admitted as a prerequiste student your program will take approximately one year longer.
When are students expected to enter the master's program?
Clinical master's level programs in speech-language pathology begin in the fall semester, so applicants to these programs are accepted for fall admission only. Students applying for nonclinical programs may be admitted for entry in other semesters.
What is the usual duration of study at the master's level in your department?
The duration of study is approximately the same in all master's level clinical programs throughout the U.S. because they are so heavily influenced by professional certification requirements. Students in speech-language pathology who already have an adequate background in communication disorders usually require two years of full-time study, including summers, to complete their programs. Students without an undergraduate major in speech and hearing usually find that it is necessary to enroll for an additional two to three semesters of full-time graduate study, including a summer session, to finish their speech-language pathology studies. Students in the nonclinical programs, who are not working to meet certification requirements, may take fewer semesters to qualify for a master's degree.
Can I attend your master's program on a part-time basis?
It is assumed that students in this department will be enrolled in graduate study on a full-time basis; part-time study is not recommended. This is largely due to the carefully planned sequences of courses and clinical opportunities that lead to degree completion.
Is there a relationship between the student's own speech and language skills and qualifications for clinical work?
Enrollment in clinical practicum is contingent upon demonstrated proficiency in the use of English speech and language. All students are screened during the initial semester of their graduate programs.
What are your cut-offs for grade point average (GPA) and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores?
The Graduate School requires that applicants have at least a B average in their undergraduate work, and students are expected to maintain a B average in their graduate studies. (The fact that an applicant has a B average does not ensure admission, however.) A 'B' average is required for graduation.
Although current GRE scores are required of all applicants, no cut-off scores have been established.
Why are SLHS English proficiency test score requirements different from what is shown on the Purdue Graduate School's website?
While the Purdue Graduate School does have minimum requirements for admission, departments may require more, but never less, than what the Graduate School stipulates. The Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (SLHS) has higher English proficiency test score requirements than what has been set by the Purdue University Graduate School. Also, SLHS does not waive the requirement even if you have earned a degree within the past 24 months from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction. English proficiency test scores are required of all international applicants whose first language is not English. SLHS minimum score requirements are listed on the "Application Information" page.
I am interested in knowing how many students apply to your program and how many you admit. Just what are my chances of being admitted?
The number of students applying varies from program to program and from one year to the next, as does the percentage of students who accept our offers of admission. We wish that we could know this in advance, but no one has been able to find a way to predict these numbers. Your chances of being admitted depend on the quality of your application in comparison to other applications to the same program at the same time and the number of spaces that will be available in a given program. For the past few years, admission to the clinical master's program in speech-language pathology has been extremely competitive, much more so than other master's programs. The numbers change every year. We are proud of the outstanding students we admit to our programs and hope that you will be among them.
What if I am presently interested only in taking a few courses but not applying for admission to a graduate program?
This falls in the category of "postbaccalaureate" or "non-degree" study.
If your position requires you to take graduate courses for continuing education in order to update your teaching certificate or other related fields, fill out the standard Graduate School application form, checking postbaccalaureate under Enrollment Objective, and send a brief letter telling what course(s) you want to take along with your most recent transcripts. (Letters of recommendation and other materials required for admission to a graduate program are not required; you send us only these three items.) Following the receipt of these items, your application will be considered by the graduate committee. You must be notified of their approval before you register. Apply by March 15th for summer or fall enrollment and by October 1st for January enrollment. To take undergraduate courses as a postbaccalaureate student, you must apply through Admissions as a non-degree student but we recommend that you seek advice from our undergraduate advisor.
Note that admission for postbaccalaureate study is totally separate from admission to a graduate program. Being admitted for postbaccalaureate study does not ensure later admission to a graduate program.
Graduate School footnote:
Postbaccalaureate : those who wish to pursue graduate study without advanced degree objectives. Postbaccalaureate admission is not a form of probationary admission to a degree program. Postbaccalaureate registration in courses outside the admitting department may require the permission of the department offering the course. A maximum of twelve (12) credit hours earned in appropriate courses taken in postbaccalaureate status, may, with departmental approval, be applied to an advanced degree program at Purdue, should the postbaccalaureate student later be admitted to an advanced degree program.
What is the Praxis Pass Rate?
We have a 100% pass rate for the Praxis II.
What is your program completion rates?
We have a 99% completion rate with both the SLP and the Au.D program.