College of Education

Undergraduate degree in Communicative Disorders or Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences*

*If a student does not have an undergraduate degree in SLP, they must complete the prerequisite coursework in SLP or communicative disorders in an accredited program. The courses may be part of an undergraduate or a master’s preparatory program and cover the following areas of knowledge as defined by ASHA.

• Minimum 3.0 GPA for undergraduate units
• Minimum 3.0 GPA for speech pathology coursework

Prerequisite courses for the MS-SLP program are required for applicants without an undergraduate degree in SLP or Communication Sciences and Disorders. Applicants must have a C or better in the prerequisite courses, which include:

• Introduction to Communicative Disorders
• Phonetics
• Speech & Language Development
• Anatomy & Physiology of Speech and Hearing Mechanism
• Introduction to Audiology / Hearing Science
• Child and/or Adolescent Development
• Neuroscience

AHSA requires:

• Biological Science
• Social / Behavioral Science
• Physical Science
• Statistics

The admissions essay is an opportunity for you to convey what you want the admissions committee to know about you. Keep in mind, we will not be able to interview all applicants; thus, the essay is an important step in the admissions process.

Three letters of recommendation are required as part of the application process. We suggest the letters come from individuals who can attest to your academic abilities and potential to succeed in a rigorous graduate program.

The interview will be an opportunity for the program faculty and staff to get to know you and for you to get to know us as well. You will be asked a series of questions about your experiences and will complete a timed writing exercise.

You must have a Certificate of Clearance, issued by the State of California, or hold one of several California credentials. To apply for the Certificate of Clearance, download the checklist online. It contains directions for the Certificate of Clearance application and fingerprint form and a list of agencies that perform the livescan service. Note that the required FBI and DOJ review usually incurs additional fees. If you have been convicted of any violation other than a minor traffic offense, clearance may take up to two months. A criminal record may preclude you from getting clearance.