Application and Admission

APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOR ADMISSION TO THE GRADUATE PROGRAM IN COMMUNICATION DISORDERS

The Department of Communication Disorders offers a program leading to the Master of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Applications are accepted from prospective students with bachelor's degrees in any field of study.  The completion of undergraduate courses in communication disorders is not required in order to apply to the Master's program.  Students who are admitted to the program will meet with the program adviser early in the summer to design a planned program of study that will include any undergraduate prerequisite courses that have not yet been completed.

All application materials must be received by the February 15th prior to enrollment. An applicant's file will not be considered until it is complete. Applications completed after the deadline will be retained for consideration for the following year if the applicant makes this request in writing by April 1.  Incomplete applications are not retained.

Accepted students begin their studies in the fall semester. Students who have  completed all of the required prerequisite coursework will be offered the option of beginning courses in the summer following admission, space allowing.

The following materials must be submitted (print checklist).

To the School of Graduate Studies:

• The Graduate school application and fee (online submission or contact the Graduate School Office, 203-392-5240 for a paper application)

To the Department of Communication Disorders by mail:

• The CMD admissions application - 1) complete application online; 2) save application; 3) send as attachment to mcmahonp1@southernct.edu along with resume; 4) send signed application to address on form.
• Three letters of recommendation attesting to professional promise and academic ability.  Recommendations from professors are encouraged, although not required.
• A 250- to 300-word essay written by the applicant related to a personal challenge demonstrating initiative, leadership and/or problem solving skills (mail in).

To BOTH the Graduate School AND the Department of Communication Disorders originals of all of the following:

• Official undergraduate and graduate degree transcripts from all accredited colleges or universities attended. A total undergraduate degree quality point ratio of 3.0 or higher is required. Any transcripts submitted from education completed outside the United States must be evaluated by an appropriate accrediting agency (e.g. World Education Service, WES) in order to equate credits and grades with United States standards.
• Recent scores obtained on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing sections.
• Evidence of passing the state mandated PRAXIS I skills examination in mathematics, reading, and writing or a PRAXIS I Waiver from Educational Testing Services (ETS). Please refer to the section entitled "Admission to Teacher Certification Programs" in the beginning of the SCSU Graduate Catalog under "Application and Admission" for additional information.
•  All students for whom English is not their first language must submit recent scores of at least 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Follow guidelines regarding who should take the TOEFL.
  
  

Admissions decisions are made on a competitive basis. By April 1, letters are mailed to applicants indicating that they have been accepted, wait-listed or rejected. Accepted students have two weeks to reply before their admission status will be revoked. Letters of acceptance or rejection will then be mailed to wait-listed applicants.

All students accepted to the Communication Disorders Program must interview with the Graduate Program Director at the time of program planning during the spring or summer following admissions. They must subsequently be formally admitted by the School of Graduate Studies upon final review of transcripts and application materials in order to finalize the admissions process.

Contact information and mailing addresses:

Graduate School:
Southern Connecticut State University School of Graduate Studies
501 Crescent Street 
Engleman Hall, B-110 
New Haven, CT 06515 
Phone: (203) 392-5240

CMD Department:
Department of Communication Disorders/Admissions Committee 
Southern CT State University
501 Crescent Street 
Davis Hall B-012 
New Haven, CT 06515 
Phone: 203-392-5954 Fax: 203-392-5968

For further information contact: Dr. Mary Purdy, Chairperson of Admissions Committee, telephone, 203-392-5959 or via email, at purdym1@southernct.edu.

NOTE: PLEASE BE AWARE THAT IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH APPLICANT TO CONTACT BOTH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION DISORDERS AND THE GRADUATE SCHOOL IN ORDER TO VERIFY THAT ALL REQUIRED MATERIALS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED.

Forms:

• Application checklist
  
• Printable application instructions
• Recommendation form (mail in)
• Department application (complete online and mail in)
• Graduate school application (complete and submit online)
• Praxis I Application Form (mail to CT Department of Education)
• Praxis I Waiver Criteria