Application Information for Graduate Programs in CSD

Thank you for your interest in our program. We offer strong academic and clinical experiences at the graduate level. Our enthusiastic, student-centered faculty care about your success.

We invite you to attend one of our Open House events for those students who will be applying to our graduate programs for a 2023 start.  Register here.

We invite you to take a virtual tour of our department and clinic.

Requirements for Admission

International applicants: Request that official evaluations of transcripts from all foreign institutions be sent to CSDCAS as follows:

Proficiency in English

Following admission to a graduate program in the CSD Department, all students complete a speech-language and hearing screening to determine if they possess the verbal and auditory skills necessary to support learning in the classroom and the ability to provide professional speech-language pathology or audiology services in the English language. If it is determined that an individual student’s English proficiency impairs his or her ability to learn, and/or provide successful diagnostic and therapeutic services to clients, the Clinic Director and the Directors of Clinical Experiences will work with the English Language Institute to identify remediations and accommodations to support the student in his/her attempt to succeed in the program.

SLP Applicants

Characteristics of a Successful Applicant

A successful applicant is one with a diverse set of skills, experiences, and perspectives. Therefore, our holistic review process values a balance between the academic strengths, participation in unique experiences, and the presence of personal and professional attributes in each applicant.

Coursework requirements for those without a degree in CSD:

Applicants who do not hold a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorder will ONLY be considered for admission if transcripts reflect a minimum of 15 hours of graded CSD coursework from a four-year institution. These hours should be completed from the following list of prerequisite information.

  • Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism (CSD 155)
  • Language Development/Disorders (CSD 175/275/321)
  • Neurobasis (CSD 210)
  • Phonetics (CSD 215)
  • Speech & Hearing Science (CSD 248/249)
  • Audiology (CSD 350)
  • Aural Rehabilitation (CSD 351)

All admitted students will need to complete content in the following areas before or during the MS program:

  • Statistics (ASHA requirement)
  • Biology (ASHA requirement)
  • Chemistry or Physics (ASHA requirement)
  • Developmental Psychology/Child Growth and Development (IL ISBE requirement)
  • Exceptional Learner (Introduction to Special Education) (IL ISBE requirement)

AUD Applications

Interview Process:

Selected applicants will be asked to travel to campus to participate in an onsite interview. On that day, applicants should expect a personal interview with two faculty members/clinical educators and a graduate student. Additional activities on the day of the interview will include a facility and campus tour, social event with faculty and clinical educators, and some time to meet with current graduate students. Selected applicants will receive further information about the planned events on interview day at later date.

Coursework requirements for those without a degree in CSD:

While not required, it is recommended that students complete course content covering the following areas prior to beginning the AuD program in the fall term.

  • CSD 249 Hearing Science
  • CSD 350 Audiology
  • CSD 351 Aural Rehabilitation

Application Deadlines

  • Application deadline is January 15th (10:59PM CST)
    • Applications must be completed and verified by this date/time.
    • This means applicants should have submitted the CSDCAS application and sent all transcripts to CSDCAS at least two weeks prior to this date to ensure adequate time for verification to occur.