Communication Sciences and Disorders Residential Graduate Program

Please note the following dates if you are applying for the 2025 cohort:

• July 15, 2024 - Application Process Opens
• January 15, 2025 - Application Deadline
• September 2025 - New Residential Cohort Starts

More detailed information on the application process can be found in the accordions below. 

• This is a full-time residential program with students admitted as a cohort and beginning in fall semester.
• All coursework and clinical experiences are completed over a two-year period plus the intervening summer session.
• All students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and successfully complete a comprehensive examination prior to graduation.
• Successful completion of our ASHA accredited, full-time residential graduate program culminates in a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders.
• We also prepare students to meet requirements for ASHA certification, Wisconsin public school license, and Wisconsin state license.

More detailed information can be found by selecting the accordions below. 

• This is a full-time residential program
• All coursework and clinical experiences are completed over a two-year period plus the intervening summer session.
• Students earn a total of 54 graduate credits: 40 credits of coursework and 14 credits of clinical practicum.
• You must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 to remain in good standing.
• All graduate students must successfully complete a comprehensive examination prior to graduation.
• Students are admitted as a cohort and move through the program together.
• Each semester of the graduate program students enroll in clinical experiences, either in our state of the art Center for Communication Disorders or at one of our many off-campus practicum sites.
• Some students may need to register for additional credits in order to meet ASHA and/or state credentialing standards. This additional coursework may include human or animal biology, chemistry or physics, psychology/human development, statistics, neurology, sign language, aural rehabilitation, guided clinical observation (during which you earn 25 observation hours), and assessment and treatment for: voice disorders, articulation/phonological disorders, and child & adolescent language disorders. Students with course deficiencies are welcome to apply to our graduate program, but must understand that additional coursework will be required before beginning the program and/or during the course of the program.
• For additional information refer to the current CSD Residential Graduate Program Handbook below.

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire knows that communication is a fundamental human right. In the UWEC, CSD program, we work to create equitable access to communication across the broad range of people we serve. Further, we strive to recruit and retain graduate students who reflect the demographics of the populations we serve, across a variety of backgrounds and identities. We believe an ideal candidate for our graduate program is one who has foundational knowledge that they transfer into their grad studies. They should show initiative and self-directed behaviors while still seeking mentorship and embracing supervision and feedback. They should approach problems systematically, with good insight into their own strengths and means to compensate for relative areas of challenge. They can seek out appropriate resources from peers, faculty, and their own developed set of systematically organized resources. They bring forward, nurture, and acknowledge their own diverse experiences and those of others, and understand the importance of these diverse experiences as critical to the therapeutic process and fundamental to effective human interactions. They interact and communicate across a wide range of peers, staff and clients, and families in a way that supports the intervention process and promotes an effective working relationship.

At UWEC, we value rich experiences and lifelong learning. Our application process considers experience, personal attributes, and key academic metrics. We expect our graduate students to become excellent SLPs, collaborative leaders, and wise and humble citizens of the world. Given the admissions philosophy of the UWEC program, the following information is provided to guide prospective candidates in the application process.

Minimum Criteria to Apply

• Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university.
• A minimum GPA of 3.25 in CSD coursework.
• A minimum of 30 CSD semester credits or a bachelor's degree in CSD must be earned by the beginning of your graduate program (see post-baccalaureate sequence link below).
  • These credits must include college-level coursework in each of the following five areas:
    • Anatomy & Physiology of Speech & Hearing Mechanism
    • Speech & Hearing Science
    • Language Development
    • Phonetics
    • Audiology
  • The 30 minimum credits must also include at least 3 of the following 6 courses or courses that are equivalent 
    NOTE: overview or “survey” disorders courses, or courses designed exclusively for SLPA training are not accepted: 
    • Speech-Sound Disorders
    • Child Language Disorders
    • Voice & Resonance Disorders
    • Aural Rehabilitation
    • Clinical Methods/Procedures (with 25 hours of guided observation)
    • Neurology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism
  • Additional CSD coursework required for our graduate program:
    • Sign Language

Additional Information

• The required prerequisite coursework for our program totals 38 credits. Although only 30 are required for admission to the graduate program, if not completed prior to entry into the graduate program, the remaining courses must be taken during graduate school.
• Appropriate disorders courses must cover content in both assessment and intervention. Determination of course equivalency to the required courses listed above is made by the department chairperson and graduate program coordinator. 
  NOTE: Disorders coursework designed specifically for an SLP assistant program may not be sufficient.

Post-Baccalaureate Sequence

Essential Functions

Application Instructions

All application materials are due to CSDCAS by January 15, 2025 (including letters of recommendation and transcripts). Applications that are incomplete after this date will not be reviewed. It is your responsibility to meet this deadline. It is STRONGLY recommended that the applicant submit their portion of the application and pay their CSDCAS fee, along with completing the UWEC general grad school application before January 15 (though that is not required). Submitting before January 15 allows the review process to begin. Your letters of recommendation and transcripts can then meet up with your application on or before January 15 for the file review to be concluded. Specifically, follow these steps:

1. Complete all steps in the CSDCAS application. Please submit your application as soon as you have completed your sections. Letters of recommendation and transcripts may arrive after you click "submit" (and pay your fee) and will be added to your application as they are received. [NOTE: In addition to entering all completed coursework from your transcripts in your CSDCAS application, you must also list any planned or in-progress coursework. Failure to do this will cause your application to appear incomplete and suggest you have deficiencies that will penalize your candidacy.]
2. Once your CSDCAS application is fully complete (i.e., you have submitted your application, paid your CSDCAS fee, and letters of recommendation and transcripts are received), you will receive an email from UWEC which will direct you to create an account with the University and pay your $56 UWEC Grad School application fee. Failure to follow-through with this step will cause your CSDCAS application to halt.
3. Students interested in applying for a graduate assistantship: Complete an online application. The personal essay and letters of recommendation submitted to CSDCAS will be used to support your assistantship application.

IMPORTANT: Do not mail any application materials, transcripts, or letters of recommendation to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire or the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. All materials are submitted with your CSDCAS application. Not following this direction may result in an incomplete application that will not be reviewed.

An additional tool to help you keep track of the application process is the Application Checklist. It is attached below for your reference. Use this checklist to make sure you have completed all of the steps in the application process. The checklist includes links to all of the websites and documents you need in order to complete your application.
Application Checklist Residential

Questions:
If you have any questions or concerns about the application process, please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator.

Application Evaluation Criteria - Our Holistic Review Promise

A faculty committee will evaluate your application holistically. We use our application materials to measure candidates across the following collection of attributes:

• Academic excellence
• Communication skills across various contexts, language, dialects
• Problem-solving and critical thinking
• Self-awareness and understanding of self
• Cognitive and affective empathy
• Sensitivity and respect for all
• Effective response to feedback
• Leadership abilities
• Resilience in the presence of challenge or conflict

How Your Application Will Be Evaluated

1. Three letters of recommendation.
   You should choose letter writers who know you well and can speak to how your academic skills, any research experience, personal characteristics, and/or life experiences align you with being a strong match for a rigorous, online graduate program and (ultimately) becoming an SLP. At least one letter of recommendation needs to be from a faculty member who knows you academically within communication sciences and disorders. We will evaluate letters from individuals in other academic programs and letters from non-academic sources such as supervisors at your place of employment. These letter writers should be sure to highlight your exceptional personal characteristics and life, clinical, academic, community, and/or leadership experiences. Please note, do not utilize letters of recommendation from relatives or close friends. Only three letters will be reviewed.
2. Your written response.
   You will be asked to address three specific prompts in one essay. We are looking for your responses related to all of the following:
   • Prompt #1—Personal Response
     Prepare your personal response by writing on three or four of the attributes in the list below. Use specific examples (e.g., lived experiences, personal traits, accomplishments, etc.) to illustrate how these will support your success within our graduate program and the field of speech-language pathology.
     • Communication skills across various contexts, language, dialects
     • Problem-solving and critical thinking
     • Self-awareness and understanding of self
     • Cognitive and affective empathy
     • Sensitivity and respect for all
     • Effective response to feedback
     • Leadership abilities
     • Interest and ability to accurately acknowledge relevant weaknesses and interest in cultivating/improving these areas
     • Resilience in the presence of conflict or challenge
   • Prompt #2—Communication as a Human Right
      In 1948 the United Nations declared communication as a fundamental human right. Follow this link and scroll down to find the UWEC, CSD statement on communication as a fundamental human right. Choose one or two elements from the website language that resonates with you. Write about how you envision moving forward to be a graduate student and (later) a speech-language pathologist who embraces these selected concepts.
   • Prompt #3—Clinical Application Response
     You are assigned to work with Sammy who is eight years old and has errors on the /r/, /l/, and /s/ sounds in all contexts. Sammy’s parent is confrontational with you during the initial session, letting you know that they are confused by the approach and frustrated with you letting Sammy play games during the session. Discuss how you will respond to the parent to build collaboration and elicit participation.
3. Your CSD GPA.
   You can review the published information on GPA averages for our recently admitted cohort. Your written response (described above) is a place where you can explain any discrepancies between your GPA and your knowledge, skills, dispositions, and experiences that you believe make you an excellent match for our graduate program and for becoming an SLP.

Additional Information
Successful completion of our ASHA accredited, full-time residential graduate program culminates in a Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. We also prepare students to meet requirements for ASHA certification, Wisconsin public school license, and Wisconsin state license. All coursework and clinical experiences are completed over a two-year period plus the intervening summer session. All students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and successfully complete either a comprehensive exam or a master's thesis research project.

International Student or Reapplying to our residential program? See instructions on our UW-Eau Claire webpage: UWEC CSD Residential Grad Program.

• Number of completed applications received - 136
• Average overall GPA of admitted students - 3.7
• Average major (CSD courses) GPA of admitted students - 3.99

Financial Aid

• The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire offers financial assistance to graduate students.
• The "Financial Aid Year" consists of terms Fall/Spring/Summer. If you are accepted to the program and plan to apply for financial assistance, you will need to have filed a FAFSA for the academic year you begin the program.
• Once you begin the graduate program, financial aid will apply to graduate-level classes only; costs for any remaining pre-requisite classes taken at the undergraduate level will not be included in your financial aid award. Contact the financial aid office to discuss options for financial aid in semesters when you must take additional undergraduate/pre-requisite coursework.
• Admitted students are advised to contact the Office of Financial Aid directly at finaid@uwec.edu (recommended), or call 715-836-3373, regarding potential adjustments for travel expenses and Winterim classes.

Graduate Scholarships

• Applicants who have been invited into our graduate cohort and accept admission will be eligible to apply for several CSD scholarships that are available to our first-year graduate students. Additional CSD scholarships and Foundation Fellowships are also available for the second/third year of your program. More information about financial aid for graduate students is available on our Financial Opportunities for Graduate Students site: Financial Opportunities for Graduate Students.
• Opportunities include:
  • UWEC Graduate Student Foundation Fellowships
  • Graduate Assistantships
  • Advanced Opportunity Program (AOP) Grants
  • Tuition Remission or Reduced Tuition

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology residential and distance education at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700, and is approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Wisconsin is a SARA state (State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement) and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is a SARA-approved institution.

"The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement is an agreement among member states, districts and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. It is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state." http://nc-sara.org/

Important Notice to Students: If you are considering an online academic program that leads to a professional license, it is highly recommended you contact the appropriate licensing agency in the state where you plan to apply for your license before beginning your academic program. SARA does not provide reciprocity for state professional licensing requirements. Academic programs and individual graduates must meet standards set by that state's licensure requirements in order for a graduate to be eligible for a license.

The SARA provision for this requirement can be found on pg. 10 herein: http://nc-sara.org/content/faqs

The Communication Sciences & Disorders graduate program at UW‐Eau Claire prepares students for licensure in the state of Wisconsin. Students work collaboratively with the program director during their program to be certain they will complete ready for  licensure in all other states.

For applicants reapplying to our residential graduate program:

1. Complete an application at Communication Science and Disorders Centralized Application Services (CSDCAS): Communication Science and Disorders Centralized Application beginning July 15, 2024. Follow the instructions on the CSDCAS website for re-applicants. The deadline for receipt of all materials is January 15, 2025 at 10:59 pm CST. It is your responsibility to meet the deadline requirements. Contact CSDCAS customer service with questions and problems: 617-612-2030 or CSDCASinfo@CSDCAS.org
2. Follow instructions on the CSDCAS site for submission of three (3) letters of recommendation. 
   At least one must come from individuals familiar with the applicant's academic or clinical performance. Previously submitted letters of recommendation will not be transferred to your new CSDCAS application.
3. Follow instructions on the CSDCAS site for submission of a personal essay. You will be asked to address specific prompts. Your previously submitted personal essay will not be transferred to your new CSDCAS application.
4. In addition to entering all completed coursework from your transcripts, we require that applicants list all planned and in-progress coursework so we can help you plan your graduate program.
5. Send all official transcripts to:  CSDCAS Verification Department | PO Box 9113 | Watertown, MA 02471. Your previously submitted official transcripts will not be transferred to your CSDCAS application.

[Note: Applicant will not have to pay the $56 application fee for the UWEC Grad School application if reapplying within one year of the initial application.]

Yes; international students can submit an application to our residential graduate program:

1. The following materials will also be required as part of the application process:
   • Evidence of English proficiency. 
     Evidence of English proficiency will be requested as part of your application. See the graduate admissions page to learn how to provide evidence of English proficiency.
   • Financial statement.
     If admitted to a graduate program, a completed financial verification form and copy of your passport will be required before immigration documents will be issued.
   • Records from the university where you received your bachelor's degree. 
     If any graduate coursework was completed, these records are also required.
   • Transcripts.
     Transcripts must be in the original language with certified English translation showing courses taken and grades assigned each year. Official records should include all exam or test results and certificates, diplomas or degrees received. Photocopies of official foreign records are acceptable if they have been certified by an authorized university, government or public official after they are made.
2. Complete an application through the Communication Science and Disorders Centralized Application Services (CSDCAS) Communication Science and Disorders Centralized Application Services (CSDCAS) beginning July 15, 2024. The deadline for receipt of all materials is January 15, 2025. Contact CSDCAS customer service with questions and problems: 617-612-2030 or CSDCASinfo@CSDCAS.org. The CSDCAS application will trigger the UWEC Grad School Application. Following those instructions when you receive them after submitting the CSDCAS application.
3. Follow instructions on the CSDCAS site for submission of three (3) letters of recommendation. At least two must come from CSD Instructors or Clinical Supervisors.
4. Follow instructions on the CSDCAS site for submitting your written response.
5. In addition to entering all completed coursework from your transcripts, we require that applicants list all planned and in-progress coursework so we can help you plan your graduate program.
6. Send all official transcripts to: CSDCAS Verification Department | PO Box 9113 | Watertown, MA 02471 USA. 
   Follow the instructions for submitting your Canadian and foreign coursework evaluation to CSDCAS. 
   We require that you submit a foreign coursework evaluation from one of the services listed on the CSDCAS website: Evaluation of French Canadian and Foreign Coursework.
   
   All application materials are due by January 15, 2025. Applications that are incomplete after this date will not be reviewed. It is your responsibility to meet the deadline requirements.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to visit our department and tour our Center for Communication Disorders. Email cdis51@uwec.edu to schedule a visit.

It is the policy of the UW-Eau Claire to maintain an academic and work environment free of discrimination, discriminatory harassment, and retaliation for all students and employees. This policy applies to all programs and activities, and employment practices and operations including the conduct of all students and employees arising out of their employment, educational or academic status, as well as to the conduct of all guests, visitors, vendors, contractors, subcontractors and others who do business with UW-Eau Claire.

Further information can be found by visiting the Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy.