A:

Where can I get additional information about the Speech-Language
Pathology Graduate Program?

Most information can be found on our website: www.wmich.edu/hhs/sppa

If you need additional clarification, contact our office at (269) 387-8045.

Q:

A:

How long does it take to complete the master’s program in speech
pathology?

For a student who has all the pre-requisite courses and attends full-time,
it typically takes 4 academic semesters and one complete summer (20 months)
to complete the masters program. Students attend during the university’s two
summer sessions during their first year. Students who elect to complete a
Masters Thesis in Speech Pathology can expect their program to take longer.
To obtain ASHA certification students also complete a clinical fellowship after
graduation.

Q:

A:

What are the average GPA/GRE scores for your incoming class?

Each fall, the department admits 30 students. The average GPA for an
incoming class is 3.6. As an admissions committee, we do not evaluate
students on total GRE Score (e.g. 1100,1350), instead we evaluate the
percentiles for each subtest (verbal, quantitative, analytic). Typical averages
for those admitted are at the 45th-50th percentile.

Q:

A:

What are the courses I have to take while in the graduate program?

The SLP graduate program is comprehensive. The curriculum is designed to
ensure students achieve competencies across all areas in the discipline.
[See sample program of study].

Q:

A:

Do I have to have a bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology to
be able to apply?

No, you can apply and, if accepted, take the required prerequisite classes that
you need before you begin the graduate program. Students with no
background coursework typically require full time course work in the Fall and
Spring semesters.

Q:

A:

Can I take undergraduate background/prerequisites courses in the
department of speech language pathology and audiology at WMU?

No. At this time you have to be admitted into the graduate program to take
background coursework There are other institutions in the state of Michigan
that do allow registration as a non-degree student. We typically accept those
courses.

Q:

A:

I’m really interested in meeting with faculty, an advisor, and seeing the
facilities. How do I schedule an appointment?

We welcome visits to our department from prospective students. Be sure to
visit the website for updates on “Graduate Advising Days” and open house
events. You can contact our department to set up an appointment (typically
available on Fridays beginning with the fall semester)

Q:

A:

What happens during a visit?

During a visit you will meet with the graduate advisor to talk about the
curriculum [academic/clinical]. You have the opportunity to ask whatever
questions you may have about the program. In addition to talking with the
advisor, a current SPPA graduate student will give you a tour of the College
of Health and Human Services building and the Unified Clinic where the
majority of your time as an SPPA student will be spent.

Q:
  
A:

When is the deadline for receiving applications?

The deadline for receiving applications is February 1st of the year you wish to
begin taking courses in the fall. For example, if you wanted to be admitted for
Fall 2011, the deadline is February 1, 2011.).

Q:

A:

Do I need to complete two applications – an application for the graduate
college? - an application from CSDCAS, see below:
 
Yes. An application to the Graduate College.  We use an online admissions
process for the departmental application [Communication Sciences/Disorders
Centralized Application Services (CSDCAS)].  Follow the link to our admissions
website for detailed information: www.wmich.edu/hhs/sppa/admissions

Q:

A:

What do I need when applying?  

• The online application (WMU Graduate College & CSDCAS)
• A personal statement of intent
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Transcripts from all previous post-secondary colleges or universities
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores

Q:

A:

Are there any other specific requirements you have for applicants?

Typically a grade point average above 3.0, a personal statement, and a
demonstrated interest in the profession, otherwise there are no specific
standards that apply. It is important that at least two of your recommendation
letters come from academic sources (professors, instructors, clinical
supervisors, etc.)

Q:

A:

How do you decide who gets admitted?

A committee evaluates different areas such as GRE scores, strength of
personal statement, grade point average (overall and in the major), strength
of recommendation letters, and any unique experiences, skills or other factors
you would bring to our program. Each applicant is assigned a total score and
rank based on the strengths of the above named areas.

Q:

A:

How many students do you usually admit into your program?

Typically we accept about 25-30 students in the speech-language pathology
program.

Q:

A:

When will acceptance letters be sent?

The first acceptance letters are sent out mid March. After that we use rolling
admissions until we have filled the incoming class.

Q:

A:

What happens if I am not admitted, but I get a wait list letter?

If a student is offered a spot on the waiting list, then he/she must indicate in
writing of the intent to do so. We use rolling admissions (beginning after April
15th) to begin filling the incoming class. As a courtesy, we ask that applicants
not contact our office with questions related to wait list status. We utilize our
ranking system to determine what students are offered admissions. Our goal
is to close the admissions pool by mid-late May.

Q:

A:

What is the admissions timeline?
                             
The application deadline is February 1st.  At that time faculty begin review
of all applications.  Admit decisions are made and accepted applicants are
notified in mid March.  After notification of acceptance to WMU, students
have until April 15th to notify the university of their intent to enroll.  After
April 15th, we begin the selection of applicants who have been given wait
list status.   Our incoming fall class is typically complete (filled) by late
May.  Shortly thereafter, we send orientation information to our newly
admitted graduate students (early June).

Q:

A:

What are the tuition costs for the graduate program?

Effective Fall 2009, in state, graduate level tuition is $401.61 per credit hour.
Out of state, $850.62 per credit hour.

Additional required fees include:
Enrollment: $343.00
Student Assessment fee: $21.00
Clinical Fee: $300.00

Q:

A:

What kinds of financial assistance do you offer?

In addition to graduate assistantships, there are several opportunities for
scholarships through the graduate college and through our department. In
addition, there are a few department jobs that pay between $10-15/hour.

*See the Graduate College website at http://www.wmich.edu/grad/ and the
financial aid website at http://www.wmich.edu/grad/funding.html for
information about applying for financial aid.

Q:

A:

How do I apply for a graduate assistantship?

There is a check box on the departmental application that asks if you would
like to be considered for departmental financial assistance. Graduate
assistantship awards will be made according to available funds and strength
of individual applications. It is also a good idea to apply for financial aid, if
applicable. Students who are offered an assistantship or a scholarship can
choose to accept or decline.

Q:

A:

What kind of work does a graduate assistant typically do?

A graduate assistant can be assigned to various jobs such as performing
literature searches for research, helping with data entry or with any other
clinical or research related jobs a professor may need. A graduate assistant
may also do general work in the department or clinic ranging from filing to
giving tours to prospective students.

Q:

A:

How much money does a graduate assistant usually get paid and how
many hours do they work?
 
A graduate assistant in our program works approximately 10 hours per week
or 150 hours per semester. Most appointments are for one academic year or
2 semesters. Awards vary and may include tuition remission with a stipend.
Current award amounts are available from the Graduate College.

A:

Where can I get additional information about the Au.D. Program?

• Most information can be found on our website:
  www.wmich.edu/hhs/sppa

• If you need additional clarification, contact our office at
  (269)387-8045.

Q:

A:

How long does it take to complete the Au.D. program?

A full-time student who has completed all the pre-requisite course work
typically finishes the formal course work for the program in two calendar
years, plus two academic semesters and one summer term, and then begins
a 12-month externship that ends just before graduation at the end of June in
the fourth year. Students are enrolled for two summer sessions during their
first, second, and third years and for the first summer session of the fourth
year. Students complete the course work, PRAXIS examination, and
externship required for ASHA certification as part of the degree program.

Q:

A:

What are the average GPA/GRE scores for your incoming class?

Each fall, the department enrolls approximately six to eight students. The
average GPA for an incoming class is approximately 3.6. The admissions
committeedoes not evaluate students on the total GRE Score (e.g., 1100
or1350), but does evaluate the percentiles for each subtest (verbal,
quantitative, analytic). Typical averages for those admitted are at the
45th-50th percentile. There is no specified cutoff score.

Q:

A:

What are the courses I have to take while in the graduate program?

The Au.D. program is comprehensive. The curriculum is designed to ensure
students achieve competencies across all areas in the discipline. [See sample
program of study].

Q:

A:

Do I have to have a bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology to
be able to apply?

No. The need for any prerequisite classes is evaluated on an individual basis.

Q:

A:

Can I take undergraduate background/prerequisites courses in the
department of speech language pathology and audiology at WMU?

No. At this time you have to be admitted into the graduate program to take
background coursework There are other institutions in the state of Michigan
that do allow registration as a non-degree student. We typically accept those
courses.

Q:

A:

I’m really interested in meeting with faculty, an advisor, and seeing the
facilities. How do I schedule an appointment?

We welcome visits to our department from prospective students. Be sure to
visit the website for updates on “Graduate Advising Days” and open house
events. You can contact our department to set up an appointment (typically
available on Fridays beginning with the fall semester)

Q:

A:

What happens during a visit?

During a visit you will meet with the graduate advisor to talk about the
curriculum [academic/clinical]. You have the opportunity to ask whatever
questions you may have about the program. In addition to talking with the
advisor, a current SPPA graduate student or faculty member will give you a
tour of the College of Health and Human Services building and the Unified
Clinic where you will spend much of your time during your first year as an
Au.D. student.

Q:
  
A:

When is the deadline for receiving applications?

The deadline for receiving applications is February 1st of the year you wish
to begin taking courses in the fall. For example, if you wanted to be admitted
for Fall 2011, the deadline is February 1, 2011).

Q:

A:

Do I need to complete two applications – an application for the department
and one for the graduate college?
 
Yes. The application process is two-fold: one application that only pertains to
the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology and an application to the
Graduate College.  We use an online admissions process for the departmental
application [Communication Sciences/Disorders Centralized Application
Services (CSDCAS)].  Follow the link to our admissions website for detailed
information:

www.wmich.edu/hhs/sppa/admissions
 

Q:

A:

What do I need when applying?  

• The online application (WMU Graduate College & CSDCAS)
• A personal statement of intent
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Transcripts from all previous post-secondary colleges or universities
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores

Q:

A:

Are there any other specific requirements you have for applicants?

Typically a grade point average above 3.0, a personal statement, and a
demonstrated interest in the profession, otherwise there are no specific
standards that apply. It is important that at least two of your recommendation
letters come from academic sources (professors, instructors, clinical
supervisors, etc.)

Q:

A:

How do you decide who gets admitted?

A committee evaluates different areas such as GRE scores, strength of
personal statement, grade point average (overall and in the major), strength
of recommendation letters, and any unique experiences, skills or other factors
you would bring to our program. Each applicant is assigned a total score and
rank based on the strengths of the above named areas.

Q:

A:

How many students do you usually admit into your program?

Typically we accept about 25-30 students in the speech-language pathology
program.

Q:

A:

When will acceptance letters be sent?

The first acceptance letters are sent out mid March. After that we use rolling
admissions until we have filled the incoming class.

Q:

A:

What happens if I am not admitted, but I get a wait list letter?

If a student is offered a spot on the waiting list, then he/she must indicate in
writing of the intent to do so. We use rolling admissions (beginning after April
15th) to begin filling the incoming class. As a courtesy, we ask that applicants
not contact our office with questions related to wait list status. We utilize our
ranking system to determine what students are offered admissions. Our goal
is to close the admissions pool by mid-late May.

Q:

A:

What is the admissions timeline?
                             
The application deadline is February 1st.  At that time faculty begin review
of all applications.  Admit decisions are made and accepted applicants are
notified in mid March.  After notification of acceptance to WMU, students
have until April 15th to notify the university of their intent to enroll.  After
April 15th, we begin the selection of applicants who have been given wait
list status.   Our incoming fall class is typically complete (filled) by late
May.  Shortly thereafter, we send orientation information to our newly
admitted graduate students (early June).

Q:

A:

What are the tuition costs for the graduate program?

Effective Fall 2009, in state, graduate level tuition is $401.61 per credit hour.
Out of state, $850.62 per credit hour.

Additional required fees include:
Enrollment: $343.00
Student Assessment fee: $21.00
Clinical Fee: $300.00

Q:

A:

What kinds of financial assistance do you offer?

In addition to graduate assistantships, there are several opportunities for
scholarships through the graduate college and through our department. In
addition, there are a few department jobs that pay between $10-15/hour.

*See the Graduate College website at http://www.wmich.edu/grad/ and the
financial aid website at http://www.wmich.edu/grad/funding.html for
information about applying for financial aid.

Q:

A:

How do I apply for a graduate assistantship?

There is a check box on the departmental application that asks if you would
like to be considered for departmental financial assistance. Graduate
assistantship awards will be made according to available funds and strength
of individual applications. It is also a good idea to apply for financial aid, if
applicable. Students who are offered an assistantship or a scholarship can
choose to accept or decline.

Q:

A:

What kind of work does a graduate assistant typically do?

A graduate assistant can be assigned to various jobs such as performing
literature searches for research, helping with data entry or with any other
clinical or research related jobs a professor may need. A graduate assistant
may also do general work in the department or clinic ranging from filing to
giving tours to prospective students.

Q:

A:

How much money does a graduate assistant usually get paid and how
many hours do they work?
 
A graduate assistant in our program works approximately 10 hours per week
or 150 hours per semester. Most appointments are for one academic year or
2 semesters. Awards vary and may include tuition remission with a stipend.
Current award amounts are available from the Graduate College.