Application
Thank you for your interest in the graduate program in Communication Sciences and Disorders at UMD. All graduate application materials are submitted electronically through an online application system.
Notification of a decision regarding admission to the program will be emailed to you once your application is carefully reviewed by the department admissions committee and your transcripts and any credentials (test reports, diploma copies, etc.) are authenticated by Graduate School officials. Applications are reviewed in February and you can expect a decision by early March.
United States military veterans will have their application fees waived. This process is done in the state application system.
Admission
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required for admission to the UMD Communication Sciences and Disorders graduate program.
Applicants must have the equivalent of a four-year undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) completed at an accredited institution. There is no minimum GPA requirement. The preferred GPA is an undergraduate degree GPA of 2.8 or higher (on a 4.0 scale).
Or
Applicants must have a four-year undergraduate degree in another field from an accredited institution and completed a post-baccalaureate program in CSD from an accredited institution. Applicants must have earned a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher in the post-baccalaureate program.
Required Prerequisites in the post-baccalaureate program
- Phonetics
- Anatomy/Physiology of the Speech System and Auditory System
- Speech Science (including the physics of sound and acoustic characteristics of speech)
- Language Development
- Child Language Disorders
- Articulation/Phonological Disorders
- Audiology (including hearing measurement and hearing disorders)
- Aural Rehabilitation
Considerations for International Student Applicants
International applicants must also meet the University of Minnesota Graduate School's requirement for English proficiency. International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests showing that they have met the minimum scores that are listed.
| TOEFL | IETLS | MELAB |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Key to test abbreviations (TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB).
University policy requires international applicants and domestic applicants whose native language is not English to provide proof of English language proficiency as a condition of admission. For more information please see the Graduate School website on English Language Proficiency Information.
Please note that we review graduate applications once each year and admit graduate students for fall semester ONLY.
UMD CSD graduate application statistics
Statistics on past application years. Statistics include total applications, admitted applications, rejected applications, and average GPAs.
Application process
Deadlines
January 15 at 12:00 pm (Central Time) is the application deadline. All applications must be completed by this date to be considered for admission into the program for the following fall semester. Applications that are not complete by this date WILL NOT be reviewed.
Materials
All application materials must be submitted directly to the online application system. We cannot review your application until ALL of the required materials listed below are submitted successfully.
Application Materials
Application
Required fields: Program, Term, Biographical, Personal Background, Academic History, Test Scores (English Language Proficiency Information), Employment, Materials, Recommendations, Signature sections.
Access the online application.
Learn more about application fees.
Transcript
Unofficial transcripts or academic records, including transcripts from post-baccalaureate programs, should be uploaded directly to the online application. Do not mail paper copies of your transcripts as they will not be accepted. Read the instructions and upload the unofficial transcripts in the Academic History section of the online application.
If you are admitted, the University will request official copies of this material.
More information about transcripts and credentials.
Personal Statement
A Personal Statement is required, and it should address your short term and long term academic and professional goals.
You should view your personal statement as your opportunity to explain to us how your life experiences, education, and interests have prepared you for graduate study. We encourage you to share with us how you came to the decision to pursue Speech-Language Pathology as a career and how you have overcome any challenges in making that decision. We also want to know why you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree at UMD.
Lastly, we ask that you explain to us how your personal and professional values align with the UMD CSD Department’s Mission, Vision and Strategic Plan as well as the Mission, Vision and Values of the College of Education and Human Service Professions.
Please upload the Personal Statement under the Materials Section of the online application. The Personal Statement should be limited to no more than 750 words
Diversity Statement
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association expects its members to engage across dimensions of diversity to effectively meet the needs of individuals with the full range of communication differences and disorders while demonstrating value for all individuals.
Provide a diversity statement that addresses the following questions:
What does diversity, equity and inclusion mean to you?
What experiences have shaped your perspectives on equity, diversity, and inclusion?
How will you use these experiences to enhance your graduate school learning experience and influence your future practice as a speech-language pathologist?
The Diversity Statement should be limited to no more than 750 words.
Resume
Submit a resume using the template provided.
Note: The department does not require letters of recommendation and letters of recommendation will not be reviewed.
What Happens Next?
The Review Section in the online application allows you to monitor the different parts of your application. Use this function of the online application to make sure your application is complete and submitted on time. Check the progress of your application periodically to ensure the timely completion and submission of your application BEFORE the deadline The department will NOT notify you when your application is complete. Instead, use this link to check the status of your application. your application status shows SUBMITTED, you may direct questions to [email protected].
If you have questions concerning the online application, please contact the UMD Graduate School Office directly at (218) 726-7523 or email [email protected]. Any other questions concerning your application can be directed to the UMD CSD Department by email at [email protected].