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Graduate School Information

Applying to graduate school can be overwhelming at times. In order to become a Speech-Language Pathologist, it is necessary to earn a master's degree and in order to become an Audiologist, it is necessary to earn an Au.D. Finding the appropriate program that meets your needs requires the right tools and and information.

Tips from Dr. Jay Singer, University Department Chair

Each fall, Dr. Jay Singer, the Departmental Chair of the University of Rhode Island’s Communicative Disorders program, meets with the students of URISSLHA to go over the process of applying to graduate school, choosing a program, what to look for in a program, questions to ask when applying to a program and what to include in your personal essay. This meeting is very informative and provides an excellent understanding of what is to be expected in the application process. Here is a brief summary of the main points from past meetings.

Application Process

Taking the GRE or the MAT (either one for the University of Rhode Island) is required.

2 letters of recommendation from faculty.

Personal essay

Fill-out an application

Pace yourself it cannot be accomplished in one day.

Choosing a Program

Visit the schools to get a first-hand look at the school and the program

Work on narrowing down the choices by paying attention to what impresses you and what does not impress you about each program.

Ask specific, direct questions from faculty and students in order to receive direct honest answers. Example:

Q: How do you like the program at this university?

A: It’s a good program. (Vague)

A more direct question will result in more information and a more accurate portrayal of the university. For example:

Q: How has the program changed since you have been working at this university?

Note how you are treated at the university visit. How much time is spent with you? Who is willing to speak with you? Does the director speak with you or does someone else? All of these actions reflect on how the program, the university and the faculty view the students.

The Essay

Again be direct. Avoid wordiness and personal stories about why you want to work as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist. State what you have done and what you plan to accomplish in graduate school.

Other Resources

ASHA has dedicated a portion of its website to graduate schools. Select a state and it will give a list of accredited university programs. Visit http://www.asha.org or go directly to http://www.professional.asha.org/academic/guide.cfm.

Gradschools.com is a general graduate school site. To search for speech-language pathology or audiology programs in a particular region or state, look under the medical, biomedical and health related programs category. Visit http://www.gradschools.com.