Program Admission
Admit Terms and Deadlines
Students may start the program in the Fall or Winter.
Fall Deadline (January 15), Winter Deadline (Last Friday in June)
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
A four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent degree from a non-U.S. institution. In addition, a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required for full admission. See International Admissions for international applicant requirements.
Program Requirements
Applicants must also meet the following program requirements:
- Provide a Personal Essay. The personal essay must address the following.
- Tell us about what influenced your decision to enter the Communication Sciences and Disorders field. (word limit: 250)
- What about our program at EMU interests you? (word limit: 250)
- Describe a challenging academic/professional situation and how you resolved it. (word limit: 250)
- What should we know about your background, identity, or learner experiences that are not evident from your transcript? (word limit: 250)
- Provide a CV/Resume (1-2 pages).
- Submit three letters of recommendation.
International Applicants
International students applying to the communication sciences and disorders master’s program must demonstrate adequate English proficiency by submitting an official score report received directly from the following test agencies with acceptable scores no more than two years old. (See below). Applicants must achieve a total score on the TOEFL iBT of 94 or greater across all categories (i.e., reading, listening, speaking, writing) or a total score on the IELTS of 7 or greater across all categories (i.e., reading, listening, speaking, writing).
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Categories
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TOEFL iBT
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IELTS
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Reading
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22
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6.5
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Listening
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22
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6.5
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Speaking
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26
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8
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Writing
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24
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6.5
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TOTAL SCORE
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94
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7
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Application
Your application will be submitted using CSDCAS, a Centralized Application Service (CAS) hosted by Liaison. After reviewing the admission requirements, please review the application instructions and select the appropriate application. The application may be accessed for fall starting on the second Thursday in July and winter on December 1st.
Domestic Applicants Within the application, follow the instructions to submit an official transcript from all previously attended institutions.
International Applicants Before applying, applicants must review the international application/process deadlines at emich.edu/international as they may differ from general program requirements.
For additional information regarding the application process, please see Graduate Admissions or International Admissions.
Foundation Courses
Students without an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders must also take the following courses. These courses can not be used to satisfy graduate degree requirements and will not appear on a graduate transcript.
Degree Requirements: 60-61 hours
Students must satisfy the following requirements to earn a degree in this program:
- All candidates must meet the clinical and academic requirements for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) certification before receiving their degrees.
- All candidates must complete a minimum of 60 hours of approved graduate credit. Students may apply up to six hours of transfer credit toward the 60 hours required for this degree with advisor approval.
The following courses are offered to students to complete the master’s degree program and are considered a standard program of study. Students who transfer from other universities should consult their academic advisor concerning equivalencies.
Required Courses: 46 hours
Students must earn a minimum grade of “B-” in all of the following courses.
Clinical Practicum Courses: 6 hours
Students must earn a minimum grade of “B” in all of the following courses.
Capstone Experience: 2-3 hours
Choose one course from the following.
Department Exit Requirements
The department will ensure that every student completes the following at the conclusion of their program.
- Submit a completed ASHA application to the advisor.
- Submit copies of all clinical practica logs to the advisor.
Teaching Certification (Optional)
Students may elect to pursue teaching certification.
Students choosing to do so and selecting Elementary Certification must complete a second major in Liberal Arts for Elementary Education. Also, those selecting Elementary Certification must pass the “Elementary Education” certification test, #103. Students selecting Secondary Certification must select a teachable minor from the approved list. See the undergraduate catalog for additional information.
Note - This is a requirement if the student has not already completed a major or minor appropriate to the level of certification sought during the completion of their bachelor’s degree.
Endorsement/Approval Sequence
Students must be free from administrative or academic probation before an internship or practicum experience is approved. The endorsement sequence is independent of a degree program. Completing the minimum degree requirements does not guarantee endorsement, and the completion of endorsement requirements does not result in the awarding of a degree.
Critical Graduation Information
Each graduate student is responsible for fulfilling the requirements or equivalents of the Eastern Michigan University catalog in force at the time of their initial registration or a subsequent catalog, including the one in effect at the time of their graduation.
Master’s degree requirements must be completed within six (6) years of first enrollment in the master’s degree program.
In the event a student does not complete the master’s degree requirements within six years of the date of their original registration, the student may be required to have their credits re-evaluated by the academic department(s) of their degree in keeping with catalog requirements in force during the year of their graduation.
The following are minimum requirements for all master’s degrees awarded by Eastern Michigan University. Some programs require more than the minimum in one or more areas below.
- A master’s degree must require a minimum of 30 credit hours.
- No more than six credits of independent study courses and no more than 12 credit hours of special topics and independent study courses combined may be applied to a graduate degree.
- Residency Requirement:
- For students admitted to master’s degree programs of 36 or fewer required hours, at least 24 new graduate hours beginning the semester of acceptance and enrollment into the degree program must be earned at EMU. The remaining program requirement hours may be met through transfer or prior degree credit (EMU or elsewhere).
- For students admitted to master’s degree programs of 37 or more required hours, at least 30 new graduate hours beginning the semester of acceptance and enrollment into the degree program must be earned at EMU. Minimum degree hours must still be met for graduation. The remaining program requirement hours may be met through transfer or prior degree credit (EMU or elsewhere).
- Residency and enrollment in multiple programs: Students enrolled in multiple master’s/specialist degree programs must have 24 unique credit hours in each degree program.
- Only credits from one completed graduate certificate may be applied to a master’s or specialist degree in a relevant field of study, as determined by the Graduate School and with the approval of the degree-granting academic department, and be included in the residency hours above.
- Students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA in all graduate-level courses taken at EMU and in their program of study to remain in good academic standing and be eligible for graduation. Students do not need to be registered for classes during the semester of graduation.
- The Graduate School does not permit the use of undergraduate courses (499 and below) to meet degree requirements on graduate programs of study.
- Some master’s programs require a thesis; others require a special project or internship; others require students to pass a final exam. See the Graduate School website for Thesis and Dissertation Manuals, all forms, and information about research and human subject approval. Every completed thesis or dissertation must be submitted to Digital Commons. Any form of graduate student work submitted to Digital Commons must first be approved by a faculty advisor and the Graduate School.
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