Admissions

Application for admission is accomplished in two separate stages: application to the NAU Office of Graduate and Professional Studies (OGPS) and application through the Central Application System (CSDCAS).

Who gets in?

The full-time track and summer track cohort sizes range from 30-40 students.

Here’s who we accepted in 2024:

Application process

It is strongly recommended that you submit your full application package well before the deadline.

CSD Student Application Checklist:

1. Check eligibility requirements for graduate program of interest.
2. Apply to the NAU OGPS.
3. Apply to CSDCAS

Application materials to be submitted to CSDCAS include:

1. A personal essay that addresses the prompt “What are your reasons for pursuing a Master’s degree in Clinical Speech-Language Pathology and how does Northern Arizona University’s graduate program align with your personal and professional interests?”
2. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. This includes transcripts from any foreign institution taken as part of a study abroad program.
   • Official transcripts must be sent directly to CSDCAS from the colleges or universities to:
   • CSDCAS Transcript Processing Center
     PO Box 9113
     Watertown, MA 0247
   • Please note: Official transcripts are not required for the NAU OGPS at the time of applying.
3. 3 letters of recommendation. Please note: requests for letters from CSD faculty should take place no later than Oct. 1 to allow sufficient time for letter development.
   • Full-time track applicants: at least two letters from CSD faculty are strongly recommended for students applying to the Full-time track.
   • Full-time leveler track applicants: at least two letters from academic faculty are strongly recommended for students applying to the Leveler track.
   • Summer track applicants: at least one letter from an SLP supervisor or other employer should be included for students applying to the Summer track.

Foundational and Prerequisite Course Requirements

The ASHA 2020 Standards (IV-A) require that applicants for the Certificate of Clinical Competence must have demonstrated knowledge of the biological sciences, physical sciences, statistics, and the social/behavioral sciences. At the time of program admission, you must have at least one 3-credit course in each of the following areas:

• Biological Sciences (human or animal sciences for Biology majors, e.g., biology, human anatomy & physiology, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, human genetics, and veterinary science). The introductory course for Biology majors (BIO 181 in Arizona universities) will meet this requirement. Lab not required.
• Physical Sciences (physics or chemistry). Lab not required. No longer allowed: Astronomy, archaeology, forestry, geology, earth and environmental science.
• Social/Behavioral Sciences (psychology, sociology, anthropology or public health).
• Statistics (course with “statistics” in the title). Not allowed: Research methodology.

Prerequisite Course Content Area Requirements:

• Phonetics
• Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Language
• Language Development in Children
• Speech Science
• Hearing Science
• Neurological Foundations of Speech, Language and Hearing (If not previously taken, this course will be integrated into your graduate program of study.)
• Survey of Audiology

The title of an equivalent course should contain the same key word(s) as those in the descriptive titles above.

GPA

Applicants generally should have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. Grades of  “C” or below in prerequisite courses are not competitive and you may want to re-take those courses.

Registering for Prerequisite Courses at NAU

Refer to the Registrar’s web page for calendars and course schedules by semester. You may apply for admission to NAU as either a degree-seeking or a non-degree-seeking student at either the undergraduate or graduate level. Note: “non-degree-seeking” status may limit your financial aid opportunities and how many classes you can take each semester; refer to the admissions office or your financial aid officer for specific restrictions related to a non-degree-seeking status.

International students

International applicants must contact the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies (OGPS) before applying.