Admissions

Download as PDF

Jump to section

The College of Health Sciences Speech-Language Pathology Program considers admission of those applicants who demonstrate academic and clinical aptitude coupled with professionalism. A competitive admissions framework is implemented to select program candidates. Each file is evaluated by a faculty committee using a specific program rubric.

The Midwestern University Speech-Language Pathology Program uses the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS) for students applying to the program. Applicants should submit all materials by March 1, 2025 in order to be considered (http://www.capcsd.org/csdcas). Please refer to the CSDCAS website for instructions on submission of application materials.

The Speech-Language Pathology Program operates on a rolling admissions cycle. Completed applications are reviewed throughout the cycle to determine applicant eligibility for interviews. Interviews are typically conducted during the winter and spring quarters. Admissions decisions are generally made within one month of the interview. The Program does not accept students who transfer from another Speech-Language Pathology Program.

Admission Requirements

The SLP Program offers incoming students the opportunity to matriculate into one of two different tracks: Traditional Track and Leveling Track. The Leveling Track is for students with baccalaureate degrees in an area other than Communication Sciences and Disorders and/or for those who lack the starred SLP-specific prerequisite coursework included below. Admissions requirements for each track are detailed below.

Traditional and Part-Time Track

Individuals applying for admission to the College of Health Sciences Speech-Language Pathology Program must submit documentation of the following minimum requirements before the academic year commences for the incoming class: 

  1. Completion of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution in Communication Sciences and Disorders, inclusive of the courses listed below, or 
  2. Completion of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution in an area other than Communication Sciences and Disorders with completion of a specified sequence of prerequisite coursework including all of the following:
    • Anatomy and Physiology of Communication Mechanisms *
    • Phonetics *
    • Speech and Language Development *
    • Speech and Hearing Science *
    • Statistics
    • One course each in biological sciences, physical sciences, and social sciences
  3. Minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Grades of C or better for prerequisite courses; grades of C- are not acceptable.
  4. Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the undergraduate major.
  5. Oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues.
  6. Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can comment on academic, clinical, and professional experiences of the applicant.
  7. A completed CSDCAS application.
  8. Commitment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
  9. Passage of the Midwestern University criminal background check.

Leveling Track

Individuals who completed a baccalaureate degree in an area other than Communication Sciences and Disorders and/or who do not meet the minimum requirements for the Traditional Track may apply for admission to the College of Health Sciences Speech-Language Pathology Program Leveling Track.  To select this track, individuals must designate this option during the application process and submit documentation of the following minimum requirements before the academic year commences for the incoming class:

Completion of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution in an area other than Communication Sciences and Disorders with completion of prerequisite coursework in the following areas:

  1. Completion of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution in an area other than Communications Sciences and Disorders with completion of the following prerequisite coursework in each of the following areas:  Statistics, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences and Social Sciences.
  2. Completion of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution in an area other than Communication Sciences and Disorders with completion of a specified sequence of prerequisite coursework including all of the following:
    • Statistics
    • One course each in biological sciences, physical sciences, and social sciences
  3. Minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Grades of C or better for prerequisite courses; grades of C- are not acceptable.
  4. Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the undergraduate major.
  5. Oral and Written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues.
  6. Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can comment on academic, clinical, and professional experiences of the applicant.
  7. A completed CSDCAS application.
  8. An interview with faculty (invitation only).
  9. During the interview day, write an essay given a clinical writing prompt (for interview candidates only).
  10. Commitment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
  11. Passage of the Midwestern University criminal background check.

Application Process and Deadlines

To be considered for admission to the Speech-Language Pathology Program, applicants must submit the following to the Office of Admissions: 

  1. CSDCAS Application
    Applicants are required to submit their applications to CSDCAS at http://www.capcsd.org/csdcas by March 1. Please refer to the CSDCAS application instructions for specific details about completing the application, required documents, and processing time. Due to the large number of applications and the limited number of seats available, applicants are encouraged to complete their CSDCAS application early in the cycle. An advantage of a centralized application service is that students can monitor the status of their applications online. 
  2. Letters of Recommendation
    Applicants are required to submit a minimum of two letters of recommendation to CSDCAS (http://www.capcsd.org/csdcas). The Office of Admissions will accept only letters of recommendation received via CSDCAS. Letters should be contributed from professors, speech-language pathologists, or other professionals with whom the applicant has interacted. They should address academic, clinical and professional qualities that will contribute to the applicant's readiness for graduate study. Please refer to the CSDCAS application instructions for specific guidelines and requirements for submitting letters of recommendation.
  3. Completed Applications
    The Office of Admissions will send letters verifying receipt of completed CSDCAS applications to applicants who meet the minimum cumulative GPA requirement of 3.00. The letters will include instructions for checking the status of the required application materials online. Applicants are responsible for tracking the receipt of their application materials and ensuring the submission of all required documents. Only applicants who submit complete application packages will be considered for potential entrance into the Program.

Please note: Applicants are responsible for notifying the Office of Admissions of any changes in their mailing address or email address. All application withdrawal requests must be made in writing via e-mail, fax, or letter to:

Midwestern University 
Office of Admissions 
555 31st St. 
Downers Grove, IL 60515 
Fax: 630/971-6086 
admissil@midwestern.edu 

Interview and Selection Process

When applicants are considered eligible for interviews after review of their completed files, they will be notified of available interview dates and invited by the Office of Admissions to schedule an on-campus or virtual interview.  

A typical interview day involves participation in the following activities coordinated by the Office of Admissions: an interview with two department faculty, lunch with current Midwestern University students, a campus tour, and consultations with counselors from the Office of Admissions and the Office of Financial Aid.

During interview sessions, department faculty will engage students in conversation regarding topics relevant to educational or healthcare settings. Students will also be asked to provide a writing sample in response to a clinical prompt. Interview and writing sample responses will be evaluated using rubrics established for this purpose. Prospective students' applications, interviews, and writing samples are evaluated using rubrics that were developed by the SLP Program. The Admissions Committee, which includes the Program Director, makes decisions for action with oversight from the Dean of the College of Health Sciences. The Dean, via the Office of Admissions, notifies applicants in writing of the admission 
action/decision.

The Dean of the College of Health Sciences may recommend for an interview, applicants who meet the Program’s minimum requirements for which they are applying (e.g. children of alumni, faculty, or staff). These applicants are not guaranteed admission into a Program and will have their application reviewed similarly to other applicants being considered for acceptance. All admissions decisions are made by the program Admissions Committee.

Reapplication Process

Students who receive denial or end-of-cycle letters may reapply for the following year's admissions cycle. Before reapplying, however, individuals contemplating reapplication should seek the advice of an admissions counselor. To initiate the reapplication process, prospective students must complete and submit a new application and proceed through the standard application process.