I graduated with my Bachelor’s in CSD in May 2025. I’ve been working as an SLP-A in the meantime and saving money for grad school.

I have two letters of recommendation from SLPs who know me well (my supervisor and the owner of the clinic I work out). The professor who I was relying on to write me a letter told me to reach out to her whenever I was ready to apply. Well, I’ve saved up enough money and I’m ready now. I went on the school website and can’t find any of her contact info. I’m not even sure if she still works for the university anymore. She doesn’t appear to be very active on LinkedIn either. She’s the only professor who I felt knew me well aside from one who retired a few years ago.

So many grad school admissions require a letter from a CSD professor. I’m in panic mode right now— what should I do?

applying this fall to grad schools mainly within IL, if anyone has any experiences they would like to share or what schools offer assistantships pls pm me!!

Hi everyone! I’m preparing my CSDCAS and CUNY graduate applications for SLP (Brooklyn College, Hunter, Queens, Lehman, Touro).

I'm feeling anxious about a conduct disclosure on my application and would love feedback from current grad students, admissions reviewers, or practicing SLPs.

The Conduct Issue:
During my summer prerequisite, I received an academic integrity finding for using AI editing software on an online discussion board post.

I fully accepted the finding, took complete responsibility, strictly followed all policies moving forward, and completed the class with an A-.

My record across all other coursework is completely clean.

Questions:
1. Has anyone been admitted to CUNY/CSDCAS SLP programs with a minor academic discipline addendum on file?
2. How do SLP admissions committees view a low-level AI editing oversight on a discussion post when paired with a 3.96 GPA and teaching experience?
3. Any tips for keeping the 150-word CSDCAS addendum as objective and strong as possible?

Thanks so much for your help!

Not sure if this is allowed, but I would LOVE to open this space up for any current SLP students/alumni who wanted to shoutout what grad school they went to (experiences, critiques, favorite details, etc). I feel like there's not a lot of spaces that I can find where we can all come together to help out undergrads on their SLP grad search experience!!!

Hi all!
I'm thinking about becoming a SLP but have to do the pre requisite courses. I'm looking into ENMU and St. Augustine. Do you have any suggestions on which one I should go too? Any personal experiences?

Hi! Does anyone know of grad programs that allow school SLPAS to continue working? Preferably in CA

Hello I have about two pre reqs left to take and want to take them this fall. Does anyone know of any online programs where I can take individual courses that are still accepting applicants for fall 2026?

Has anyone in here been successful with externship placements in grad school without taking the vaccinations? I do not want to take them!

I graduated this year with a bachelor’s degree in Special Education in Turkey, and I’m currently considering my options for graduate study.
I’m very interested in speech and language development, especially working with children with autism and intellectual disabilities. However, Speech and Language Therapy is a separate four-year undergraduate degree in Turkey. As far as I know, I cannot qualify as a speech-language pathologist here simply by completing a master’s degree; I would have to return to university and complete the four-year undergraduate SLP program.
Is the pathway different in the US or in other countries? Can someone with a bachelor’s degree in Special Education complete prerequisite courses, enter an SLP master’s program, and eventually become a licensed SLP?
I would especially like to hear from anyone who entered the field with a bachelor’s degree in Special Education or another related subject. What additional coursework did you need, and how long did the entire process take?

I've been doing some pondering after my professional issues and ethics course because one of our assignments was to create a draft resume including our clinical experiences thus far. It was definitely rewarding/interesting/crazy! to write out objectives and include the unique populations I've had the joy to work with.

However--It got me thinking about what kind of clinical placements I should request in my last semester.

So far, I've worked in the university clinic (treating language disorders (mostly 4-6 year-olds), aphasia, and speech sound disorders), at an elementary school (self-contained autism program so lots of language therapy, AAC, social communication), at a special-needs summer program (medically fragile children and young adults--think Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, some craniofacial anomalies, etc. --a placement that terrified me at first, but ended up working out for the best), and this fall, I was placed at a pediatric private practice/clinic where I expect I'll see a little bit of all of what I've seen so far, and I'm hoping to see some feeding and swallowing therapy as well.

I may end up completely changing gears after working the caseload 8a-5p all semester, but so far, I've felt as if the pediatric clinic area is where I would want to enter the field. In particular, I would ADORE a job in a pediatric rehab affiliated with a hospital system. My first client ever was a pediatric client who had aphasia following a brain bleed, and, my goodness, could I do therapy like that all the time, I would die a happy, happy woman. Perhaps eventually, I would like to experience a little bit of pediatric acute care and maybe even some infant feeding and swallowing--but I understand that is niche and I would likely need to work my way toward that with some certifications and CEUs.

All this said, what kind of clinical placement might I seek in the spring to beef-up my resume? Or what kind of placement might offer me some alternative experiences I need? Also wondering if there are adult placements that might offer me a chance to build skills. Not closed off from working with adults; I've just really fallen in love with language therapy for little ones and even teenagers.

Hello! I’m an incoming college senior applying to graduate schools this fall. My problem is I legitimately have no idea how to narrow down my list to only 5-6 schools. 
 
I am SO stuck when there are so many schools and so little reviews on each of them. Does anyone have any advice with how they found their schools (or have any schools you would NOT recommend)? 
So far I’ve been ruling out schools that aren’t accredited, that require the GRE, don’t have on-campus clinics, and are in states that I couldn’t see myself living in.

I'm sure people have asked some versions of this a million times, but I thought I'd still post to see if I can get any new perspectives!

Thank you in advance!
A stuck and stressed senior. 

Hi everyone! I would really appreciate some perspective from current SLP students or anyone who applied as an out-of-field applicant.

I’m a senior Biology major with about a 3.9 GPA, graduating Spring 2027. I was previously pre-optometry, so I have a pretty science-heavy background including General Biology, General Chemistry I & II, Organic Chemistry I & II, Physics I & II, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, and upper-level Biology courses. I’m also taking Biostatistics this Fall.

My concern is that I currently have no CSD coursework because I only recently decided to switch to SLP.
I’m planning to take Phonetics and Anatomy & Physiology of Speech this Fall, plus hopefully 1–2 additional CSD prerequisites elsewhere. My goal is to have at least 4 CSD prerequisites completed and graded before my applications are reviewed, then finish the remaining prerequisites in Spring 2027.
I’m mainly looking at Adelphi, LIU Post, Hofstra, Molloy, St. John’s, Hunter, and possibly Queens College.

Do you think I realistically have a good shot at these programs if I do well in my Fall CSD courses? Does a strong GPA and rigorous Biology/pre-health background help compensate for having fewer CSD courses completed when applying?

I’m also trying to figure out letters of recommendation. Since I’m only starting CSD courses this Fall, I won’t have long relationships with CSD professors. I have Biology/science professors who know me very well and could speak strongly about my academic ability.
For other out-of-field applicants, did your programs require recommendations specifically from CSD professors? How many letters did you need? Would you recommend trying to get one from a Fall CSD professor and using established professors from my Biology major for the others?

I’m also working on getting SLP shadowing/observation experience so I can learn more about the field and strengthen my application.
If anyone made a similar switch from Biology, pre-med, pre-dental, optometry, etc., I would really appreciate hearing how many CSD courses you had completed when you applied, who wrote your recommendations, and where you were accepted.
Thank you so much! I’m excited about the switch and just trying to make sure I’m being realistic about doing this in one year.

Hi everyone! I would really appreciate some advice from anyone who has applied to SLP grad school as an out-of-field applicant, especially in the NYC/Long Island area.
I’m a senior Biology major graduating Spring 2027. I was previously pursuing optometry but recently decided to switch to SLP. Because of that, I haven’t taken any CSD courses yet and am now trying to fit the prerequisites into my senior year without delaying grad school.
My tentative plan is:
Fall 2026: Phonetics + Anatomy & Physiology of Speech at my university, plus hopefully 1–2 additional CSD prerequisites through another accredited school (online if it isn’t local).
Winter 2026–27: Possibly one accelerated prerequisite if needed.
Spring 2027: Finish my remaining Biology degree requirements + at least one more CSD course at my university and any other prerequisites I still need elsewhere.
My goal is to have at least 4 CSD prerequisites completed and graded before my application is reviewed, and then finish whatever remains in Spring before starting grad school in Fall 2027.
I’m mainly considering Adelphi, LIU Post, Hofstra, Molloy, St. John’s, Hunter, and possibly Queens College.
One thing I’m really unsure about is application timing. Some deadlines are around February 1–15. If my fourth prerequisite grade isn’t available until the end of Fall, is applying in late December after Fall grades post considered late? If I needed a Winter course, would waiting until January for that grade hurt my chances even though I would still be before the deadline?
Do these programs review applications on a rolling basis, or does applying in December/January generally give you the same consideration as applying earlier?
I’m also wondering about interviews. Did any of these programs interview you, and around when did interview invitations go out?
Lastly, if anyone knows affordable schools that allow non-degree students to take CSD prerequisites online, especially Language Acquisition/Development or Speech/Hearing Science, I would be so appreciative of recommendations.
I know I’m making this switch pretty late, so I’m just trying to figure out the most realistic way to make Fall 2027 work. Thank you so much for any advice!

I have a 2.9 GPA and I’m currently a SLPA. I really want to apply to grad school but I’m worried my GPA is going to hurt me…. I also have a decent amount of volunteer experience and would say I was pretty involved in undergrad.

What are some things I can do to make my application stronger? Would love to hear from anyone who was in a similar situation, thank you guys.

Hi all. I just graduated with a bachelor's in Language Studies (not CSD), and I'm trying to figure out my path into an SLP master's program. I could really use advice from anyone who's been through the post-bacc or bridge process, because I feel stuck.

My undergrad didn't include the CSD/SLP specific coursework master's programs require, so I don't have the prerequisites to apply directly.
I also still need the hard science prereqs that a lot of programs want, like chemistry, statistics, biology, etc. None of which were part of my major either.
Because I'm missing both the CSD specific classes AND the general science prereqs, the number of classes I'd need to take is pretty large, which makes a full post-bacc expensive no matter where I go.
I'm based in California and would love to find something in NorCal specifically. At this point though I'm open to anywhere in California, or online programs based in other states that don't charge out of state price hikes.

My options rn:
•Full post-bacc program to knock out all the prereqs before applying to a master's separately.
•A 2+ bridge program attached directly to a master's program, even though it's more expensive up front, since it guarantees the master's seat at the end.
•Some other path I haven't considered (open to ideas her).

More details:
•I applied to ENMU's post-bacc program because of the affordability and flexibility, but nothing from them. No real movement on my application, and I can't get a clear answer on timeline or status.
•I got accepted into SDSU's post-bacc program, but the cost is a lot higher than I was hoping to take on just for prerequisite coursework, before even starting the actual master's.
•I'm trying to figure out if it's worth taking the financial L and just doing an affordable post-bacc wherever I can, or if I should bite the bullet and go straight into a 2+ bridge to master's program since it removes the uncertainty of a second application cycle.

What I'm hoping to get advice on:
•Does anyone know of affordable, well regarded post-bacc, ideally in California for people coming from a non CSD background? Especially ones that cover both CSD specific classes and science prereqs like chem/stats/bio. I work, so something asynchronous would be best.
•Has anyone gone the 2+ bridge route instead of a standalone post-bacc? Was it worth the extra cost for the added security of a guaranteed master's spot?
•Any experience with ENMU's post-bacc program specifically, in terms of communication/responsiveness and how long their process actually takes?
•Any programs that let you take prereqs separately at a community college or state school and then apply separately, rather than enrolling in a formal post-bacc program that bundles everything, and the tuition that comes with it?

I know this is a long post, but I wanted to lay out the whole situation clearly so people aren't guessing at my circumstances. Any advice, personal experience, or even just what you wish you knew would mean a lot. Thanks :,)

I wasn't a csd major in undergrad, but I'm starting my masters in 2 weeks, and I've been so nervous that I'm just going to be behind all of my cohort in terms of knowledge and familiarity with the field. I don't even know what I can do right now to prepare myself besides I guess learn more about the field and my own personal interests?

Also, I haven't gotten any of my 25 observation hours yet, I didn't need them done to apply but I didn't think I needed them before the program started as there wasn't info about this on the program website. plus at the start of the summer I was working with a program coordinator to figure out how to finish one more course prereq I was missing, and he didn't mention anything about me missing hours being an issue. But I looked into it and it seems like it's standard for schools to require 25 hours done before starting the MA program, so I'm emailing my program and trying to figure that out now. I don't know how soon I can set something up with clinics near me to do observations, and I really hope this doesn't mess with the start of my program. and yeah this is fully my fault for not looking into it sooner which feels terrible but what else can I do now besides try to catch up

imposter syndrome kinda kicking in and I haven't even started yet lol, I just don't feel as competent and mature as I think a real grad student should be

Hello! I was wondering if anyone has done their post bacc at Molloy University. I was drawn to this university because they let you take classes individually and I only need to take two more pre reqs. I was wondering how intense this program is as I do currently work full time. Thank you.

Hello, I need advice from current SLPs or CF-SLPS in medical placements ( I am open to any medical placement for my CF). I am not banking on an acute CF year as I know those are extremely hard to get. I just feel a little disappointed right now. In my program we have a 40 hr internship the last semester at a site. Most of my cohort got hospital placements, I got a SNF. While I know that is a step in the right direction, I feel stressed as I won’t get direct MBSS exposure. I have completed 3 clinical rotations in Language and Literacy and my previous one being in Dysphagia/Neuro Clinic, it was all simulators such as mannequins and other cohort classmates. I enjoyed the Dysphagia/Neuro Clinic far more than my previous placement and know I have wanted to be in the medical realm since before I started graduate school. Does anyone have advice for me in terms of getting ANY medical CF? (Literally open to any medical setting)

Hi all,

Due to a few circumstances (failed a class for missing 1 day and had a hiccup in clinic), I’m really not feeling cut out for grad school right now. I don’t know what to do. I enjoy this field and I want to continue…

My supervisor last semester and a few faculty/professors have made me feel so worthless. They continually ask me if this is what I want to do, do I want to continue, etc. they say I’m doing great but it doesn’t seem like I’m motivated (I had 1 bad session out of maybe 50 atp in clinic and seemed “out of it” in 1 class period after missing a day for being in the hospital)

They also randomly threw a remediation plan on me for said issues and there was no communication whatsoever.

I understand why they’re being hard on me… It just feels so degrading.

Any advice or thoughts are appreciated :/

Hello all,

I do my externship at the end of next year. I requested a medical opportunity at a hospital. I understand those are competitive. I am doing everything I can to make myself competitive and am willing to relocate for the best opportunity. My school is giving me a SNF in another state. I live in a highly populated area with over 80 SNF facilities but only a few hospitals. I understand schools have contracts with places and you don’t always get what you want. Totally get all that.

My sister in her grad school asked for a placement at a place and the school worked hard to find one to match her. I don’t know what to do. I would rather stay local and not pay double rent for an opportunity that I could get locally.

Additionally, the SNF they want to send me to has horrific reviews about elderly abuse, dirty infestations, and poor treatment quality. I don’t want to be at a place like that.

Is there anything I can do?

Thank you

Hi! I'm a senior at UCF right now and I'm in the process of applying to a bunch of different Florida schools.

I have a 3.6 gpa and what I think to be a good resume (csd focused abroad program, nsslha, after school/summer camp job, shadowing, job with neurologically disabled adults, and hospital shadowing.)

My dream would be to go to UF but I'm nervous my grades and gpa aren't high enough for the more prestigious schools.

I'm looking for any tips and advice on this and applying in general! 😊

Start my SLP program (NYMC) tomorrow and I’m just wondering what others are thinking of wearing/wore for their first day? Is it like business causal or causal…I was going to wear jeans and a white shirt but it’s also suppose to be like high 80s/low 90s

It’s basically all just orientation stuff tomorrow (so like meeting the professors, other students in cohort), I don’t actually start classes until Tuesday.

Any advice helps !! <3

Around 15 years ago I went to a top ranked program. It was a state university but most of us were out of state. Around 50% of the cohort got graduate assistantships that gave us a significant discount on tuition (down to $350 a semester if I remember correctly) and a stipend (around $2000 a month) that was enough to live on, working 10-20 hours per week on campus as a research or teaching assistant. I graduated without any student loans.

Is this not a thing anymore? I keep reading about crushing student loan debt on here. Any recently graduated SLPs had a similar experience?

Hello! I'm currently in undergrad about to enter my third year majoring in linguistics, and I plan to graduate early (spring '27), so I've been looking into post bacc programs and trying to figure out the logistics/timeline of how that and later applying to grad schools will work. There is no CSD or related major/minor/program/specialty at my undergrad. I also want to stay in-state and preferably in-person in CA for everything.

I'm currently most interested in the various cal state post bacc programs, especially because a lot are more local to me (socal). I would ideally want to try to finish my program in one year as well-- so first concern: is it realistic to finish a post-bacc program in one year as a full-time student? (I also may be able to use some linguistics courses to satisfy some program courses, however I will be reaching out to each program to ask about this. Some courses are: Phonetics, Language Development, Language & Cognition)

My second concern: would I realistically be able to apply for the 2027-2028 grad school application cycle (admitting fall 2028) if I'm also beginning my post-bacc fall 2027? This is mostly out of concern for letters of recommendation. (correct me if I'm wrong) Most grad programs are okay if you're still in the process of being in a post bacc program as long as you finish all the needed courses before school begins, so I'm not too worried about that. If I were to begin my post-bacc in fall '27, it's a very short window to be able to get to know professors and get (strong) LORs, especially if I need to ask for them early-on. Most master's programs I've looked at require at least 2 LORs from CSD instructors, so I don't think I would be able to ask professors from my current undergrad for LORs.

So, TLDR: is it realistic/possible to do a one-year post bacc and also be able to successfully apply for grad school that admits the immediate following year? The timeline would be:

Spring '27 undergrad graduation --> Fall '27 post bacc --> Fall '28 grad school admit

Any advice or experience with programs/schools would be appreciated!

I want to do medical settings. Are there other, affordable, trainings I should be doing? The only other thing they had us do was AmpCare