Grad School Application Resource Center
Applying to graduate school for Audiology or Speech-Language Pathology can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone. This page brings together timelines, tools, tips, and firsthand advice to help you confidently navigate every step of the process. Whether you're just starting your search or getting ready to hit “submit,” these resources are here to guide you.
Timeline
Freshman–Sophomore Years
Explore the Disciplines
Take foundational courses in communication sciences and disorders, psychology, linguistics, and biology. Learn about both professions—speech-language pathology and audiology—and the settings in which they work.
Take foundational courses in communication sciences and disorders, psychology, linguistics, and biology. Learn about both professions—speech-language pathology and audiology—and the settings in which they work.
Get Involved Early
Join your school’s NSSLHA chapter. Volunteer in healthcare or educational settings. Observe speech-language pathologists and audiologists in action.
Join your school’s NSSLHA chapter. Volunteer in healthcare or educational settings. Observe speech-language pathologists and audiologists in action.
Start Tracking Experiences
Maintain a record of:
• Observation hours
• Volunteer or clinical experiences
• Research or academic projects
• Leadership and extracurricular involvement
Check out our spreadsheet template!
Maintain a record of:
• Observation hours
• Volunteer or clinical experiences
• Research or academic projects
• Leadership and extracurricular involvement
Check out our spreadsheet template!
Junior Year
Start Your Program Search (Fall)
Use tools like EdFind to identify programs of interest and track their prerequisities, attend open houses, and connect with faculty whose research aligns with your interests.
Use tools like EdFind to identify programs of interest and track their prerequisities, attend open houses, and connect with faculty whose research aligns with your interests.
Establish Your Criteria (Fall)
What matters most to you in a graduate program? Utilize our criteria checklist [XLS] to determine which criteria matter most to you.
What matters most to you in a graduate program? Utilize our criteria checklist [XLS] to determine which criteria matter most to you.
Narrow Your List and Gain Experience (Spring)
• Finalize a shortlist of programs based on your personal criteria
• Continue building experience through research, leadership, and observation
• Update your resume or CV
• Finalize a shortlist of programs based on your personal criteria
• Continue building experience through research, leadership, and observation
• Update your resume or CV
Summer Before Senior Year
Prepare Application Materials
• Create or log into your CSDCAS account (usually opens in July)
• Need assistance with CSDCAS fees? Look into their Fee Assistance Program.
• Obtain unofficial transcripts to help with coursework entry
• Draft your personal statement and request feedback
• Reach out to three recommenders—provide them with your resume, deadlines, and relevant context.
• Create or log into your CSDCAS account (usually opens in July)
• Need assistance with CSDCAS fees? Look into their Fee Assistance Program.
• Obtain unofficial transcripts to help with coursework entry
• Draft your personal statement and request feedback
• Reach out to three recommenders—provide them with your resume, deadlines, and relevant context.
Research Financial Aid
Financial aid will help you to pay for your schooling, and it can take many forms!
Look into:
• Graduate assistantships or fellowships offered by programs
• Scholarships for CSD students
• Federal grants and loans
• Work-study programs
Financial aid will help you to pay for your schooling, and it can take many forms!
Look into:
• Graduate assistantships or fellowships offered by programs
• Scholarships for CSD students
• Federal grants and loans
• Work-study programs
Senior Year–Fall
Finalize and Submit Your Application
• Request official transcripts to be sent to CSDCAS (via Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, or by mail)
• Complete your coursework entry
• Finalize your personal statement and supplemental materials
• Submit your applications several weeks ahead of the deadline, if possible
• Request official transcripts to be sent to CSDCAS (via Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, or by mail)
• Complete your coursework entry
• Finalize your personal statement and supplemental materials
• Submit your applications several weeks ahead of the deadline, if possible
Track and Follow Up
• Use the Check Status page in CSDCAS to monitor receipt of transcripts and letters of recommendation
• Follow up with recommenders and institutions if items are missing
• Monitor your email for communications from programs
• Use the Check Status page in CSDCAS to monitor receipt of transcripts and letters of recommendation
• Follow up with recommenders and institutions if items are missing
• Monitor your email for communications from programs
Senior Year–Winter to Spring
Prepare for Interviews
• Attend interviews (virtual or in-person),
• Ask deeper questions about supervision models, clinical placements, and support systems.
• Attend interviews (virtual or in-person),
• Ask deeper questions about supervision models, clinical placements, and support systems.
Compare Offers
Revisit your personal criteria to evaluate:
• Program fit and culture
• Financial aid packages and total cost
• Research and clinical opportunities
• Location, faculty mentorship, and graduate outcomes
Revisit your personal criteria to evaluate:
• Program fit and culture
• Financial aid packages and total cost
• Research and clinical opportunities
• Location, faculty mentorship, and graduate outcomes
Make Your Decision!
Most programs require a final decision by April 15. Once you’ve committed, notify all other programs of your choice.
Most programs require a final decision by April 15. Once you’ve committed, notify all other programs of your choice.