UI Communication Sciences and Disorders: academics / admission info

Conditional Admission
On occasion, the committee may recommend a conditional admission as set forth in the regulations of the Graduate College. That status indicates promise, but not clear evidence of the ability, for graduate study in this department. The conditional admission status provides a trial period of graduate study during which the student's performance can be evaluated. Applicants to the master's degree program generally are not admitted on this status.

The change from conditional status to regular status is required within two terms (semester or summer session) of graduate enrollment in order to continue in graduate study. The criterion for change to regular status usually includes a GPA of 3.0 for graduate credits relevant to the program of study and a judgment by the faculty that the student has demonstrated potential for success in graduate work. Other criteria may also be used; if that is the case, they must be identified to the student in writing, either by the department chair or by the student's faculty advisor. Change to regular status usually is not made until completion of two terms of work. If a student faces dismissal from the program due to a lack of fulfillment of specified conditions within two terms of enrollment, a written request may be made to the committee to recommend to the Graduate College that the conditional status be extended for one additional term.

Readmission Following Program Interruption
If a graduate student, after enrolling in the program, interrupts study for a period of two or more calendar years, re-enrollment will be allowed only after receiving specific approval from the department. The individual must declare in writing a desire to re-enroll to the department chair. The admissions and appointments committee will review the individual's credentials and the student will then be informed as to whether or not re-enrollment will be allowed.

Application Instructions for Prospective Graduate Students

MA and AuD programs: Applications to the MA or AuD program will be via an electronic application service: the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service for Clinical Education in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (CSDCAS). Full instructions and application procedures are available at https://portal.csdcas.org.

PhD program: Applications to the PhD Program in Speech and Hearing Sciences are submitted via the Biosciences Centralized Application System. This electronic application system streamlines the admissions process for 13 PhD training programs at The University of Iowa, including the Speech and Hearing Science PhD Program.

The electronic application system transmits your file directly to the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Admission Committee for evaluation. This application is FREE.

Link to the Biosciences Centralized Application System.

Questions regarding the Speech and Hearing Science PhD Program within the Department of Communication Disorders should be addressed to Mary Jo Yotty (mary-yotty@uiowa.edu, 319 335 8719).

For questions regarding admissions procedures please email biosciences@uiowa.edu.

Timing of Applications and Application Decisions

Timetable
Applicants to the PhD program should know that -- for best consideration -- completed applications should be considered by January 15th. Applications received after January 15th will be considered on a rolling basis. The first offers of appointments generally are made between March 15 and April 1; however, as such offers are refused or as new appointments become available, offers of appointments continue to be made at later times, usually through June.

Doctoral Applicants: Additional information
Doctoral applicants will be asked to include a brief essay (no more than two pages) indicating their 1) reasons for pursuing graduate study in general, and at the University of Iowa in particular, 2) research interests, and 3) career objectives.

c. Master's Applicants--MA with Professional (Clinical) Emphasis
(1) The department has placed limits on the number of master's degree students to be admitted each year to the professional (clinical) MA degree program. Thus, admission decisions will be based on consideration of an applicant's credentials in relation to those of other individuals applying for admission for that year. As a general guideline, experience indicates that few students with undergraduate grade-point averages under 3.2 (B) will be admitted.

(2) Admission applications for fall semester must be sent so as to arrive no later than the preceding January 15. In most instances, applicants will be notified of the acceptance or rejection of their applications for admission by March 15.

d. Master's Applicants--MA With Research Emphasis
This program is not designed to meet clinical certification requirements in any area.

e. Professional Improvement (PI) Applicants
This is a nondegree program, which permits students to register for graduate courses with no restrictions on the number of sessions of enrollment or the number of courses that may be taken each session. However, students on PI status are not guaranteed the opportunity to enroll for clinical practicum. Such enrollment may be allowed when specifically approved by a student's advisor and the instructor of the practicum, but only when it will not affect practicum enrollment opportunities of students in degree programs.

NOTE: Beginning September 5, 2008, admissions to the MA program will be administered by a centralized application service. Details and instructions are available at www.csdcas.org. Applicants to the PhD program should use the Biosciences Centralized Application System.

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The University of Iowa does not discriminate in its educational program and activities on the basis of race, national origin, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or veteran status. The University also affirms its commitment to providing equal opportunities and equal access to University facilities without reference to affectional or associational preferences. For additional information on nondiscrimination policies, contact the Coordinator of Title IX, Section 504, and the ADA in the Office of Affirmative Action, The University of Iowa, 202 Jessup Hall, Iowa City, IA 52242. Telephone: (319) 355-0705.
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Admission to the MA Program
The number of new admissions into the professional master's degree program is limited to approximately 25 per year. Thus admission decisions are based on consideration of an applicant's credentials in relation to those of other individuals who are applying. Admissions are made for fall semester each year. Applications must be received by January 15 for admission to the following fall. Occasionally admissions are made for midyear, if (1) the applicant's credentials are strong enough to ensure acceptance into that year's summer and fall admission group, and (2) there are special circumstances making admission at midyear necessary and desirable. To be considered for midyear admission, applications must be received by December 1.

There are no additional requirements for admission other than those imposed by the Graduate College, but applicants with GPAs of less than 3.0 for undergraduate study and GRE scores under 450 in each area (verbal, quantitative, and analytic) are not likely to be accepted.

Admission to the PhD Program
There is no limit on the number of individuals admitted to the doctoral program. Thus, applications are acted upon by the admissions and appointments committee as they are received. The judgment of potential for doctoral work is based upon the same type of information as for admission to the master's program; however, more emphasis is placed on evaluation of information concerning the applicant's aptitudes and interests in research areas. The Graduate College regulations specify a minimum GPA of 3.0 for admission on regular status to a doctoral program. GRE scores are expected to be 500 or higher in each of the verbal, quantitative, and analytic areas.

It is expected that applicants for the doctoral program will either:
(1) presently be enrolled in a master's degree program;
(2) have completed a master's degree;
(3) have completed graduate work equivalent to such a degree.

Admission to the AuD Program
The number of new admissions into the AuD degree program is limited. Thus admission decisions are based on consideration of an applicant's credentials in relation to those of other individuals who are applying. Admissions are made for fall semester of each year. Applications must be received by January 15 for admission to the following fall.

If you would like to view specific information about admission, choose from the links at the left. You will note that admission to the MA, AuD and PhD programs are now handled by on-line centralized application services. Please keep in mind that all students who desire to do graduate work at The University of Iowa must apply for admission to the Graduate College.

Application Evaluation
Evaluation of applications for admission to the graduate program is the responsibility of the departmental committee on admissions and appointments. The members of this committee independently evaluate each application and assign a rating based on a judgment of the applicant's overall potential for successful graduate study. This judgment is based on:

1) a careful review of the individual's past academic performance, which involves not only consideration of grade-point average (GPA) but also of the pattern of grades in various subject areas;

2) a consideration of the nature of previous undergraduate or graduate work and the school at which it was taken;

3) scores on the General Aptitude Test of the Graduate Record Examination. The Graduate College requires that every graduate student shall have taken the Aptitude Test of the Graduate Record Examination prior to admission or during the first semester of enrollment. However, our department requires all MA, AuD, and PhD applicants to have taken the GRE prior to the application for admission;

4) letters of recommendation.

The ratings or, in some instances, the results of further evaluation and discussion by the committee serves at the basis for decisions concerning both admission and the offer of a stipend.