Admission

Requirements and Procedures for Admission to the M.S. Program in Speech-Language Pathology

In addition to the requirements for admission to the Graduate College of the University of Nebraska (see the most recent Graduate Studies Bulletin), an applicant must meet the following departmental requirements:

Full Graduate Standing
Minimum standards are: An acceptable Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Score; overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0; three letters of recommendation attesting to the student's ability to complete a program of graduate studies; and undergraduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.
 
Provisional Graduate Standing
A student may be provisionally admitted because he/she lacks prerequisite courses or does not meet minimum GPA or GRE requirements. The student admitted provisionally can attain full standing by satisfying the specific conditions of the provisional admission. In such cases, the Department Graduate Committee will stipulate what a student must do to achieve full graduate standing.
 
Non-degree, Post Baccalaureate
This registration (status) is for students who satisfy minimum Graduate College admission standards but are not working toward an advanced degree. Non-degree students who wish to be considered for admission to the M.S. program in Speech-Language Pathology must formally apply through the Graduate College. Credits obtained as a non-degree graduate student may be considered for the master's degree program when appropriate. However, usually no more than 6 hours of class work during the period when the student is non-degree will be accepted toward fulfilling the graduate program requirements.  Also note that a non-degree student must have permission of the instructor to take a graduate class in our department.

Procedures
*Admissions to the Speech-Language Pathology program is for the fall semester only.  Deadline for application is January 15. Formal admission into the Graduate College is determined by the Office of Graduate Studies upon recommendation of the Department Graduate Committee. An applicant should provide the University with an application for admission, three letters of recommendation, and two copies of official transcripts from all universities/colleges attended. Letters of recommendation should be from individuals in a position to judge the applicant's potential for graduate study, preferably classroom instructors and/or clinical supervisors. Applicants also are required to submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (General Test: Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical) not more than five years old. Finally, an applicant should complete the Departmental Application for Admission. When deemed necessary, students making applications from other educational institutions will be asked to forward to the Department Graduate Committee catalog descriptions or syllabi of courses completed. Summaries of clinical practicum performed must show that the hours were obtained under the supervision of an individual who holds ASHA's certificate of clinical competence (CCC). The Graduate College packet of forms for admission can be obtained from the Office of Graduate Studies, 1100 Seaton Hall, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, 68588-0619, telephone (402) 472-2875. The Departmental Application may be obtained from the Admissions Secretary, 318 Barkley Memorial Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0738, telephone (402) 472-2141. Of the material described above, the Departmental Application, letters of recommendation to support admission, GRE scores, course descriptions and other supplementary information should be sent directly to the Admissions Secretary of the Department. The Graduate College application and two official transcripts should be forwarded directly to the Office of Graduate Studies.
* Official notification of admission/denial will come from the Office of Graduate Studies. A letter of acceptance from the applicant notifying the Department of the semester during which the person will start the M.S. program is required. Notification of financial assistance will be mailed separately to the applicant and will follow receipt of the student's notification to the Department that he/she intends to enroll.

Policy on the Application Process for Students Transferring to UNL
(Speech-Language Pathology Program Only)
Graduate students who are enrolled in an ASHA accredited graduate training program at an institution other than the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, will be considered for admission as a transfer student to the UNL program if the following conditions ae met:
1. Student must petition the Communication Disorders Governance Committee requesting consideration for admission as a transfer student.  In the petition letter, the student must specify why a transfer to the UNL program is being requested.  The student also should provide a summary of course work and clinical experiences acquired at their present institutional program. Student must submit the standard application materials required of all students applying to the graduate program.  Applications for the fall semester must be filed by January 15.
2. If admitted, a transfer student must complete at least one fall, spring or summer clinical practicum assignment in the UNL Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic prior to any off-campus practicum placement.

Governance Committee Procedures:
Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will only be considered when a) there are openings in the program at the time the student petitions for admission as a transfer student and b) the course work completed by the student matches closely the sequence of courses within the UNL speech-language pathology graduate program.

Criteria for admission will be based on the previous year's admission data.  That is, the student petitioning for admission must show comparable performance (same cut-off scores or higher) to the most recent admission data. The Governance Committee will make the final decision about acceptance or rejection of the student's petition for admission as a transfer student. If admitted, the student will be informed that no more than 12 hours of graduate course work at another institution will be accepted as transfer credits.