Application Process for Communication Sciences and Disorders Major
To be eligible to apply for the major, you must meet the application criteria:
- Be enrolled or have completed all of the pre-admission courses
- CSD 230, 278, 330, 331, and 335
- CSD GPA of 3.00 or higher
- Grade of C or better in each CSD pre-admission course
How to apply to the CSD major
The application is available in the Blackboard shells for all of the pre-admission courses (CSD 230, 278, 330, 331, and 335). If you have trouble locating the application, contact Dr. Richards, the CSD advisor, for a copy of the application.
When to submit your application
You will apply to the CSD major in the last semester of the pre-admission courses. Applications for enrollment in the spring semester are due December 1st and applications for enrollment in the fall semester are May 1st. If the 1st falls on a Saturday or Sunday, application due dates will remain the same as applications that are submitted by email.
Applying and studying abroad
If you are planning to study abroad the semester after you will complete your pre-admission courses, it is possible to apply to the major before studying abroad and then have your position held until you return if you are accepted.
If you are planning to study abroad during the second (i.e., CSD 417SL, 439, 494) or third tier (i.e., CSD 463, 525, 551) of classes after being accepted into the major, you can take a semester off from CSD classes and start taking them again when you get back.
Determination of admission
The primary factor considered when making admission decisions is your GPA in the pre-admission courses. Some historical data from past applicants are provided in the table below to give you an idea of how the average range of GPAs changes from semester to semester depending on the applicant pool. The GPA calculator can be a useful tool to help you figure out your CSD GPA before applying to the major.
| Cohort | Number of applicants | Number admitted | Range of CSD GPA | Mean CSD GPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2018 | 46 | 43 | 3.25-4.00 | 3.69 |
| Fall 2018 | 50 | 40 | 3.33-4.00 | 3.85 |
| Spring 2019 | 41 | 33 | 3.25-4.00 | 3.75 |
| Fall 2019 | 62 | 52 | 3.26-4.00 | 3.75 |
| Spring 2020 | 44 | 39 | 3.26-4.00 | 3.76 |
| Fall 2020 | 49 | 42 | 3.26-4.00 | 3.63 |
| Spring 2021 | 41 | 32 | 3.28-4.00 | 3.75 |
| Fall 2021 | 34 | 27 | 3.00-4.00 | 3.69 |
Notification of admission
You will find out if you have been accepted into the major after the final grades are posted. You will be emailed within two weeks after final grades are posted stating whether or not you have been accepted into the major. If you have been accepted, the email will also indicate that we will submit your major form through degree progress and you should enroll in CSD 340, CSD 431, and CSD 338.
Reapplying to the CSD major
If you do not get accepted into the major after your first time applying, you can apply again. However, you make want to consider retaking one or more of the pre-admission courses to improve your CSD GPA before reapplying. Each of those courses can be retaken once. If you withdraw from a course before the semester ends, that still counts as one attempt at taking the course. Although the university will allow you to retake each course twice, we prefer and recommend that students only retake a course once. To help you decide your course of action, it is recommended that you consult with an academic advisor. You should know that if you decide to retake a course, the grade from your second attempt will be the final grade for the course on your transcript, even if it is lower than the grade from your first attempt.
Alternatives to the CSD major
If you are not able to get into the major after your second application, you may want to consider pursuing a CSD minor rather than a CSD major and finding a different major. Some other professions related to the field of communication sciences and disorders that you might consider include: vocational therapy, special education, counseling, child life specialist, recreation therapy, social work, teaching English as a second language, respiratory therapy, radiology therapy, occupational therapy assistant, physical therapy assistant, certified nursing assistant, rehabilitation counseling, vision therapist, personal care assistant, classroom assistant, substitute teacher, speech therapy assistant (depends on the state), rehabilitation aide, board-certified behavioral analyst or board-certified assistant behavior analyst, hospice care, respite care, psychologists, and early education provider. The Career Development Center and Office of Student Success can help you through the process of choosing a career path.