Speech-Language Pathology Admission Requirements
Admission criteria
To be considered for admission into our Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) graduate program, students must have completed or be in the final stages of completing an undergraduate degree in communication sciences and disorders (CSD). If you did not receive an undergraduate degree in communication sciences and disorders, you can complete the Speech-Language Pathology Post-Baccalaureate program to pursue a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
Prerequisite requirements
To be considered for admission, you must meet the following criteria:
- A cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate coursework
- A GPA of 3.00 or higher with no grade lower than a C (2.0) in prerequisite CSD courses, which include course equivalents to the following:
- Introduction to audiology
- Introduction to acoustic phonetics
- Anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing
- Language development
- Descriptive phonetics
- Audiologic rehabilitation
- Clinical methods in speech-language pathology
- Mentored practicum in communication disorders
- At least one disorders course (e.g., speech sound disorders, child or adult language disorders, autism)
If you have questions about whether you meet the prerequisite requirements or how your coursework aligns with the prerequisite requirements, please contact Dr. Stephanie Richards, Speech-Language Pathology Division Director.
All applicants must apply only through the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS). The CSDCAS student portal launch date is July 15th for the fall application cycle. The application deadline is January 15th.
Learn more about the Speech-Language Pathology Application Requirements
The chart below shows the average overall GPA, average GPA of last 60 semester hours, and average CSD GPA (as calculated by CSDCAS) of the past several years. It is important to note that your full CSDCAS application is evaluated as part of the admissions process. GPAs are just one component of the analysis.
| Admissions Cycle | Mean overall GPA and range | Mean GPA and range for last 60 credits | Mean CSD GPA and range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-2024 | 3.65 (3.15-3.98) | 3.76 (3.30-4.00) | 3.74 (3.20-4.00) |
| 2022-2023 | 3.67 (3.11-4.00) | 3.75 (3.00-4.00) | 3.77 (3.11-4.00) |
| 2021-2022 | 3.66 (3.20-4.00) | 3.74 (3.34-4.00) | 3.70 (3.25-4.00) |
| 2020-2021 | 3.65 (3.12-4.00) | 3.88 (3.44-4.00) | 3.88 (3.36-4.00) |
| 2019-2020 | 3.75 (3.08-4.00) | 3.81 (3.16-4.00) | 3.84 (3.20-4.00) |
Core functions for future practitioners in audiology and speech-language pathology
All candidates interviewing for admission and students admitted into the SLP program are expected to demonstrate the essential qualities listed in the core functions. Students admitted to the SLP program are expected to employ these qualities in didactic and clinical experiences to acquire the knowledge and demonstrate the competencies that will lead to graduation and successful entry into professional practice.
The Master of Arts (M.A.) in speech-language pathology {residential} at Central Michigan University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.