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Communication Science and Disorders

Updated: August 25, 2009

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SHP Home | Communication Science & Disorders | Application Procedures

Application Procedures

Bachelor of Health Science (BHS)
Master of Health Science (MHS)
Combined MHS/PhD Program
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Bachelor of Health Science (BHS)

Applications to the BHS program are considered once a year; they must be submitted by February 1 (typically in the student's sophomore year). Applicants must have completed at least 42 hours of college credit before applying, and students who are admitted must have completed at least 60 hours of college credit before beginning CSD coursework at the junior-senior level. A minimum GPA of 2.75 on a four-point scale and a composite score of 22 or higher on the ACT is required for consideration for acceptance into the BHS program. However, meeting the minimum criteria and declaring a major in pre-Communication Science and Disorders does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Enrollment in the BHS program is limited; therefore, to be successful an applicant must have an academic record that is competitive with those of the other program applicants that year.

To apply to the BHS program in Communication Science and Disorders, please print the BHS Application, complete the application, and submit it to Communication Science and Disorders, 303 Lewis Hall, by February 1.

For more information about the BHS program in CSD, contact the Department at mucsd@health.missouri.edu

Students may complete prerequisite coursework while enrolled at other institutions or in other schools and colleges on the University of Missouri-Columbia campus. Acceptance to the University is required in order to be considered for the BHS program in Communication Science and Disorders. Students transferring from either other departments on campus or from off campus must declare a pre-Communication Science and Disorders major and have a transcript evaluation completed to determine which courses meet graduation requirements for the Bachelor of Health Science degree. For more information on transferring to the School of Health Professions and declaring a pre-Communication Science and Disorders major, contact the CSD pre-professional advisor at (573) 882-8012 or e-mail: mucsd@health.missouri.edu.

For information regarding application to the University, contact Undergraduate Admissions, 230 Jesse Hall, Columbia, Missouri 65211. Phone: (573) 882-7786 or 1-800-225-6075.

Master of Health Science (MHS)
(with an emphasis in Speech-Language Pathology)

Students who wish to apply to the MHS program in the Department of Communication Science and Disorders must submit the following materials by February 1 for summer or fall semester admission (follow this link for a printable checklist for the MHS application procedures):

The following materials must be sent to the Graduate School at MU:
Your official transcripts from every college or university you have attended (sent directly from the college or university)
Your official GRE scores (sent directly from the Educational Testing Service)
The Graduate School Application for Admission: http://gradschool.missouri.edu (Note: If you are currently enrolled at MU, you will not need to apply to the Graduate School. Instead, you will complete a Transfer of Division Application and submit it to the CSD Department with your other materials.)
(For international applicants only) Your official TOEFL and TSE or iBT scores (sent directly from the Educational Testing Service).

Mail the above materials to: Graduate Admissions, 210 Jesse Hall, Columbia, MO 65211. Phone: 800-877-6312 or 573-884-8488.

The following materials must be sent to the Communication Science and Disorders Department at MU:

Three personal recommendation letters (forms in pdf format - follow this link to download the free adobe acrobat reader). At least two letters should be from faculty, preferably in the student's major. All recommendation letters must be in envelopes sealed and signed by the letter writer across the seal.
The CSD Application for Admission (there is no fee for this application). 3. Statement of Interest covering relevant qualifications, experience, and academic/clinical interest. The Statement of Interest should not exceed 2 double-spaced typed pages.

Mail the above materials to: Graduate Admissions Committee, Department of Communication Science and Disorders, 303 Lewis Hall, Columbia, MO 65211-4280.
Only completed applications will be considered for admission to the MHS program in Communication Science and Disorders. The Graduate Admissions Committee notifies all applicants of their status by letter no later than mid-March. Scholarship and Assistantship availability is not always known at the time that admissions decisions are made; however the CSD department makes every attempt to notify applicants in a timely manner of any financial aid they have been awarded (typically no later than April 15th).

Questions about the application materials and/or process should be directed to Barbara McLay, Director of Graduate Studies, 573-882-8409 or e-mail: mucsd@health.missouri.edu.

Combined MHS/PhD Program

Application procedures for the combined MHS/PhD program are the same as the application procedures for the MHS program (see above). (Applicants should indicate in their personal statement that they are interested in the combined master's/doctoral program; in this case the statement may be longer than 2 pages.) The application deadline for the MHS/PhD program is February 1st. Applicants will be notified at the same time as the applicants for the master's program. Applicants who are not accepted to the combined program may still be accepted to the master's program.

Doctor of Philosophy

Students who wish to apply to the PhD program in the Department of Communication Science and Disorders must submit the following materials by February 1 for summer or fall semester admission.
The following items must be submitted directly to the Graduate School:

The Graduate Application for Admission with application fee: http://gradschool.missouri.edu
Official transcripts from every college or university you have attended (sent directly from the college or university)
Official GRE scores (sent directly from the Educational Testing Service) 4. (For international applicants only) Official TOEFL and TSE or iBT scores (sent directly from the Educational Testing Service).

Mail the above application materials to: Graduate Admissions, 210 Jesse Hall, Columbia, MO 65211. Phone: 800-877-6312 or 573-884-8488.

The following must be submitted to the CSD department:

A letter of intent detailing:
a) the applicant's interest in pursuing doctoral study;
b) the applicant's specific research interests and goals;
c) how the applicant believes that these goals can be met through doctoral education at MU.
A curriculum vitae or resume describing the applicant's educational background, professional experience, awards, honors, grants, presentations, publications, etc.
At least one example of the applicant's scholarly work. Master's thesis, research publications, or other examples of scholarly writing are acceptable.
Three to five letters of recommendation from individuals who can comment on the applicant's potential for success in doctoral-level study.

Mail the above application materials to: Judith Goodman, Chair, Department of Communication Science and Disorders, University of Missouri-Columbia, 303 Lewis Hall, Columbia, MO 65211-4280

Questions about the application for the doctoral program in CSD should be directed to Dr. Goodman at: mucsd@health.missouri.edu, or by calling 573-882-8407.

Page last updated on: August 25, 2009