Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

No. Penn State does not currently offer an Au.D. program.

Yes. International students (non-U.S. residents) should complete the regular application procedures. In addition, students with questions concerning information about a student visa, deposit, minimum TOEFL score requirements, etc. should contact the Penn State Office of Global Programs at international@psu.edu or 814-865-6348.

The Penn State Office of Student Aid, 314 Shields Building, University Park, PA 16802; 814-865-6301.

The fall semester typically begins in late August and ends around the second week of December. Spring semester starts the second week of January and ends around the first week of May. There are three summer sessions with various start and end dates. Detailed academic calendars are available on the Registrar's website.

The tuition at Penn State varies for Pennsylvania residents and out-of-state graduate students. The current tuition schedule is available online. CSD graduate programs are located on the University Park campus. Tuition rates are subject to change. The Bursar's Office manages student accounts related to tuition and billing.

Yes. Information about housing at University Park can be found at http://housing.psu.edu/. Various options exist for on-campus graduate and family housing as well as services for off-campus student support.

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau is a great resource for the Penn State and surrounding areas including hotels, bed & breakfasts, restaurants, activities, recreation, events and more. 

Each year, about twenty-five students in speech-language pathology enter the graduate program.

For students applying to the M.S. Program for Fall 2021 admission, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are optional. Applicants may submit scores, but they are not required for admission.

An applicant may be admitted without having completed all prerequisite courses, but must take the courses before beginning graduate coursework, adding a year to their program of study.

Applicants who are unable to complete the prerequisite courses during their undergraduate studies are strongly encouraged to enroll in post-baccalaureate or “leveling” courses, which are offered in-person or online by many reputable institutions.

An interview is not required for admission to the master's program. However, if you would like to visit our facilities and meet with our faculty and graduate students, this can be arranged by contacting the graduate program assistant.

Funding for masters students is limited at Penn State. The department receives a limited number of assistantships from the College of Health and Human Development. The number of assistantships may vary from one year to the next, and Ph.D. students are given priority. Funding through departmental assistantships will be available for M.S. students if there are assistantships remaining. There is no application process for this funding. All admitted students are considered. Final funding decisions are made by the department head.

At the master's level, the program emphasizes clinical and research education. 

Master's students must complete the general academic requirements for certification and graduation, including the course work, 375 supervised clinical practicum clock hours, and 25 observation hours. Master's students complete their research papers or theses in a specific area of interest, and sometimes choose externships to gain deeper experience with a particular population.

All students enroll for practica and diagnostics in the on-campus Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic as well as two approved off-campus practicum sites while they are completing their academic programs. Once the academic program is completed and a student has at least 200 hours of CCC-supervised practica, they are ready for an externship practicum. The externship is done off-campus and is a full-time experience lasting between twelve and fifteen weeks.

The clinical faculty and some academic/research faculty provide supervision. All supervisors are ASHA-certified and hold Pennsylvania licenses.

The externship sites are determined by the externship coordinator in conjunction with the student. Sites are selected in reference to the student's interests and availability of positions. The majority of externship sites are in Pennsylvania, but a few students are placed in neighboring states. All externship supervisors are ASHA certified.

No. Master's students must complete either a master's research paper or a master's thesis. A faculty committee assists students in their selection of a research paper or thesis. In addition, students typically take the Praxis exam prior to graduation, although it is not a requirement for graduation.

Yes. The academic program has been accredited by the ASHA Council of Academic Affairs since 1964.

In recent years, 100% of Penn State master's level graduates  have passed the Praxis exam on their first attempt. View our Student Outcome Data for details.

Penn State graduates have little difficulty finding employment. In fact, many graduates secure employment before they leave the graduate program. View our Student Outcome Data for details.

On average, about three to four students in speech-language pathology enter the doctoral program each year. Generally, there are about 15 doctoral students in the program.

At the doctoral level, emphasis is placed on research education, and developing depth of knowledge in specific areas of interest.

Typically, half-time graduate assistantships based on merit are awarded to full-time Ph.D. students. Reappointment to an assistantship is based on availability of positions and the quality of student's performance. 

For students applying to the Ph.D. Program, GRE scores are required (must have been taken within the past five years) and should be submitted electronically directly to the Graduate School using code 2660.

For doctoral admission, an in-person or virtual interview is required with the graduate faculty. If you would like to visit our facilities and meet with our faculty and graduate students, this can be arranged by contacting the graduate program assistant.