Speech-Language Pathology, MCD

Method of Application

The Speech-Language Pathology program uses CSDCAS in its application process.  

• Click here to enter the CSDCAS webpage 
• Only completed and verified applications will be considered. Transcripts must be submitted to CSDCAS 8 weeks before the application deadline to allow time for verification. It is the student’s responsibility to monitor the application’s progress and ensure it is completed and verified by the deadline. 

Scholastic Requirements

Speech-Language Pathology Admission Requirements in Addition to the Application  

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.  
• Minimum Undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (in a 4.0 system).  
• Minimum grade point average of 3.5 for pre-requisite courses is preferred.  
• Documentation of 25 hours of observation of speech-language pathology practice is preferred.  
• Letters of Recommendation, at least one from a faculty member 
• Personal Statement 
• In-person Interview 

LSUHSC offers the following required prerequisite courses to non-background students: 

• Clinical Phonetics 
• Language Acquisition 
• Hearing and Speech Science 
• Management of the Pediatric Hearing-Impaired Child 

All transcripts must show successful completion of courses in psychology or social sciences, physical sciences, biological sciences, and statistics (as required for ASHA certification). 

1. Graduate Record Examination Test  

GRE scores will be waived for the {2024} Admissions Cycle. The program uses a multi-faceted rubric to determine admissions based upon GPA, personal statement, and personal interview.  

     2. Letters of Recommendation  

All applicants must seek 3 letters of recommendation. One must be from an academic source. The academic source must speak to the applicant’s (1) relevance of career goals, (2) aptitude for graduate-level study, (3) potential success in forming effective counseling relationships, and (4) respect for cultural differences. 

     3.  Personal Essay  

All applicants seeking admission to the Masters program in Speech-Language Pathology must submit a typed personal essay. Applicants must respond to the following:  

• Relevance of career goals,  
• Aptitude for graduate-level study,  
• Potential success in forming effective counseling relationships, and  
• Respect for cultural differences. 

A prompt is provided on the CSDCAS application site. 

    4.  In-Person Interview 

All applicants will be required to report to LSUHSC for an interview with Speech-Language Pathology faculty. Online interviews are granted for out-of-state applicants.  

Other Information  

Tuition and Fees  

Technical Standards  

  
Available student work positions can be found here. 
For additional information regarding: 
LSUHSC’s diversity policy, ESL/TOEFL, background checks, student health requirements, readmission and leave of absence policy please refer to our Student Handbook. For information on the Louisiana Higher Education Foreign Security Act Screening click here. 

Technical Standards

TECHNICAL STANDARDS POLICY
Department of Communication Disorders
LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans

The School of Allied Health Professions and Department of Communication Disorders does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability. When requested, the department will provide reasonable accommodation to otherwise qualified students with properly certified disabilities. The faculty and professional staff have responsibility for the welfare of students in the section and for the clients the students treat during their graduate program. To meet this responsibility, the section has established Technical Standards that must be demonstrated by students with or without reasonable accommodations in order to participate in the program and to complete it successfully. Reasonable accommodations will be made to students with disabilities on an individual and flexible basis. It is the responsibility of students, however, to review the technical standards for a given program and make their needs known. Guidelines for students with Disabilities can be found at: http://alliedhealth.lsuhsc.edu/Admin/studentswithdisabilities.aspx

The School of Allied Health Professions has established Technical Standards for its programs of study delineating the minimum physical, cognitive, emotional, and social requirements necessary to participate fully in all aspects of academic and clinical education expected by a specified program of study. One’s ability to meet the technical standards is a prerequisite for admission and continuation in a program of study. Applicants and enrolled students must be able to meet all technical standards with or without reasonable accommodations.

Physical Health: The student must possess the physical health and stamina needed to carry out the program of Communication Disorders.

Intellectual Skills: The student must have sufficient powers of intellect to acquire, assimilate, integrate and apply information. The student must have the intellectual ability to solve problems and the ability to comprehend three-dimensional and spatial relationships.

Motor Skills: The student must have sufficient use of motor skills to carry out all necessary procedures, both those involved in learning the fundamental sciences and those required in the clinical environment. This includes the ability: (1) to participate in relevant educational exercises and to extract information from written sources; (2) use a computer to operate laboratory equipment, and (3) access transportation to all clinical and academic placements.

Communication: 
The student must be able to utilize verbal, non-verbal, and written communication, and observe patients, family members, and other clinicians. This includes expressive and receptive modes of verbal, nonverbal, and written communication. The student must have the ability to accurately assess receptive communication in order to make appropriate and timely responses. The student must be able to communicate attentively, effectively, and sensitively to others.  Also required is the ability to immediately assess incoming information to allow for appropriate, well-focused follow-up inquiry. The student must be capable of responsive, empathic listening to establish rapport in a way that promotes openness on issues of concern and sensitivity to potential cultural differences. He or she must express his or her ideas clearly and demonstrate a willingness and ability to give and receive feedback. 

Consistent with CAA 4.2 proficiency in English, the student “must demonstrate communication skills sufficient to achieve effective clinical and professional interaction with clients and relevant others.” For oral communication, students must “demonstrate speech and language skills in English, which, at a minimum are consistent with ASHA’s most current position statement on students and professionals who speak English with accents and nonstandard dialects.” For written communication, students must “be able to write and comprehend technical reports, diagnostic and treatment reports, treatment plans, and professional correspondence.” (ASHA, 2005). 

Sensory Abilities: The student must be able to safely, reliably and efficiently perform audiological and  speech-language therapy assessment and treatments and   observe effectively in the classroom, laboratory and clinical setting. Students must possess the ability to observe both close at hand and at a distance.  Sensation must be satisfactory to receive verbal and nonverbal communications from patients and others.
 
Behavioral Qualities: The student must possess emotional health sufficient to carry out the tasks above, must have good judgment and must behave in a professional, reliable, mature and responsible manner. The student must be adaptable, possessing sufficient flexibility to function in new and stressful environments. The student must be able to critically evaluate her/his own performance, be forthright about errors, accept constructive criticism, and look for ways to improve. The student must show respect for individuals of different ages, ethnic backgrounds, religions, and/or sexual orientations. The student must exhibit professional behavior by conforming to appropriate standards of dress, appearance, language and public behavior. The student must uphold the Code of Ethics of the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the code of Academic Conduct of the LSU Health Science Center’s School of Allied Health Professions.

Each student must continue to meet all of the TECHNICAL STANDARDS set forth above. A student may be denied permission to continue in the Communication Disorders program at the LSU Health Sciences Center should the student fail at any time to demonstrate all of the required TECHNICAL STANDARDS.

Academic Standards