Speech Language Pathology M.S. Admission Requirements
In alignment with the mission and vision of the Division of Communication Sciences
& Disorders we utilize a holistic review process that fosters a diverse
and inclusive culture. We welcome students who are reflective critical thinkers
and embody curiosity, compassion, and collaboration, as well as an openness
to feedback.
2023-2024 Admissions Timeline
The CSDCAS Portal for WVU opened July 2023, and the current admissions timeline
is provided below.
- July 17: WVU CSDCAS Portal Opens
- October 20: In-Person Open House, 1 PM EST, Registration Required
- November 3: Virtual Open House, 1 PM EST, Registration Required
- January 4: Recommended date to submit application through CSDCAS to ensure
verification by February 1, 2024
- January 16: Last day to take the Casper online (see below for details)
- February 1: Deadline for verified applications
- February 23: Virtual Interview Day for invited applicants
- March 18: On-Campus Invited Open House for invited applicants
Admission Requirements
Applicants will be considered for our graduate programs if they have personal
attributes that are predictive of academic and clinical success; high academic
achievement; and English proficiency.
Personal attributes. Applicants are expected to possess personal
characteristics that are necessary for success in graduate study as well
as in professional clinical practice. These characteristics include:
- A desire for lifelong learning,
- Critical thinking ability,
- Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, and
- An openness to receiving constructive feedback.
These characteristics are evaluated by the Casper (Computer-Based Assessment
for Sampling Personal Characteristics) and activities completed during the
invited Interview Day.
Academic achievement. Students must have:
- Obtained a baccalaureate degree or equivalent from a properly recognized
institution of higher learning prior to starting the program,
- Maintained an overall undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.8 (where
‘A’ = 4.0). However, for an overall undergraduate GPA below 3.0, the applicant
must have achieved a GPA of 3.2 or higher in one of the following: CSD
major coursework, all of the CSD prerequisites, or in the most recent 60
credits taken at the undergraduate or graduate level.
- Completed the prerequisite coursework listed below with a grade of ‘C’ or
better. A minimum of two courses in the CSD coursework must be completed
before the application deadline. The remaining prerequisite courses must
be completed prior to starting the graduate program.
At least one course in each of the following CSD content areas:
- Phonetics
- Language Acquisition/Development
- Anatomy & Physiology of Speech and Hearing
- Speech & Hearing Science
- Introduction to Audiology
- At least one course in each related content area listed below:
- Physics or Chemistry
- Social/Behavioral Science
- Statistics
- Biological Science
For more information on related academic courses, see the ASHA Coursework requirements
related to certification standards.
For the online SLP program only – Eligibility for SLP-Assistant licensure in
West Virginia. Students accepted to the online SLP program will work as an
SLP Assistant in West Virginia schools while completing coursework online
with periodic on-campus activities. Therefore, applicants for this program
will need to be eligible for a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant license
in the state of West Virginia. Prospective students who wish to pursue an
SLP-Assistant position outside of West Virginia and/or the West Virginia
Department of Education must contact the Division of Communication Sciences
and Disorders.
English proficiency. Applicants who did not complete their bachelor's
degree in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, or New Zealand must meet the minimum
score requirements for English proficiency. WVU’s minimum score requirements
for English proficiency are: Academic IELTS score of 6.5, TOEFL iBT score
of 79, PTE Academic score of 53, or Duolingo English Test score of 105.
Application Process
To be considered for 2024 admissions, all of the following need to be finalized no later than the February 1st deadline.
Complete an application through CSDCAS. Applications for the Doctorate of Audiology and the On-Campus and Online Master’s programs in Speech-Language Pathology must be submitted through the Communication Sciences & Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS), which can be accessed via the CSDCAS Portal.
Send official transcripts from each college or university attended directly to CSDCAS. Official transcripts should include all grades through the fall 2023 semester. Foreign transcripts should be evaluated for U.S. equivalency according to the information in the CSDCAS Applicant Help Center.
No GRE, letters of recommendation, personal statement, or clinical observation hours are required. Applicants’ academic ability and personal characteristics both will be considered for admission. Because of our holistic review process, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and personal statements are not required. Applicants’ academic ability will be evaluated based on prerequisite coursework, GPA, and interview day activities. Clinical observation hours are incorporated into the graduate program and are not required as part of the admission process.
Complete prerequisite coursework and report grades in CSDCAS. A minimum of two courses in the CSD coursework must be completed before the application deadline, February 1st. The remaining prerequisite courses listed in the Admissions Requirements section must be completed prior to starting the graduate program. All prerequisite courses must have a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Complete the Casper. Casper (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics) is a non-cognitive assessment of interpersonal skills. No studying is required, although you may want to familiarize yourself with the test structure using the link provided because the test can only be taken one time during an admission cycle.
Visit acuityinsights.app to create an account and register to take Casper using test code CSP-10101. When you register, you will have the opportunity to take two assessments – Casper and Snapshot. The WVU CSD graduate programs only require Casper (Snapshot is not required).
Note: Casper scores are sent directly to WVU, so you do not need to upload your scores to CSDCAS. This is the only application material that is not submitted to CSDCAS.
There are many test dates available from July 27, 2023, through January 16, 2024. Applicants must complete Casper by the final test date of January 16, 2024, to be considered for 2024 admissions. Applicants may search for available dates/time via the Acuity Insights website.
Complete English proficiency test and submit scores to CSDCAS (if applicable). Applicants who did not complete their bachelor's degree in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, or New Zealand should complete one of the tests listed in the Admissions Requirements section and submit their scores to CSDCAS. The test should be completed well in advance of the February 1st deadline so that official scores will be available in time.
Submit your completed CSDCAS application prior to the February 1st deadline to ensure it is verified. To be considered for admission, your application status in CSDCAS must be posted as verified on or before February 1st. CSDCAS recommends having your application completed (e-submitted and all payments, transcripts, and required documents submitted) at least four weeks in advance of the verification deadline, which is by January 4th, to ensure the application is verified by February 1. Review the CSDCAS website for more information on the program deadline requirements and how long the application process takes through CSDCAS.
The timeliness of the application is considered the responsibility of the applicant. Applications that are not verified by February 1st will not be considered for the current admission cycle.
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