Skip to main content

Get your Master's degree with a more flexible schedule

Choosing the right graduate program is an important step in preparing for a career in speech-language pathology. We know that many of you have life situations that prevent you from moving to a campus to study full-time. That's why we developed our three-year, part-time online program with the same rigorous curriculum as our residential program and taught by the same faculty. It's our same high-quality education, just a more flexible schedule. Our state-of-the-art graduate program is rigorous and innovative and requires a short residency each summer.

Being an online graduate student at UW-Eau Claire has been an amazing experience that I will cherish forever. I have made life-long friends who have helped me achieve something I have dreamed of for a long time. UW-Eau Claire has helped me achieve my dream of becoming a speech-language pathologist.

Amy Edgemon Communication Sciences and Disorders Graduate Program

Everything you need to know about our online program

Important dates

The application period for our 2024 cohort has passed. Please note the following dates if you are applying for the 2025 cohort

  • Mid-July 2024 - Application Process Opens (Date TBA)
  • November 1, 2024 - Application Deadline
  • June 2025 - New Online Cohort Starts

More detailed information on the application process can be found in the accordions below. 

Program overview
  • This is a part-time online program with students admitted as a cohort and beginning in June.
  • All coursework is completed online over a three-year period with required residency periods of one week each summer.

  • All students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and successfully complete a comprehensive examination prior to graduation.

  • Successful completion of our ASHA-accredited part-time online graduate program culminates in a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders.
  • We also prepare students to meet requirements for ASHA certification and state licenses. Students are encouraged to contact the appropriate licensing agency in the state where they will seek licensure prior to beginning an academic program.

  • UW-Eau Claire is a member of SARA, but that does not provide reciprocity for licensing requirements.

More detailed information can be found by selecting the accordions below. 

Academic and clinical requirements
  • This is a part-time graduate program.
  • Coursework is completed online over a three-year period.
  • All students are expected to register for 2-6 credits each term. 
  • Students earn a total of 54 graduate credits: 40 credits of coursework and 14 credits of clinical practicum.
  • You must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 to remain in good standing. 
  • All students must successfully complete a comprehensive examination prior to graduation.
  • Students are admitted as a cohort and must move through the program together.
  • You are required to attend a one-week residency on-campus each summer of your program. Residency weeks are filled with teambuilding, hands-on equipment time, activities, face-to-face competencies, and measurement of competencies with faculty. 
  • New cohorts will begin the program in residency on our campus one full week in June 2024. 
    Your second and third residency weeks will be scheduled in 2025 and 2026, respectively.
  • You are also encouraged to come to campus 2-3 days before the May commencement ceremony at the end of the third year to complete program/certification requirements.
  • Some students may need to add other credits in order to meet credential and/or licensure standards. These additional courses may include human or animal biology, chemistry or physics, child/human development, statistics, neurology, sign language, assessment and treatment for voice, articulation/phonology, child language, hearing disorders (aural rehabilitation), and guided clinical observation (during which you earn 25 observation hours). Students with such deficiencies may apply to the graduate program but must understand that additional coursework will be required before beginning the program or during the course of the program. 
  • For additional information, please refer the documents below and the current CSD Online Graduate Program Handbook (below).
Admission philosophy

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire knows that having a diversity of thought and voice elevates all voices. We believe diversity is essential to our work as an institution. We are committed to the deep and sustained work required to cultivate a culture where equity, diversity, and inclusivity are supported by a spectrum of diverse voices woven into the fabric of our program.  

We have listed the steps that our department is taking in an effort to deconstruct racism and embrace diversity. The full statement can be found on our program website. With regard to graduate admissions, we have made the following changes

  • Our evaluation of applications is a holistic process that will consider experience, personal attributes, and key academic metrics.
  • We do not accept standardized exam results (i.e., GRE scores) as part of the graduate application materials due to the racial, ethnic, and cultural biases inherent in such testing.

At UWEC, we value diversity and lifelong learning. We expect our graduate students to become excellent SLPs, collaborative leaders, and culturally humble citizens of the world.  

Admission criteria
Minimum Criteria to be Considered for Admission
  • Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university. 
  • An overall undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75.
  • A minimum GPA of 3.25 in CSD coursework.
  • A grade of B or better in any graded CSD practicum experience.
  • A minimum of 30 CSD semester credits or a bachelor's degree in CSD must be earned by the beginning of your graduate program (see post-baccalaureate sequence link below).
    • These credits must include college-level coursework in each of the following five areas:
      • Anatomy & Physiology of Speech & Hearing Mechanism
      • Speech & Hearing Science
      • Normal Communication/Language Development
      • Phonetics
      • Audiology
    • The 30 minimum credits must also include at least 3 of the following 6 courses or courses that are equivalent (note: overview or “survey” disorders courses, or courses designed exclusively for SLPA training are not accepted):
      • Speech-Sound Disorders
      • Child Language Disorders
      • Voice & Resonance Disorders
      • Aural Rehabilitation
      • Clinical Methods/Procedures (with 25 hours of guided observation)
      • Neurology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism
    • Additional CSD coursework required for our graduate program:
      • Introduction to Sign Language

 

Additional Information:

  • The required courses total 38 credits. Although only 30 credits are required for admission to the graduate program, if not completed prior to entry into the graduate program, the remaining courses must be taken during the graduate program. The need to take any of the deficiency coursework during the grad program will result in the first year of the grad program feeling like full-time graduate studies.
  • Appropriate disorders courses must cover content in both assessment and intervention. Determination of course equivalency is made by the department chairperson and graduate program coordinator. 
  • We do not accept standardized exam results (i.e., GRE scores) as part of the graduate application materials due to the racial, ethnic, and cultural biases inherent in such testing.

Post-Baccalaureate Sequence

Essential functions

Application instructions and checklist
Given the admissions philosophy of the UWEC program, the following information is provided to guide prospective candidates through the application process.
Important Information and Dates: 
  • Application for the part-time online graduate cohort opens on Mid-July 2024 (Date TBA).
    NOTE: Do not use any application materials or instructions downloaded prior to July 17, 2024.
  • All application materials are due by 10:59 PM Central time on November 1, 2024.
  • Applications that are incomplete after this date will not be reviewed. It is your responsibility to meet this deadline.
  • Do not wait until the last minute to submit your application.
    You can submit your application up until 10:59 PM CST on November 1st; however, ensure you allow for time to complete the required payment section. You must click Submit and complete the final payment information before the deadline to guarantee your submission is accepted. Please be aware that during busiest times you may experience page loading delays, and these may occur outside of customer service's hours of operation. CSDCAS cannot grant deadline extensions if you miss your deadline.
Application Instructions:
  1. Complete a CSDCAS application at Communication Science and Disorders Centralized Application Services (CSDCAS): Communication Science and Disorders Centralized Application (CSDCAS) beginning Mid-July 2024. The deadline for receipt of all materials is November 1, 10:59 PM CST.

    • Complete all steps in the CSDCAS application. This includes the four following components:
      • Personal Information: This is where you can highlight all aspects of your identity to help us better understand who you are.
      • Academic History: In addition to entering all completed coursework from your transcripts in your CSDCAS application, you must also list any planned or in-progress coursework.
      • Program Materials: This includes technology questions and a three-item extended writing prompt.
      • Supporting Information: This includes three letters of recommendation (“evaluators”) and allows you to highlight additional experiences and achievements. Please do NOT submit more than three letters of recommendation.
    • Submit your application as soon as you have completed your sections (no later than 10:59 PM Central time on November 1).
      • Note: Your letters of recommendation and transcripts can arrive after you click Submit and will be added to your application as they are received. 
    • If you experience issues with the CSDCAS application process, contact CSDCAS customer service with questions or problems: 617-612-2030 or CSDCASinfo@CSDCAS.org

  2. Send ALL transcripts (dual credit, junior college, study abroad, any universities) to CSDCAS in early fall.
    • We recommended requesting transcripts prior to October 1 to allow colleges time to process your request.
    • Do not submit transcripts to UWEC. Transcripts should be submitted to: CSDCAS Verification Department, P.O. Box 9113, Watertown, MA 02471

  3. Complete the University application (except for the essay item) at https://apply.wisconsin.edu and pay the $56 fee before November 1, 2024.
  4. If invited, complete the video chat interview: Interviews are scheduled in mid-December and take place in early January.
Application Checklist:

An additional tool to help you keep track of the application process is the Application Checklist. It is attached below for your reference. Use this checklist to make sure you have completed all of the steps in the application process. The checklist includes links to all of the websites and documents you need in order to complete your application.
Application Checklist Online 2025

Questions:
If you have any questions or concerns about the application process, please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator

Application evaluation criteria
Application Evaluation Criteria - Our Holistic Review Promise

A faculty committee will evaluate your application holistically. We utilize all components of your CSDCAS application to better understand all of the following related to YOU:

  • Academic skills
  • Personal characteristics
  • Service, leadership, and CSD related experiences
  • Writing skills
  • Strong and enduring community ties/connections
  • United States military affiliation (self or partner)
  • Oral communication (for those who get called for the interview stage of the process)

That means we look at multiple parts of the application to designate a ranking for each of the following areas:

  • Three letters of recommendation. You should choose letter writers who know you well and can speak to how your academic skills, any research experience, personal characteristics, and/or life experiences align you with being a strong match for a rigorous, online graduate program and (ultimately) becoming an SLP. These letter writers should be sure to highlight your exceptional personal characteristics and life, clinical, academic, community, and/or leadership experiences.
    • At least one letter of recommendation needs to be from a faculty member who knows you academically within communication sciences and disorders.
    • We will evaluate letters from individuals in other academic programs and letters from non-academic sources such as supervisors at your place of employment. 
    • Do not utilize letters of recommendation from relatives or close friends.
    • Only three letters will be reviewed—do not submit more than three.
  • Your written response. You will be asked to address three specific prompts in one essay. We are looking for your responses related to the following (specific, more detailed writing prompts are within CSDCAS once the application period opens):
    • Why you are an excellent match for the UWEC, online, part-time graduate program and (ultimately) for becoming an SLP.
    • Your understanding of and journey with cultural humility.
    • Your beginning knowledge and skills with a specific clinical application scenario in CSD.

  •  Your CSD GPA.
    • You can review the published information on GPA averages for our recently admitted cohort in the Compare to the most recently admitted cohort section on this website. 
    • Your written response (described above) is a place where you can explain any discrepancies between your GPA values and your knowledge, skills, dispositions, and experiences that you believe make you an excellent match for our graduate program and for becoming an SLP.

 

Compare to the most recently admitted cohort
  • Number of completed applications received - 119
  • Average overall GPA of admitted students - 3.8
  • Average major (CSD courses) GPA of admitted students - 3.95
What does the program cost?
  • Tuition and fees for the first year are estimated at $715 per credit, pending Board of Regents approval. This may increase as much a 5% per year. The UW System Board of Regents sets tuition rates each summer for the following year.
  • Tuition is charged as a flat-rate per-credit fee.
  • Required textbooks and other required course materials/supplies (varies from course-to-course).
  • Registration with the program's CALIPSO management system ($100 one-time fee, paid by each student directly).
  • Travel expenses for the required residency periods (preferred travel method to and from Eau Claire, lodging, meals and any other personal travel related expenses).
  • Liaison supervision costs, when applicable (will vary from site-to-site).
  • Payment for annual criminal background checks, arranged by the student according to instructions from the College of Education & Human Sciences
  • Immunization or TB testing costs if applicable.
  • Technology required.
  • Additional information on program costs and financial opportunities for graduate students can be found here: Graduate Tuition + Fees (uwec.edu)
Financial aid & graduate scholarships

Financial Aid:

  • The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire offers financial assistance to graduate students. Part-time graduate students are typically eligible for loans only.
  • The "Financial Aid Year" consists of terms Fall/Spring/Summer. If you are accepted to the program and plan to apply for financial assistance, you will need to have filed a FAFSA for both the summer of the academic year you begin the program plus the following year. For example, students admitted for Summer 2023 will need to have filed a FAFSA for the academic year 2022-2023 (to be eligible for Summer 2023 aid) plus a FAFSA for the following 2023-24 academic year (to be eligible for Fall 2023, Spring 2024, and/or Summer 2024).
  • Once you begin the graduate program, financial aid will apply to graduate-level classes only; costs for any remaining pre-requisite classes taken at the undergraduate level will not be included in your financial aid award. Contact the financial aid office at finaid@uwec.edu to discuss options for financial aid in semesters when you must take additional undergraduate/pre-requisite coursework.
  • Admitted students are advised to contact the Office of Financial Aid directly at finaid@uwec.edu (recommended), or call 715-836-3373, regarding potential adjustments for travel expenses and Winterim classes. 

Graduate Scholarships:

  • Applicants who have been invited into our graduate cohort and accept admission will be eligible to apply for several CSD scholarships that are available to our first-year graduate students. Additional CSD scholarships and Foundation Fellowships are also available for the second/third year of your program. More information about financial aid for graduate students is available on our Financial Opportunities for Graduate Students site: Financial Opportunities for Graduate Students.
  • Opportunities include:
    • UWEC Graduate Student Foundation Fellowships
    • Graduate Assistantships
    • Advanced Opportunity Program (AOP) Grants
    • Tuition Remission or Reduced Tuition
Is this program accredited?

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology residential and distance education at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire 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, and is approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Wisconsin is a SARA state (State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement) and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is a SARA-approved institution.

"The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement is an agreement among member states, districts and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. It is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state." http://nc-sara.org/

Important Notice to Students: If you are considering an online academic program that leads to a professional license, it is highly recommended you contact the appropriate licensing agency in the state where you plan to apply for your license before beginning your academic program. SARA does not provide reciprocity for state professional licensing requirements. Academic programs and individual graduates must meet standards set by that state's licensure requirements in order for a graduate to be eligible for a license.

The SARA provision for this requirement can be found on pg. 10 herein: http://nc-sara.org/content/faqs

The Communication Sciences & Disorders graduate program at UW‐Eau Claire prepares students for licensure in the state of Wisconsin. Students work collaboratively with the program director during their program to be certain they will complete ready for  licensure in all other states.

Technical requirements

Students seeking enrollment in the UWEC CSD online graduate program will need the following technical requirements to participate in the program: 

  • Access to Microsoft Office 2013 or 2016:
    • Throughout the course, Microsoft Office Suite applications including PowerPoint and Word will be utilized; thus Microsoft Office 2013 or 2016 is required.
    • Full, free access to the Microsoft Office suite of software is available to all students from the UWEC, Office 365 application.
  • Internet Connection:
    • An Internet service provider is required.
    • If available in your area, a satellite, DSL, or cable modem connection is recommended.
    • NOTE: Use of a dial-up Internet connection will not support some of the online grad program applications and is highly discouraged.
  • Video Playback Capability:
    • The ability to able to playback videos throughout the course is important.
    • Examples of video playback software include VLC Player, iTunes, Windows Media Player, and Quicktime, all of which can be downloaded from the Internet for free.
  • Video Conferencing Software:
    • The ability to video conference with the faculty and classmates will be required at times during the online graduate program.
    • Software like Skype, Google Chat, or ooVoo can be downloaded for free from the Internet and will meet this requirement.
  • Screen Capture Software:
    • Online graduate students will be required to create screencast productions at different points and to satisfy different requirements and competencies throughout their program.
    • Free, online applications will be sufficient for this purpose. Options include: Kaltura Capturespace, iSpring Free, Screencastomatic, and Educreations (for iPad).
  • USB Headset/Microphone:
    • In order to properly record voiceovers and to participate in video conferencing, a high-quality USB headset/mic is required. 
  • Mobile Device Usage:
    • All CSD online graduate students will need access to a mobile device for generating and sharing certain specific course/clinical work/requirements.
    • Many mobile devices like a smartphone, iPad, Kindle Fire, or Microsoft Surface may meet the needs of the technical requirements for the program.
    • Check with the Graduate Coordinator to see if your device (or one you can access) will suffice.
  • Scanner or Mobile Device App for Scanning:
    • Many times during the academic and clinical experiences, students will be required to scan and upload or email items.
    • Convenient access to scanning is critical. 
Reapplying to the online graduate program

For applicants reapplying to our online graduate program:

  1. Submit a new University application at https://apply.wisconsin.edu.You will not have to pay another application fee if you are re-applying within two years (four full semesters) of your initial application to our graduate program.

  2. Complete an application at Communication Science and Disorders Centralized Application Services (CDSCAS): Communication Science and Disorders Centralized Application Services (CSDCAS) beginning Mid-July  2024. Follow the instructions on the CDSCAS website for re-applicants. The deadline for receipt of all materials is November 1, 2023, 10:59pm CSTIt is your responsibility to meet the deadline requirements. Contact CSDCAS customer service with questions and problems: 617-612-2030 or CSDCASinfo@CSDCAS.org.

  3. Follow instructions on the CSDCAS site for submission of three (3) letters of recommendation. At least one must come from CSD instructors or supervisors. Previously submitted letters of recommendation will not be transferred to your CSDCAS application.

  4. Follow instructions on the CSDCAS site for submission of a personal essay. You will be asked to address specific prompts. Your previously submitted personal essay will not be transferred to your CSDCAS application.

  5. In addition to entering all completed coursework from your transcripts, we require that applicants list all planned and in-progress coursework so we can help you plan your graduate program.

  6. Send all official transcripts to:  CSDCAS Verification Department | PO Box 9113 | Watertown, MA 02471.
    Your previously submitted official transcripts will not be transferred to your CSDCAS application.
Can international students apply?

We cannot accept international students at this time. This program does not meet the regulatory requirement for issuance of an I-20 or DS-2019; F and J visas cannot be issued for this program.

Discrimination and harassment policies and reporting

It is the policy of the UW-Eau Claire to maintain an academic and work environment free of discrimination, discriminatory harassment, and retaliation for all students and employees. This policy applies to all programs and activities, and employment practices and operations including the conduct of all students and employees arising out of their employment, educational or academic status, as well as to the conduct of all guests, visitors, vendors, contractors, subcontractors and others who do business with UW-Eau Claire.

Further information can be found by visiting the Policies site below:
https://www.uwec.edu/kb/article/policies-discrimination-harassment-and-retaliation-policy/

Email Graduate Program Coordinator

We want to hear from you

Please enter your name

Please enter a valid email address

Please enter a valid phone number

Please enter a message