Admission Requirements

Elmhurst University’s graduate program in Communication Sciences and Disorders welcomes applicants who have met the requirements listed below.

• An undergraduate degree with a minimum 3.2 GPA and a minimum 3.2 GPA in CSD courses
• The following prerequisite CSD courses:
  • Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism
  • Child Language Development
  • Clinical Methods
  • Introduction to Audiology
  • Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders
  • Phonetics
  • Speech Science
  • Speech Sound Disorders (Articulation and Phonology)
• Per the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Standard IV-A, applicants for certification must have demonstrated knowledge of the biological sciences, physical sciences, social/behavioral sciences, and statistics. Therefore, we request that graduate applicants have completed coursework in:
  • Biological sciences (human or animal biology, such as a course in biology, human anatomy and physiology, neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, human genetics, or veterinary science)
  • Physical sciences (a physics or chemistry course)
  • Social/behavioral sciences (a course in psychology, sociology, anthropology, or public health)
  • Statistics (a stand-alone course)
• Strongly recommended: We encourage students to complete these two additional courses during their undergraduate studies. They are offered at Elmhurst University to graduate students who need them, though it is advisable for students to complete these courses prior to graduate work.
  • A course in Aural Rehabilitation is required for ASHA certification.
  • A course in Methods of Teaching Learners with Exceptionalities is required for an Illinois Professional Educator’s License.
• We prefer that candidates complete all prerequisite coursework before applying for the graduate program. Students are still welcome to apply if they have completed most of these courses. Completion of prerequisites is factored into scoring. Completion of all prerequisites presented above earns full scoring for the prerequisite portion of the graduate application. These courses may be completed as part of the student’s undergraduate coursework, transferred from another college or university, or taken in our Graduate Preparation Program prior to applying to the CSD program.

How to Apply for the CSD Master’s Program

Each year, the CSDCAS application for fall opens July 15 and closes January 15 at 11:59 p.m. (EST).

To complete your application, visit the CSDCAS website and complete or submit:

• The application for admission
• All official transcripts (A maximum of 12 hours of graduate credit from another regionally accredited institution may be transferred toward a master’s degree in speech-language pathology)
• GRE scores are optional (the Elmhurst University code is 0750). Students’ scores from previous years are posted on the ASHA website.
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals able to comment on the applicant’s academic performance, interpersonal and leadership skills, clinical preparation/aptitude, and potential for successful completion of a graduate program. It is preferable for at least two of the three letters to be from professors/course instructors. We do not request more than three letters.
• Please upload a personal statement in which you address these three topic areas:
  1. Please describe how your understanding of the speech-language pathology profession has changed over time and why you chose the graduate program at Elmhurst University to support you in achieving your current goals.
  2. What diversity or unique perspectives do you bring to the cohort? Examples can be from volunteer, leadership, clinical or research experience.
  3. How will you contribute to the positive and supportive graduate student cohort and professional community that we value at Elmhurst University? Please limit your personal statement to two pages, single-spaced.
• Twenty-five hours of guided clinical observation. You will be asked to indicate in your application if you have completed 25 hours of guided clinical observations, meaning that you have a signed record confirming your completion of 25 guided clinical observation hours by ASHA certified SLPs/audiologists and/or signed off by a University representative from a Communication Sciences and Disorders program. Completion prior to application is preferred though not required.

Admission FAQs

All applications will be processed through CSDCAS. There is no supplemental application required by Elmhurst University.

Official Transcripts

All official transcripts should be sent to:

CSDCAS Verification Dept.
P.O. Box 9113
Watertown, MA 02471

Please do not send transcripts to Elmhurst University.

International Students

Learn more about international student requirements.

Contacting CSDCAS

CSDCAS customer service is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST.

• Phone: (617) 612-2030
• Email: csdcasinfo@csdcas.org

Additional Information

Students offered admission to the master’s degree program will be asked to submit additional required documentation, including well-documented evidence of 25 hours of observation. The results of a background check prior to their first term on campus is also required. Information regarding this documentation and any other required documentation will come from the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders following admission to the program. For more information, please contact the program director.

It is not feasible for faculty to meet with all applicants individually. Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend a graduate session that best fits your schedule to tour the facilities, meet faculty and to learn more about our program.