CSD Grad FAQs

The Application Process

Do you mail out application materials?

No, all information and application materials are now online; we have no printed material to mail. The University prefers that all prospective students apply using the online application through the Office of Graduate and International Admissions.

What semesters do you accept new graduate students?

We accept applications for the Fall semester ONLY.

When do I apply for the CSD graduate program?

The deadline for applications is different for all areas of study. Please refer to our Admissions page for specific deadlines.

Do my reference letters have to come from faculty, or would my supervisor at work be able to write a recommendation for me?

Letters from faculty in Communication Sciences and Disorders with whom you have taken courses and/or worked on research projects are the most helpful to our admission committees. Also helpful, of course, would be letters from employment supervisors, but mostly if the work were in CSD or a related field. We really do need to receive at least some input from academic faculty with whom you have worked.

How does the admissions committee determine which applicants are admitted to the graduate program?

We evaluate each and every application individually, carefully weighing all factors such as GRE scores, upper-division (junior-senior level) grades, Statement of Purpose Essay, and letters of recommendation. Successful applicants will be those who, in the judgment of the faculty admissions committees, show the greatest promise for success as a graduate student in our program and as a professional after graduation. We do not employ arbitrary threshold or minimum values for such factors as GRE scores or GPA to determine which applications are evaluated for admission, nor do we have geographic preferences or quotas; all applications are considered carefully.

Do all the prerequisite courses have to be completed at the time I apply?

No, we understand that you may still need to take courses in the spring and/or summer. To be competitive for admission, though, you must be able to show that you will complete all the prerequisites by the time your graduate program starts in the Fall. Complete and submit the CSD Graduate Applicant Prerequisites Form (PDF – get Adobe Acrobat Reader) by the required CSD DEADLINE DATE.

When is it too late to take the GRE?

Your GRE scores must be reported to the Department no later than your area deadline date. Your official GRE score report must reach the Office of Graduate and International Admissions by the required CSD deadline dates.

I have taken the GRE more than once. Which score will be considered?

We will use the highest of your combined scores (verbal and quantitative). For example, if you take the GRE in June and score a total of 1130, and then take it again in October and score 1090, we would consider 1130 to be your GRE score.

I took the GRE more than five years ago. Will the score count?

No, GRE scores are valid for a maximum of 5 years. For Fall 2008 admission, the GRE must have been taken after August 2003.

How much is the application fee, and where do I send it?

The application fee for U.S. applicants is $50, and for International applicants it is $75. You may pay by Visa or MasterCard at the application web site, or you may mail a check.

Where do I send my transcripts?

Official transcripts should be sent from your undergraduate institution directly to the Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC), UT-Austin, P.O. Box 7608, Austin, TX 78713-7608.

What information should I include in my Statement of Purpose?

The Statement of Purpose will be one page overall. Applicants are asked to describe 1.) research, academic and/or personal experiences leading to an interest in graduate study and 2.) future career plans

Are interviews required?

Interviews are ONLY required for Ph.D. applicants. Master's and Au.D. applicants do not need to visit for individual interviews, but a “CSD Info Day” is available if you wish to visit our program.

How do I find out the status of my application with the Office of Graduate Admissions?

You can check with the Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC).

When will I find out if I have been admitted to the CSD graduate program?

Decisions are typically announced mid March via US Mail.

How soon does your office need to know my decision of acceptance if I am admitted into the CSD graduate program?

We would like to know as soon as possible, but in any case no later than the institutional deadline across the nation of April 15th.

Can I defer my enrollment?

Only in extraordinary circumstances, with permission of the Graduate Adviser, a student who has been admitted to the program may defer enrollment to the following year.