Admission/Apply

Speech-Language Pathology in Downers Grove

The College of Health Sciences Speech-Language Pathology Program considers admission of those applicants who demonstrate academic and clinical aptitude coupled with professionalism. A competitive admissions framework is implemented to select program candidates. Each file is evaluated by a faculty committee using a specific program rubric.

The Midwestern University Speech-Language Pathology Program uses the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS) for students applying to the program. Applicants should submit all materials by March 1, 2013 in order to be considered (http://www.capcsd.org/csdcas). Please refer to the CSDCAS website for instructions on submission of application materials.

The Speech-Language Pathology Program operates on a rolling admissions cycle. Completed applications are reviewed throughout the cycle to determine applicant eligibility for interviews. Interviews are typically conducted during the winter and spring quarters. Admissions decisions are generally made within one month of the interview

Admission Requirements

Individuals applying for admission to the College of Health Sciences Speech-Language Pathology Program must submit documentation for the following minimum requirements before the academic year commences for the incoming class:

1. Completion of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution in Communication Sciences and Disorders, inclusive of the courses listed below, or
2. Completion of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution in an area other than Communication Sciences and Disorders with completion of a specified sequence of prerequisite coursework including all of the following:
   • Anatomy and Physiology of Communication Mechanisms
   • Phonetics
   • Articulation Development
   • Language Development
   • Speech and Hearing Science
   • Introduction to Audiology
   • Statistics
   • Coursework in biological sciences, physical sciences, and social sciences
3. Minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Grades of C or better for prerequisite courses; grades of C- are not acceptable.
4. Oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues
5. Scores on the general and writing sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) using the Midwestern University institution code of 1769
   • The test must have been taken no earlier than January 1, 2008
   • For more information about the GRE contact Educational Testing Services (ETS) at 866/473-4373 or visit www.ets.org/gre
6. Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can comment on academic, clinical, and professional experiences of the applicant
7. A completed CSDCAS application
8. Participate in an interview with faculty (invitation only)
9. Write an essay given a clinical writing prompt
10. Commitment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy
11. Passage of the Midwestern University criminal background check

International Applicants

An international student must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States, or from a recognized post secondary Canadian institution that uses English as its primary language of instruction and documentation. Of the 30 semester hours, 15 hours must be in the sciences, six hours in non-remedial English composition, and three hours in speech/public speaking.

Applicants who wish to receive transfer credit for prerequisite coursework completed outside the US or at a Canadian institution that does not use English as its primary language of instruction and documentation must submit an official, detailed, course-by-course evaluation obtained from one of the following evaluation services:

• Education Credential Evaluators (ECE): 414/289-3400 or Fax 414/289-3411 (www.ece.org, e-mail: eval@ece.org)
• World Education Service (WES): 212/966-6311 or Fax 212/739-6100 (www.wes.org)
• Josef Silny & Associates International Education Consultants: 305/273-1616 or Fax 305/273-1338 (www.jsilny.com, e-mail: info@jsilny.com)

International applicants who do not provide documentation of acceptable US or Canadian course/degree equivalency will not receive credit, and will be required to complete all prerequisite courses at an accredited college or university in the United States, or at a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada that uses English as its primary language of instruction and documentation.

For clarification about recognized post-secondary institutions in Canada that use English as a primary language of instruction and documentation, international applicants should contact the Midwestern University Office of Admissions.

Application Process and Deadlines

To be considered for admission to the Speech-Language Pathology Program, applicants must submit the following to the Office of Admissions:

1. CSDCAS Application
   Applicants are required to submit their applications to CSDCAS at http://www.capcsd.org/csdcas by March 1, 2013. Please refer to the CSDCAS application instructions for specific details about completing the application, required documents, and processing time. Due to the large number of applications and the limited number of seats available, applicants are encouraged to complete their CSDCAS application early in the cycle. One advantage of a centralized application service is that students can monitor the status of their applications online.
2. Letters of Recommendation
   Applicants are required to submit a minimum of three letters of recommendation to CSDCAS(http://www.capcsd.org/csdcas). The Office of Admissions will accept only letters of recommendation received via CSDCAS. Letters should be contributed from professors, speech-language pathologists, or other professionals with whom the applicant has interacted. They should address academic, clinical and professional qualities that will contribute to the applicant's readiness for graduate study. Please refer to the CSDCAS application instructions for specific guidelines and requirements for submitting letters of recommendation.
3. GRE Scores
   Applicants are required to submit official GRE general test and writing scores directly to Midwestern University. The MWU institutional code for submitting scores is 1769. Only scores earned during the previous five years (no earlier than January 1, 2008) and sent directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) will be accepted.
4. Completed Applications
   The Office of Admissions will send letters verifying receipt of completed CSDCAS applications to applicants who meet the minimum cumulative GPA requirement of 3.00. The letters will include instructions for checking the status of the required application materials online. Applicants are responsible for tracking the receipt of their application materials and ensuring the submission of all required documents. Only applicants who submit complete application packages will be considered for potential entrance into the Program.

Please note: Applicants are responsible for notifying the Office of Admissions of any changes in their mailing address or email address. All application withdrawal requests must be made in writing via e-mail, fax, or letter to:

Midwestern University
Office of Admissions
555 31st St.
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Fax: 630/971-6086
admissil@midwestern.edu

Interview and Selection Process

When applicants are considered eligible for interviews after review of their completed files they will be notified of available interview dates and invited by the Office of Admissions to schedule an on-campus interview.

A typical interview day involves participation in the following activities coordinated by the Office of Admissions: an interview with two department faculty, lunch with current Midwestern University students, a campus tour, and consultations with counselors from the Office of Admissions and the Office of Financial Aid.

During interview sessions, department faculty will question applicants about their academic, personal, and professional aspirations and preparedness for admission to the Speech-Language Pathology Program. Interview responses will be evaluated using a rubric established for this purpose. Rubric analyses are included in applicant files for review by the Speech-Language Pathology Admissions Committee. The Speech-Language Pathology Admissions Committee reviews the full application files for applicants who were interviewed. They determine admission recommendations and submit them to the Dean of the College of Health Sciences for action. The Dean, via the Office of Admissions, notifies each applicant in writing of the admission action/decision.

Technical Standards

A candidate must have abilities and skills in five areas: 1) observation; 2) communication; 3) motor; 4) intellectual, conceptual, integrative, and quantitative; and 5) behavioral and social. Technological compensation can be made for some limitation in certain of these areas, but a candidate should be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner.

1. Observation: The candidate must be able to accurately make observations at a distance and close at hand. Observation necessitates the functional use of the sense of vision and sense of touch and is enhanced by the functional use of all of the other senses.
2. Communication: The candidate must be able to communicate effectively, efficiently and sensitively in both oral and written form and be able to perceive nonverbal communication.
3. Motor: Candidates must be able to coordinate both gross and fine muscular movements, maintain equilibrium and have functional use of the senses of touch and vision. The candidate must possess sufficient postural control, neuromuscular control and eye-to-hand coordination to perform profession-specific skills and tasks (for example, the physical therapy program requires a candidate to be able to move at least 50 pounds vertically and horizontally).
4. Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: The candidate must be able to problem solve, measure, calculate, reason, analyze, record and synthesize large amounts of information in a timely manner. The candidate must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand spatial relationships.
5. Behavioral and Social Attributes: The candidate must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment and the consistent, prompt completion of all responsibilities and the development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships. Candidates must be able to tolerate physically, mentally and emotionally taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. The candidate must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, effective interpersonal skills, willingness and ability to function as an effective team player, interest and motivation to learn are all personal qualities required during the educational process.

Candidates are required to certify that they understand and meet these Technical Standards. Candidates must provide such certification prior to matriculation. Candidates who may not meet the Technical Standards must inform the Director of Admissions, who will then contact the Dean of Students. The Dean of Students, in consultation with the CHS Dean and Program Director, will identify and discuss what accommodations, if any, the College(/Program) would need to make that would allow the candidate to complete the curriculum. The College(/Program) is not able to grant accommodations that alter the educational standards of the curriculum. Students must meet the Technical Standards for the duration of enrollment in their professional program.