Core SLP Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
What makes the Core Program unique?
- The Core SLP program provides opportunities for students to individualize their studies through elective coursework reflecting their career and/or research interests.
- Classroom and clinical experiences enable students to enter a variety of areas of clinical practice including early childhood programs, schools, outpatient clinics, private practices and hospitals.
How are the Core SLP and MedSLP programs different/similar?
Program emphasis: The Core SLP program is for students interested in exploring the practice of SLP across a variety of settings. The MedSLP program is designed for students interested in working in the field of medical speech-language pathology, and provides focused coursework and community-based experiences in this area.
Program length: The Core SLP program is two years and does not include the clinical fellowship experience. The MedSLP program is a three-year program and does include the clinical fellowship year.
Program requirement: In the Core SLP program students are required to select an “emphasis path” and choose didactic and practicum electives in accordance with the emphasis path. The identified emphasis path also determines the student’s practica plan and scheduling. The MedSLP program has a predetermined curriculum structure in terms of coursework and practica. There are no elective coursework options in this graduate program due to its fixed nature.
Coursework: During the first year of both graduate programs, students take a similar series of courses to gain a foundation of clinical knowledge that covers the full range of communication sciences and disorders. In the second year, however, MedSLP students take specialized courses significant to the practice of medical speech pathology while Core SLP students complete their elective coursework.
Practica: There are different clinical practicum requirements for each graduate program. However, all students complete a full-time internship at the end of their second year (before beginning a clinical fellowship).
During the first year, the clinical practica for both programs are primarily completed in the highly supportive context of the UW Speech & Hearing Clinic and students learn to assess and treat a variety of communication disorders across the lifespan.
During the second year, Core SLP students complete the majority of their practica in the UW Speech and Hearing Clinic while the MedSLP students complete a series of community-based practicum experiences across various professional settings.
When is the Master’s degree conferred?
The degree is conferred after (a) the successful completion of all core didactics and practica (minimum 8 quarters), and (b) either successfully passing the comprehensive exam or successfully completing the requirements for the Master’s thesis.
Can I apply to both the Core SLP and the MedSLP Master’s programs?
Yes, students may apply to both programs. However, applicants must state a preference for either the Core SLP or MedSLP program on their application. In addition, individuals are required to write a personal statement which specifically reflects their interests in the preferred program.
How many students are admitted to the Core SLP Program?
18 – 24 students are admitted each year.
Are there minimum GPA and/or GRE scores required for admission to the Core SLP Program?
A minimum GPA of 3.0 during the last 90 quarter credit hours of study (60 semester hours) is required. There are no GRE score requirements. We consider all applicant credential and information during the application process. High GPAs and GRE scores are desirable, but are not the controlling factors in admission. Please visit the following website (page 10) for a summary of our department’s graduate student
statistics.http://www.grad.washington.edu/stats/tenyear/departmental/rptgsis_depts_cs.pdf.
Can I transfer between the Core SLP program and the MedSLP?
No. Students are accepted into only one program. The curriculum and practica are uniquely designed to support each program and cannot accommodate student transfers.
If admitted, may I defer entrance to the program?
No. Planning for your program begins immediately upon admission. On-campus and off-site clinical experiences are arranged annually. If you are admitted, then choose not to enter the program, the strength of your re-application in subsequent years is considered within the pool of applicants at that time.
When are classes offered?
Coursework is scheduled around the needs of clinical practicum placements and scheduling. Prospective students should be aware that some required courses may need to be offered during late afternoons or evening hours (e.g., 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.). In addition, classes may occasionally need to meet on Saturdays. The graduate program is also in session every quarter, including Summer Quarter, and students will have required classes during that time.
Are Summer Quarter classes required?
Absolutely. The Core program is in session every quarter, including Summer Quarter. Breaks in your program greatly complicate your plan of study and preclude the careful planning that has gone into matching your classroom experiences with your clinical training.
Can I complete my graduate program in less than 8 quarters?
No. A minimum of 8 quarters are necessary in order to complete the didactic and clinical requirements of the program.
Can I do practica at off-site placements instead of at the UW Speech and Hearing Clinic?
In general, “No”. In the Core SLP Program, the majority of practica are completed at the UW Speech and Hearing Clinic.
When do I do my internship?
Most students will do their Internship during the Spring Quarter of their 2nd year. This is due to a variety of tracking issues (i.e., ensuring that all students complete the required practica here at the UW Speech and Hearing Clinic and at CHDD).
If I do my internship in the Spring Quarter of my second year do I have to come back to the UW Speech and Hearing Clinic?
Yes. Students will not have been able to complete all the required practica prior to their internship. Students are expected to return to the UW Speech and Hearing Clinic for the entirety of the Summer Quarter.
Do I get to choose my internship site?
No, but student interests and input are integrated into the decision-making process. Designated faculty work to match student interests with the best available community site and clinical supervisor. Assignments are ultimately made by the internship/fieldwork coordinators, but are guided by the emphasis path chosen by each student. In addition, depending on the number of students (from our graduate programs and others) interested in a particular site, students may be required to interview for an internship.
What types of facilities/settings are available for internships?
Internships can occur in public schools, outpatient clinics, private practices, hospitals and skilled nursing/assisted living facilities. Please note, however, that students in the MedSLP program receive priority for scheduling acute care and inpatient rehab internships.
Is the Clinical Fellowship process included in the Core SLP program?
No. As with other two-year graduate programs, students find their own Clinical Fellowship upon receipt of their Master’s degree.
Are there research opportunities for Core SLP students (e.g., completing a Master’s thesis)?
Yes. All graduate students have the opportunity to complete a Master’s thesis in lieu of taking comprehensive exam, with advisor approval. In addition, students interested in research can elect to follow the “research” emphasis path in the Core SLP program.
How do UW graduates perform on the Praxis examination?
The Praxis exams in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology assess beginning practitioners’ understanding of the essential content and current practices in the profession. From April 2008 – April 2009, twenty-one University of Washington Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology students took the Praxis exam with the following results: Median Score = 750 (Highest score = 780 – Lowest score = 660).
Will I be able to get a job when I graduate?
Although no one can predict economic conditions, many demographic factors indicate that employment opportunities for Speech-Language Pathologists will continue to be plentiful. Over the past two years, all of our students graduating with a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology, who were seeking positions (full or part-time), were successful in securing employment.
Is there a different tuition rate for out-of-state students?
Yes. Please see http://www.washington.edu/students/sfs/sao/tuition/what.html for information about tuition.
Is financial aid available for the Core SLP program?
The department usually does not have financial assistance for Master’s students; therefore no special application for aid is necessary. If teaching assistantships (TA) or research assistantships (RA) become available, we notify all graduate students and interested students may apply.
Prospective students should carefully read the information on the “University of Washington Office of Student Financial Aid” website: http://www.washington.edu/students/osfa/index.html
If a student qualifies for UW Work Study, the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences makes every effort to employ the student within the department including its laboratories. Work study positions are readily available throughout the UW campus, as well. Complete information about the Work Study Program is available at: http://www.washington.edu/students/osfa/gradaid/ws.paperwork.html
What is life in Seattle like?
The Pacific Northwest is often described as the best of all worlds. Our mild climate, owing to our location on the beautiful Puget Sound, along with our proximity to the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, means that you can be sea kayaking on Saturday and cross-country skiing on Sunday. Year-round hiking and world famous ski resorts are within easy reach of Seattle. Miles of bike paths, incredible on-campus sports and workout facilities, and the vibrant, energetic Seattle culture make the University of Washington a perfect place to study and live. The greater metropolitan area offers the full range of cultural and recreational opportunities you would expect, from the world class Seattle Symphony to professional sports (Seattle is the home of the Seahawks, the Mariners, and the Storm) and a friendly culture of community sports leagues. Clean air, a pervasive international flavor, and the natural warmth of the Pacific Northwesterner are all big draws.
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