Admissions

Camp Success

Graduate Scholarships, Assistantships, Financial Aid

Admissions

1. Which Degree do I apply for?
• The Masters of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders is the most common degree for those students who wish to become a Professional Speech-Language Pathologist. The Graduate requirements are designed to integrate outstanding academic and clinical experiences.

• The Masters of Arts Degree is offered for those students who are interested in obtaining greater research experience or who are planning on continuing on for their Ph.D. Degree. Typically the M.A. Degree requires an additional semester to perform the research and writing requirements. If interested in this track, please contact the Graduate Program Director to discuss the advantages.

2. When are the application deadlines?
The Graduate Program accepts new students in the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Completion of the application process should be completed by the following deadlines.
• Fall Applications: February 15th
• Summer Applications: February 15th
• Spring Applications: September 15th

3. Do I need to start the application process well in advance of the deadlines?
Yes, Many people do not realize (until it is too late) that it takes time to get your materials turned in. All materials (Application, Official GRE scores, Transcripts from every college or university you have attended, and recommendations) must be received by the deadline to be fully considered. Often these take considerable time to be sent, so it is best to request these materials at least 4 to 6 weeks in advance. It is NOT necessary to send everything at the same time to the Graduate School. The Graduate school will merge your materials as they arrive.

4. Do I need to submit any additional materials with my application?
Yes, To be considered for our program, all applicants must submit the following materials: * Online Application * Current GRE Scores * Transcripts (from every college or university attended) * Three letters of recommendation * Personal Statement

5. Are my previous grades important?
Yes, Both the overall grade point average and the major grade point average play an important part in the admission process. They also play an important role in the determination of who is eligible for merit based scholarship funds. Both the overall GPA and major GPA reflect on the ability to succeed as a graduate student. If for some reason you feel your overall GPA does not reflect your abilities, you may wish to include a letter explaining why (such as a late change in major).

6. Is there a cutoff for GPAs or GREs?
No, There is no particular GPA or GRE cutoff. The slots are filled with the applicants that show the greatest potential to succeed as a Graduate Student.

7. Do I need to take the GRE? Are the GRE scores important?
Yes, All applicants are required to take the General GRE and have the official scores submitted to Baylor University. The GRE scores play an important role in the admission process. They also play an important role in the determination of who is eligible for merit based scholarship funds. Applicants who do not perform as well as they would like often ask if it is possible to retake the GRE. We encourage you to take the GRE early so that you will have the chance to retake it if you feel it does not reflect your best abilities. We also encourage you to obtain the best possible scores on the GRE because it is to your advantage. There is no disadvantage to retaking the GRE since only the best set of scores is considered.

8. I did not major in Communication Sciences & Disorders. Can I still apply to the Graduate Program?
Yes, You may apply for the Graduate Program for Fall admission. As a non-major, you are required to take the prerequisite or "leveling" courses before you can take Graduate level courses. The prerequisites may be taken while you are in the Graduate Program or prior to applying.

Please Note: We can only accept non-major or "leveling" students for Fall admission. We can not accept leveling applicants for Summer or Spring semesters. If you decide to take pre-requisite courses at a different university, there is no guarantee that these courses will be transferable in our graduate program.

9. Are other factors considered beyond the GPAs and GREs?
Yes, When determining the potential to succeed as a Graduate student, we review and consider the entire application and all materials you submit. You can include additional information in the online application, or you can submit the materials to the Graduate school in the form of a letter or resume.

10. What do I need to do to be considered for Merit Scholarships?
All applicants are automatically considered for Merit based Scholarship funds. These scholarships are provided by the department on a merit bases, meaning that they are awarded to the students who have demonstrated the highest level of performance. There are other sources of needs based financial support available and information can be obtained from the Baylor Student financial aid website.

11. I'm ready to apply. How do I start?
Applications are submitted online by going to the Graduate School website and choosing "Apply Now" You will be asked the department name (Communications Sciences & Disorders) and the degree you are applying for (Masters of Science in Communication Sciences & Disorders). You will be allowed to work on the application and modify it as many times as you want. When finished, choose "Submit Application" and your final application will be submitted to the Graduate School. Keep in mind that it is important to request the other required materials as early as possible (3 recommendations, official transcripts, and official GRE scores).

12. Where do I send my letters of recommendation?
When you complete the online application for the graduate program, there will be a place to enter your recommenders' email addresses and they will be sent a link to the recommendation form.

13. Who should I contact if I would like some additional information?
Kathryn Williams
Email: Kathryn_Williams@baylor.edu
Phone: (254)710-2567

Dr. J. David Garrett
Email: David_Garrett@baylor.edu

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Camp Success

1. How can I enroll my child into the Camp Success program?
Your child must receive a comprehensive speech, language and reading evaluation prior to being considered for Camp Success. Following this evaluation, your child will then be considered for the program based on his or her individual needs. If we believe that the program is a good fit for your child, he or she will be placed on the Camp Success list.

2. How can I get my child evaluated?
Call 254-710-2568 and place your child on the diagnostic list. You will be called as soon as there is an opening

3. What is dyslexia?
(Definition adopted by National Institutes of Health) Dyslexia is one of several distinct learning disabilities. It is a specific language-based disorder of constitutional origin characterized by difficulties in single word decoding, usually reflecting insufficient phonological processing abilities. These difficulties in single word decoding are often unexpected in relation to age and other cognitive and academic abilities; they are not the result of generalized developmental disability or sensory impairment. Dyslexia is manifested by variable difficulty with different forms of language, often including, in addition to problems reading, a conspicuous problem with acquiring proficiency in writing and spelling.

4. What is multisensory structured language education?
It is an instructional approach that incorporates the simultaneous use of visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile sensory modalities to link listening, speaking, reading, and writing together.

5. Why use cursive handwriting?
• The rhythm involved in cursive writing lends itself to a more efficient use of movement by not having to relocate the pencil with each new letter that is written. • Proper spacing is aided in the writing of words. • Cursive letters are not isolated, but are always connected to form words. • Cursive writing is more independent of confusion due to directionality. It helps clear up common reversals and inversions, such as, b/d, m/w, and saw/was.

6. What does the treatment entail?
• Explicit, direct instruction that is systematic (structured), sequential, and cumulative • Individualized • Intensive, highly concentrated • Meaning-based • Simultaneous multisensory

7. Why are sight words important to learn?
The first 300 words of Frey's Instant Word List make up 65% of all written material. Word recognition makes reading effortless and reading becomes enjoyable. When reading is enjoyable, the reader will read more, thus increasing fluency which frees the reader to focus his or her attention on comprehension.

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Graduate Scholarships, Assistantships, Financial Aid

1. Are there any CSD Scholarships Available?
Yes. The Communication Sciences & Disorders Graduate Program is able to provide some Graduate Students with merit scholarships. When you apply to the Baylor Program, you are automatically considered for the scholarships. You do not have to do anything additional to be considered. The scholarships are awarded based on merit, and primarily based on the Overall GPA, the GPA in the major, and the GRE scores. The higher those scores are, the more likely one is to receive a scholarship.

2. When are the Scholarships offered?
There are three rounds of scholarships that occur at different times. All scholarships are offered on a merit basis.

• Round 1: At the time of acceptance to the program. For a few applicants we are able to offer scholarship money with the acceptance letter.
  
• Round 2: At the time of commitment to the program. We are sometimes able to offer scholarships to students who didn't receive a scholarship offer in Round 1 once they have committed to coming to Baylor and we know all of the students who will be entering in the new class.
  
• Round 3: During the program. As a student is progressing through the program, we are sometimes able to offer new scholarships, or offer an increase in the level of scholarships.

  3. Do I need to do anything to be considered for a scholarship?
  No. You are automatically considered for merit scholarships when you apply for the program.

  4. Are there any Graduate Assistantship positions available?
  Yes. Graduate Assistantship positions are also offered on a merit basis. The GA positions are typically offered during the first two weeks of the Fall and Spring Semesters. The GA positions could be a Teaching Assistant, Research Assistant, Clinical Assistant, or a combination depending on the need of the faculty. These are very prestigious positions where the Graduate student gets to work very closely with the Faculty for 10 hours/week and they are paid a very good hourly rate.

  5. Are their some other costs I should consider?
  When you are thinking about finances, it is important to consider the length of time in the program. Our program is 4 semesters and is much shorter than most programs. Our students are out making money and starting their careers while many of their friends from other programs are still taking classes. The longer the program, the more it will cost you just to pay your living expenses, and the later it will be before you are making an income. It is also important to consider the cost of living in the city you choose.

  6. How do I apply for need based assistance?
  Baylor has an excellent Student Financial Aid office that will help you determine other forms of financial assistance. The website Baylor Financial Aid website has extensive information about the process of obtaining need based assistance. In general, Graduate Students are not as tied to their parents' income as they were in the undergraduate program. Once you have committed to coming to Baylor and turned in the response form, the counselors will be happy to help you with the process.

  7. Is the decision where I go to Graduate School important?
  Yes. It is important to understand that the decision about what Graduate Program you attend may be one of the most important decisions in your life (often top 5!). It will play a very important role in defining your future professional career. It is important to consider all aspects of the programs that are being considered in order to find the best match.

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