Application FAQs

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Apply for our Online Program, Speech@Baylor:

Admissions

1. When are the application deadlines?
2. Do I need to start the application process well in advance of the deadlines?
3. Do I need to submit any additional materials with my application?
4. Are my previous grades important?
5. Is there a cutoff for GPAs?
6. Do I need to take the GRE?
7. I did not major in Communication Sciences & Disorders. Can I still apply to the Graduate Program?
8. Are other factors considered beyond the GPAs?
9. What do I need to do to be considered for Merit Scholarships?
10. I'm ready to apply. How do I start?
11. Where do I send my letters of recommendation?
12. I am having trouble uploading my transcripts on the GoBaylor online application. What should I do?
13. One of my recommenders never received the link from my online application. What should I do?
14. Who should I contact if I have questions about my online application?
15. Who should I contact if I would like some additional information?
16. How will I be notified of a decision on my application?
17. What should my writing sample consist of?
18. Are official documents required for application purposes?

Admissions

1. 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: January 15th
Summer Applications: January 15th
Spring Applications: September 15th

2. 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, Transcripts from every college or university you have attended, and 3 letters of 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.

3. 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 * Transcripts (from every college or university attended) * Three letters of recommendation * Personal Statement * Resume

4. 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).

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

6. Do I need to take the GRE?
No, the GRE requirement has been waived and is not required.

7. I did not major in Communication Sciences & Disorders. Can I still apply to the Graduate Program?
Yes, You will be considered a Leveling Graduate Student, which is a Student who has been accepted to Baylor's CSD Graduate Program, but did not have an undergraduate degree in CSD. In order to prepare you to be successful in the graduate level courses, you will take 2 semesters of "leveling courses" in Baylor's CSD Department, in the Fall and Spring semesters. You will be considered a Graduate Student with Leveling Status. Although the courses you will be taking during these two semesters are undergraduate courses, you will have much higher expectations than the other students in the courses. Once you have completed the required leveling courses, you will follow all policies, rules, and course restrictions related to all full Graduate Students. Please see the Graduate Leveling page for additional information.

Please Note: If you did not earn your primary, four-year degree majoring in CSD, you can only apply for Fall admission. We cannot accept applications for Summer or Spring semesters

8. Are other factors considered beyond the GPAs?
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.

9. 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.

10. I'm ready to apply. How do I start?

Applications are submitted online by going to the Graduate School website under Admissions. When you are ready to begin the online application, choose the Complete an Online Application link, and you will be taken to the GoBaylor Grad online application. Keep in mind that it is important to request all required materials as early as possible (3 recommendations and unofficial transcripts).

All application materials (transcripts, letters of recommendation, writing samples, etc.) should be submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office via the GoBaylor Grad online application or by mail: One Bear Place #97264, Waco, TX 76798-7264. Please do not send any application materials directly to the department.

11. 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.

12. I am having trouble uploading my transcripts on the GoBaylor online application. What should I do?

Contact the Graduate Admissions Office .

GraduateAdmissions@baylor.edu
One Bear Place, Box 97264
Waco, TX 76798-7264
1-800-BAYLOR-U, option 2 OR 254-710-3583

13. One of my recommenders never received the link from my online application. What should I do?

Contact the Graduate Admissions Office to have the link re-sent.

GraduateAdmissions@baylor.edu
One Bear Place, Box 97264
Waco, TX 76798-7264
1-800-BAYLOR-U, option 2 OR 254-710-3583

14. Who should I contact if I have questions about my online application?

Contact the Graduate Admissions Office.

GraduateAdmissions@baylor.edu
One Bear Place, Box 97264
Waco, TX 76798-7264
1-800-BAYLOR-U, option 2 OR 254-710-3583

15. Who should I contact if I would like some additional information?

Contact the Graduate Admissions Office for all questions/issues regarding the online GoBaylor application (including application materials, computer issues, etc.).

GraduateAdmissions2@baylor.edu
One Bear Place, Box 97264
Waco, TX 76798-7264
1-800-BAYLOR-U, option 2 OR 254-710-3583

Contact the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department for questions related specifically to the CSD graduate program.

Elizabeth Pearson
Email: Elizabeth_Pearson@baylor.edu

Professor Susan Sherman
Email: Susan_Sherman@baylor.edu

16. How will I be notified of a decision on my application?
You will receive an email from the Graduate School that will state: "An admission decision has been made regarding your application for the *** term to the MS in Communication Sciences and Disorders program. Log in to your GoBaylor account for more information."

17. What should my writing sample consist of?
Please note that the writing sample is optional. That being said, most applicants submit sample treatment plans or research papers for their writing sample.

18. Are official documents required for application purposes?
No, unofficial documents are all that is required for application purposes.