FAQs

Yes, you may apply separately to the Educational Speech-Language Pathology master's program, the Medical Speech-Language Pathology master's program and the Clinical Research Speech-Language Pathology master’s program, or any combination of the three. You’ll complete a separate application and pay the $85 application fee for each program you apply to. Information and materials don’t transfer from one application to another.

Yes! As an accredited graduate program, our curriculum adheres to the standards and guidelines set by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. ASHA has specific undergraduate coursework requirements that are a prerequisite to graduate study and clinical certification. You can learn more about the prerequisite courses on the Admissions page. If you need help meeting these prerequisites, you might consider enrolling in the UW Certificate in Speech, Language & Hearing Foundations.

No, we’ve eliminated the GRE requirement from our application process and won’t consider submitted scores in the review process.

Yes, you should have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) during the last 90 quarter or 60 semester credit hours of study.

To be a competitive applicant, you should have a GPA of at least 3.0 (B) in the prerequisite undergraduate speech and hearing coursework with no single course graded less than 2.0 (C). We highly recommend that all prerequisite coursework grades be at 2.5 or above.

No, we don’t accept transfer students into any of our master’s programs (Medical Speech-Language Pathology, Educational Speech-Language Pathology or Clinical Research Speech-Language Pathology).

No. Our program is an in-person (residential) graduate program and is not approved or accredited for online learning. Classes are held on the UW campus in Seattle and clinical education occurs in UW clinical facilities, as well as community-based facilities in Seattle and its surrounding area.

While some courses may include hybrid or distance-learning instructional elements and you’ll learn to provide services via a telehealth platform and simulation, the majority of classroom and clinical courses are held in person. Students in all tracks of the master’s program are required to be physically present for this degree program.

The Medical Speech-Language Pathology and Clinical Research Speech-Language Pathology programs take two years, or eight quarters, to complete. The Educational Speech-Language Pathology program takes seven quarters to complete.

Courses are typically offered between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Fridays and some evenings (e.g., 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.). Ultimately, all classes are scheduled around the needs of clinical practicums and placements.

Yes, the program is in session every quarter, including summer quarter.

No, the faculty fieldwork coordinators assign off-site practicum placements, and you’ll be assigned to a variety of clinical experiences and facilities to meet ASHA and program requirements. Due to the large number of placements, we can’t accommodate individual preferences and requests. However, your skills, performance and interests are certainly considered when making assignments.

No, but we do consider your interests and input when making placement decisions. Designated faculty members work to match your interests with the best available community site and clinical supervisor. The internship/fieldwork coordinators make the assignments and are guided by the interest area you choose. Some internships may require an interview.

Our program partners with local SLPs to provide off-site practicum experiences in a variety of settings across the greater Seattle area. Though many sites are accessible via public transportation, you'll need access to a car for one or more quarters in the second year to get to sites where public transportation is limited.

Possibly. Many of our affiliated sites provide speech-language pathology services seven days a week. You could be placed at facilities that require weekend attendance due to supervisor or site availability.

The Educational Speech-Language Pathology and Medical Speech-Language Pathology programs typically admit 26 students each year. The Clinical Research Speech-Language Pathology program admits two to four students each year. The application process is competitive.

No. Planning for your program begins immediately upon admission. On-campus and off-site clinical experiences are arranged annually. If you’re admitted but choose not to enter the program, you’re welcome to reapply. The strength of your reapplication in subsequent years is considered within the pool of applicants at that time.

No, you’re accepted into only one program track. The curriculum and practicums are uniquely designed to support each specific degree program track and cannot accommodate student transfers.

We’ll send you a welcome letter with instructions on how to prepare for the graduate program. You’ll need to pass a national criminal background check within 30 days of accepting the offer of admission and sign an agreement acknowledging the technical standards of the program (instructions provided).

You’ll have access to the dedicated section on the department’s website for New Graduate Students, which provides specific instructions, forms and checklists. You’ll also have access to our graduate program adviser and can ask them questions as you prepare for graduate school.