CDS Master's Program FAQs

About the Program

When will the program begin?
The third cohort start date will begin in January.

Do I need an undergraduate degree to qualify?
Yes.

Must the degree be in Communication Disorders and Sciences?
No, but qualifying coursework must be completed.

Will I need a computer?
Yes. Click for Hardware and Software requirements.

What is qualifying coursework?
Thirty units in CD. Please refer to Academic Requirements for students with a bachelors’s degree in another field.

Will I have to have clinical hours?
Yes.

Will I have to attend any classes at CSU, Northridge?
No.

Will this program accommodate a full-time job?
Yes.

How long it will take?
33-36 months.

How do I find out about the program?
Read web information and/or e-mail.

Is admission to the program competitive?
Yes.

I live in Arizona, can I apply to this program?
Yes this program is available nationwide.

Will I be able to access student services?
Yes.

Will I get the same degree as the residential students?
Yes.

Admissions/Transfer Questions

What do I need to become a student in the Distance Education Program?

Students must have 30 hours as a post-baccalaureate student or as part of bachelor's degree studies in Communication Disorders.
Students who are employed part-time or full-time in a school district as a Speech and Language Pathologist or can meet practica requirements in a work setting.
Students must satisfy admissions requirements, including review of official transcripts, successful completion of the GRE or MAT, letters of reference, and a statement of intent.
Students must have a late-model PC and Internet connection (click here for computer requirements), a television, VCR and fax capability.

Is it possible to transfer in graduate courses already completed? No. All course work for the graduate degree must be completed as a member of the "DE COHORT" (DE stands for Distance Education).

Is it possible to transfer in clinical practica already completed?
Yes. The 25 clock hours of pre-clinical observation and the first 100 clock hours of practica may be transferred from prior work at Cal State Northridge or another university. A form for verification of prior clinical practica is enclosed with the application materials.

Is it possible to switch courses between the residential and DE graduate programs in speech-language pathology at Cal State Northridge?
No. Students are admitted either to the residential or to the DE program and may not enroll in coursework outside the program of admission in the department.

May I apply to both the DE and residential programs?
Yes. However, you will need to complete two separate application forms since these programs are administered separately and have differing dates for applications, enrollment, fee payment, and course calendars.

Do I have to pay 2 fees to the graduate school if I do apply to both programs?
No.

When will the program begin?
The third cohort start date is yet to be determined.

Who should I ask to write letters of recommendation?
You will want to ask one person who knows how well you do in academic classes. You will want another person who can attest to your clinical work (your employer or a clinic supervisor). Avoid friends and family and parents of children who you have worked with.

Can I transfer graduate hours that I completed at another university?
No. This is a lockstep. You begin together, take all the courses together and end together.

How do I know if this program would be "right" for me?
Past experience has told us that this program requires a student to be HIGHLY motivated and HIGHLY organized.

Will I be eligible for Financial Aid?
Yes, if you meet the criteria. You will be a matriculated student. You may want to look at the CSUN financial aid page for information.

What can I do to prepare to apply?
1. You can study for the GRE. The scores are good for 5 years.
2. You can ask people to write letters of reference.
3. You can get your clinic hours signed by your university.

GRE questions:

What subtests of the GRE are considered in the application process? Verbal and Quantitative

What score is required on the GRE? The university catalog indicates that a student must achieve a 50%or better on either the Verbal or the Quantitative subtests of the GRE. Cohort 1's average on the GRE was 967.

Is the GRE offered frequently? Go to the GRE Webpage. The GRE is given in Sylvan Learning Centers in your area usually more than once a month. You will receive an UNOFFICIAL score when you leave.

Can I take the GRE again? Yes.

Should I study for the GRE? YES!! You may wish to buy software to "practice" the GRE on your computer. You can buy preparation books through the GRE testing service or at any bookstore. You may also wish to take a review course.

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	Frequently Asked Questions
	About \| Admissions/Transfers \| GRE
	About the Program When will the program begin? The third cohort start date will begin in January. Do I need an undergraduate degree to qualify? Yes. Must the degree be in Communication Disorders and Sciences? No, but qualifying coursework must be completed. Will I need a computer? Yes. Click for Hardware and Software requirements. What is qualifying coursework? Thirty units in CD. Please refer to Academic Requirements for students with a bachelors’s degree in another field. Will I have to have clinical hours? Yes. Will I have to attend any classes at CSU, Northridge? No. Will this program accommodate a full-time job? Yes. How long it will take? 33-36 months. How do I find out about the program? Read web information and/or e-mail. Is admission to the program competitive? Yes. I live in Arizona, can I apply to this program? Yes this program is available nationwide. Will I be able to access student services? Yes. Will I get the same degree as the residential students? Yes. Back to top Admissions/Transfer Questions What do I need to become a student in the Distance Education Program? Students must have 30 hours as a post-baccalaureate student or as part of bachelor's degree studies in Communication Disorders. Students who are employed part-time or full-time in a school district as a Speech and Language Pathologist or can meet practica requirements in a work setting. Students must satisfy admissions requirements, including review of official transcripts, successful completion of the GRE or MAT, letters of reference, and a statement of intent. Students must have a late-model PC and Internet connection (click here for computer requirements), a television, VCR and fax capability. Is it possible to transfer in graduate courses already completed? No. All course work for the graduate degree must be completed as a member of the "DE COHORT" (DE stands for Distance Education). Is it possible to transfer in clinical practica already completed? Yes. The 25 clock hours of pre-clinical observation and the first 100 clock hours of practica may be transferred from prior work at Cal State Northridge or another university. A form for verification of prior clinical practica is enclosed with the application materials. Is it possible to switch courses between the residential and DE graduate programs in speech-language pathology at Cal State Northridge? No. Students are admitted either to the residential or to the DE program and may not enroll in coursework outside the program of admission in the department. May I apply to both the DE and residential programs? Yes. However, you will need to complete two separate application forms since these programs are administered separately and have differing dates for applications, enrollment, fee payment, and course calendars. Do I have to pay 2 fees to the graduate school if I do apply to both programs? No. When will the program begin? The third cohort start date is yet to be determined. Who should I ask to write letters of recommendation? You will want to ask one person who knows how well you do in academic classes. You will want another person who can attest to your clinical work (your employer or a clinic supervisor). Avoid friends and family and parents of children who you have worked with. Can I transfer graduate hours that I completed at another university? No. This is a lockstep. You begin together, take all the courses together and end together. How do I know if this program would be "right" for me? Past experience has told us that this program requires a student to be HIGHLY motivated and HIGHLY organized. Will I be eligible for Financial Aid? Yes, if you meet the criteria. You will be a matriculated student. You may want to look at the CSUN financial aid page for information. What can I do to prepare to apply? 1. You can study for the GRE. The scores are good for 5 years. 2. You can ask people to write letters of reference. 3. You can get your clinic hours signed by your university. Back to top GRE questions: What subtests of the GRE are considered in the application process? Verbal and Quantitative What score is required on the GRE? The university catalog indicates that a student must achieve a 50%or better on either the Verbal or the Quantitative subtests of the GRE. Cohort 1's average on the GRE was 967. Is the GRE offered frequently? Go to the GRE Webpage. The GRE is given in Sylvan Learning Centers in your area usually more than once a month. You will receive an UNOFFICIAL score when you leave. Can I take the GRE again? Yes. Should I study for the GRE? YES!! You may wish to buy software to "practice" the GRE on your computer. You can buy preparation books through the GRE testing service or at any bookstore. You may also wish to take a review course. Back to top Home \| Our Program \| Apply Our Students \| Advisement

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