spursnpearls

It depends totally on the school. Pretty much every school I emailed about this had different interpretations of the new ASHA stature: some said those kinds of classes were acceptable, some said you needed a specific class that ASHA gave examples of, some said you could get in with whatever class but would have to take the ASHA example class to get your certs. So definitely ask places before applying about what they want/expect!

I went to post-bacc at CSULB, happy to tell anyone about my experiences and observations. Just message me.

Definitely try to get some experience under your belt if you're trying to improve your resume. Volunteering/observing is a good place to start, but I've noticed that experience (at least at the schools I have applied to) seems to be a real tie breaker. I had a professor tell me experience doesn't matter, but I'm willing to bet my experience and my LOI got me a spot over people with a better GPA. I completed a SLPA internship in my final semester of undergrad, so that gave me over 100 hours of direct contact with therapy, and I think that was a selling point to have, and then have a supervisor who spoke highly of me in LOR's. I also did some observation/volunteering, and I think if you can ask pertinent questions and show genuine interest and knowledge in the field, an SLP would be able to write you a good rec. I hate to say it, but watching the others in my post-bacc cohort apply to schools last fall... people with observation hours, speech aide positions did better than everyone else. ABA aides etc are also relevant. Unforunately it's all about hour collection (in my post-bacc, they made sure to let us know at every turn that pretty much no amount of hours was going to mean we knew anything... rude, but realize that these people have been working in the field for years, so 50 hours of observation doesn't always come off as impressive to them. That's like, a work week for them.) Also, most schools do want at least one academic source, so I'd reach out to your current professors. They may not know you extremely personally, but they should be able to speak to your academic ability -- and remember, it's kind of part of their job to write you a LOR if you haven't given them a reason not to. Hope this helps -- just keep your head up and learn to play the game a little bit Good luck!

If they don't require academic LORs, the job might be better -- I agree, it's whoever knows your best and is going to advertise your qualities the best. Especially if your job can speak to some academically related skills, you'd be golden with that.

I think it would be fine, as that is your most relevant work. Applying to grad programs, I was in post-bacc and only used one professor rec, the rest were from SLPs I worked with. If you have someone that can speak to academically related skills (time management, ability to ask thoughtful questions, commitment, etc) I think that's just as good! Good luck.

My two cents -- the post-bacc program I came from was not very forthcoming about this, but a lot of schools will absolutely take someone who is done with their CD coursework over someone who isn't, especially if you don't have a lot of experience or perfect grades. I know that school did not tell us we could not apply there -- we were their OWN students -- but they literally threw out our applications because it was too competitive with people that were done with coursework and it was "too big of a gamble". Because none of the advisors told me some of the schools I wanted to go to want people that are done, I wasted about $800 applying and didn't get in. If you can take the year off, take it off, polish up your resume, do all the work/volunteer you can and make your application as strong as you can. Good luck!

Depends on the school -- some schools I researched wanted a B or better in prereqs and wouldn't accept C/NC. Best to just email each school and find out!

Email each school and ask. Each school interprets the requirements differently and I have gotten completely different answers from different schools.

Those are generally good things to include -- I would also recommend at least a couple of sentences about why you want to attend each individual school. Do they have a professor whose work you admire, a special concentration or speciality you're interested in? Make them know that you've done your research and you want to be in THEIR program. Also, be personable! Let them see a little of your personality, and be creative about it. It doesn't have to take up a lot of your letter, but if you include a short blurb about the epiphany that lead you to be interested in the field, or the client that changed your perspective, they're likely to see your personality and go for that. Remember, they probably read a lot of impersonal SOP's, and showing that you're more than a GPA and some test scores is always a good move. Good luck!

I think that you can't really take courses in college to get licensed/certified.. all the info is on the AHA website under education. You attend their own workshops etc. But that's awesome you're looking for somewhere that they can give you hands on info -- I totally get that! I actually just discovered earlier today (funny) that someone I know volunteers at a therapeutic riding center that has only one of the AHA SLP's in CA! Definitely going to see if I can check it out

I believe the classrooms/clinic are in the College of Health & Human Services, Public Health building (PH 80). You can see that location on the map here http://www.fresnostate.edu/map/ .. I am going up this weekend to check out housing, and I've been looking at the places chilapia recommended online. I will probably be in one of those places -- easier not being responsible for someone else's lease, etc. Good luck searching!

Hello! Will be starting at CSU Fresno in he Spring for my MA in Speech Pathology.. wondering if there's anyone who has been in the program already lurking on the boards? Just looking for some general info about clinic etc.. the department hasn't told us much yet. Thanks!

I started a CSU Fresno page. Feel free to message me your email and I can add you, or search CSU Fresno MA SLP S'15!

I lied! I got in too! YAY!

Ahh, she heard? This is where I'm waiting to hear! That makes me nervous :|