laurengreen1

I'm 'part-time' and this is my first semester...I spend about 30 hours/week for 9 units. This includes 'class time' as well since my program is all online. (My internships haven't started yet though).

Hi there! So I'm a SLPA in CA and attending CSUN online, and will be moving to MD in a few months. I'm wondering if anyone out there is a student and currently working in the field. Does MD have SLP on waiver jobs? I know some states have them (basically emergency credentials for schools that are short-staffed on SLPs). I can't find any information about it. TIA!

I'm a SLPA and just started grad school (online). If you're a distance ed student, it can be done but you won't have much of a life outside of work and school. Once internships start, you won't be able to work FT though--if at all--because you'll have to be at your fieldwork site at least 2 days a week. I don't start internships until Jan but I'm already feeling overwhelmed with job + grad school so I will be transferring clients/cutting back hours over the next month. The nice thing about working at a clinic (at least where I work) is that your schedule is up to you so you can take on whatever size caseload/hours work for you.

I believe Hampton University offers fall and spring admissions--also when I looked into them last year it looked less competitive than other programs. CSUN and JMU distance programs also start in the spring. Don't lose hope! I didn't get in the first year I applied either. I think getting my SLPA experience/ license (and subsequently a really strong reference from my SLP supervisor) is what got me in this time around. Good luck!

Waitlisted, but really leaning towards CSUN anyway. Good luck everyone!

This is my second year applying, but I made the mistake of only applying to one school--which only accepted around 10% of applicants--last year. (I did my post-bacc online at USU--you can see my stats below). This year, I was planning to cast a wider net and apply to at least four programs. Luckily, I got my acceptance to CSUN (online) before the deadlines for two of the other schools I was planning on applying to (ISU and JMU online), so I ended up only applying to two--CSUN and ECU. All that said, I agree with CBG321--the fact that you applied to a lot of schools definitely will help your chances of getting into one. Good luck!

This year orientation starts 5/11, regular classes start 5/26. However, I think it varies from year to year. If you're interested in applying for the distance program starting in May 2016, I'd talk to admissions now. I would think the scheduling wouldn't be a problem, but again, I'd ask admissions. It's hard to reach them sometimes, but they usually get back to you in a day or two if you leave a message. I don't know what the cost of the residential program is, but distance is $43,500 ($750/unit) for the whole three years. It doesn't matter if you're a CA resident or not since there is no state funding for the program--don't know if that applies to the residential program as well.

We heard already because the distance program at CSUN is on a different application/enrollment cycle than the residential program. (Apply between July 1-Sep 1, find out end of Jan, start in May). Cohorts for the distance option only start in May, unless that's changed. I chose distance ed because my husband is in the army and we'll be moving this fall, but we have no idea where we're going. Like Charlotte, I also really liked USU's distance ed program and found that it worked really well for my learning style and lifestyle. I also like the idea of continuing to work (at least part-time) throughout the program, since it's 3 years instead of two. I also have a friend who graduated from the distance program and was very happy with it. Good luck with your applications!

They are similar in a lot of ways. Neither one helps with clinical placements. They're both three years --about 1 yr with just classes followed by two years clinicals + classes. However, ECU has much smaller cohorts and I feel like the program is more organized. What I like better about CSUN is that it's more flexible in that it's more of an anytime, anywhere sort of program (probably more similar to what we experienced at USU). ECU probably provides more interaction with professors, but it also requires you to be available at certain times. Also, CSUN's online program is available in all states and ECU's isn't. The biggest benefit of ECU for me would be in-state tuition rates if my husband gets stationed in NC. However, we're Californians and eventually want to come back here...so it would be nice to have a degree from a CA school.

CSUN was also my top choice, but I also like ECU a lot. I'm leaning towards CSUN, but if I get into ECU, we'll see what happens...a lot depends on where my husband's next duty station is.

Me too!! Yaaaaaaay! And congratulations!! Is Northridge your top choice or are you going to wait it out for the other schools you applied to?

Thanks! I just finished with my SLPA program at Northridge, but I'm sure the info will be useful to others. @ mo~: It's a bit late, but my clinical supervisor (from my SLPA program) is hiring me @ $25/hr in her clinic. I think school districts pay around $20/hr for new SLPAs and the SLPA pay range in CA (schools and private practice) is around $18-$30/hr depending on years of experience.

You usually submit the FAFSA at the beginning of the year so that you're covered if/when you start school in the fall. As the previous poster said, it doesn't take that long to do and it's pretty general. Wherever you end up going, you're going to need to have completed a FAFSA if you want financial aid. Just make sure it's sent to all the schools you applied to.

I got mine in my personal email, but my CSUN email is set up to forward to my personal email...I think they just sent it to CSUN email.

Yeah that's what I was leaning towards. Thanks!

Soo...I'm applying to the Distance Ed program at ECU and they have a supplemental form with 10 short answer essay questions. There's enough space for maybe 1-2 paragraphs for each question. I'm wondering if anyone else applied/ is applying to ECU and how you approached/ are approaching the questions. Do you think it's best to simply answer the questions as you would in an interview, or to use a more creative, story-telling approach? Thanks in advance, Lauren

Thanks for the advice!

Thanks. The schools I've emailed have actually said that I'd be considered a 'competitive applicant' with my current stats and ISU recommended against re-taking it unless I go through a GRE program first...which I don't have money for. All that said, your advice is helpful! I think I'll just go with what the schools said and not retake it. Thanks, Lauren

Hi All, So I can't decide whether or not to retake the GRE. Overall, I suppose my scores are not terrible (156/150/3.5), but my writing score is really low. Do you think it's prudent to retake it? I was studying from Aug-Sep, but started a chem class and a full-time SLPA program in Oct. and feel overwhelmed with the idea of retaking the GRE in a month. (I'd have to take it by mid-Dec to make sure the scores arrived in plenty of time). I just finished my chem class, so I could probably devote about 10 hrs a week to studying again. What do you think? Retake it or not? Thanks! Lauren PS I took the test twice in Korea with almost identical scores, but have never taken it in the US.

I don't think so, but it seems that there are less competitive schools. I started with ASHA's EdFind tool and just looked at the stats of the schools I was interested in. Most of them were pretty competitive so then I searched by states I didn't have much desire to go to, and unfortunately, that's where I found the less competitive schools. EdFind will tell you avg GPA/GRE scores that are accepted, how many apply, how many are accepted, etc. Sometimes the stats you find on EdFind aren't accurate, but you can go to individual schools' websites and/or contact individual schools to get that information. Less competitive schools tend to be in less desirable places to live (eg U of Central Arkansas, Eastern New Mexico U, U of North Dakota, U of Louisiana Monroe, etc.). Also newer programs are less competitive (Grand Valley State, Wisconsin Eau Claire Online, Salus--make sure to check out accredidation of the newer programs though). Good luck! http://www.asha.org/students/edfind/browse/

Thanks for the advice, but I'm still gonna go for the SLPA program. I already accepted the offer and think it would look bad to withdraw at this point. CSUN is my top choice for grad school and I don't want to hurt my chances by appearing flakey. I'm actually really excited--it's a good option for me! Also, it turns out that the military offers grants to spouses for certificate programs, so my out of pocket cost is less than $1000. (Total cost is $4875, not $5000, I was rounding before). I have experience with kids in related fields (ESL, sped aide, tutor), but I really want to work specifically in SLP...I guess I'm doing this more for me than for my resume. I've been working in other fields--while knowing I wanted to go into SLP--for six years, and I'm ready to actually work in the field. That said, the benefits of getting a SLPA certificate outweigh the costs. First, I have a really great job offer waiting for me once I finish the program. Also, I will get to refresh my knowledge of the field and actually apply that knowledge in my fieldwork. I am so excited to finally start working in the field, even if it does require a little extra work and money! Also, if I don't get into grad school, I'll have a backup. For the record, I tried to do this another way, but as I said, there are no SLPA/SLP jobs in my area that will allow for waivers of credentials. (TES doesn't even have my area listed as a search option and I've been religiously checking EdJoin and calling my school district since March). Again, if anyone is reading this post who is considering doing a SLPA program, I agree with the other posters. Try first to get a job in your area. Depending on need, some schools will waive the credential requirements. (Mine, unfortunately, will not). I know someone who got a FT SLP job at a Riverside School District a couple years ago while she was in school (no license). I know another person who was enrolled in a Master's program that was hired as a SLPA (without a license) in NorCal. If they need you badly enough, there are ways around the rules. It really depends on where you live and what the needs of your area are. Alternately, you can work in related fields as Mike said. I was working as a SPED Aide, and I got to do speech lessons a few times a week--I loved it! It provided great experience and it was fun (although the pay was about 1/3 of what I made as an ESL teacher). Unfortunately, I had to quit because I broke my foot in four places and there is no way I can keep up with special needs preschoolers in my current condition. Bottom line: Exhaust all other options before going for a SLPA certificate program. However, if you are really set on working specifically in the SLP field and there's no one in your area willing to hire you without a license, I say go for it.

I haven't paid yet, but I definitely checked out other options before deciding to do this. It really depends on the district. Where I live, they have no openings for SLPAs, and they said if anything opens up, they'll only hire certified SLPAs. My hubby is in the military so we're stuck here for awhile and don't know where we'll go next. :/ I did even swing the idea of moving somewhere and being separated from my husband for a year, but I'd rather pay the $5000, be done in a semester, and not have to pay double rent for nine months. (I also have a guaranteed job at a local clinic once I finish). I did apply for a school SLPA job in my tiny hometown in Nor Cal (where I know the SLPs and could live with my parents rent-free), but didn't get hired. The HR gal said I was their top choice qualifications-wise, but they had to go with someone who lived there that could commit to a longer term. (I would've only been able to stay one year). However, for someone who is willing and able to relocate (or has a nearby school district who's hiring), you are absolutely right. I totally agree that it's better to save the money and work in a school district. If I were single, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Yes. I've looked for school district SLPA jobs to get my fieldwork experience, but schools won't hire you without the certificate. This way, I can beef up my resume and work in the field--and get paid for it--until I finish a master's. It also gives me a career if I can't get in to grad school.

Has anyone done CSUN's post-bacc SLPA program? I just got accepted yesterday and start in a week and a half! Anyway, if you've done it, can you tell me how intense it is? I'm wondering if it's realistic to take a chem class and work part-time while in the program. I need to keep my grades up since I'll be applying to grad schools in the fall. TIA!

It depends on what school you go to, if you're doing an online or residential program, what classes are easier/harder for you, how much homework you get, etc. As a rule, schools suggest planning on 6 hrs/wk outside of class for every 3-unit course. I did the online program at USU and spent an avg of 4-6 hrs/wk per class, including class time. Of course, it can fluctuate a lot depending on the class, professor, time of year, etc. Good luck!