Jolie717

That sounds really interesting but the ALTA site seems very vague with the MSLE classes. Where does one go to find these classes? I went to the IMSLE site and there are no programs in California. But I think I found some through USD using Slingerland, however they mention class hours of 133 but no mention of clinic hours etc... Seems confusing.

She said a few more than usual - so I'm guessing maybe 55ish? And oops - i meant to say they met yesterday. My mind is already on Spring Break lol!

The CSUN app committee met this morning - the committee head said there were just under 300 apps and 100 of them had a CD (major) GPA of 3.8 and above. I don't think letters are going out until late this week or maybe just after Spring break which is all of next week...

LOL - I also don't want to do an online only program, but neither do the members of my study group and a few of them are almost half my age!

I think that yours is a much longer route, so many will avoid it to save time and money. I know of two classmates that chose that path and they are still having to take pretty much all of the same classes the regular undergraduates take. This is because most schools (if not all) will not allow transfer credit for any community college classes as a substitution for upper-division CD classes. I transferred in as a junior and the majority of the coursework I have to complete consists of upper-division CD classes. Are you planning to continue homeschooling your kids when you are back in school? I was homeschooled by my mom for junior high as she didn't like the junior high schools in our area but loved the elementary school and high school. I wish I could homeschool my older son, as he is really struggling in elementary school.

I'm not very savvy with post-bacc specifics, as I don't need one, but I have two classmates with previous out-of-field Bachelors' degrees who completed the Fall semester with me (I am a transfer junior for reference) and they were able to apply for admission to the upcoming Fall 2015 graduate program. They are of course taking the Spring semester with me as well, and might take summer classes too - not sure. But at any rate even if CSUN doesn't have an "official" post-bacc program they certainly have an unofficial one. And I've heard there is an online post-bacc here as well. I heard (but didn't verify) that if you get a 4.0 in the online post-bacc at CSUN you automatically get grad school acceptance.

Out of curiosity - why not CSUN for post-bacc? It's so much closer to you - but you know that already as you went there I suppose!

I agree w/ Twinguy - I'm a Respiratory Therapist and all of our SLPs are days, with a handful of PT weekend SLPs. SLPs don't really provide "critical care" as RTs, RNs, and MDs do (among others). And by that, I don't mean SLPs are not critical members of the team. I haven't heard of night shift PT or OT either.

Excuse my ignorance, but how would one know which schools even offer funding? Is it typically only private schools or big name schools? Or would even state schools have some fellowship/scholarship funding available? (applying this Fall)

An SLP that I work with went to CSUN for undergrad and grad (not online). She said that from comparing notes with classmates it seemed that they first looked at the GPA for the CD classes, then overall GPA, then lastly GREs and the rest (experience etc). I'm sure it could vary from one year to the next. For one thing, I've heard that our Dept Head might be retiring this year or next, so that may change things up.

It looks like I will have a light load both semesters next year - I was wondering if there are extra classes (like maybe linguistics or child development or English etc) that you wish you had taken prior to your Masters? Or extra classes outside of the major that you are really glad that you did take? Thx!

Twinguy7 and others above have made some excellent points. I myself actually need to be super-conservative as to where I apply as I have a family (ball and chain lol) to consider. That being said, I still plan to apply to at least two schools that are outside of our area but that are very close to family, just in case of any unexpected surprises. (For example a lay-off, injury, child care change, etc etc.) Had it not been for a VERY unexpected change in our child care situation coupled with an unexpected lay-off a year or so ago, I would be attending PA school this fall (Physician Assistant) rather than finishing my Bachelors in CD and applying for my master's in SLP. That being said I am very happy where I am and am pretty certain my family will be much better off in the long run with this change in my career path. Bottom line - try not to limit yourself as you never know what might come up!

My Ws occurred so long ago, that I doubt they will count against me now. But five years back, in a job interview, I was asked about them. I had a reason for them (there were three in a row for three different semesters, same class). I explained my reason (pregnancy with a rough 1st trimester, then returning to school too soon after my baby was born). It helped that I had taken the course later on and received an A, I suppose, but if you do think this class is taking away from others a W might not be so bad. I would ask your advisor and also maybe call the schools you are planning to apply to and ask them as well. Oh, and I got the job. Even before I had graduated and received my license to practice.

I've heard several classmates mention in passing that they didn't want their degrees (undergrad and grad) to come from the same institution/university. Is there any reason that those of you who are more seasoned might agree with this viewpoint? I'm guessing that this manner of thinking might be attributed to wanderlust (working on those GRE words lol) rather than actual merit, especially as my perspective is that of an older student with a family. Thoughts?

While I would like to primarily work in schools with children I am also interested in working in the hospital setting as a per diem (part-time) SLP. Is this unusual? I am limited in the SLP grad schools I will be applying to because I do not want to uproot my family (and probably couldn't even if I wanted to). This means that CSUN, CSULB and CSULA here in Southern California are my primary options. I am hazy on the details of what exactly clinical fellowships entail. For example, the length (in time) of the fellowship and whether you can maybe "split" your fellowship and work in schools for a portion of it and in hospitals for the remainder?

That is really weird and creepy. My Facebook page is rated "G" and all, lol, but there are others that share my exact same name who don't exactly look, ummmmm professional. How the heck would they know who you were?

When in May does it start? I ask as our school year here at CSUN (undergrad) doesn't end until May so I wonder if this poses any problems for those who don't want to delay starting for a whole year. Also do any of you know what the difference in cost is? (Between online vs regular CSUN classes).

I have to disagree with the hoops you jumped through being "crazy". As a parent of a preschooler and a second grader, I would expect nothing less of any person who might come into contact with my child. Heck, I'm already jumping through those same hoops and it's just the second semester of my junior year as an SLP major.

When I was doing my NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) clinical rotation as a Respiratory Therapist, I observed someone who seemed to be in charge of feeding the babies. I later found out she was an OT and was in charge of "teaching" babies to swallow/eat. I thought her job sounded like the coolest job ever - holding adorable babies all day long and helping them eat. I have since learned that in some (and who knows, maybe most?) hospitals this is an SLP job. It's interesting to find careers where different degrees/education overlap.

I think U of Pittsburgh also.

I'm a member of this club as well. I'm 39 and have an 8 year old son and a 5 year old son. I'm working between 12-24 hours per week (usually 12) at my hospital during the school year (but 12 hour day shifts, so that makes it more doable). I'm taking 16 units per semester and will have my Bachelor's June 2016. It has been a challenge - I thought this major would be easier than I have found it. I really want to just get it done as quickly as possible. Like ripping a band-aid off lol! I also am a bit nervous as I will likely only be applying to the three local schools so as to not uproot my family. Plus I live in Cali, where it is more competitive. The only "non-local" school I may apply to is in Northern Cal where my parents are. And the only way this would work is if we relocated and moved in with them! (and no, I have not even discussed this option with them - yet, ha ha...) I had an amazing study group (and yes, a few were *almost* half my age!) My group helped immensely as we were always pushing each other to get things done early. We collaborated a lot on homework and assignments. We broke up classroom material amongst ourselves in order to compile amazing study guides for tests and finals in a time-saving manner. And we were also constantly emailing and texting each other, compiling "practice" test questions and answers. We took advantage of our most challenging classes Professor office hours. And we took turns doing so - again to save time. So typically we would have a list of questions or practice material that only one of us would stay late to present to the Professor during office hours. This helped tremendously - not sure how I would have fared my first semester without them!

Hi there - Sorry for the long wait, but I finally connected with her today. She seemed very positive about their program. She said initially there were some classes she didn't get, and then had to fill out paperwork to "petition" for a spot. I believe they looked at how far along you were in classes, special circumstances like kids in school or daycare that you needed to pick up on certain days and times, etc etc to determine priority. I should mention that she was in the post-bacc program as she already had her bachelors in another field. That being said, it sounded like she did get all of the classes she needed and she didn't mention others having problems. I should also mention that CSULA is transitioning from quarter system to semester (or they did this Fall) so not sure how that might impact things. She did finish when she had initially expected to. She didn't do the SLPA program so not sure how their program stacks up. As far as money, we didn't discuss as there were people around but I am sure the costs are about the same at CSULA, CSUN, and CSULB. Keep in mind however, that the CSUN program is still (I believe) the largest in CA as far as grad spots. Not telling you this because I'm partial, but it seems schools tend to admit their own first, then grads from other programs next. Something to keep in mind for sure, especially in the competitive environment of grad school for SLPs. Hope this helps!

I took a conceptual Physics class for my Respiratory Therapy degree but am now having to take a Physics of Music w/ lab class as part of my CD required classes. As far as intro to statistics or intro to sociology I'm not sure. I had to take an actual Statistics class for my school (CSUN) but I took it at my previous community college. As far as Sociology, I took Sociology 1 at my community college - I don't remember if an "intro" class was offered, but this class was pretty much an introductory class, if that makes sense. Hope this helps!

How did you find this out?

Wow - what did you attribute the long wait to, other than lack of spots? I'm guessing since you are a parent (as am I) you applied to fewer schools due to issues relocating?