smslp

I am definitely biased, but would have to say the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire! I love the faculty and overall program. So happy to be a part of their 2nd online cohort!

I guess we will have to agree to disagree. I can only say that my experience in UW-Eau Claire's online graduate program in CSD has been a fabulous experience, and I encourage others to give online learning respectful consideration. It may not be for every student, but for those who cannot attend traditional, residential programs in CSD, it is an option.

I certainly respect your perspective. Considering that you are in a different field altogether (Classics, PhD), your experience may be different than that of a student in speech-language pathology.

I would have to respectfully disagree with you. In the field of speech-language pathology, the most important aspect is accreditation by ASHA. As long as the program is accredited by ASHA, and you can earn your CCC-SLP, it is completely legitimate. My undergrad degree was completed on campus, and I am now working on my graduate degree via online (UW-Eau Claire), and can tell you first-hand that it is just as rigorous as my on-campus experience (different university). You need to be completely self-motivated to complete readings, assignments, and find clinical placements. amc91 - please feel free to message me if you have any further questions about online graduate learning.

I do work, full-time actually, as a school-based speech clinician (BS degree grandfathered-in), and have been on and off for 26 years (yep, I'm old ). I believe that one of the requirements of the program is completing it in 3 years, as you have to follow an exact sequence of courses. Sounds like you are a very busy Mom! Our cohort has many Moms with young children, some work outside the home, and some don't. We actually had one new baby born in January, one coming in March, and another in September. I see that you have a Facebook group set up. Best thing ever to keep contact with classmates! We post to each other all the time, daily often. That moral support, even when you only see each other once per year is invaluable! I'll be honest, it is a very rigorous and intense program! I truly love it, but really have to stay focused to keep up working, and then completing the coursework. As I've posted before, don't let anyone convince you that because it is online it is easier. It is NOT! Hard work, but highly engaging material. Feel free to pm me if you have any specific questions.

Congrats! I hope you love this program as much as I do! You are in for an exciting journey.

Very powerful, and right on the money! Hopefully others will read this and take the advice seriously. Thank you for sharing!

Congrats to you for being chosen for an interview for UW-Eau Claire! I am currently in the 2nd cohort of UWEC's online graduate program (started last June), and LOVE it! I remember being in your position this time last year. Blue Jeans worked really well for the interview, and we use it quite a bit in the graduate program. I'm not sure who will be interviewing you, but last year I was interviewed by three professors. Regardless of who interviews you, they are all wonderful! So kind and caring! My interview was quite casual, but I did prepare for it by googling "grad school interview questions" and preparing answers for some that seemed likely. Be prepared for casual and formal questions. As you would for any interview, dress professionally and present yourself with poise and confidence. I will keep my fingers crossed for you! Please feel free to message me if you have any additional questions. Best of luck!

I agree that you are an excellent candidate, and can speak a bit regarding your question about online learning. I am currently a grad student attending the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's part-time online program (fully accredited by ASHA). I also work full-time as an SLP (grandfathered in before a master's was required in MN) for a public school. To be honest, balancing the workload is a challenge. As Jolie717 said, every minute of the day is scheduled and packed full! The curriculum is rigorous and the faculty is top-notch! I couldn't be happier with this program. We have cohort members from many states. Wishing you all the best if you chose to enter this exciting and rewarding field.

Future SLP - I visited your site and Liked you on Facebook. I really like your site. It looks like great information. I am currently a non-traditional graduate student.

I currently attend the UW-Eau Claire's online graduate program. Started in June and absolutely LOVE the program! We have several members of our cohort (of 20) who are from California. Excellent, caring professors and an ASHA accredited rigorous program. It is 3 years long and only requires one week per summer on campus. The rest is online. I encourage you to check out their website and consider applying there. I believe the application deadline for the summer 2016 cohort is November 1st. Best of luck to you!

I am a member cohort #2 of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's distance program and just want to express what an excellent program I am finding it to be! The curriculum is rigorous, and the faculty so knowledgeable and helpful! Best wishes on your applications!

Hi Ahsee, I would be happy to share my stats: GPA - 3.8, GRE - V: 161/ Qu: 146/ Wr: 4. I absolutely LOVE UWEC's online graduate program!! The instructors are incredibly knowledgeable, kind, and helpful. They have all been fabulous to learn from thus far. We spent an exciting week on campus in June and it was great to have that time with all of my cohort members (there are 20 of us in total). I believe their applications for the 2016 cohort are due on November 1. Wishing you the best of luck! UWEC has an amazing program!

I'm not sure that I understand why you need to get an SLPA associate's degree if you want to be an SLP? Couldn't you just do the post-bacc sequence before applying to graduate school? MN has reciprocity with Wisconsin, but it doesn't appear to apply to graduate credits. I believe that UWEC is $625 per credit. In some states you can become an SLPA with a bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorder. MN now requires a Master's degree to work as an SLP, unless you graduated before 1992 and are grandfathered in, like I am. I got accepted into graduate school by having a good GPA (3.8), good GRE scores (V 161, Q 146, W 4), 16 years of relevant experience as a school-based speech clinician, a killer SOP, and excellent LORs by professors and my special education coordinator. Probably a bit of good luck, as well! A sabbatical is when a school district allows an educator to take time off and holds their job until they return. I'm not sure about your SLPA job counting toward your hours. As you would be directly supervised by an SLP, it is possible. You would need to check with the college. I will be financing my Master's degree with my full-time job. I am a widow and my daughter will be graduating from pharmacy school in May. So, I will be done paying for her higher education and can pay for mine. There is large discrepancy in tuition rates among graduate schools, so you will want to research that thoroughly, as well. Yep, graduate school is expensive. Luckily, once finished, it will provide you with a career that is in high demand and pays well. As far as making money all year round, my salary is spread out over the 12 months, so I receive a summer check as well. Hope this helps a little!

I will be attending UW-Eau Claire's online graduate program starting in June. We have the option of staying in campus housing for the 1 week summer residency - only $170 for the week. I live in MN and the drive is 3 hours for me. You need to obtain 400 clock hours total (25 observation) and the practicums are spread out over several semesters. The only time you will need to put in 40 hour weeks is during your final semester - 9 weeks in each a school and medical setting. I think you need to look on the website again. I graduated with my BS many years ago and was grandfathered in as a Speech Clinician with a teaching license. I currently work full-time for a school district and will continue to during graduate school. My school is letting me take a sabbatical during the final semester and I plan on putting extra hours in during the summer. I REALLY want my Master's degree, so will be doing whatever is necessary to make it work. I don't know anything about Tseng online college. Just make sure that it is ASHA accredited so that you can get your CCC. Exciting things for you to think about! Wishing you the best!

My best advice would be to REALLY be prepared for the GRE. The vocabulary and writing sections are especially important. I recommend getting a few prep books and doing the online practices. I thought it was a long, grueling test and was glad that I studied (161 Verbal). I also suggest getting some meaningful experiences within the field. Shadow some professionals in both the medical and school sides and search out places that you can volunteer. I'm not sure if your state has them, but Headstart programs are excellent places to learn to work with a wide variety of children. Also, many states offer Extended School Year (ESY) for students. Look into this and see if you can spend time there. If medical is your goal, cast a wide net out to the hospitals, rehab centers, and Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF). You would be able to observe aphasia, dysphagia and other medical issues. This will give you relevant information to add to your letter of intent. You MUST make yourself stand out from the zillion other applicants! Best wishes! I start grad school this summer. Please feel free to message me with any questions.

That is awesome news! I am a non-trad student, too, so know how it feels to be competing with the young group! Best wishes!

I am also an older student (aged 45) and have been accepted to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's part-time online graduate program starting this summer. Have you considered applying to online Master's programs? The UW-EC program is 3 years long and only requires 3 one week-long residencies in Eau Claire each summer. I know this program is not biased against older students as the majority of my fellow cohort members are non-traditional and located all across the country. Wishing you all the best!!

jmjslpca - I sent you a private message.

Once you accept, they will contact the Graduate Studies office, who will then send out a letter of acceptance and instructions. You can then pay the $100 and set-up email, etc. I think it is going to be an awesome adventure and am looking forward to meeting you!

I have accepted and paid the $100 so I can register. Haven't heard of a Facebook group yet. Please let me know if one is created. Have you decided to attend?

I have been accepted to UW-Eau Claire's distance program starting in June. My acceptance letter arrived around February 8th. I am curious why you did not apply to Eau Claire? I have friends who graduated with their Master's from there and spoke very highly of the program. So interesting why people chose to apply where they do! Best wishes on being accepted to St. Cloud State! I completed my undergrad there and it is truly a quality program!

Congrats to everyone! I only applied to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's distance program and was accepted there. I have returned my letter of acceptance and paid the deposit. Wahoo! jmjslpca - if you decide to go to UW-EC, I'm sure we will get to know each other! To everyone else - I sincerely hope that each of you receives an acceptance letter/email very soon!

Yes, I did have an interview with UW-EC on January 12th.

I received my acceptance letter on Thursday. I am so thrilled to have this opportunity and am really looking forward to getting to know the other cohort members.