slpsalaz

I chose a program that offered in-state tuition, as it had what I was looking for in regard to life balance and areas of focus. I was accepted into several programs, one with an area of interest for me and a fellowship offer, but I still couldn't justify the high cost. I want to be financially free sooner rather than later(I'd like to start a family without debt hanging over my head) and the program I chose allows me to avoid student loans!

Declined WKU, ENMU, GWU, Emerson, and accepted JMU (distance program). Hope this helps someone!

Declining Emerson, WKU, and GW.

I am taking a physics course online through a community college, and it is more conceptual. As someone who struggles with mathematics, I find the formulae used in the course thus far to be relatively straight-forward. I also feel that physics is helpful in solidifying the information I learned in my speech science class, such as properties of sound and behavior of sound waves.

I decided on a part-time program with in-state tuition as opposed to a private school over 2x the cost (even with a fellowship offer). I am a career changer with some debt from undergrad, and I didn't want to add to it. Both schools are highly ranked and have specialists in my areas of interest (voice and dysphagia). My husband and I also want to start a family, and a part-time program will give us more of that option without feeling rushed or crushed by debt. I chose the program that I could fit into my life. My aunt who hires SLPs told me that she never looks at where an applicant goes to school, only if they have their CCCs. With that information, I felt best choosing the more affordable option that fits best with my life and finances. You will make the right choice, good luck!

I applied to 5. Initially it was 2, but I panicked mid-December and applied to 3 more! I would have been fine with the two I applied to, but I didn't know that at the time.

Thanks for this information! I just wrote to Dr. Clinard yesterday asking if I might be put in contact with a current or former student, so maybe I will have information to share as well.

Thanks for sharing! I also feel that JMU would fit my lifestyle better, but I wonder about the variety of clinical opportunities available. Have you heard anything about this by any chance?

Hi there! I called into the meeting on the way home from work last night. I think it seems like a good program with lots of support, and the online format seems very flexible. It seems like they really want to get to know all of us, and that they want us to succeed. I also liked that they help us find our clinical placements....I understand this is not common with other online programs. I am a Virginia resident, so this option is considerably more affordable than my other options at this point. I would have liked a bit more clarity on the class schedule, format, and testing procedures, but perhaps that was discussed before I signed in. What were your impressions of last evening? *I should also add that it seems they really work with you to find the placements that you want. I asked specifically via email if they have connections with locations of particular interest to me in my geographical area.

Following and seconding SLPCareerChanger! Am strongly considering accepting an offer from this program as a newlywed career changer. Hopefully the virtual open house will answer some of our questions tonight!

I'm also a career changer, and I applied to their online program as well and was accepted. The statistics look good regarding the Praxis pass rate and employment rate. They seem to have good externship opportunities as well, and the program coordinator has been very helpful and responsive. I have been told by SLPs in the field and former professors that JMU has an excellent SLP program, which I imagine would extend to online as well. If anyone has attended this program, I would love to hear about your experience!

Thank you so much for your input! The program I am considering takes care of placements for their online students, and they require 4. Now I just need to find out what types, and if they align with my interests. They also require a 6 week, full time on campus practicum after a year of coursework, which I like. It is also a fraction of the cost of my other option so far. I have been a private music instructor/ performer for years, which feels a lot like speech therapy in many ways:) Another fun fact: my husband and I would like to start a family, and an online program seems to provide more possibilities to do this concurrently with graduate studies. So many things to consider, and thanks so much for sharing your experiences with me!

Thank you so much for your input! The program I am considering takes care of placements for their online students, and they require 4. Now I just need to find out what types, and if they align with my interests. They also require a 6 week, full time on campus practicum after a year of coursework, which I like. It is also a fraction of the cost of my other option so far. I have been a private music instructor/ performer for years, which feels a lot like speech therapy in many ways:) Another fun fact: my husband and I would like to start a family, and an online program seems to provide more possibilities to do this concurrently with graduate studies. So many things to consider, and thanks so much for sharing your experiences with me!

Thanks for the info! That's good feedback to have from supervisors and directors, and I appreciate you sharing! Good luck in your program!

Hello! I am trying to decide between a private two year, full-time program in a major city, and a part time, 3 year online program in the state where I reside. Both programs are tied in ranking. At this point (waiting on scholarship information) there is a SIGNIFICANT cost difference between the two programs. Are online students generally afforded the same opportunities for clinical placements, CFY, and networking? I am particularly interested in voice disorders and dysphagia, and am wondering if online programs have the same sort of connections with hospitals and outpatient rehab centers. I have heard everything from "it doesn't matter where you go to school, as long as it is accredited" to "go to the program that gives you the most variety of exposure to different settings." Does the name of a private school hold more weight nationally than a state school? If you've made it this far, thanks for reading. If you have thoughts, I'd love to hear them!