tex_hart

I'd say at car is necessary. You could probably get away without one the first two semesters IF you are not a leveling student, live across the street from campus, and are assigned to practicums only at the downtown Callier clinic (you could probably let them know your situation and request placements in Dallas). However, for the other three semesters, you would most likely need a car unless you were able to orchestrate all very close placements within a bus ride away. I know people who used DART/light rail/Uber during grad school. Its probably not impossible but I think it'd be extremely challenging and perhaps limiting.

BamaBelle: The number of client would vary. Because UTD practicums are generally community/group based (adult is group therapy and pediatric is more like a preschool), it's hard to compare to other schools. With the adult groups, there are probably 10-15 adults with TBI/aphasia and 15ish students. Students lead group therapy (discussion group, book club, games/recreation, etc.) but then are also assigned a client within that group for individual therapy (you create therapy plans, take data, assess, write reports, etc. for this client). The same general idea for the preschool as well. I don't really remember the exact hours, but the on campus practicums generally run 2-3 hours in the morning and you are earning hours towards your 400 hours the entire time the group is meeting. racoomelon: I'm sorry, I don't have personal experience with funding. I know they send out emails all the time for additional babysitting jobs (the preschool program parents love to hire students and they pay really well). CascadingMelody: I may be biased, but I think it would be an excellent fit. The size of UTD allows you to specialize and take classes according to your interests. UTD is extremely well regarded and offers many experiences and coursework. They will encourage you to do a public school placement but won't require it--and I know several girls who never did another pediatric experience after their pediatric core. Depending on your start semester, you could do your pediatric core in the summer and then you'd be totally done with kids--aside from some of the required coursework. Aside from outside placements at hospitals, you could participate in UTD practicums that include a rehab group at a hospital (you have more freedom than the core adult placement but are only there for a couple of hours and supervised by a UTD faculty member so its a good step in between the core and going to a hospital), dysphagia/swallow studies, and dementia groups/research. I enjoy all of the ages so my placements have included birth-3, a school serving preschool-6th grade, and adult medical.

I'm in my last semester at UT Dallas and thought I'd chime in. BamaBelle, I think UTD has a very helpful and kind student body. While it is impossible to create one big 50 person family, I think people form groups of friends based on their practicums and classmates. The way things are graded in the program does not create an atmosphere of competition (no curves) so people are generally helpful with one another. Like someone said earlier, the department is quite small and you will most likely be lectured by the some of your practicum supervisors. On campus practicum supervisors want you to succeed and understand that this can all be new and scary. I have always felt supported. In my opinion, the first semester is the hardest semester in terms of workload but it is more than doable with time management. CGB321, the first semester, you will generally be placed in an adult/pediatric core; students don't usually give their input. However, if you had a specific interest, you might be able to talk to someone and ask that you are placed in the pediatric core that focuses on (autism, receptive/expressive delays, etc). There is not really a big difference with adult cores. But, then with the other non-core on-campus practicums, you can add on experiences if they are available and fit into your schedule. These are generally one day opportunities like the accent reduction, swallow studies, and dementia programs. My advice for the first semester is to just stick with your core practicum as the workload will keep you busy. Most of the pediatric cores are 4 mornings a week, which means you will earn a lot of hours but will be incredibly busy with mornings and afternoons full from M-Th. The only way I'd recommend adding a second practicum is if you are assigned the adult core, as that is 2 days/week.

I am a grad student with kids and I didn't even think about not including them in my SOP. Of course, they were my inspiration for getting a master's degree. I was told by one person they like admitting "mature students" and parents because they have extra maturity, can relate to faculty, and help other students. Of course, I didn't even stop to question the flip side! It is a crazy amount of work to do with kids and I recommend part time or a light practicum load if it works with your program!

Hi, I am a student there. You are welcome to PM me with questions.

Chandru1, I am a student at UTD and the program never closes their classes for being too full, so you don't need to worry about getting a class you need. I also don't think you need to worry about the undergrad thing...they are pretty flexible and I doubt they would ever make that in to a big deal.

I would recommend calling UTDallas ensure everything arrived (if you think everything should be there). My file was marked as complete online but when I called, it had been filed internally as "incomplete" and was not reviewed. When they looked in the file, it was actually complete.

I'm a mature student with two young kids and attend grad school as a part time student. I do not work, aside from the loads of laundry and soccer mom duties that my life entails. Hopefully if you are accepted, you can find other students in your position and ask them how their experience is in the programs. All of your options sound fabulous! I wish I had the option to attend classes online! You are welcome to PM if you have other questions about being a mature student!

I've heard of pediatric home health programs letting you do your hours with them...especially if you are bilingual and would want to work with them once you are done. Trix, you could look into the ECI programs affiliated with Dallas, as I think they have a harder time getting SLPs. Maybe look into Dallas, Garland or some of the smaller districts north and east of McKinney that have a harder time staffing SLPs?

UT Dallas has an accent reduction practicum opportunity available to all students.

UT Dallas

Hi! She should look at UT-Dallas. They have a craniofacial course, summer craniofacial camp practicum (Camp Care, which I believe most any gradstudent can get into) and are located close to many craniofacial centers. I don't know if students can also get additional practicums with craniofacial teams but I bet with some networking, she could. I am a non-traditional student and my interest in the field comes from my child who was born with a cleft lip/palate. I won't be pursuing work with a craniofacial team because I want the hours that a public school placement provides, but it is certainly a place she should consider!

Congrats Toonces! I am sending you a PM! Quinn, I know for sure that they admit leveling students all three semesters!

Congrats Julie! I am in my first semester as a non-traditional student at UTD. I really like it and hope you do too!

Hey Twinguy7. I'm from Grand Rapids and its actually a pretty cool city! Certainly not like CA but it has a kind of hip, indy vibe. Talk about your love of Dutch people and you'll be golden (just kidding, don't actually do that). I actually know a male grad from the program. Good luck!

Erack, I have also applied to UTD for Spring Admissions and am also a non-tradition student. I'm crossing my fingers that it works out for both of us!

Thanks! I messaged you!

KristaLeigh89, you have bee very helpful! I hope to start next spring. Is there any chance you know a student at UTD who also has a family? I would love to talk to a student who has been through the program while also juggling a family. I spoke with someone at UTD and it sounds possible but I'd like to hear what to expect directly from the source!

Thanks so much for your writeup KirstaLeigh89! I am still on the "waitlist" but you make me feel a bit more comfortable about the prospect of attending UTD! I live in the suburbs (I'm a non-traditional applicant) and the drive to Callier is not going to be pretty so I am glad to hear that your classes are not overly stressful as 75 already is stressful enough! I hope to attend part-time so I can have a family/school life balance but have been terrified about the stress level! Are there a lot of group projects/work?

That is wonderful news! I need to take an Artic class this summer too. Do they require proctors for the tests?

I think so. It was a general admissions email that I found on their page regarding application questions. Their website is tough to navigate since there is a UTD site and a Callier site--I never seem to make it back to the same place when I am looking for info.

Last week, I wrote a very short (like 2-3 sentences) email to the department (not Dr. Stillman) saying I was still interested in attending and wondered when final decisions would be made. I got a reply back that the late decisions by other schools were slowing down the process but that they expected movement around April 15. They said they were making note of the students that were expressing continued interest in the program.

Maybe you could request the degree plan? Perhaps the difference is the way they charge for practicum hours?

I am taking leveling courses online. I have kids, so it is easist to do as much from home as possible! I already did one masters at UTD (in a totally different area) and look forward to hopefully being back there! I applied to UTD because they are way more flexible for part time students. If I don't get in this fall or spring, I will look into the other two programs in Denton. I live fairly far north of the city so my commute to Denton would not be too much worse than to Callier downtown. If I get into UTD, I hope to find a carpool buddy so we can take the HOV lane on 75! I am 100% confident that you will get off the waitlist this year but I can understand why you are worried!

I am glad I found this site and the Texas thread! Toonces, it appears that you only applied to UTD-which is exaclty what I did. I'm so glad I saw your post about following up with them! While I was not waitlisted, they thanked me for my email and for expressing continued interest in the program. I guess I am on the unoffical waitlist of the waitlist! I am honestly okay with reapplying in the spring--it would actually make my life a whole lot simpler and I know I can make my application stronger by then too! I bet you are going to get one of the waitlist spots! Thanks to the large size of the program, and the fact that the other Texas schools have been quite slow, there are going to be a lot of changes in the next couple of weeks! Are you in-field or out of field? I am currently taking two pre-req classes and would like to finish my leveling online because it is easier on my schedule.