Going into SLP with a non-related major

[Meen521]

Hi all,

 

I graduated from UCLA two months ago with a degree in Psychology. I have been exploring different fields since then, and I feel really good about going into Speech-Language Pathology. I've been doing some research, and since I don't have a degree in communication, I need to take some classes before I can apply.

 

I was wondering if any of you know how this process works? Do I take these classes anywhere I want? (A community college?) Also, from what I know, SDSU requires completion of a speech language post-baccalaureate program, and I was wondering if any of you have done this and can give me advice as to how long the program would take and where I can complete it.

 

Also, does it matter WHERE you complete the post-bacc program?

 

Thanks in advance!

Edited August 31, 2014 by Meen521

[Chandru1]

UCD student here! Why don't UCs offer a CSD degree?

SJSU, Hayward, Pacific, and Redlands have extended masters programs. No communication courses necessary.

Sacramento, Fullerton, Long Beach, Chapman (night) and CSUN (online) offer prereq programs.

Only community college that offers them American river in Sacramento.

Typical postbac takes 1 year. Extended masters are usually 3 years.

Doesn't seem to matter where you get the degree but rather your GPA.

[saratl]

Cal state LA also has a post bacc program as well!

[Chandru1]

As do Dominguez Hills, Fresno, and San Marcos. The latter two are simply taking classes as non degree students, though.

[Meen521]

Thank you for the replies!

Also, would anyone happen to know whether speech pathologists get to choose what setting they want to work in? For example, if someone does not want to work in a hospital but would rather work in schools, can they make that decision? 

[saratl]

However believe Dominguez Hills is a two year post bac program instead of one.  As for the other two I myself am not sure how long it would take for you to finish those courses.  ASHA has recently changed their policies regarding classes and they now require some physical science courses, a statistic course, and other relating classes. It is stated on their official website here http://www.asha.org/Certification/2014-Speech-Language-Pathology-Certification-Standards/ . I've however noticed that most post baccs do not include such classes. I called Cal State LA about this and they simply told me you can take these courses once you are a master student but I am not sure about other such schools. I believe some school will require you to finish these classes on your own before you apply to a masters program. 

Edited September 3, 2014 by saratl

[saratl]

As for your previous question yes you have the option of working and focusing on either a hospital, school, or home setting. Some programs focus on the school setting in which you will need an additional certificate to teach children. It is all up to you what you want to do. 

Edited September 3, 2014 by saratl

[jm1988]

Hi all,

 

I graduated from UCLA two months ago with a degree in Psychology. I have been exploring different fields since then, and I feel really good about going into Speech-Language Pathology. I've been doing some research, and since I don't have a degree in communication, I need to take some classes before I can apply.

 

I was wondering if any of you know how this process works? Do I take these classes anywhere I want? (A community college?) Also, from what I know, SDSU requires completion of a speech language post-baccalaureate program, and I was wondering if any of you have done this and can give me advice as to how long the program would take and where I can complete it.

 

Also, does it matter WHERE you complete the post-bacc program?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Hi!! I just posted on the SLP Post-Bacc thread but it announced last night that CSULB will no longer their Master's Preparatory Program (Post-Bacc) program Fall 2015 and onward. Their Fall 2014 cohort will be their last. California is extremely competitive and overly saturated with prospective out-of-field SLP students so GPA is extremely important, especially for programs that don't require LORs. Also when applying to grad school, they look at your GPA & GRE scores in addition to essays & possible interviews.

[SLP11111]

I found it took me about a year to finish prerequisites and I am now applying for Fall 2015 for masters programs. I did the Graduate Prerequisite program at Florida State University (Online). I feel well prepared. I hope it will set me apart even though my original background was in Finance/Risk Management. There are many post-bacc. programs. A handful online too. However, it may be cheaper to take prerequisites at a local college. It is just scary to take classes as non-degree knowing you may or may not get the classes you need each semester. That is what I decided to do an actual program that guaranteed I would get all the classes I needed within a year. I hope you find this helpful. 

[S_Colorado]

My undergraduate degree is in Art History. I'm in my first year of a 3 year Master's program. We basically go through a leveling year of taking the 6 pre-req courses as well as some graduate level courses. There are very few Master's programs that accept you without having completed the courses but there are some. University of the Pacific, Redlands, CU-Boulder, Emerson and Boston University come to my mind but you'd want to check to see if any thing has changed.

 

My decision was that I would apply to those few programs as Option A. Option B, I also applied to the post bacc programs at CalStateLA and CalStateLB (which is now discontinued). Option C was completing the 6 pre-req courses online through Utah State University and then reapply to a wider range of Master programs the next year. I did all of those things at once but luckily something in my Option A worked out and now here I am. It is really really nice to be doing my pre-req course work knowing that I am already accepted into a graduate program. I've heard a lot of Post-Bacc programs are extremely competitive once you are in courses because people are pretty much competing for the few spots in the master's programs.

 

Ultimately, I think it is really hard to know what programs are looking for. There are 8 of us in my three-year cohort and we are all very diverse background. Psychology is extremely popular though so I don't think you are at a disadvantage there. I was told by admissions that my recommendation letters were what made me stand out so I think putting emphasis on those and of course your personal statement are very important. High GRE scores will make your application go through the first cut.