Firsthand reviews of Graduate Programs

[CBG321]

I'm currently an undergrad at SJSU and have been accepted to the grad program so I can't speak too much about the grad program. I think it's an okay school, but nothing special. We have some amazing professors but also a few that are hard to relate to. There's not a whole lot going on research wise, but we do have an AAC clinic and a grant available for those interested in working with HoH population (although I think this is the last year for it). The department itself seems unorganized, but that may be because we just got a new clinic director AND department administrator over the summer. Our clinic rooms are outdated and some rooms are unusable because the camera system doesn't work. Most of our assessments and materials are in decent shape, but our board games are missing pieces and a lot of our materials are rather juvenile.

I guess it's a fine school to go to if you're looking to go into the school system. Just don't expect any hand holding on ASHA requirements or any information like that.

The classroom that you'll have 90% of your classes in is a bit old, but a nice location. The hall is right next to a parking garage and there is a cafe right for snacks, coffee, and sandwiches right next to it which is REALLY nice for those 3 hour classes. There is also a student room next door to the classroom with a fridge, microwave, snacks, Keurig, couch, and some tables. So there's a nice space to relax and study or socialize.

All around it's a decent school. I'm probably not impressed with it as much as others are because I want to work with adults and there isn't much going on in that realm (although the adult clinic supervisors are amazing). But, it's hard to get into. Every year there's 40 spots: 20 for in major applicants and 20 for out of major. They give priority to people who received their CDS degree with them. So, 10-15 of those 20 spots go to them.

 

 

Thanks for the amazing informative description!  It's really helpful, covers all the things i'd be interested in knowing about a potential Grad school!

[futurespeechie]

@Please_try_again thanks so much for the info. I was considering SJSU for a while but was leaning towards elsewhere because I didn't feel totally confident about the program there. Your info definitely helped!

Would anyone happen to know about the program at SFSU?

[jls3]

Can anyone give me any information about the program at Columbia University, Teachers College? I have been admitted and have emailed them asking to be put in contact with a current student but haven't heard from them yet. Anything would help! Thanks!

[ldharts]

Can anyone give any information on Arizona State University?? I'm in the dark! 

Is there anything in particular you want to know about ASU? I went there for a semester a few years ago, so might be able to answer some questions for you.. not that I have firsthand experience being in the graduate program..

Edited April 3, 2015 by ldharts

[SpeechPathgirl]

Is there anything in particular you want to know about ASU? I went there for a semester a few years ago, so might be able to answer some questions for you.. not that I have firsthand experience being in the graduate program..

Hey! I was wondering what the faculty-student relationships are like! And also how questions/disagreements are received by faculty...are there any "scary" speech teachers that people don't get along with? Thanks!

[Please_try_again]

Does anyone have experience with CSU East Bay?

[ldharts]

Hey! I was wondering what the faculty-student relationships are like! And also how questions/disagreements are received by faculty...are there any "scary" speech teachers that people don't get along with? Thanks!

 

I can't say much to the questions/ disagreements question- they did all seem very willing to have you come in and ask questions, etc.. Especially in the grad program, I think there is a good faculty-student dynamic- the profs all seem really personable. There are definitely more intimidating profs, but all of the ones that I have talked to seem quite nice. Are you deciding between programs right now or have you decided on ASU and are finding out more before you go? (I think your biggest shock will be the weather- Vancouver has similar weather to Spokane and arriving in August was way harder than I thought (mind you I arrived during a heat-wave), AC was definitely my best friend those first few weeks!) 

[jmk]

I am an undergrad at SFSU and have close friends at East Bay who are CD undergrads. 

 

SFSU- LOVE the program! Helpful, informative advisors. Robust and active NSSLAH chapter that is currently hosting a Spring conference this month incorporating community speech organizations. Grad students regularly form semester long study groups for different courses. Friendly, welcoming environment with clean clinic rooms. I have not had a single negative experience in the undergrad program so far, and all grad students I have interacted with seem happy. Lots of different opportunities working with different population with the on campus clinic. TONS of speech opportunities in the Bay Area for every single interest out there. They also offer a study abroad option for graduate students with a university in Sweden.

Con: Limited research opportunities/focus. If you have a PhD in mind eventually, you may want to keep other universities in mind. 

 

The school/surrounding area. Beautiful library, clean campus. Con: places to eat on campus are overpriced or greasy pizza. Do not expect to find parking if you bring your car (if driving to school.) You will need to bus or walk to campus. The surrounding city does have dirt, grime, packed public transit during commute, and a noticeable homeless population (think any typical city.) I came from the suburbs, and felt very lost/uncomfortable my first few weeks as I settled into learning how to take a bus, or walking past a homeless camp. Neither of those things bother me at all now. That being said- I LOVE the city. Last weekend I biked across the Golden Gate bridge, and my "todo" list for places to see stretches out a solid year. I would not change my undergrad choice at all and have had nothing but positive experiences at SFSU and SF in general. 

 

CSUEB- 

Two friends that are seniors in the CD program have had "pretty good" experiences. Great aphasia clinic but relatively limited clinical options otherwise. Some research opportunities, great NSSLAH chapter, solid professors. Unless you are very passionate about a certain area of speech (such as really wanting to work with HOH population), seems like a very solid program. I have visited a half dozen times and been to a few NSSLAH events on campus. 

 

The surrounding area: I personally love the campus. It's clean, the CD program seemed close-knit, and it's in a pretty chill location with an easy commute to many Bay Area adventures. You will need a car at this school. Not a college town school/no school spirit, but that seems like a mute point at the grad level. 

[Please_try_again]

That was amazing, thanks Jmk! I'm interested in Aphasia and adults, so I'm really hoping to get in there.

[EmilyA]

Anyone out there who can talk about their experiences at UC -- University of Cincinnati?

 

Love to hear firsthand reports on pros/cons on studying at UC and other OH programs in terms of

• clinical experiences
• externships
• faculty
• the student experience
• anything else

Thanks!!!

[ahelston]

Can anyone give any information on Arizona State University?? I'm in the dark! 

Hey Speech Path Girl, 

 

I did my undergrad as a speech and hearing science major at ASU. I enjoyed all of my professors and many of them are super kind and helpful. I also attended the open house at ASU and it ended with students and faculty going to a mexican restaurant and drinking beers together, so it seems the professors are pretty laid back.  Classes are held in the same location as the speech and hearing clinic....and the glass building is pretty amazing! it is probably less than 10 years old and in great condition. It seems that the program has more professors that are work with children rather than adults. However, the students and the professors both said that one great thing about the program is the connections they have with so many different hospitals/schools/clinics/etc. They said that they could get you into anywhere you would like to have an internship. 

 

If you aren't used to the summer (and fall and spring) heat, it can be quite brutal. However, I remember having to bring a jacket to class because they cranked the AC all day!

 

Overall, ASU is an amazing school, the program is highly ranked, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time as a speech and hearing science undergrad. I am accepted as well and the only reason I haven't accepted yet is because I am not wanting to leave Washington and am still considering Western Washington.

[futurespeechie]

@jmk Thanks a bunch!! I didn't know there was a study abroad option at SFSU--that sounds really neat!

[Positive Thoughts]

@jmk Thanks a bunch!! I didn't know there was a study abroad option at SFSU--that sounds really neat!

I agree! The post by @jmk made me sooo excited for the program at SFSU.

[SpeechPathgirl]

Hey Speech Path Girl, 

 

I did my undergrad as a speech and hearing science major at ASU. I enjoyed all of my professors and many of them are super kind and helpful. I also attended the open house at ASU and it ended with students and faculty going to a mexican restaurant and drinking beers together, so it seems the professors are pretty laid back.  Classes are held in the same location as the speech and hearing clinic....and the glass building is pretty amazing! it is probably less than 10 years old and in great condition. It seems that the program has more professors that are work with children rather than adults. However, the students and the professors both said that one great thing about the program is the connections they have with so many different hospitals/schools/clinics/etc. They said that they could get you into anywhere you would like to have an internship. 

 

If you aren't used to the summer (and fall and spring) heat, it can be quite brutal. However, I remember having to bring a jacket to class because they cranked the AC all day!

 

Overall, ASU is an amazing school, the program is highly ranked, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time as a speech and hearing science undergrad. I am accepted as well and the only reason I haven't accepted yet is because I am not wanting to leave Washington and am still considering Western Washington.

 

 

Thank you so much!! This was extremely helpful. I'm actually in Washington too, but I am originally from Arizona, so I"m not too worried about the heat  

[rcora8]

I'd love to know this about Nebraska-Lincoln! I haven't visited yet so the only information I know is from what I've read online. How is the clinic there and all of the faculty? And will it be difficult to get externships in omaha? And I'd love to eventually work in my home state, Illinois, eventually, would that be difficult? I love how affordable the program is! I also saw that there is a special fellowship for out of state students, how common is it for SLP students to get that fellowship?

I don't think it's even possible to answer all of these questions lol but I'd appreciate any insights!

Edited April 7, 2015 by rcora8

[CBG321]

I'd love to know this about Nebraska-Lincoln! I haven't visited yet so the only information I know is from what I've read online. How is the clinic there and all of the faculty? And will it be difficult to get externships in omaha? And I'd love to eventually work in my home state, Illinois, eventually, would that be difficult? I love how affordable the program is! I also saw that there is a special fellowship for out of state students, how common is it for SLP students to get that fellowship?

I don't think it's even possible to answer all of these questions lol but I'd appreciate any insights!

 

I'm also interested, it looks like a cool program!  

[ahelston]

Does anybody know anything about the program up at Western Washington other then what is online? Any insight would be super helpful!

[CBG321]

Sorry to bump this, but I felt like it might help people out now that acceptances are being sent.  To those fortunate enough to have choices or just wanting to know what is ahead first hand reviews would be really helpful at this time. 

 

I am personally interested in: Northern Arizona University, Fresno state, University of Nebraska at Lincoln, University of Kansas--Lawrence, and Loma Linda University.  Things like teaching style, closeness of students and school/life balance would be great to know from former students.  

Feel free to post about your experience at any University you loved and want to recommend people attend or vice versa.  

[SLPgradstudent]

@CBG321, thanks for starting this thread, it's great!

I know most of the conversation here has been about west coast schools (and ASU) but I just wanted to mention, the University of Maryland a perk will give out-of-state students in-state tuition.  If you are offered a graduate assistantship, not only will you get the benefits of that assistantship (5 credits tuition remission, stipend, and etc.), you are also given in-state tuition status.  Also, it seems like a fantastic program from what I have seen from the open house visits.  Supportive environment with lots of research and clinical opportunities, and a really fantastic range of options for externship placements.  Since it's between DC and Baltimore, there are a ton of great choices.

I'm not sure if there are other state schools that do this for their SLP programs, but if you're really interested in a program that's out of state, I would ask!

[esopha]

Many large public universities have similar programs! That's one of the reasons that I applied to UMD, though, as well as to Iowa.

[CBG321]

Great information thank you!   A lot of programs/schools in the west are not as generous with funding (for in or out of state) so this is great to hear!  It will help other applicants make smart decisions on where to potentially apply .  That assistantship information is really great i'm going to ask one of my acceptances what the assistantship covers now!

[Southwest Speechie]

I can answer questions about the graduate program at Northern Arizona University (NAU).

[CBG321]

1 hour ago, Southwest Speechie said:

I can answer questions about the graduate program at Northern Arizona University (NAU).

Thank you!  I wanted to know pro's and con's of the program.  What sets it apart (I'm at a point where i'm picking between programs so am trying to get as much feedback as possible!).

What is the teaching style?  Do they lecture with a power point and you write down notes (like undergrad) or is it different/more collaborative etc.

Do students have free time or is the schedule too demanding/stressful to allow for that?  Is the cohort friendly/close or more business like/competitive.

What is a typical class/clinic schedule?  What does your weekly schedule breakdown look like?

Anything you'd wish you'd known prior to starting?

 

[clmogel]

Anyone know about Northern Arizona University online program? How about Marshall, Radford, ETSU, Towson, Western Kentucky, California of PA, IUP, Loyola, Western Carolina U? 

[kumapanda]

I'm also interested in learning more about Radford's program.  What are the pros and cons for Radford?  I'm from the west coast, so I'm not sure what the living cost is for Radford or what type of environment to expect.  What are their teaching styles and how is managing time and clinic hours?  Are you placed in clinics your first semester or do you focus first on research or lectures?