Bilingual SLP programs with prerequisite offerings???

[julianorts]

I want to become a bilingual speech-language pathologist and I am applying in the fall of 2017. However, my majors are psychology and Spanish because we don't have the SLP/CSD major at my university. I am having so much trouble finding programs that accept students like me (allowing me to do prerequisites after I've been accepted to the graduate program) and at the same time have a bilingual track or some sort of bilingual certificate/emphasis. ASHA's search engine is not working- it's just giving me a full list of all the programs out there when I ask for programs with a bilingual emphasis! Currently, I have these schools on my list but I really would like more:

Teacher's College at Columbia University

Arizona State

Indiana University

New Mexico State University

Marquette University

University of Minneosta: Twin Cities

University of Redlands (which wouldn't let me start until Spring 2018 so not ideal)

 

Please, does anyone know of any schools like this that offer prerequisites and a bilingual emphasis? I am really struggling in my search! I've found a lot of schools that USED to allow leveling or USED to have a bilingual emphasis but don't anymore and I'm getting really worried. I don't feel like this is a good enough amount of schools for someone who is applying with a background outside of CSD.

[OverCaffeinated]

http://www.asha.org/edfind/results.aspx?be=true

these are schools with bilingual emphasis. start your search here

[slporbust2016]

You can also take your prerequisite courses and then apply for grad school like many out-of-fielders (myself included) do.

Edited January 8, 2016 by slporbust2016

[Jenbugg86grad]

There are a lot of grads like you in my graduate cohort. The program at the University of New Mexico has an excellent bilingual program and I love it here. 

[scisl006]

Jen! I was just about to comment the same thing. I feel it is my duty to support people who were in our position to survive the gradcafe addict life.

[julianorts]

Wow I definitely need to look at University of New Mexico then!

[racoomelon]

I'm not sure about all of the schools on your list, but I know that Arizona State doesn't allow out-of-fielders in their program  I didn't apply to ASU because they require at least a post-bach (their website is a pain to find the information on, but this lays it out. I also emailed the program person last semester and she pretty bluntly, but nicely, told me I wouldn't be able to apply without all of the pre-reqs complete). In regards to U of New Mexico, I'm pretty sure UNM requires a few courses of the CSD major to be completed (like 9 units or so). I don't know how strict they are about that, though, and you might be able to weasel in with some linguistics units (possibly?). I'd email the chair of graduate admissions. She was very helpful when I reached out to her.

University of Arizona and Vanderbilt both have bilingual language emphasis and 3 year programs. UA is more of a certificate-- you get bilingually certified to give therapy, I think. It's a more recent thing that they're doing. But there are two or more professors in the program that focus on bilingual language acquisition or disorders. And a lot of the clinic's clients are monolingual Spanish speakers or bilingual. 

University of Texas has a bilingual track, from what I've seen. I'd be careful with UT, though. I looked into them as an option when I was applying, but it seemed like they wouldn't accept out-of-field students. Upon closer look (and after I was done applying to other schools), I realized that they do accept a handful of out-of-fielders, but preference is given to people with the CSD major. Basically, it would be pretty competitive. I think that Northern Arizona is another one with a leveler year that offers a bilingual track, so I'd look into that a bit.

I know more 3 year programs, but I don't think they have a bilingual track.  University of Memphis, University of South Carolina, Colorado Boulder, University of Pacific (? pretty sure), UT Dallas, some of the LSU schools, Purdue, and OSU / UO (though you're on probation for your leveling year). There are probably a ton more-- these are just the ones I've run into with the leveling year option. You'd need to look into them to see if they have bilingual emphasis. I don't think many do. 

You might want to consider a post-bach if you want more program options and even more so if you'd like to do something specific like bilingual emphasis. There do seem to be a lot of programs that have 3 year programs and bilingual tracks, so you might not need to get a post-bach. But also keep in mind that schools typically only have a few spots in their 3 year programs, unless they like pulling out-of-fielders (like UT Dallas). For example, UA wants a cohort of 25 MS students. Of the 25, only 5 are intended to be leveling students.

[julianorts]

1 hour ago, racoomelon said:

I'm not sure about all of the schools on your list, but I know that Arizona State doesn't allow out-of-fielders in their program  I didn't apply to ASU because they require at least a post-bach (their website is a pain to find the information on, but this lays it out. I also emailed the program person last semester and she pretty bluntly, but nicely, told me I wouldn't be able to apply without all of the pre-reqs complete). In regards to U of New Mexico, I'm pretty sure UNM requires a few courses of the CSD major to be completed (like 9 units or so). I don't know how strict they are about that, though, and you might be able to weasel in with some linguistics units (possibly?). I'd email the chair of graduate admissions. She was very helpful when I reached out to her.

University of Arizona and Vanderbilt both have bilingual language emphasis and 3 year programs. UA is more of a certificate-- you get bilingually certified to give therapy, I think. It's a more recent thing that they're doing. But there are two or more professors in the program that focus on bilingual language acquisition or disorders. And a lot of the clinic's clients are monolingual Spanish speakers or bilingual. 

University of Texas has a bilingual track, from what I've seen. I'd be careful with UT, though. I looked into them as an option when I was applying, but it seemed like they wouldn't accept out-of-field students. Upon closer look (and after I was done applying to other schools), I realized that they do accept a handful of out-of-fielders, but preference is given to people with the CSD major. Basically, it would be pretty competitive. I think that Northern Arizona is another one with a leveler year that offers a bilingual track, so I'd look into that a bit.

I know more 3 year programs, but I don't think they have a bilingual track.  University of Memphis, University of South Carolina, Colorado Boulder, University of Pacific (? pretty sure), UT Dallas, some of the LSU schools, Purdue, and OSU / UO (though you're on probation for your leveling year). There are probably a ton more-- these are just the ones I've run into with the leveling year option. You'd need to look into them to see if they have bilingual emphasis. I don't think many do. 

You might want to consider a post-bach if you want more program options and even more so if you'd like to do something specific like bilingual emphasis. There do seem to be a lot of programs that have 3 year programs and bilingual tracks, so you might not need to get a post-bach. But also keep in mind that schools typically only have a few spots in their 3 year programs, unless they like pulling out-of-fielders (like UT Dallas). For example, UA wants a cohort of 25 MS students. Of the 25, only 5 are intended to be leveling students.

Thanks so much for all the valuable information! Good to know about Arizona State- their website was not clear about that. I looked into UNM and you are right, they do require prerequisites to be completed before admission into the grad program. I haven't seen anything about Vanderbilt, so I will definitely look at that. I've also never heard of Northern Arizona! I see that you got into a lot of schools I'm applying to- I don't have a 4.0 like you, but I do have a 3.84. Do you think I have a chance at any of them, or is applying to more of those post-bacc programs a more plausible option? Also, do you know the specifics on bilingual certification? To me, it doesn't seem like there are specific requirements for bilingual SLPs on ASHA's website. So I'm wondering if I contacted those other three year programs you mentioned and asked if they do bilingual placements, if that'd still prepare me for a job as a bilingual SLP?

[racoomelon]

8 hours ago, julianorts said:

Thanks so much for all the valuable information! Good to know about Arizona State- their website was not clear about that. I looked into UNM and you are right, they do require prerequisites to be completed before admission into the grad program. I haven't seen anything about Vanderbilt, so I will definitely look at that. I've also never heard of Northern Arizona! I see that you got into a lot of schools I'm applying to- I don't have a 4.0 like you, but I do have a 3.84. Do you think I have a chance at any of them, or is applying to more of those post-bacc programs a more plausible option? Also, do you know the specifics on bilingual certification? To me, it doesn't seem like there are specific requirements for bilingual SLPs on ASHA's website. So I'm wondering if I contacted those other three year programs you mentioned and asked if they do bilingual placements, if that'd still prepare me for a job as a bilingual SLP?

A 3.84 is a strong GPA, from what I've seen. I think you'll be fine on that account. You should also keep in mind GRE scores-- high GRE scores can be pretty helpful on an application, and low GRE scores can cause a lot of harm. I think being bilingual is in your favor, though. Any extracurriculars you have can also go a long ways on an application.

Ahhh I know a bit. The certification isn't the same as being a bilingual SLP-- it means that you know how to deliver bilingual treatment (with an interpreter) and you understand the theories supporting bilingual treatment. So the program at the UA is going to expose you to bilingual treatment theories and require you to get X amount of hours of bilingual clinical treatment. A bilingual SLP is fluent in another language, which is slightly different from what I understand. I don't know if that helps at all. I don't know a ton about it, but you would be prepared in bilingual treatment and work with an interpreter (if the client's language was not one you spoke).

[julianorts]

So wait, are you saying that in order to become a bilingual SLP (I want to work with Latino children) I don't need one of these programs? I only need one if I want to provide treatment for children who speak a language that I don't know? So, for example, I could go to a school like University of Virginia that offers bilingual placements and learn how to treat Spanish-speaking clients, but just not learn how to treat bilingual clients in general? I know you said you don't know much about it, but if that's how it works that is news to me! I still want to apply to all those schools that have the bilingual emphasis, but if it's not needed to treat only one bilingual population, then that means I wouldn't be screwed if I was denied from all those schools and got into another one.

[racoomelon]

3 minutes ago, julianorts said:

So wait, are you saying that in order to become a bilingual SLP (I want to work with Latino children) I don't need one of these programs? I only need one if I want to provide treatment for children who speak a language that I don't know? So, for example, I could go to a school like University of Virginia that offers bilingual placements and learn how to treat Spanish-speaking clients, but just not learn how to treat bilingual clients in general? I know you said you don't know much about it, but if that's how it works that is news to me! I still want to apply to all those schools that have the bilingual emphasis, but if it's not needed to treat only one bilingual population, then that means I wouldn't be screwed if I was denied from all those schools and got into another one.

I'm not entirely sure haha. I do know that there's a difference between being certified and actually being native-level fluent yourself. Either way, I'd think you would want to understand the theory behind treating a bilingual client and how you would asses, especially in the case of a child, the client's language. 

Talk to professors for more information or find someone else who's going the bilingual route, either with certificates or whatever. My explanation is how I've understood this, which has been more in passing and isn't something I've looked into in depth. I think you should email the program at Virginia and see what they say. It might be that you want to attend a program that allows you to work with a Spanish population, rather than has a bilingual track specifically focusing on bilingual treatment.

This is the Arizona coursework book: http://slhs.arizona.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2015-2016-MS-Cactus-Book.pdf. On the 7th page or so is a summary of the bilingual program. That might give you a better idea of what the certificate would look like.

[julianorts]

5 minutes ago, racoomelon said:

I'm not entirely sure haha. I do know that there's a difference between being certified and actually being native-level fluent yourself. Either way, I'd think you would want to understand the theory behind treating a bilingual client and how you would asses, especially in the case of a child, the client's language. 

Talk to professors for more information or find someone else who's going the bilingual route, either with certificates or whatever. My explanation is how I've understood this, which has been more in passing and isn't something I've looked into in depth. I think you should email the program at Virginia and see what they say. It might be that you want to attend a program that allows you to work with a Spanish population, rather than has a bilingual track specifically focusing on bilingual treatment.

This is the Arizona coursework book: http://slhs.arizona.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2015-2016-MS-Cactus-Book.pdf. On the 7th page or so is a summary of the bilingual program. That might give you a better idea of what the certificate would look like.

Yeah I get what you're saying so I'd definitely prefer one of the 8 bilingual programs I have found thus far. Vanderbilt doesn't appear to have the bilingual program, and I still need to look at Northern Arizona. I'm going to email UVA and Vanderbilt and probably at some point, all of those three year programs you listed because who knows, they might be really into bilingual placements!

 

Are you doing three years and bilingual SLP as well?

[racoomelon]

2 hours ago, julianorts said:

Yeah I get what you're saying so I'd definitely prefer one of the 8 bilingual programs I have found thus far. Vanderbilt doesn't appear to have the bilingual program, and I still need to look at Northern Arizona. I'm going to email UVA and Vanderbilt and probably at some point, all of those three year programs you listed because who knows, they might be really into bilingual placements!

 

Are you doing three years and bilingual SLP as well?

Oh, I thought I'd seen some people mention that Vanderbilt had a bilingual track. My bad!

I'm kind of a weird candidate haha. I've spent the last year completing as many of the pre-reqs as I could. I'd initially planned on applying to more Texas schools for in-state tuition purposes, but I am missing a post-bach and several of the pre-reqs (mainly audiology-related ones). I'll have about 21 units completed when I graduate, though. Regardless, I had to narrow down my list and change my focus to schools that wouldn't flat out reject me for not having done all of the pre-reqs. It worked out in the end-- sadly, after I had already sent my GRE scores to several programs I later realized I wasn't qualified for haha. (Definitely know where you're applying when you take the GRE. You should take advantage of the seven (or so) free schools you get! It's like $23 for any after that, and I can promise you that'll add up.)

I can't say that I would have preferred to get a post-bach, because I was pretty determined at the time to avoid one and I got into the school I wanted to without one. If you're dead set on going to certain programs, it might help. But I honestly think you've got a pretty comprehensive list as is. It's up to you-- you could always apply to both and see where you end up. I think someone mentioned that Portland State has a year-round application for their post-bach, so you could apply there if the three year programs didn't work out.  

Bilingual-wise, I'm interested in a bilingual program but only if I'm going to work with children or in a school. I'm from the southwest and would like to stay in the southwest, and a school district in this area is going to have bilingual kiddos. I'd like to know how to asses and treat bilingual kids in that case. Otherwise, I'm not sure that I'd pursue a bilingual certificate. I'm not bilingual myself (even though my mom's side of the family is and loves to remind me that I should be hahaha), so I wouldn't qualify as a bilingual SLP. 

One other suggestion, because I was looking at the suggested coursework for one of the programs I'm looking at: see what coursework a school offers. If you notice that they have bilingual electives, I'd say they'd be a good candidate for you to look into. UT Dallas actually has several bilingual courses and, like I mentioned earlier, they seem to be very out-of-fielder friendly.

[julianorts]

2 hours ago, racoomelon said:

Oh, I thought I'd seen some people mention that Vanderbilt had a bilingual track. My bad!

I'm kind of a weird candidate haha. I've spent the last year completing as many of the pre-reqs as I could. I'd initially planned on applying to more Texas schools for in-state tuition purposes, but I am missing a post-bach and several of the pre-reqs (mainly audiology-related ones). I'll have about 21 units completed when I graduate, though. Regardless, I had to narrow down my list and change my focus to schools that wouldn't flat out reject me for not having done all of the pre-reqs. It worked out in the end-- sadly, after I had already sent my GRE scores to several programs I later realized I wasn't qualified for haha. (Definitely know where you're applying when you take the GRE. You should take advantage of the seven (or so) free schools you get! It's like $23 for any after that, and I can promise you that'll add up.)

I can't say that I would have preferred to get a post-bach, because I was pretty determined at the time to avoid one and I got into the school I wanted to without one. If you're dead set on going to certain programs, it might help. But I honestly think you've got a pretty comprehensive list as is. It's up to you-- you could always apply to both and see where you end up. I think someone mentioned that Portland State has a year-round application for their post-bach, so you could apply there if the three year programs didn't work out.  

Bilingual-wise, I'm interested in a bilingual program but only if I'm going to work with children or in a school. I'm from the southwest and would like to stay in the southwest, and a school district in this area is going to have bilingual kiddos. I'd like to know how to asses and treat bilingual kids in that case. Otherwise, I'm not sure that I'd pursue a bilingual certificate. I'm not bilingual myself (even though my mom's side of the family is and loves to remind me that I should be hahaha), so I wouldn't qualify as a bilingual SLP. 

One other suggestion, because I was looking at the suggested coursework for one of the programs I'm looking at: see what coursework a school offers. If you notice that they have bilingual electives, I'd say they'd be a good candidate for you to look into. UT Dallas actually has several bilingual courses and, like I mentioned earlier, they seem to be very out-of-fielder friendly.

Thanks so much for all your help! I'm definitely going to keep adding schools to my list- University of Memphis, for example, was one of the possible schools you gave me with a three-year program and while they don't have  bilingual emphasis per se, they do have a bilingual research lab. They also seem to be very into bilingualism in general, so if I could get placed somewhere with bilingual clients, I think schools like that are a great second option for me.

[oldsolnewworld]

On 1/11/2016 at 1:17 AM, Jenbugg86grad said:

There are a lot of grads like you in my graduate cohort. The program at the University of New Mexico has an excellent bilingual program and I love it here. 

 

On 3/6/2016 at 8:01 PM, scisl006 said:

Jen! I was just about to comment the same thing. I feel it is my duty to support people who were in our position to survive the gradcafe addict life.

I was recently accepted here with funding! I would love to learn more about ABQ and UNM!!