Opinions on SDSU SLP Essentials Program

[ladedadodada]

It just started up last year and there are four courses listed (intro to language science, phonetics, hearing science, and anatomy and physiology of speech). The coordinator says to hope to open up all the classes within the next year as long as demands are met. You can take whichever courses you need as long as they are available They are 8-week long online courses. SDSU's graduate program (not to be confused with the essentials) is known to be #1 in California and #24 in the nation. It doesn't require application, but it doesn't guarantee acceptance into their graduate program.

I'm not quite sure if I should do the essentials program or just apply for postbacc program. My GPA isn't the highest, so this seems like a good option, but I don't know when all the classes will be available... and I don't know if all the classes that will become available will fulfill the prerequisites and/or qualifications for other graduate programs.

I have at least three possible choices:
1. Keep applying to Post-baccs.
2. Take courses through SDSU SLP Essentials and hope they'll offer all the courses. If they do, eventually apply for graduate school.
3. Take courses through SDSU SLP Essentials and continue to apply for postbaccs. (In this situation, will the classes I already took be taken off of the list that I need to take in the postbacc?)

Please let me know what opinions you have on my situation. If you have any suggestions, or if you would like to share your own experiences, I'd be happy to read them.

Thanks!

Click here for information on the SDSU SLP Essentials Program

Edited January 13, 2017 by ladedadodada

[faithcarol]

Did you end up taking courses through the SDSU SLP Essentials program? I am facing the same dilemma currently. I'm hoping that the 8 classes they currently offer will fulfill all the prerequisites for the various cal states, but it looks like I may need a few more than what they offer. I'm really curious to speak to someone who has completed some courses through this program. 

[ladedadodada]

Hi @faithcarol ! 

Sorry, I haven't checked the forum in a while.

Anyways, so I took two courses through the SDSU SLP Essentials Program (SLHS 300 and SLHS 320), and I just started my post bacc at CSUF this fall. SLHS 300 Introduction to Language Science did not transfer into anything for me. However, SLHS 320 Phonetics did, so I didn't have to take Phonetics here at CSUF.

In short, those 8 classes would not cover everything. In fact, some of the classes might not even be the same classes needed in specific postbac programs. The masters programs that I have looked at usually asks for at least 10-12 specific courses. CSUN, on the other hand, will not transfer any of these courses over into their postbac program. They want their students to strictly follow their written schedule.

I would check specifically with the schools you are applying to, because some courses will not transfer over, but some will. You can simply look at the course names and descriptions to compare. For reassurance, you could also contact the coordinators at the Postbacs you are hoping to apply to, so that you can see what would transfer over. That way, you won't blow $951 on a class that is irrelevant to the program's requirements.

Hope this helps!

Edited October 8, 2017 by ladedadodada

[faithcarol]

Hi @ladedadodada thanks for the reply! 

I ended up doing exactly that and was in touch with programs who said they were not able to confidently say they could accept the SDSU classes. I've decided to commit to taking the postbacc coursework in person. I'm applying for CSULA's master's prep certificate program for Fall 2018. 

How are you liking the coursework at Fullerton? It is interesting that they won't confer to certificate unless you are admitted to their graduate program - it seems more like an extended master's than a post-bacc for that reason. Do you plan to apply elsewhere or continue at CSUF? 

[ladedadodada]

I wouldn't consider it to be an extended master's. From what I see, a certificate from a postbac isn't really necessary when applying to graduate schools. Doing a postbac at CSUF will allow you to show that you have your prereqs and that you are qualify to apply for CSUF's grad program or another grad program.

The coursework is rather difficult sometimes, to be honest. I can't really compare it with CSULA since I haven't been there, but CSUF has a lot of experienced and respectable professors. 

Originally I had gotten into both the post bac programs at CSULA and CSUF, but I had chosen CSUF because they offer government loans, whereas CSULA only offered private loans.

Hope that helps!

Edited February 19, 2018 by ladedadodada