Q&A Grad Programs

[plume]

I thought it might be helpful to start a thread for people to ask  and answer about specific programs—maybe from first-hand experience or things we have learned at open houses, etc. I know there are separate threads about each school but maybe we can compile some more updated info.

With that said... can anyone speak about Northern Arizona U? I love Flagstaff but want to know more about the school and program. Does anyone have any positive or negative experiences to share? Any impressions on the program as a whole? Insight on clinical opportunities? Are you given good opportunities for a wide range of specialties or is it geared more towards a certain type of population?

Thanks!  

[jmk]

I can speak on the topic of San Francisco State, which was my undergrad institute, (as well as the locations/campuses of CSU East Bay, Chico, & San Jose but not the departments themselves). I also attended the interview in-person & open house at Pacific in Oregon. 

 

I am curious about NAU as well! So far I have heard two positive reviews from NAU alumni that were not CD majors. 

[BeachySpeechy]

I have a friend that graduated from NAU (summers track). She loved Flagstaff and the faculty....I mean it's pretty cool that one of your professors will be Wayne Secord!

She said there were "hidden fees" so be prepared to spend a little more than what the tuition is per credit. She also felt that she didn't get much help with finding a placement for the medical externship. 

 

[maurmaur]

I have a friend who used to work at NAU and who's ex works in the disability department. From what she has heard, the program isn't the most organized, but she did say it's possible it's gotten a lot better over the past few years.

 

[maurmaur]

1 hour ago, jmk said:

I can speak on the topic of San Francisco State, which was my undergrad institute, (as well as the locations/campuses of CSU East Bay, Chico, & San Jose but not the departments themselves). I also attended the interview in-person & open house at Pacific in Oregon. 

 

I am curious about NAU as well! So far I have heard two positive reviews from NAU alumni that were not CD majors. 

I would like to know about Pacific! I didn't get to attend the in-person stuff! 

Also to go back on what I said, NAU is great. I just am talking about that department specifically. I'm from AZ and everyone I know who goes there or went there loved it. 

[plume]

Thank you @BeachySpeechy and @maurmaur for the NAU info!!!

[plume]

I can speak a little about CU Boulder if anyone has questions. I live in Boulder, attended their open house, met with an advisor in the department, and spent my first year-and-a-half of undergrad there. I also have a friend at MGH, was able to tour their facilities, and talked with a few current grad students.

[speechfan222]

I've heard the NAU Speech Pathology program is pretty good. I was interested in this program, but wasn't able to apply since there is not an online option. I currently work full time and need to be able to take online courses. NAU - Flagstaff also has a summer program where you complete coursework during summer semesters. 

Hello @maurmaur. I noticed you're from AZ and saw your profile says Tucson. I'm currently in Tucson as well. Small world! Where did you apply for this fall?

[maurmaur]

4 minutes ago, plume said:

I can speak a little about CU Boulder if anyone has questions. I live in Boulder, attended their open house, met with an advisor in the department, and spent my first year-and-a-half of undergrad there. I also have a friend at MGH, was able to tour their facilities, and talked with a few current grad students.

Both of those schools, please! 

[maurmaur]

2 minutes ago, speechfan222 said:

I've heard the NAU Speech Pathology program is pretty good. I was interested in this program, but wasn't able to apply since there is not an online option. I currently work full time and need to be able to take online courses. NAU - Flagstaff also has a summer program where you complete coursework during summer semesters. 

Hello @maurmaur. I noticed you're from AZ and saw your profile says Tucson. I'm currently in Tucson as well. Small world! Where did you apply for this fall?

I'm in Indianapolis now. I went to UofA and graduated in May. My mom lives here and I found a job here. I'm from Phoenix originally. And lots of places! Where do you work? You can private message me as well!

[plume]

@maurmaur Perfect! I can't remember if I already mentioned any of this to you, so excuse me if I have! 

CU: CU has a beautiful campus. Boulder is also beautiful and a really cool town. The SLP program is situated in an older building at the edge of campus and also houses the audiology program. One thing that disappointed me about the program was that the facilities are really old... some rooms looked almost run-down. However, the faculty all seemed very enthusiastic and were eager to answer our questions. I have heard that they have a focus on research, which makes a lot of sense (CU is in general!) The faculty has such varied interests and it seemed like you could find someone to work under in any area you were interested in. They bragged a lot about the collaboration between the SLP and audiology cohorts. They also have an in-house clinic. It didn't look like anything fancy, but it is great that it is there for you. I'm pretty sure the clinic only serves very young children. 

[plume]

MGH's was situated in a huge rectangular building. SLP, OT, nursing, and PT (I think) students work in the same building. We peeked into a nursing room and saw one of the creepy patient robots, eek! The facilities seemed very nice. It had a very "clinical" feel, if that makes sense. My friend really likes it there overall. One thing that I thought was interesting is he said you start in clinicals right away and you are assigned a partner. You are supervised by faculty in the clinic, of course, but you and your partner switch off jobs in therapy (I can't remember--I think you work together to plan, and one of you observes while the other conducts the therapy--but I could be remembering wrong). The grad students all seemed very nice. The location is sort of weird since the building is in the navy yard. It is much quieter than downtown and it just has a very different feel. However, it did not take long to ride the train and then walk there from downtown. 

[tvl]

I can't say much about NAU or CU Boulder other than both areas are beautiful!! 

Anyone have any information on New Mexico State or West Texas A&M???

[K8eCastle]

I just got accepted to Missouri State! Did anyone do their undergrad there? I visited the school in July and loved it, but I'd like to know more about the school and the area.