FAQs about CSD's Graduate Programs

Q. How many master's degree students are in the program?
A. Each year, about twenty-five to thirty students in speech-language pathology enter the graduate program.
Q. How many doctoral students are in the program?
A. Each year, about one to two students in audiology, and two to three students in speech-language pathology, enter the doctoral program. Generally, there are about eight doctoral students in the program.
Q. Does Penn State have an Au.D. program?
A. No. Penn State does not currently offer an Au.D. program.
Q. Who supervises clinical practica?
A. The clinical faculty and some academic/research faculty provide supervision. All supervisors are ASHA-certified and hold Pennsylvania licenses.
Q. What is the emphasis of the graduate program?
A. At the master's level, the program emphasizes clinical and research education. At the doctoral level, emphasis is placed on research education.
Q. Can I specialize in a specific area, such as working with an infant population?
A. Master's students must complete the general academic requirements for certification and graduation, including the course work, 375 supervised clinical practicum clock hours, and 25 observation hours. Master's students often enroll in additional electives, complete their research papers or theses and in general can complete their externships in a specific area of interest.
Doctoral students must develop specific areas of interest in their overall educational programs.
Q. Do graduates of the program find employment?
A. Over the past ten years, Penn State graduates have had little difficulty finding employment. In fact, many graduates secure employment before they leave the graduate program.
Q. How well do Penn State students do on the ASHA CCC Test?
A. In recent years, 100 percent of Penn State graduates have passed the ASHA CCC Test on their first try.
Q. Is the Penn State program approved by ASHA?
A. Yes. The academic program has been accredited by the ASHA Council of Academic Affairs since 1964.
Q. Where do Penn State students obtain practicum experiences?
A. All students enroll for practica and diagnostics in the on-campus Speech and Hearing Clinic as well as two approved off-campus practicum sites while they are completing their academic programs (fall, spring, summer and the next fall semester). Once the academic program is completed and a student has at least 200 hours of CCC-supervised practica, he or she is ready for an externship practicum. The externship is done off campus and is a full-time experience last between twelve and fifteen weeks.
Q. Who determines the externship sites and where are the externship sites located?
A. The externship sites are determined by the externship supervisor in conjunction with the student. Sites are selected in reference to the student's interests. The majority of externship sites are in Pennsylvania, with the exception of a few grant-related sites. All externship supervisors are ASHA certified.
Q. What is the availability of financial assistance for a Ph.D. student?
A. For the past ten years, half-time graduate assistantships based on merit have been awarded to full-time Ph.D. students. "Reappointment to an assistantship is based on availability of positions and the quality of student's performance." -- Graduate Degree Programs Bulletin.
Q. What is the tuition at Penn State?
A. The tuition at Penn State for the 2008–09 academic year for a Pennsylvania resident graduate student is $616 per credit or $7,388 for 12 or more credits per semester. For an out-of-state graduate student, the 2008–09 tuition is $1,100 per credit or $13,196 for 12 credits or more per semester. Tuition rates are subject to change.
For more information, contact:
The Bursar's Office
Penn State University
103 Shields Building
University Park, PA 16802-1276
814-865-6528
Q. Does Penn State have housing for graduate students?
A. Yes. Information about housing at University Park can be found at http://www.hfs.psu.edu/housing.
Q. Who do I contact about off-campus housing?
A. Contact:
Department of Town Affairs
Penn State University
223 HUB
University Park, PA 16802-6600
814-865-6851
Q. Where can I obtain information about State College?
A. Contact:
Lion Country Visitors and Convention Bureau
800 East Park Avenue
State College, PA 16803
814-231-1400
Q. Is an interview necessary for admission?
A. An interview is not required for admission to the master's program. However, if you would like to visit our facilities and meet with our faculty and graduate students, this can be arranged by calling 814-865-0971. A copy of your application materials (academic transcripts, GRE scores, etc.) should be sent prior to your visit.
For doctoral admission, an in-person or conference phone call interview is required with the graduate faculty.
Q. Are GRE scores necessary for admission?
A. Yes.
Q. Does Penn State accept foreign students?
A. Yes. Foreign students (non-U.S. residents) should complete the regular application procedures. In addition, students with questions concerning information about a student visa, deposit, minimum TOEFL score requirements, etc. should contact:
The Office of International Students
Penn State University
410 Boucke Building
University Park, PA 16802-5900
814-865-6348
Q. Who do I contact about student loans, aid, and work-study?
A. Contact:
Office of Student Aid
Penn State University
314 Shields Building
University Park, PA 16802-1220
814-865-6301
Q. When do semesters start and end?
A. The fall semester will begin the first week of September and end around the second week of December. Spring semester starts the middle of January and ends around the second week of May. The first summer session starts around the third week of May and ends at the end of June. The second summer session starts the first week of July and ends around mid-August.
Q. Is there a comprehensive examination at the end of the master's degree program?
A. No. Master's students must complete either a master's research paper or a master's thesis. A faculty committee assists students in their selection of a research paper or thesis. In addition, students typically take the ASHA CCC examination prior to graduation, although it is not a requirement for graduation.