How to Apply to the Doctoral Program in CSD

The process of applying for admission to Penn State's Graduate School requires the following application materials, some of which are submitted to the Graduate School (Part 1) and others that should be sent directly to this graduate program (Part 2):

Part 1

The following should be submitted to the Graduate School:

  1. Every applicant is required to submit an online application to the Graduate School. Information about fees and programs of study can be found at: gradsch.psu.edu/prospective/apply.html
  2. The online application can be accessed through the "Graduate School Admissions and Program Information Portal" at gradsch.psu.edu/portal
  3. You will be asked to upload two documents:
    a. Résumé
    b. Statement of purpose/personal statement

Resume and Personal Statement

All applicants must submit a typed résumé and a typed personal statement. To the extent permitted by the current development of your plans, the personal statement should be a letter of intent documenting the applicant's scholarly interests, career goals, and reasons for pursuing a doctoral degree, including the following:

  1. Your reasons for pursuing a doctoral degree
  2. Your scholarly interests
  3. Your background and experience that bring you to these interests
  4. Your long-term career goals
  5. What you consider to be your strengths
  6. What you consider to be your special needs
  7. How attending a doctoral program in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Penn State University will help you meet your goals.

Part 2

Submit the following items directly to the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders:

  1. .pdf icon The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Ph.D. application
  2. Two copies of official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended, both undergraduate and graduate. For those applicants still completing their undergraduate degree, official transcripts must include their fall semester course work. Notarized copies are not sufficient.
    .pdf icon Obtain a Transcript Request Form

    International applicants must submit official or attested university records, with certified translations if the records are not in English
  3. Three letters of recommendation from former professors, supervisors, and/or employers
  4. GRE scores (must have been taken within the past five years)
  5. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores, if applicable
  6. .pdf icon Application for Visa Document, if applicable

Please mail the above required forms or documentation to:

Communication Sciences and Disorders
Chair, Admissions Committee
The Pennsylvania State University
308 Ford Building
University Park, PA 16802