Frequently Asked Questions: Application process

Here are some questions that other applicants like yourself asked:

Please see our detailed application instructions located here.

The Graduate College at the University of Arizona requires a minimum 3.0 GPA.

The typical successful applicant has a GPA of 3.7 or better on the last 60 units with a strong application that includes, for example, participation in a research laboratory, volunteerism, and/or a solid work history, along with strong letters of recommendation. Note that these are not criteria for admission, just descriptions of the types of students admitted to our program in recent years. 

We require three letters of recommendation. At least two of those should come from academic faculty members. If you have had some clinical experience, it is also a good idea to include a letter from your clinical supervisor. The request for letters of application can be sent anytime after you have started the application, it is a good idea to send these early. If you have been out of school for several years, you might not have access to academic faculty. In this case, letters from employers or other people who could speak to your potential success in graduate school will be accepted.

You can check on the status of your recommendations at any time by logging in to UA Graduate Admissions Application, selecting your application from the section titled "My Applications", and clicking "Letters of Recommendation".

No, ALL materials must be received by February 1st for your application to be considered. This includes your online application forms, resume, unofficial transcripts, and letters of recommendation.   

No, all applications submitted by the deadline (February 1) will be considered equally.  Admission decisions are released in mid-March.

Yes.  The Disability Resource Center (DRC) leads the University in a progressive and proactive approach to campus accessibility. Our goal is to ensure that disabled students, employees and visitors, have a similar, if not identical, experience to that of their non-disabled counterparts. In addition to facilitating individual accommodations, DRC works proactively to impact the systemic design of our campus environments to be seamlessly accessible, reducing or eliminating the need for any individual accommodations or modifications. https://drc.arizona.edu/about

English proficiency is one of the conditions for admission to the UA Graduate College for all applicants whose native language is not English. Applicants must submit a minimum TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 550 paper based (PB), 79 internet based (iBT), or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) composite score of 7 (no subject area below a 6).

To be admitted into our clinical master’s program and to perform successfully in the clinic, a student also needs to meet our technical standards, one of which is “a high level of English proficiency.” See Technical Standards for the Clinical Speech-Language Pathology Program (see Appendix A of the Program Requirements: Cactus Book). 

A faculty committee rates applicants on several variables including GPA (4-year and last 60 units), personal statement, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation. We look at the application package as a whole, not just a single score or component. We highly value diversity. If there is something in your story that we should know, please tell us, in a professional manner.

Yes! The best time to visit the department is on the designated prospective student visit days (please see the Events section for details). On these days you will meet academic faculty, clinical faculty, and current students and you will tour the Clinic and research laboratories. 

If you have more questions, please feel free to send them to slhs_app@email.arizona.edu or call 520-621-1192.

The Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences is committed to creating and maintaining an environment free of discrimination -- in the classroom, the clinical setting, and the workplace.  The University of Arizona Office of Institutional Equity provides education and support for these efforts.

The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University prohibits discrimination in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information and is committed to maintaining an environment free from sexual harassment and retaliation.