Frequently Asked Questions

Master of Science in
Speech and Language Pathology

Main Content

Academics

MSSLP FAQs

No, but if your degree is in another area, you must complete leveling courses prior to enrollment.

The 2023 CSDCAS application opened July 14, 2022.

Applications must be in “complete” status by the February 1 deadline.  The deadline does not include CSDCAS verification.

The MSSLP Department will begin reviewing applications for admission consideration as soon as they are verified in CSDCAS, therefore students are encouraged to complete the application process as early as possible.

If students apply in the fall, they will need to provide an academic update once fall grades are posted.

Logging into the CSDCAS portal is the best way to check your application status.

Upon submitting your CSDCAS application, you’ll find instructions for paying the $65 ACU application fee. All other documents are reviewed through CSDCAS.

You can upload application materials, request recommendation letters and track your progress within the CSDCAS portal. No application materials need to be sent to ACU. If you need technical assistance with your application portal, please contact CSDCAS Customer Service at 617-612-2030 or csdcasinfo@csdcas.org.

In the CSDCAS application, you will be asked if you prefer the Abilene campus or the Dallas (Addison, TX) campus. You can also indicate that you would like to be considered for either campus.

ACU reviews approximately 175-200 applications each year. Between 48 – 50 students are accepted (24 to 25 in Abilene and 24 to 25 in Dallas).

The average GPA is between 3.5 – 3.8. The average GRE score is between 295 – 300.

Yes.

Applicants selected to participate in an interview do so through virtual means. However, an in-person interview can be arranged if preferred.

It is possible to transfer up to 6 hours of graduate credit with graduate faculty approval.

Waitlisted applicants are notified as soon as there is an opening in the cohort. This could occur as late as August in some cases.

Click here to create a CSDCAS account. You can then select Abilene Christian University from the list of schools you’d like to apply to.

No, international students can apply to the Abilene campus only and will not be considered for admission to the Dallas campus.

Program

MSSLP FAQs

Yes. The Master in Science (MS) education program in speech-language pathology {residential and satellite location} at Abilene Christian University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

The length of the program is 22 months (or 5 terms).  Please click here to see the degree plan. New students begin in August and complete 52 credit hours.

There are no part time options.

For cost information, please visit the  Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology website and review the “Degree Details” section.

Yes, scholarships and graduate assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis (no scholarship or GA application is needed).

Yes. Courses and clinical placements are offered at different times each semester, so students should seek employment that provides flexibility.

No. Students only attend classes at the campus they were admitted to. Each campus has its own dedicated faculty and staff.

The Bilingual Emphasis Program (BEP) within the MSLP is designed to equip bilingual or multilingual students (those highly proficient in other language(s) in addition to English) with the knowledge and skills necessary to practice as bilingual speech-language pathologists.  BEP scholarship funds are available for qualified candidates who apply to the ACU MSSLP program in Abilene, TX. The Dallas campus does not currently offer the BEP option.
The BEP involves specialized coursework, clinical experiences and mentoring by practicing bilingual SLPs.  Graduates of the BEP note that the letter of credentials that follow completion of the BEP program helps facilitate job searches and negotiations.

No. Students complete the degree at the campus where admitted.

Students will complete five different clinical placements in various settings.

The Duncum Center for Speech, Language, and Learning is located across the street from the main campus Abilene.

Please click here to view student outcome data.

Absolutely! Please  click here to learn more about upcoming Open Houses or to schedule a campus visit.

Please click here to learn more about Abilene, TX!

Please click here to learn more about Addison, TX!

MSSLP Leveling Program

MSSLP FAQs

You can apply directly to ACU for the leveling program.  Please click here to begin the application process.

If you complete the Leveling program at ACU and also want to be considered for the ACU MSSLP program, you will need to apply through CSDCAS (all MSSLP applicants must apply through CSDCAS, even if you complete Leveling through ACU).

Please click here to see the required leveling coursework.

Students leveling through other universities are welcome to email Dr. Denise Barnett at barnettd@acu.edu with questions regarding coursework equivalency.

Students should complete all leveling coursework prior to beginning the ACU MSSLP program.

No, the GRE is not required for the Leveling application. However, if you would like to be considered for the ACU MSSLP program after Leveling, GRE scores must be submitted with your CSDCAS application.

MSSLP FAQs


Accreditation

The Master in Science (MS) education program in speech-language pathology {residential and satellite location} at Abilene Christian University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

ACU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of ACU.