Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for admission to the graduate program in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Radford University?

Applications to the graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders are due February 1st. Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 overall, and 3.0 in all major core courses.

1. CSDCAS

  • Students are required to complete an application directly through CSDCAS.
  • All academic transcripts must be sent to CSDCAS for verification, including any community college transcripts and dual-enrollment coursework. Applicants enrolled in coursework while applying may choose to submit transcripts prior to the completion of the fall semester to begin the verification process. However, grades from the fall semester MUST be submitted before the application deadline of February 1st. In this case, an Academic Update request with updated transcripts must be submitted to CSDCAS for verification. CSDCAS will not verify updated transcripts unless an academic update is requested.
        o The cost for CSDCAS is $135 for the first program and $54 for each additional program.
  • A personal essay is required, using one of the prompts below. Essays should be approximately one page, single-spaced with 1-inch margins in font types Arial or Times New Roman.
    1. "Please demonstrate your motivation for pursuing a career in speech-language pathology by reflecting upon a clinical research article you have recently reviewed that you feel may positively contribute to your future clinical practice. Please also discuss how a master’s degree earned at Radford University will help you achieve your educational and career goals." References for sample articles are listed on CSDCAS.
    2. “Please identify a population you wish to serve as a practicing speech-language pathologist and discuss your motivation for serving this population. Please support your discussion using clinical observation experiences, course assignments, research, or other learning opportunities. Please also discuss how a master’s degree earned at Radford University will help you achieve your educational and career goals.”
  • Contact information for three recommenders must be submitted. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit information of faculty within their major who can speak to potential success in our graduate program. Recommenders will be contacted as needed upon application review.
  • Beginning the 2021-2022 admissions cycle, GRE scores are optional. If an applicant chooses to submit his/her GRE scores, they may do so by submitting them to code 0170.

2. CASPER

  • In lieu of the GRE, all applicants are required to complete Casper as part of their application through Acuity Insights.
  • Acuity Insights Assessments is a standardized, multi-part online assessment that measures different competencies and attributes that we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program. The assessments will complement the other tools that we use for applicant review and evaluation. In implementing Acuity Insights Assessments, we are trying to further enhance fairness and objectivity in our selection process. 
  • Acuity Insights Assessments consists of:
    • Casper: 90-110 minute online, open-response situational judgment test
    • Duet: 15-minute value-alignment assessment (Duet is NOT required to apply to our program). 
  • Access AcuityInsights.app to create an account and for more information on requirements.
  • Applicants must take the test by February 15, 2024. The available test dates are:
  • May 4, 2023 5 pm EST
    May 23, 2023 8pm EST
    June 1, 2023 5 pm and 8pm EST
    June 11, 2023 1 pm and 4pm EST
    June 27, 2023 5 pm and 8 pm EST
    July 9, 2023 1 pm and 4 pm EST
    July 18, 2023 5 pm and 8 pm EST
    July 27, 2023 5 pm and 8 pm EST
    August 10, 2023 5 pm and 8 pm EST
    August 27, 2023 1 pm and 4 pm EST
    September 12, 2023 5 pm and 8 pm EST
    September 28, 2023 5 pm and 8 pm EST
    October 12, 2023 8 pm EST
    October 26, 2023 8 pm EST
    November 14, 2023 5 pm EST
    December 7, 2023 8 pm EST
    January 7, 2024 1 pm EST
    January 16, 2024 8 pm EST
    February 15, 2024 8 pm EST 

3. Radford University Supplemental Application

To ensure equitable treatment of all applicants to our graduate program, applications will be evaluated on the requirements outlined above. No exceptions to the program's admissions requirements will be made.

How many students are in the undergraduate and graduate programs?

Our undergraduate program typically serves between 60-75 juniors and seniors. Our graduate program is limited to approximately 21-30 students in each new class.

Where is the program located?

The department is located in Waldron Hall at the intersection of Jefferson St. and Davis St. in Radford, Virginia. Find Waldron Hall on the main campus map.

When visiting and using a GPS service, search for: Waldron Hall, Radford, VA 24142

Can I get a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology if I don’t have an undergraduate degree in SLP or COSD?

YES! Many students switch majors and careers when they decide to study speech-language pathology. Students who have not earned an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders must complete supporting undergraduate coursework in addition to the required graduate coursework. Students have two options for completing supporting courses:

  • complete supporting courses as a non-degree seeking student before applying to the Graduate Program.

        OR

  • complete supporting courses after admission to the Graduate Program. In this case, all supporting courses will appear on the official transcript and will be calculated in the overall graduate grade point average

Please refer to the Three-year Leveling Track page for information regarding prerequisite coursework requirements.

How long does the graduate program take to complete?

For students who have an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, the program, which starts in the fall, typically takes five semesters. Students’ academic programs are planned with a faculty advisor and may take longer depending on individual circumstances.

For students who do not have an undergraduate degree in the major, the program typically takes seven semesters.

Do I need a laptop computer?

YES! Although, a laptop is not required, but many students use their laptops to take notes in classes and complete assignments while they are on campus. The entire Radford University campus is wireless, and class information is routinely communicated electronically.  Although students have access to computers in various labs on campus, having a personal computer allows students more flexibility for when and where they can do their work. There are laptops available in the Graduate Student Workroom in Waldron Hall, 143.

What types of technology are available for graduate students enrolled in the COSD program at Radford University?

Each therapy room is now equipped with touch-screen monitors with internet access and a video capture system that allows for HIPAA-compliant recording of therapy sessions.  Two group therapy rooms are equipped with Smart Boards. Graduate student clinicians also have access to secure computers in the Graduate Student Workroom (access is limited to only students enrolled in our graduate program and faculty in COSD), which allows for viewing of recorded sessions, completing client paperwork, and printing confidential documents.  In addition, students will have access to mobile devices (iPads and iPods) that can used during therapy sessions.

In addition to clinical technology, the COSD department also has many research/clinical labs, which provide students with various hands-on learning experiences, which include the:

  • Speech Science Laboratory, which houses a videostroboscopy system complete with KIPS, model 9181 laryngeal imaging software. The lab also includes a new Visi-Pitch for capturing acoustic signals and providing real-time auditory and visual biofeedback. 
  • Electrophysiology Laboratory, which includes a sophisticated brain mapping system that supports research interests in areas of musical perception, speech perception, autism spectrum disorder, and cognitive processing models. 
  • Dysphagia Laboratory, which includes a traditional Vital Stim unit and a Vital Stim Plus unit to provide students with the opportunity to become familiar with technology used in practice.

What clinical experiences do students get in the Radford University COSD graduate program?

In the first three semesters of our graduate program, students are given clinical assignments in the Radford University Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic on campus in Waldron Hall. Students are usually assigned from two to four patients each semester depending upon case complexity and the student's clinical experience. All clinical assignments are supervised by fully certified and licensed faculty supervisors.

Students are also assigned to Audiology Clinic during their first year. Our clinic houses ten therapy rooms. Students’ practicum can be observed through one-way mirrors or via secure internet connection on faculty supervisors' computers. Students frequently participate in community screenings both on and off campus.

In the second year of the program, students are assigned to clinical practicum externships at off-campus sites. The department holds affiliations with over 190 externship sites.

Will I have a problem completing the clock hours during my graduate program?

Working closely with your academic advisor and the Clinic Director, you will have ample opportunities to exceed the minimum number of clock-hours (400 hrs) as required by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Where can I find information for off-campus housing?

Information regarding off-campus living for undergraduates can be found on the Housing and Residential Life website. There is no housing (on or off campus) for graduate students that is owned/operated by Radford University. There are privately owned housing options in Radford and the surrounding area. 

What fun things are there to do in the area?

The City of Radford and the surrounding region provide a rich variety of cultural and leisure activities. Outdoor enthusiasts will find the university's location along the New River provides opportunities to hike, kayak, fish, swim and camp. Dozens of bicycling and hiking trails are accessible with less than a 30-minute drive, including access points to the Appalachian Trail and Jefferson National Forest.

Downtown Radford is home to a variety of locally owned shops and restaurants. Meanwhile, a retail hub providing a regional mall and major chain stores and restaurants is less than 10 miles from campus.

Students can also find a variety of things to do on campus. Check out the university calendar for events, programs, activities and more.

Who can I contact for additional information about the Communication Sciences and Disorders programs at Radford University?

  • Contact Dr. Diane Millar for information regarding the undergraduate program
  • Contact Dr. Lauren Flora, Graduate Program Coordinator, for information regarding the graduate program