FAQ

Graduate Program FAQ

Which term do you accept applications?

When is your application due?

The university application deadline is different from the department deadline. The university deadline can be found through the Office of Admissions and the department deadline will also be posted on our How to Apply website by October 1st for the following cycle. The department deadline typically closes in mid January. Please note that you will need to apply to both the department, and to the university.

What are the minimum GPA requirements to be admitted?

The university's minimum overall GPA requirement is 2.5. The department has no minimum GPA requirement, though applications with a GPA of under 3.0 overall or in communication disorders coursework may potentially not be reviewed.

Do you require the GRE or other test as part of the application process?

Does your program require a criminal records check?

A clear criminal records check is required in order to work, volunteer, or participate in clinical practicum coursework for the program. It is not an application requirement.

How many people apply to your program?

How many people do you accept to your program?

We generally accept between 15 and 17 applicants to our regular 2-year graduate program, and the same for our "extended" graduate program, which is designed for those who do not have a degree or equivalent coursework in communication disorders.

How long is your graduate program?

With a degree in communication disorders, typically 2 years, which may include one or two summer terms. Without a degree in communication disorders, it will take you 3 years plus one additional term to complete the "extended" program. There is no model available to complete our program in less time for either type of admission. You are welcome to view current roadmaps at https://www.csueastbay.edu/slhs/current-students/graduate.html ; the CC II designation is the two-year program, and the CC X designation, the "extended" graduate program.

Can I complete the program on a part-time basis?

Our graduate program, including the prerequisite courses, is not designed for part-time enrollment. Nearly all courses are offered once per year, and if a student attending part-time skips an offered class, he/she/they may have to wait one full year before progressing due to prerequisite requirements. All units required for the degree must be earned within the five calendar years immediately preceding the receipt of your degree.

Can I transfer courses from another Master's program to yours?

Current department policy is that we are unable to accommodate transfer students or courses from other speech-language pathology graduate programs.

Can I work while attending your graduate program?

While many students do, the graduate program is intensive by nature, and therefore using all financial aid possibilities is encouraged. Please refer to the department's Financial Aid website for possible resources.

When are your courses offered?

The prerequisite courses are generally offered during the week Monday through Thursday, though not every day. Usually they are on a once-a-week or twice-a-week schedule. Sometimes courses are offered in a hybrid format (partially on-line) or fully on-line. Graduate courses are usually offered in the evening to allow students’ daytime placement in their clinical experiences, in which therapy is provided to clients under licensed supervision.

Where are your courses offered?

The department courses are only offered on the Hayward campus. For those who need to complete the prerequisite courses, some requirements offered outside of our department may be offered at the Concord campus.

Do you have a distance-learning, or on-line, program?

This is an in person program, however, we are now offering a hybrid online program beginning Fall 2025. More information about that program can be found HERE.

My background is not in communication disorders - can I still apply to your graduate program?

Yes. We offer an "extended" program, during which you complete the undergraduate degree equivalency in communication disorders coursework as well as the actual graduate program.

If I am admitted to the "extended" graduate program with some communicative disorders courses, will they transfer in?

This question is typically asked by those who started a post-baccalaureate (“leveling”, “certificate”, or "preparation") program in communicative disorders but will not have it completed by the Fall semester program start date. It may also be applicable to those who have a minor in speech-language pathology. If you apply to the “extended” program, up to two courses in communicative disorders may be allowed for transfer if taken within the past seven years.

If I have taken some of the non-communicative disorders prerequisite requirements previously, will I have to take them again if I'm admitted to the "extended" graduate program?

The non-communication disorders prerequisites include the following content to meet ASHA and CTC standards as well as department course prerequisite requirements: general physics (preferred) or chemistry, anatomy (lab component required), statistics (stand-alone course), general psychology, and human or cognitive development. Any missing courses can be re/taken after you are admitted to our graduate program.

How can I be sure those courses will transfer in?

If you took them at a California junior college, you can use the ASSIST website to research courses that would transfer in to Cal State East Bay. If you took them at a four-year institution, or during the years the ASSIST website doesn't cover, you can use the TES website to research courses.

I can’t tell for sure which courses I have taken that will transfer in. Can you meet with me to go over transcripts?

No, unfortunately we do not have staffing to do evaluations of completed or planned coursework for students not admitted to our program. You can use the prerequisite or undergraduate course lists posted at our website, the Cal State East Bay university catalog course descriptions, and the catalog course descriptions from the university you attended to self-advise.

If I am admitted to the "extended" graduate program, am I still eligible for financial aid?

Yes. However, even though you are an admitted graduate student paying graduate level tuition, you will not be eligible for graduate-level financial aid during the time you are taking only undergraduate prerequisite courses. While taking these courses, you are only eligible for the maximum undergraduate loan amount allowed. Once you begin to take graduate courses, you will become eligible for graduate-level financial aid.

Can I start taking the prerequisite courses now to prepare to apply for the next cycle?

You are welcome to take the lower division NON-communication disorders courses at a junior college. The lower division courses on our prerequisite list start with a 1xx or a 2xx. You can use the ASSIST website or the TES website to select the right course/s to take. Note that if Human Anatomy and Physiology is offered as two separate courses elsewhere, you only need to take the Anatomy course.

I would like to take the prerequisite communication disorders courses at Cal State East Bay though I’m not admitted to the graduate program. Will the department let me?

No, because Cal State East Bay is not admitting students who would not be pursuing a specific degree objective after admission, which status is called "unclassified post-baccalaureate". If this policy were to change, more information would be accessible through the Cal State East Bay Graduate Admission webpage.

Can I take communicative disorders courses through Open University as a non-admitted student, instead?

Can I visit your department and meet with someone individually?

The department only has staffing to schedule group visits, and does not schedule individual appointments. Please go to Department Visits for more information.

Can I sit in on any department courses?

Can I volunteer for your clinic?

Current department policy is that we do not allow those not admitted to Cal State East Bay to volunteer for our clinic. We recommend that you use the ASHA website to contact speech pathologists in your area; You might also call your local school districts' speech pathologists or special education departments to inquire into volunteering opportunities.

FAQ