Welcome, Prospective Students!

Applying to the SLHS Graduate Program

Levelling Prerequisites

If you do not have an undergraduate degree in the field, the nine courses (or equivalents) listed below must be completed in order to enter the graduate program at SFSU.   

• SLHS 651 Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism
• SLHS 655 Language Development 
• SLHS 658 Developmental Speech-Language Disabilities 
• SLHS 659 Voice and Speech Science 
• SLHS 661 Neurolinguistics 
• SLHS 664 Clinical Phonetics 
• SLHS 652 Audiology 
• SLHS 654 Audiometry 
• SLHS 657 Aural Rehabilitation or SLHS 300 Introduction to Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences

Please note the following additional requirements:  

• Grades for at least six courses must be received when applications are reviewed beginning in January.
• If only six courses have been completed upon submission of the graduate application, then your graduate application must also include proof of registration of the additional three courses in the spring semester before fall entry into the program.  The graduate program will require submission of grades for these final three courses as a part of matriculation into the graduate program.  

CBEST

On June 29, 2024, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 153 (Chap. 38, Stats 2024). This budget trailer bill allows a candidate’s bachelor’s degree to meet the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR) for most credentials, effective immediately. As a part of your graduate application through CalStateApply, you are welcome to upload a copy of your transcript with your degree posting, or you can take a screenshot of this screen. You can upload either of these items to your CSUApply application in the section on the CBEST.  

Please email credinfo@sfsu.edu for more information on the CBEST requirement.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

The SLHS Department no longer requires any standardized testing for fulfilling the Written English Proficiency Requirement. Applicants will be assessed on the quality of their Statement of Purpose, which is submitted with the application. Applicants must receive a score of 2.5 or higher on our scoring rubric. The rubric is available in the Information Packet for Prospective Master's Students and SLHS Department M.S. Applicant Evaluation Rubric (both downloadable below).  

Useful links and documents for you:  

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) by prospective master's students
• Visit the Graduate College of Education "How to Apply" page
• Download information packet for prospective master's students
• SLHS Department M.S. Applicant Evaluation Rubric
• Information about the master's degree in SLHS
• Information about the bachelor's degree in SLHS

Informational meetings about the SLHS master's program are offered throughout the year.

Two to three informational meetings are offered every semester. To register, please visit GCOE Information Sessions page for more information.

Speech-Language Therapy Rated an Excellent Career

Speech-language therapy was ranked among the top 25 best careers by U.S. News and World Report.

Speech-Language Therapists work with the full range of human communication and its disabilities. They evaluate and diagnose speech, language, cognitive-communication and swallowing disabilities. They treat speech, language, cognitive-communication and swallowing disabilities in individuals of all ages, from infants to the elderly. Speech-Language Pathologists may teaching in college and university programs; manage agencies, clinics, organizations, or private clinics; engage in research about human communication; supervise and direct public school or clinical programs; or develop new methods and products to evaluate and treat speech-language disabilities. Speech-language therapists often work collaboratively with teachers, physicians, audiologists, psychologists, social workers, rehabilitation counselors and others. Corporate speech-language therapists also work with employees to improve communication with their customers. 

• Visit the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) 
• ASHA Portal for Students and Prospective Students

Undergraduate or Transfer Students Declaring SLHS Major

Choosing a major is a milestone in a student's academic career. The SLHS department is a challenging major. Students who are happy and successful in the SLHS major are those whose skills, talents, and disposition are a good fit for the Speech, Language and Hearing field. Before declaring SLHS as your major, please consider the following to see if SLHS is right for you:

1. In addition to the SLHS major courses, you must also complete the following:
(Note: The requirements below CANNOT be substituted by SLHS courses.)

1. The American Speech-Language Hearing Association requires the completion of a Biology course in order to obtain the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology. Many schools expect applicants to have completed these courses to be considered for their graduate programs in Communicative Sciences & Disorders.
   Acceptable courses at SF State: BIOL 100; BIOL 160; BIOL 170; BIOL 176; Acceptable courses from other universities include:  biology, human anatomy and physiology, neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, human genetics, or veterinary science.
   Advanced Placement (AP) classes cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.
   (Students taking GE courses outside of SF State should speak with advisors at their schools and refer to the assist website for course equivalents.)
2. Students who plan to pursue a graduate degree in the Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (e.g., Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology) must take one of these courses: CHEM 100; CHEM 101; CHEM 180; PHYS 101; PHYS 111; or PHYS 220 or equivalent. The American Speech-Language Hearing Association requires the completion of a Chemistry or Physics course in order to obtain the Certificate of Clinical Competence. Many schools expect applicants to have completed these courses to be considered for their graduate programs in the Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences.
   Students who do not plan to pursue a graduate degree in the Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (e.g., Speech-Language Therapy or Audiology) can take any course from the Area B1: Physical Science List.
   If you are unsure about pursing a degree in the Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, we STRONGLY recommend that you take a CHEM or PHYS course in order to keep your options open.
   Advanced Placement (AP) classes cannot be used to fulfill this requirement (but a score of 3 or higher on the AP test in the subject area can be used for this requirement).
   (Students taking GE courses outside of SF State should speak with advisors at their schools and refer to the assist website for course equivalents.)
3. Students must take at least one course in Statistics. The American Speech-Language Hearing Association requires the completion of a Statistics course in order to obtain the Certificate of Clinical Competence. Many schools expect applicants to have completed these courses to be considered for their graduate programs in the Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences.
   At SF State, the following courses will fulfill the Statistics requirement: MATH 124; PSY 171; or ISED 160.
   Advanced Placement (AP) classes cannot be used to fulfill this requirement but passing the AP test with a score of 3 or higher can be used.
   (CSU Northridge also offers an online Introductory Statistics course – MATH 140 – which is open to eligible SF State students.
4. Students must take at least one course from the Area D1: Social Sciences list or equivalent. The American Speech-Language Hearing Association requires the completion of a Social Science course in order to obtain the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology. Many schools expect applicants to have completed these courses to be considered for their graduate programs in the Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences.
   Advanced Placement (AP) classes cannot be used to fulfill this requirement (but a score of 3 or higher on the AP test in the subject area can be used for this requirement).

2. Download the Undergraduate SLHS Major Guide and put your initial next to each of the specified activities as you complete it.

You must bring this form to meet with a SLHS advisor to declare the major.

3. Bring a transcript

You must have a 2.0 GPA to declare the SLHS major. Please bring a transcript to your advising meeting. (An unofficial transcript is okay.)

4. In order to register for SLHS courses, you must have completed a minimum of 60 units.

If you believe SLHS is a good fit for you after completing the 5 steps above, or if you wish to learn more about the SLHS major, make an appointment with a SLHS advisor by calling 415.338.1001. Please bring the Undergraduate SLHS Major Guide that you have completed and signed to the meeting.

Undergraduate students who are entering the program from another major are required to submit a "Change of Major" request, available in your student center. To make an appointment with a SLHS faculty advisor to find out more, email slhsinfo@sfsu.edu.  

Note: The following PDFs are in the process of being made full accessible. If you have difficulty reading the PDFs, please contact the SLHS Department at slhsinfo@sfsu.edu or (415) 338-1001.

For PDF files, you'll need Adobe Acrobat 5.0 or above to view it. If you need Adobe Acrobat Reader it's available free from Adobe.