Graduate

How to Apply

Application to the program can be made for fall or spring admission, subject to the following deadlines:

  • Fall admission: February 15th
    • All applications for fall admission are automatically considered for funding
    • For some funding mechanisms, review of fall applications begins December 1st (for the following academic year). Therefore, fall applicants who wish to receive full consideration for all available scholarships, in addition to department-level graduate assistantship opportunities should apply by this date.
  • Spring admission: October 15th
    • Typically, no funding is available for spring applicants

For full consideration, applications and all supporting materials must be received by the deadline above. Applications received after the deadline may also be considered by the Admissions Committee, but only if the application is exceptionally strong and space is still available after considering all applicants who applied by the deadline.

Interested individuals holding a bachelor's or master's degree must apply directly to the University of South Florida Graduate School Admissions Office using the FACTS Online Graduate Application.

Applicants must include the following items as part of their online application:

1. A letter of intent (upload under "Statement of Purpose"):

  • Explain why you want to pursue a research career in Communication Sciences and Disorders and describe your area of interest.
  • Tell us why you want to attend USF to obtain your graduate degree. Show that you are familiar with our program (professors and research areas in which you are interested, unique features of the department that appeal to you, etc.) and have thought about why it will be a good fit for you.
  • Tell us why you believe that you'll be successful in graduate school.
    • Point out your strengths and achievements (e.g., volunteering, academic, research, or other experiences) and special skills (e.g., bilingualism, experience with children/elderly, unusual computer skills).
    • Address weaknesses or possible poor grades on your transcripts.
    • If you need to complete the Clinical Fellowship Year and have not yet done so, explain how you plan to balance your CFY commitments with the demands of the PhD program.
  • Describe your career goal(s) and explain how a PhD in CSD will help you reach those goal(s).
    • If you do not hold clinical certification in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology, explain either how it is not necessary for your career goals, or how you intend to obtain clinical training at another time/place (since this type of training is not provided in the PhD program).
  • Upload under the "Statement of Purpose" section of the online application.

2. Three letters of recommendation:

  • These should be written by former professors who can comment on your academic achievement, intellectual ability, ability to interact with others, and likelihood to succeed in graduate school.
  • If you have been out of school for several years, it is acceptable for one of the letters to be written by an employer.
  • Letters of recommendation are requested through the online application. Those you are requesting a letter from will receive an email, and complete an online form. You may track who has completed your letter of recommendation by logging back into the online application.
  • Make sure all of your recommenders know that when they complete the online form, they should also include a full-length letter of recommendation. The letter can be uploaded via a button on the online form or typed into the text box provided.

3. A resume that summarizes your academic and work history (optional).

4. An unofficial copy of your transcript:

  • The official copies are still required and can be mailed directly to the graduate admissions office.
  • To speed the processing of your application, upload the unofficial transcript under the "My Transcripts" section of the supplemental materials page.
  • Scans may be uploaded as a single document, or as separate documents.

**** IMPORTANT ****

Official transcripts should be submitted to the Office of Admissions. For more information on how to submit, click here.