Steps to Apply
The 5 steps of the application process are listed below. Please review all steps before you begin the application process.
Step 1: Initiate the Online MSU Graduate School Application
Start the Online MSU Graduate School Application and provide general information to the Graduate School at MSU. This information will include identifying information, post-high school institutions, TOEFL scores (if applicable), criminal background, etc.
Note that there is a $65 application fee for domestic students and a $75 application fee for international students and can be paid with credit card, check (U.S. Funds) or money order. When you have completed this step, you will receive an email, confirming the receipt of your application information.
Important Information for Individuals Reapplying to the Program: Applicants must submit a completely new application with updated documents every year, as each annual application cycle progresses independently. Materials cannot be forwarded from previous years by the department. This includes the requirement to mail one official transcript from each university or college attended (see Step 3 below).
The application deadline for the academic year is 11:59pm, January 15th. Please note that our MA program admits a single cohort annually in the fall semester. Applicants must carefully select the appropriate fall semester in the submission process.
Step 2: Add CSD-Required Content to Your Application
Please Note: No hardcopies of the following will be accepted.
- Personal statement (maximum of 800 words): Please describe your qualities and skills that will contribute to your success in graduate school and in professional practice. We want to learn more about you as an individual. Briefly describe life experiences that have brought you to this pivotal point in your life. Highlight your personal interests, characteristics, and achievements, as well your unique social, economic, cultural, familial, educational, or other experiences, and emphasize how these will help you succeed and thrive in this difficult but rewarding professional training experience. Upload this statement as a PDF.
- Academic Statement (two parts):
- Part 1 – Academic Statement: The speech-language pathology (SLP) profession in the United States has not historically reflected the full range of cultural and linguistic diversity found in the communities it serves. Although important steps are being taken to create more inclusive approaches to education and clinical practice, systemic barriers and longstanding challenges related to access continue to influence who enters the field, how services are delivered, and what outcomes are achieved.
In your statement, please respond to the following prompts in approximately 250-300 words for each.
a) Describe a specific example of how broader systemic factors such as public policy, patterns of resource distribution, or historical limitations in access can affect educational or healthcare outcomes. Please include appropriate citations.
b) Discuss how current practices or models within the speech-language pathology field might unintentionally contribute to disparities in service delivery, educational experiences, or workforce development. Please include appropriate citations.
c) Reflect on your personal role and responsibility as a graduate student and future speech-language pathologist. How can you help promote equity and access within the profession? Please offer specific examples of how you plan to contribute to a more inclusive and responsive professional community. - Part 2 – Prerequisite Review Form: Use one of the two forms which best matches your background - Prerequisite Coursework Review Form - MSU Undergraduate or the Prerequisite Coursework Review Form - Alternative Undergraduate Institution. The first form is for MSU graduates who have taken MSU CSD undergraduate courses, where the second is for all other applicants. Within these forms, you will enter the coursework information that satisfies prerequisite training for our M.A. program and coursework/standards required by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Once complete, upload the correct document to the portal. Please add any clarification of information in the form underneath your narrative Academic Statement. You may choose Academic Statement as a choice to load part two in the system. It will not override the first PDF.
- Part 1 – Academic Statement: The speech-language pathology (SLP) profession in the United States has not historically reflected the full range of cultural and linguistic diversity found in the communities it serves. Although important steps are being taken to create more inclusive approaches to education and clinical practice, systemic barriers and longstanding challenges related to access continue to influence who enters the field, how services are delivered, and what outcomes are achieved.
- Name and email addresses for three (3) letters of recommendation: The names you provide should be persons who are familiar with your academic and professional work and who are willing to assess your aptitude for graduate work. Of these three names, ideally it is suggested that you provide two academic faculty from an institution you attended and someone who supervised you in a professional environment. Once you have listed your recommenders and their email addresses, the system will automatically generate an email to your recommenders explaining the process to submit their letters electronically (no hardcopies accepted).
- Résumé (1-page limit): Include all activities that account for your time while and since earning a bachelor’s degree (e.g., employment, military service, travel). Be sure to include the type of activity, name of employer, city/state, and dates. List the most recent activity first. Also include all relevant communication sciences and disorders professional or volunteer experiences, along with locations and dates. MSU Career Network Services contains tools for creating resumes. This can be uploaded after submission application and payment as a PDF.
- Review and Submit Payment: Students will receive an email from Michigan State University confirming the application has been submitted. After payment is processed students will be able to log in to the student portal to review their application status updates, by going to https://explore.msu.edu/apply/. Choose the Returning Users: Log In link.
Step 3: Send the Documents Listed Below Directly to the CSD Department or Admissions (your application must include the school you are sending transcripts for, before the transcript can be uploaded):
- One official transcript from each university or college attended. Mailed directly from the university/college to either one of these addresses:
Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders
Michigan State University
1026 Red Cedar Road
Room 109, Oyer Speech and Hearing Building
East Lansing, MI 48824or
- Office of Admissions
Hannah Administration Building
426 Auditorium Road, Room 250
East Lansing, MI 48824-2604- Please Note: No copies of transcripts will be accepted; only original transcripts sent directly from the university/college to the mailing addresses above or from the electronic links below.
- Electronic transcripts are accepted from the National Clearing House and Parchment to comdis@msu.edu or to admis@msu.edu
- MSU Students or if you have an MSU transcript to send you must follow the MSU register instructions by following this link: https://reg.msu.edu/transcripts/transcript.aspx
- Transcripts will also be required to be sent after your final courses are completed and Degree is confer.
- FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ONLY: FINAL TRANSCRIPTS have to be sent via PAPER only from your University directly to MSU to one of the addresses above.
- For International Applicants ONLY: https://grad.msu.edu/internationalapplicants
- Statement of Financial Proof: For International graduate students who bring no dependents, financial proof is required for U.S. $39,000. If you plan to attend summer school, proof is required for an additional U.S. $13,150 for tuition and fees, books and miscellaneous expenses. Please submit the financial statement with your application materials. For further information please visit the website Statement of Financial Proof or contact the Office of Admissions, the amount is subject to change.
- Request that ETS Send the Documents to the University in an electronic format: For International students Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Computer version a minimum average of 237 with no sub-scores below 21 required. Internet-based test an average of 93 minimum with no sub-scores below 21. When submitting scores please use the university code of 1465 and department code of 83 and submit directly to the Office of Admissions, 250 Administration Bldg. Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824.
Step 4: Track the Status of Your Application Online Using the Admissions Portal
The Admissions Portal allows applicants to track documents submitted. We strive to update the system regularly but during high volume times, we ask for your patience. https://explore.msu.edu/apply/ Choose the Returning Users: Log In link.
Please Direct Any Additional Questions or Concerns To:
Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders
comdis@msu.edu
Michigan State University
1026 Red Cedar Road
Oyer Speech and Hearing Building
East Lansing, MI 48824
The logo does not apply to undergraduate or non-entry level doctoral programs in communication sciences and disorders. Logo use shall be subject at all times to revocation and withdrawal by the CAA when, in its sole judgment, its continued use would not serve the best interests of CAA or the public.