Prerequisite Coursework

In order to be admitted into the Postbaccalaureate (Postbac) program, students must complete the introductory coursework outlined below. In many instances, Postbac students will have already completed most, if not all of these undergraduate requirements, in conjunction with their first bachelor’s degree.

Please note that these courses are not only prerequisites for admission to the Postbac program, but also a requirement of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) for certification in speech-language pathology and audiology. Students intending to pursue professional graduate study must complete this coursework at the undergraduate level before applying to graduate programs. (More information on certification requirements can be found on the ASHA website).

We will accept applicants with admissions prerequisites “in progress or pending”.  Applicants must have all coursework completed before entering the Postbac Program.  Students may not complete this coursework during the Postbac program. Please note that any offers of admission may be rescinded if prerequisites are not complete at the time of matriculation. See the Undergraduate Advisor with any questions about these course requirements.

  1. Statistics Coursework
    Students must complete at least one 3 - 5 credit college-level statistics course. Acceptable courses must involve statistical computation. We will not accept remedial, historical, or methodological statistics courses, or other math courses such as logic, algebra, geometry, or calculus.
  2. Biological Science Coursework
    Students must complete at least one 3 - 5 credit introductory course in human- or animal-based biological science, anatomy and physiology, neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, human genetics, or veterinary science. Acceptable courses are at the 100-level or above and do not need a lab component. We will not accept non-human or non-animal biological coursework in botany, ecology, environmental science, or microbiology.
  3. Social/Behavioral Science Coursework
    Students must complete at least one 3 - 5 credit introductory course in the social and behavioral sciences. Acceptable courses are at the 100-level or above in the disciplines of psychology, educational psychology, sociology, anthropology, or public health. We will not accept coursework in other social or behavioral areas such as education, special education, social work, history, political science, or economics.
  4. Physical Science Coursework
    Students must complete at least one 3 - 5 credit introductory physical science course in either Physics or Chemistry. Acceptable courses are at the 100-level or above and do not need a lab component.
     
    1. Acceptable physics courses are taken in a physics department at the 100-level or above and cover the nature, properties, and interactions of matter and energy, including areas such as the principles of relativity, motion, force, sound, light, mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism. We will not accept coursework in astronomy or geology unless they are courses specifically in astrophysics or geophysics.
       
    2. Acceptable chemistry courses are taken in a chemistry department at the 100-level or above, and cover the composition, structure, and properties of substances that comprise matter and the transformations that occur when substances change and react with other substances.
       
  5. Linguistics Coursework
    Students must complete at least one 3 - 5 credit introductory linguistics course. Acceptable courses are taken in a linguistics department at the 100-level of above and cover language structure and use, including the topics of phonology, phonetics, morphology, syntax, and semantics.

In lieu of specific courses, these requirements may also be satisfied by Advanced Placement credit or International Baccalaureate credit. However, students must have transcript record of these credits. CLEP or DSST examinations for credit are NOT accepted for these requirements.

Courses used to fulfill these out-of-department requirements must have the following attributes:

  • They must be taken outside the Speech & Hearing Sciences department
  • They must appear by name and number on the student’s official college transcript with a final grade
  • They must be taken for a numeric grade
  • Students must achieve a grade of at least 2.0
  • Special Note: Applicants must review the specific details about acceptable prerequisite coursework very carefully. At the time of application, a perfunctory review of the prerequisite courses listed is only to verify there are five courses listed. If determined, after acceptance, a course listed does not meet the prerequisite based on course content, majors must complete another course that meets the prerequisite requirement to finish the degree.

Entrance Requirements

In order to apply to the Postbaccalaureate (Postbac) program, applicants must meet the following admissions requirements:

1. Citizenship & Visa Status

The department accepts applications from U.S. citizens, permanent residents (green card holders), immigrants and international applicants. Admission requirements and application procedures are the same for all applicants regardless of residency, citizenship and visa status.

International students must have a visa status that allows academic study at the UW. This status includes temporary U.S. visas such as F-1 student visas, J-1 exchange visitors, H-1 temporary worker, dependent visas or any other non-immigrant classifications. Students who will study on an F-1 or J-1 visa will be required to complete additional steps after confirming their intention to enroll before the UW can process their visa paperwork. Consult the International Student Services website to find out more.

Please note, in order for students to be considered state residents for tuition purposes, they first must be able to prove that they are U.S. citizens, have U.S. permanent resident cards, or have a qualifying visa (A, E, G, H1, I, K or L). For questions concerning how to establish residency in Washington State, please contact the Residence Classification Office at 206-543-5932, resquest@u.washington.edu or visit the UW Residency Office Website.

2. Bachelor’s degree

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.

3. English Proficiency 

All international applicants and applicants who are non-native speakers of English must provide proof of English language proficiency. English language proficiency requirement (ELPR). Please keep in mind department requirements may differ from those in the Office of Admissions.

Applicants who have not received a Bachelor's degree in the U.S., Australia, Canada (English-speaking provinces), the United Kingdom, Ireland, or New Zealand must submit the required test scores to the University to demonstrate English proficiency.  Please note that the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences requires the recommended scores be met for applicants using TOEFL iBT and IELTS test scores. We will not accept applicants with standardized scores below the recommended levels of 92 (TOEFL iBT) and 7.0 (IELTS).

Applicants who wish to apply for our master’s programs should carefully review the graduate program English Proficiency requirements as they may differ https://sphsc.washington.edu/apply-slp

4. Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA)

To be considered for admission, applicants are required to have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5. Please note that competitive applicants should have a GPA of at least 3.0 (B) in any undergraduate  coursework. It is required that all prerequisite coursework grades be at 2.0 or above.

5. Prerequisite Coursework

See above for details

 

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