Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences

MHS admission and application

Admission requirements

  • A baccalaureate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD)/ Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (SLHS) from an accredited college or university is desirable but not required. Applications will be accepted from individuals who have obtained a baccalaureate degree in another field if the applicant has completed, or is in the process of completing, basic prerequisite coursework in CSD/SLHS. That coursework should include the full range of basic communication sciences, plus some communication disorders coursework. We will accept prerequisite coursework that has been completed through any college or university that offers a baccalaureate degree in the field. Please contact us for more information.
  • A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for the most recent 60 hours of undergraduate study is a minimum requirement established by both the MU Graduate School and the Department. However, successful applicants to our graduate program tend to have a CSD/SLHS course GPA in excess of 3.70 (on a 4.0 scale).
  • If English is not the applicant’s native language, they must demonstrate native or near-native ability in spoken English. The applicant must take and submit official test scores for the iBT (the internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS. A minimum iBT score of 100 is required, including a minimum Speaking subtest score of 28. A minimum IELTS score if 7 is required, including a minimum Speaking subtest score of 8.5. Applicants must meet or exceed these minimums to be considered for admission to our master’s program.

Applications to the MHS program are accepted once per year and only through the Communication Science and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS). All application materials must be fully submitted to (and verified by) CSDCAS by Jan. 15 for Summer Session admission.

If you have questions, please contact us.

Application process

  • MHS program applications must be submitted through CSDCAS.
  • Applications are accepted starting in mid-July each year.
  • The deadline for submissions is Jan. 15.
  • Virtual interviews take place after Jan. 15.
  • Applicants are notified by March 13 of decisions.
  • Summer program admittance only (no fall or spring starts are offered).

Application Requirements (all but the online interview should be submitted through CSDCAS):

  • Program Specific Questions: Provide complete, thorough responses to these sections of the CSDCAS application. The admissions committee will review these sections of the application rather than a separate personal statement.
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV): Should not exceed two pages.
  • Three Letters of Recommendation: At least two letters should be from faculty, preferably in your major.
  • Official Transcripts: You must submit an official transcript from every college or university where you have received credit, including dual-enrollment credits from high school. If you are enrolled as a student during the fall semester, your current college transcripts should not be sent until fall semester grades have posted. We will not review applications without fall grades.
  • Required Virtual Interview: All applicants will be asked to participate in a virtual interview. Details will be provided upon submission of application in CSDCAS.
  • English Language Proficiency: CSDCAS does not accept English language proficiency examination scores; therefore, your official test scores should be sent directly to the University of Missouri-Columbia using institution code 6875.

Only completed applications will be considered for admission to the MHS program in SLHS. Scholarship and assistantship availability is not always known at the time admissions decisions are made; however, the SLHS department makes every attempt to notify applicants in a timely manner of any financial aid they have been awarded (typically no later than April 15th).

Only after an applicant has been offered admission to the MU SLHS graduate program, and he or she accepts that offer of admission, would the applicant then apply to the MU Graduate School by submitting an online application to our program. An additional application fee is required (currently $35 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents and $90 for nonresident internationals). This application is required for official admission to the University of Missouri as a graduate student. If you have questions about the application materials and/or process please contact us.

Schedule a visit 

We welcome and encourage prospective students to schedule a visit to our program to meet our faculty and students and to tour our facilities. To schedule a visit, please email the department at muslhs@missouri.edu

MHS student handbook

For academic policies and procedures, please refer to the MHS Student Handbook.