Communication Sciences and Disorders Graduate Admissions Data

Watts and colleagues (2023) examined the relationship between sociodemographic factors and academic factors on an offer of admission to a graduate program in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD). Sociodemographic factors included age, disadvantaged socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, first-generation status, and the ability to speak more than one language at an advanced level.

Academic factors included the composite score on the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), the cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA), and the cumulative GPA in CSD courses only. Data were collected from the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS) over the course of four consecutive admission cycles starting in academic year (AY) 2016–2017. According to the study authors, the majority of graduate programs in speech-language pathology (71 percent) and in audiology (68 percent) used this admissions application system in AY 2021.  

Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed the following significant predictors on an offer of admission to graduate school in CSD: (1) the admissions cycle; (2) age; (3) composite GRE score; and (4) composite GPA (the average of the undergraduate GPA and the GPA in CSD courses only).

Interestingly, these authors also found that the academic factors were significantly related to the sociodemographic factors; however, most of the effect sizes were in the small to medium range. Readers are encouraged to read the full article for additional data analyses and a review of the findings. The article also discusses the use of holistic admissions practices.

Those interested in this topic and wish to learn more are encouraged to attend a session, titled In Dialogue: Academy Leaders and Members Discuss the Benefits of Diversity and Inclusion, at the upcoming Academy Annual Conference, AAA 2023+HearTECH Expo.  Part of that discussion in this session led by Evelyn Davies-Venn, AuD, PhD; Antony Joseph, AuD, PhD; and Angela Shoup, PhD, will be related audiology education.  

For more information including other featured sessions, hands-on learning labs, grand rounds, and more, visit our conference website.

AAA 2023+HearTECH Expo will be held in Seattle, Washington, on April 19-22. Registration is now open and early registration ends February 1!

Register here.

Reference 

Watts CR, DiLollo A, Zhang Y. (2023) The impact of academic, sociodemographic, and program growth factors on admission offers to U.S. graduate education programs in communication sciences and disorders: national trends in 2016-2020 cycles. Am J Speech Lang Pathol. Advanced online publication. doi: 10.1044/2022_AJSLP-22-00094