CSD GRADUATE
SCHOOL
101
By: Constance Carmona
Graduate Program Coordinator
Dept. of Communication Science and Disorders
Moody College of Communication
Let’s get down to
business
1. Is graduate school right for you?
2. You decided on a CSD masters
program, NOW what?
3. Timeline
4. All the things!
REASONS NOT TO GO



Nervous about the job search
Putting off entering the working world
You are comfortable at UT and don’t really want to
leave


If I don’t go now I know I’ll never go
Pressure from significant other and family
REASONS TO GO
• You have clearly identified a target area of
great interest (CSD! SLP! AUDIOLOGY!)
• Becoming an SLP or Audiologist is your dream
job, and this field requires you to have an
advanced degree to be certified and
practice.
• You are ready to put real world experience
and theoretical knowledge together
You decided on a
CSD masters
program, NOW
what?
Junior Year
 Start researching programs and colleges
(internet, graduate guides) -Identify target
programs. READ WEBSITES CAREFULLY.
Things to consider:
 Cost, funding availability

Type of program (cohort? Online? Hybrid?
Research or clinic focused? Class size?)
 Ranking? How competitive? What are your
chances? (UT is #7 in the nation)
 What are my chances?
Things to consider
continued…
 Externship opportunities (Options?)
 Faculty: focus, research
 Outcomes of the program: graduation rate,
employment rate
 Take notes, save notes
Summer Between
 GRE! Any other tests required?
 Study for graduate school test (class, book, CD
Rom program) I recommend Cracking the GRE
 Take a practice test
 Check dates and deadlines (Do I need to take it
twice?)

Take required standardized tests
Senior Year

September/October -Begin work on a draft of your
statement of purpose and draft of resume, request
Letters of Reference, take the GRE (1st time or
second)*Most schools will want your scores already
sent in by the deadline.

November/December -Request Official transcripts,
finalize statement of purpose *tailor for each
application* and resume

Depending on Deadline (UT is December 15), try to
finish everything as early as you can.
 January- Make sure all materials are in,
follow up with letters of reference if
applicable, the waiting game begins

March/April- It’s almost over. Now.. You get
to pick a school!
All the things…
 Are you a CSD major? Do you have your
prerequisites?
 Transcripts
 GRE
 Statement of Purpose
 Resume
 Letters of reference
Are you a CSD major? Do you
have your prerequisites?
 If you have your undergraduate
degree in CSD it is very likely you do
not need any other courses
 HOWEVER. Every school is different. Do
you research, check in, take notes,
and make lists.
 SLP or Audiology?
Transcripts
 What kind does the institution require?
(Study Abroad? Community College?)
 Where and how do I send them? (mail?
Electronically?)
 Is there a different deadline if I want to
include my Fall grades?
 How do I know if the school received my
transcripts?
Statement of Purpose
 First impression, sets you apart
 Review your history (school, work,
personal …)
 Main points to hit: RESEARCH,
ACADEMIC AND/OR PERSONAL
EXPERIENCE LEADING TO AN INTEREST
IN GRADUATE STUDY, FUTURE CAREER
PLANS
Statement of Purpose
 Some colleges will ask you to respond to
specific questions (Yay!)
 You should clearly understand what the
college is specifically looking for and
respond accordingly
 What can YOU contribute to the program as
well as what you hope to gain.
 Keep in mind; writing an effective personal
statement is a process that involves
significant effort and multiple drafts. As with
any major writing effort it is helpful to have
periodic feedback on both content and
style.
Resume

Educational Background


Honors
Related field organizations
Research and/or clinical experience
(include area, supervisor, and length of
rotation)


Volunteer Experience
 How many pages?
 The career service office can help!
 Attend resume workshops
 Tailor your resume to the program if
applicable
Letters of Reference
 Be mindful of deadlines, and your professors
time.
 UT is looking for all 3 letters to be from
faculty (not required*) If not, next best thing,
a supervisor in a lab, past boss, the more
they know about your ability to excel in the
program the better.
 Again… ASK EARLY. FOLLOW UP.
Overwhelmed?
Don’t be.
Start Early
One thing at a time
Come see me
Contact
Constance Carmona
(512) 471-2385
[email protected]
CMA 4.106
COME BY! MY DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN.