Admissions Criteria

Application: Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service
Deadline for complete CSDCAS applications: January 15, 2024
Classes begin: May 20, 2024

The LSU Health Shreveport Speech-Language Pathology Program accepts applications for admission via the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS). Applicants should send all application materials (e.g., transcripts, GRE) directly to CSDCAS. Applicants should NOT send any application documents directly to the Speech-Language Pathology Program or LSU Health Shreveport.

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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 

In the School of Allied Health Professions’ admissions and recruitment processes, we pursue diverse cohorts of students in each program to enhance the learning experiences of all of our students, and foster an open and welcoming environment that promotes inclusion, respect, and compassion.

LSU Health Shreveport adopts a definition of diversity that embraces a broad spectrum of human expression and characteristics that include but are not limited to race, ethnicity, gender/gender identity, social and cultural attributes, abilities, sexual orientation, religion, rural or metropolitan background, military or veteran status, and age. In addition, diversity also includes life experiences, record of service, and other talents and personal attributes that enhance the work and learning atmosphere. We are dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse community through the recruitment, enrollment, hiring, and retention/graduation of students, faculty, staff, and leadership who meet this definition of diversity.

LEARN MORE about the AHEAD Scholar Tuition Waiver for Students from Underrepresented Groups. 

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The following are the minimum admission requirements for application to the Speech-Language Pathology Program:

1. Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university by the first day of class in the SLP Program. 

2. Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) by the application deadline. 

3. Undergraduate transcripts should document successful completion of one or more courses in each of the following four areas: #1) biological science, #2) chemistry or physics, #3) statistics, and #4) social/behavioral sciences. Visit Prerequisite Course Content Areas Related to SLP Certification Standards for more information. 

4. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores from within the last five years sent to GRE DI code 2213 by the application deadline. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required. There is no minimum score; however, the GRE score is heavily weighted in the evaluation and ranking of applications. The GRE scores have to be from within the past five years. For applicants who have taken the exam multiple times, the program only counts the most recent scores for all sections (no super-scoring).

5. Three reference letters completed by instructors or supervisors via the CSDCAS evaluation portal by the application deadline. 

6. An essay uploaded via the CSDCAS documents section responding to the following prompt by the application deadline: Reduction in funding can sometimes impact provision of clinical services.  Write a letter to a legislator advocating for funding for speech-language pathology services.

7. After initial processing of applications, selected applicants will be contacted to arrange an interview.

8. Accepted students must certify that they meet the technical standards established by the program with or without reasonable accommodations. 

Please note: Accepted students are assigned a provisional admission status until meeting conditions outlined in the acceptance letter and completing pre-matriculation requirements set forth by the Office of the Registrar. As part of the pre-matriculation requirements, accepted students are required to pass a drug screen and criminal background check prior to matriculation. Offers of acceptance are contingent on passing both.

The Speech-Language Pathology program assures equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or veteran's status.