EIU Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences

Direct and Early Admission to Grad School Options with or without Accelerated "Fast Track"

Freshman Direct Admission

Students with high grades from high school are eligible to apply for Direct Admission to the graduate program.  Students who are accepted to the program have a GUARANTEED SPOT in the EIU grad program if they keep above a 3.5/4 major and cumulative GPA in undergraduate courses and meet the requirements for Essential Professional Functions in undergraduate coursework. Qualifications are admission to EIU as a high school senior with a declared major in Communication Disorders & Sciences.  The High Academic Achievement required to apply for Direct Admission is a cumulative GPA of 3.75+ on a 4.0 scale OR a cumulative GPA of 3.5-3.74 with an ACT of 26+/SAT 1230+.   Please see direct admission brochure which explains the simple application process and timeline.

Early Admission to Graduate School for EIU Juniors

EIU students who did not participate in the Direct Admission to Graduate School Program as a senior in high school can apply for EARLY ADMISSION to EIU's graduate program when their 3000-level courses are completed in April of their junior year.  EIU CDS students with an interest in attending EIU’s CDS graduate program who meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply for acceptance into the CDS Early Admit Graduate Program:

• They have a 3.5 cumulative GPA and major GPA upon completion of 3000-level CDS courses.*
• They have completed >60 hours of college credit by the end of the spring term.
• They have met the Essential Professional Functions in Undergraduate Coursework minimum requirements.
• They have submitted an application to the Graduate Admissions Committee by April 1 of their junior year consisting of:
  Written responses to a personal essay question and 3 short answer questions consistent the traditional application
• Resume that includes extra-curricular, service, leadership, and employment experience

Review of applications will take place during May by the Graduate Admissions Committee. Final grades, as well as Essential
Professional Functions, will be considered. Students will be notified of acceptance into the CDS Early Admit Program by June 1. SAVES MONEY, TIME, AND STRESS

"Fast Track" Accelerated 5 year B.S+M.S. program 

Many talented CDS students have dual credit or AP credit when they graduate from high school.  If a student has at least 15 college credits (which equates to at least 5 classes typically), then some CDS majors choose the 3-year undergraduate bachelor's degree study plan.   With this plan, students can complete the first year of on-campus courses and clinical practicum for the graduate program by July of their 4th year, and leave the Chareston for full-time internships if schools and hospitals during their 5th year.  If students have been admitted to the graduate program through the Direct or Early Admission Programs, they are also eligible to take a couple of graduate courses during their senior year (whether they are doing the fast track 3-year undergraduate program or traditional 4-year undergraduate program) .  This makes the first year of graduate school not quite as busy.   See sample study plan for this Fast Track Accelerated Option.