What is the difference between the cohort and non-cohort option?
How many students submit applications each fall and how many are accepted?
What's the most important part of the application?
How much will the post-baccalaureate coursework cost?
Do you offer financial assistance?
Do you offer housing?
Do you give tours or interview prospective students?
Will I have to drive between campuses?
What is the deadline for admission?
How can I check the status of my application?
When will I be notified of my acceptance into the program?
Have another question? Please submit it to Ms. Emilie Aguilar.
What is the difference between the cohort and the non-cohort option?
The cohort Foundation Option has an integrated curriculum that is designed to be completed in one academic year. Students in the cohort program move through these courses as a cohort and take all of the classes in the same order, at the same time. Students in the cohort Foundation Option who successfully complete the program with a QPA of 3.700 or higher, demonstrate the competencies outlined in the essential functions document, and have not been brought before the departmental Academic Standards Committee are granted admission into the master's program. The deadline to apply for the cohort option is February 1.
The non-cohort post-baccalaureate coursework option is offered to students who wish to take courses on a per-course basis, which may extend beyond one year. While students may take all of the courses in the same order as the cohort program, the main difference is that non-cohort students will not be automatically considered for entrance into our master's program. Additionally, students applying to the non-cohort option do not need to submit GRE scores (although GREs will be required as part of the application to the master's program). The deadline to apply for the non-cohort option is August 1 (Fall semester) and December 1 (spring semester). Applicants should note that some post-baccalaureate courses have prerequisite coursework. Students who have these prerequisites at another institution will be required to submit materials for review (e.g., syllabus, course description, final products) prior to enrolling in the post-baccalaureate course.
All post-baccalaureate courses in Speech-Language Pathology are taught at Loyola's Timonium Graduate Center. Most foundation courses meet during early evening and evening hours two times per week.
How many students submit applications each fall and how many are accepted?
Approximately 61 applications were reviewed in February 2012, which yielded a class of 11 in the cohort Foundation Option. Students are admitted into the non-cohort option on a space-available basis.
What's the most important part of the application?
As a Jesuit university, we value the whole person and, therefore, review your application as a complete package. We look at your personal essay, letters of recommendation, and GPA in the major (classes taken for your chosen degree) most closely. Then we also take into account your overall GPA and GRE scores (if applicable). The essay is your chance to explain any issues in your academic record and to let us know why you are a good candidate for our post-baccalaueate courses. Applicants to the cohort option may also be interviewed as part of the application process.
How much will the post-baccalaureate coursework cost?
Information about graduate tuition can be found here. Students taking post-baccalaureate coursework pay a per credit rate. You will also be responsible for paying for textbooks each semester and some minimal clinical supply costs (e.g., laminating paper). The university also charges fees for registration, this is listed on the same webpage as the graduate tuition information.
Do you offer financial assistance?
No, because post-baccalaureate students are not considered 'graduate-level students,' you are not eligible for graduate assistantships. However, you may find that some offices on campus will hire you directly. Post-baccalaureate students also qualify for financial aid for one consecutive 12-month period, if enrolled at least half time (6 credits per semester). More information about financial aid can be found here.
Do you offer housing?
Loyola doesn't offer housing, but there are plenty of housing opportunities (apartments, rentals, etc.) available in Columbia, Baltimore, Timonium, and the surrounding areas.
Do you give tours or interview prospective students?
We are not able to accommodate the number of requests we receive for individual tours; therefore, we strongly suggest that students interested in our program attend an information session. Information sessions are a great opportunity to learn more about the options, meet the director, and tour the facility. Info sessions are held at both the Timonium and Columbia Graduate Centers. Please register here under “Learn about information sessions.” If you attend one of these sessions, you will also receive an application fee waiver.
Will I have to drive between campuses?
All post-baccalaureate courses in Speech-Language Pathology are taught at Loyola's Timonium Graduate Center. Most Foundation Option courses meet during early evening and evening hours two times per week. However, for those cohort students continuing on into the master's program, please note that you will be required to drive between campuses. The Speech-Language Pathology graduate program requires to students to attend classes one day a week at the Columbia Graduate Center and have clinical internship experiences at both the Columbia and Belvedere Clinical Centers. Students may also have internship experiences in local schools. During the summer between the first and second year, students will take classes at the Timonium Graduate Center and continue with internships at the two Loyola Clinical Center sites. During the second year, students will again take classes one day a week at the Columbia Graduate Center and spend the remainder of the week at off-campus externship locations. It is recommended that students have a car during the program.
What is the deadline for admission?
Cohort - All completed applications and supplemental materials must be postmarked no later than February 1 in order to be considered for the cohort Foundation Option. There are a limited number of slots in the program and admission is selective. The Committee on Admission only reviews completed applications. Although applications are reviewed on a rolling basis beginning in January, no applications will be considered if received after the February 1 deadline. Admissions are only offered for the Fall. Learn more about the admission process here.
Non-cohort - The deadline to apply for the non-cohort option is August 1 (Fall semester) and December 1 (spring semester). Applications received after this date will be considered as space is available.
How can I check the status of my application?
Students are urged to contact the Office of Graduate Admission either via email or phone (410.617.5020) to check the status of their application and to make sure that all application materials have been received prior to the deadline.
When will I be notified of my acceptance into the program?
The Department sends out acceptance letters by mail to all applicants by the end of March (for the cohort program). Accepted students must notify Loyola of their decision no later than April 15. Applicants to the non-cohort option will be notified on a rolling basis.