Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Hays State University offers qualified, first-time freshmen attending full-time who are majoring in communication sciences and disorders guaranteed admission to graduate school. Students meeting the criteria will be advised through the undergraduate degree program in three years. To complete his/her bachelor's degree in three years, students will need to register in 40 credit hours per academic year (fall, spring, summer semester) to obtain the 120 credit hours needed for a bachelor's degree. Upon graduation with his/her graduate degree, the student is guaranteed admission to the speech-language pathology graduate program at Fort Hays State University if all exit criteria are met.

High school seniors must meet the following criteria:

• Admission to Fort Hays State University
• Declare Communication Sciences and Disorders as intended major
• High School GPA-3.7 or higher*
• Minimum ACT 24 or SAT 1180*

*During the application process, students will self-report both their GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Once official transcripts and test scores are received by the FHSU Office of Admission and/or Registrar, the department of Communication Sciences and Disorders will verify documentation to confirm acceptance requirements have been fulfilled.

There is no formal application process. First-time freshmen students who declare their major as Communication Sciences and Disorders and meet the above criteria will be automatically accepted into the program. The 3+2 faculty advisor, Tara Marshall, will contact qualifying students and answer any questions they might have.

To qualify for automatic admittance in the speech-language pathology master's program students will need to meet the following criteria:

• Obtain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher for all undergraduate coursework*
• Complete all required pre-requisite coursework prior to the beginning of the fall semester of graduate school
• Maintain a 3.7 GPA in the major*
• Successful completion of a background check required for clinical placement
• Completion of the GRE at the current standards outlined in the graduate admission program*

*During the admission process in the spring semester of the third year, students will self-report both their GPA and GRE scores will be submitted to the graduate school. Once official transcripts and test scores are received by the FHSU Graduate School, the department of Communication Sciences and Disorders will verify documentation to confirm acceptance requirements have been fulfilled.

Students admitted to the 3+2 Program who are unable to complete the bachelor's degree in three years will have the opportunity to apply to graduate school upon the completion of their undergraduate degree. The student would then apply for fall admission utilizing the same process as other graduate applicants.

Students that do not meet the entry criteria for graduate school (e.g., overall GPA, GPA in the major or GRE scores) will have the opportunity to apply for admittance via the traditional process. Students will compete with other applicants for acceptance.