Frequently Asked Questions

Note: Our new curriculum has been revised and approved by the ISU Graduate Council. It is still awaiting approval from the Idaho State Board of Education (SBOE) and the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). We anticipate that the new curriculum will be implemented starting with the Fall 2026 academic year. If so, the Campus program will be reduced to 5 semesters, and the Online Program will be reduced to 8 semesters. This will result in lower tuition costs.

Our campus program is a 24-month (6-semester) full-time program. We have campuses in Pocatello and Meridian, Idaho.

Complete the CSDCAS SLP Campus Program application. Select program preference, either the Meridian campus or the Pocatello campus, under the Questions Tab. The online program may be selected as a second choice.

Our online program is a 36-month (9-semester) extended program.

Complete the CSDCAS SLP Online Program application. Select a second choice only if it is a viable option for you.

Yes a $350 deposit is required to secure your seat and will be credited towards tuition for your first semester of classes. The deposit is non-refundable.

All students must begin in the Fall semester. The Fall semester typically starts the third week of August. Required program orientation takes place the week before classes begin.

We generally receive 300 - 500 applications. More than half of those applications are for the online program.

Tuition and Fees On Campus MS-SLP Program

Tuition information can be found on ISU’s website.

In addition to tuition, campus-based professional fees are $232 per credit hour for the 2025/2026 academic year.

Through the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRPG), students who are graduate-level students with legal resident status in one of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) member states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai'i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States) qualify to pay in-state tuition for the ISU campus-based SLP Master’s degree program. For detailed information, please visit their website.

If you are admitted to our program and are a legal resident of one of the WRGP participating states, we will submit the required paperwork for you the summer before you begin the Master’s program. A tuition credit will be posted to your account approximately ten days before tuition is due.

Please visit our website for detailed information.

Tuition and Fees Online MS-SLP Program

Online program students qualify to pay in-state tuition.

Tuition information can be found on ISU’s website.

The Professional Fees for the online program for the 2025/2026 academic year are $443 per credit.

Please visit our website for detailed information.

Our department participates in the WRGP program.

Some Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) positions are available on each campus. We also have paid student worker positions available for graduate students. (See ‘GTA and paid student worker positions’ section below for more information and how to apply.) The application for all positions must be submitted under the “Questions” section of the CSDCAS application.
We occasionally have scholarship opportunities that graduate students may apply for. We notify students when those become available. If you need assistance with funding your education, please visit the Financial Aid Office website.

The minimum CSD course prerequisite requirements are listed on our website.

I have not taken all the required prerequisite courses. Where do I list the courses I plan to take before starting the program?

When entering your transcripts in CSDCAS, you can select ‘in-progress’ or ‘planned’ for those prerequisites that have not yet been completed, are in progress, and/or those that you plan on taking. There is also a place to list those same prerequisites in the ‘Program Materials/Questions’ section.

Will my application be considered if I have not finished all the prerequisites?

Yes, your application will be considered, but you must complete all required CSD prerequisite coursework prior to the start of the Master’s program, which is approximately the third full week in August.

You must complete BOTH applications by the February 1st deadline.

Is the Graduate Records Exam (GRE) required to apply for the program?

No, the GRE is not required, nor is it accepted.

January 15th - Priority consideration deadline.

February 1st – Final deadline.

ISU Graduate School application DEADLINE: February 1st at midnight, MST (Mountain Standard Time).
- Contact the graduate school at gradschool@isu.edu or 208-282-2150 if you need assistance.
- Check your application status online using the login ID and pin you created. Our department will periodically update you on the admissions progress using the email address you provided on your CSDCAS application. We strive to have first round decisions made by March 15th.

CSDCAS application DEADLINE: February 1st at midnight, EST (Eastern Standard Time). Processing time can take up to 4 weeks, so please plan accordingly.

Contact Customer Service at csdcassinfo@csdcas.org or 617-612-2030, if you need assistance.
- Campus program: Complete the CSDCAS SLP Campus Program application. Select program preference, either the Meridian campus or the Pocatello campus, under the Questions Tab. The online program may be selected as a second choice.
- Online program: Complete the CSDCAS SLP Online Program application. Select a second choice only if it is a viable option for you.

IMPORTANT: Your CSDCAS application must show a status of 'Verified' by the February 1st deadline. A status showing 'Complete' is NOT the same as 'Verified'. 'Verified' is the final application status.
- ALL application materials, including Letters of Recommendation and transcripts (including fall/winter course transcripts) must be received by the February 1st deadline. Submitting your applications earlier than the February 1st deadline is strongly recommended to ensure that all your application materials are received in time. Applications missing required documents after the February 1st deadline may not be considered.
- CSDCAS ACADEMIC UPDATE: If the initial transcripts you submit do not include final grades from your previous semester of coursework (e.g., fall or winter session), updated transcripts must be submitted to CSDCAS by February 1st, by following the instructions for an ‘Academic Update’. Failure to do so by the deadline may result in an incomplete application status.

Transcripts must be submitted and received by both CSDCAS and the Graduate School to be considered for a seat in our program.

Send ALL transcripts to BOTH CSDCAS and to the Graduate School at Idaho State University (ISU).

ISU Graduate School, 921 S 8th Ave Mail Stop 8075, Pocatello, ID 83209
- Email – gradadmissions@isu.edu

CSDCAS accepts official transcripts only.
- For detailed information on how to submit your official transcripts to CSDCAS, please visit their website.

Can I send copies of my transcripts?

Idaho State University Graduate School will accept either official or unofficial transcripts. Official transcripts are required by ISU if you are offered and accept a seat in our program. Official transcripts must come directly from your institution. You cannot send transcripts yourself, even if sealed and marked ‘official’.
CSDCAS accepts official transcripts only.

Can transcripts be submitted electronically?

ISU Graduate School will accept electronic transcripts at gradschool@isu.edu.
Please visit CSDCAS for detailed information on how to submit your official transcripts.

If I attended Idaho State University, do I need to send the graduate school my ISU transcripts?

How many letters of recommendation do I need to submit?

Submit 3 letters of recommendation, with at least two (2) letters from college/university level instructors (academic or clinical faculty). Do not send letters directly to our department or the graduate school; they should be sent through the CSDCAS application portal only. Please instruct your references to focus on your academic, interpersonal, and other skills relevant to your ability to succeed in graduate school.
Carefully follow the instructions for submitting letters of recommendation located on the CSDCAS website.

Whom should I ask for a recommendation?

At least two of the recommendation letters should be from a college/university level instructor, who can directly address your potential success in graduate school. This can be an academic or clinical faculty member. Any letters you request from an employer, supervisor, or volunteer work supervisor, etc., should also address potential success in graduate school. Letters should not be from family members or friends.

Where do I submit my personal video essay and CV/resume?

Program Materials/Documents section of the CSDCAS application

What should I include in my personal video essay?

Video Essay Link: Submit a brief video essay (3 minutes or less) to help us get to know you beyond your written materials. This is the only essay that will be requested. The specific prompts and requirements are provided within the CSDCAS application.
- Record and upload your video to YouTube as an unlisted video.,
- Upload a Word or PDF document containing the URL to your unlisted YouTube video.

Is there a minimum GPA requirement?

A GPA of 3.4 or higher on the most recent 60 credits of coursework is recommended. A GPA of 3.0 or higher is required.

How is my GPA calculated?

CSDCAS will calculate GPA using your most recent 60 credit hours. We also consider your CSD coursework and undergrad GPA and a review of your overall transcripts.

Average GPA for those enrolled in the Master of Science in SLP Program Fall 2025 cohort
Most recent 60 credits	CSD coursework	Undergraduate
3.73	3.77	3.53

We generally have GTA positions available on each campus. We also have paid student worker positions available. To apply for positions, complete the Optional ‘Program Materials/Questions’ section of the CSDCAS application. These positions are offered to 1st and 2nd year students attending our campus program. They are not available for students in our online program.

Idaho State University GTA Information

Graduate Requisite Exam (GRE)

Note: The Idaho State University Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program will not be using or considering GRE scores as part of our admissions process.

If you have questions related to this decision or the ISU Admissions process, please contact csd@isu.edu.