Admissions

UW-Madison Graduate School Requirements for Admission

Note: A minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (4.0=A); however, the students we accept into the program typically have much higher GPAs. In very rare circumstances, we will consider a student whose GPA is below 3.0, but this requires a special review. To seek a special review, you must submit a letter of appeal along with your application materials. This letter must state the reasons for the low GPA and the rationale for making an exception to the minimum GPA rule.

Prior to applying, it is recommended for International Students to review all International Student admissions requirements.

English Proficiency

Every applicant whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English, must provide an English proficiency test score and meet the minimum TOEFL or IELTS Score.

Degree Equivalency

Many International Institutions provide 3-year bachelor’s degrees and multiple types of grading scales. To ensure your degree is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree and to understand how your grades will be evaluated, please review the Wisconsin Directory of international Intuitions. If your institution is not listed, it will be evaluated after you apply.

Course Evaluation

All ASHA requirements and program prerequisites are evaluated case by case. For questions regarding course equivalencies to meet ASHA requirements and program prerequisites, please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator.

Additional International Student Resources

We have current International Students available to help answer questions about the transition to UW-Madison, the experience in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and to help answer any other questions you may have. To connect with a current international student, contact the Graduate Program Coordinator.

• International Student Services
• Becoming a Global Badger

An undergraduate major in Communication Sciences & Disorders (CS&D) is recommended, but not required, for admission to the Au.D. program. If you do not have an undergraduate major in CS&D, the following is a list of recommended prerequisites for admission into the Au.D. program. We believe students who have these prerequisites are best set up for academic success. Although these courses are recommended, they are not required, and we will consider students who have not completed these prerequisites for admission.

Communication Sciences & Disorders Prerequisites:

• Normal Development of Speech and Language – at UW Madison, fulfilled by CS&D 240; at UW Stevens Point, fulfilled by CSD 266
• Speech Acoustics/Speech Science – at UW Madison, fulfilled by CS&D 303; at UW Stevens Point, fulfilled by CSD 457
• Hearing Science – at UW Madison, fulfilled by CS&D 202; at UW Stevens Point, fulfilled by CSD 457
• Introduction to Audiology – at UW Madison, fulfilled by CS&D 320; at UW Stevens Point, fulfilled by CSD 351
• Aural Habilitation – at UW Madison, fulfilled by CS&D 425; at UW Stevens Point, fulfilled by CSD 352
• *Course in manual communication – at UW Madison, fulfilled by CS&D 424; at UW Stevens Point, fulfilled by CSD 342

General Prerequisites – 1 course in each of the following:

•  Life/Biological Sciences (Biology, Zoology)
• Physical Sciences (Physics and/or Chemistry preferred)
• Behavioral Sciences (Psychology, Sociology, Human Development, Political Science, Woman’s Studies)
• Statistics

Clinical Prerequisites

• 25 guided clock hours in clinical observation

*A course in manual communication is required for graduation from the Au.D. program. This course can be taken either prior to admittance into the program, or while enrolled in the Au.D. program.

These letters should address your potential for academic success in graduate school. At least two should come from instructors who have knowledge of your academic performance. The third may come from a clinical supervisor, employer, or other individual who has knowledge of your academic potential and likelihood for success in graduate school. No more than three.

We have found that successful AuD students have many of the following qualities: resilience, adaptability, reliability, dependability, compassion, empathy, intellectual curiosity, and critical thinker. In your letter of intent, address how you exhibit three of these qualities and how they will help you be successful as an audiology graduate student. Limit your letter to 2 double-spaced pages, 12 size font.

Include honors and awards

Upload a copy of your unofficial transcripts. The file should be a PDF no larger than 4 MB. Programs no longer require mailed hard copy transcripts and will accept only electronic versions for the initial screening. These show grades earned at every college or university you have attended, including study abroad. If admitted, the Graduate School will request official transcripts.

Complete the supplemental application found in the online application. There is a place to indicate your campus preference (Madison, Stevens Point, or either) on this form.

If your native language is not English, or your undergraduate instruction was not in English, a TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score is required. You may take the test more than once; we will consider the scores from your best testing date. Only official scores, submitted directly from the testing agency, and no more than two years old from the start of your admission term may be submitted. Official scores are due by application deadline. You must submit your scores following the directions outlined on the Graduate School Admission Requirements page.

UW-Madison charges a non-refundable $75 application fee that must be paid by credit card (Master Card or Visa) or debit card. In addition to the $75 application fee, non U.S. citizens will be charged a $6.00 international document processing fee.

There are also limited application fee grants available. Check the UW-Madison Graduation Application Fee Grants to see if you qualify. Please note that fee grant applications must be submitted before you application and can take two weeks to process so you should plan to submit fee grant applications by December 1st with consideration of holidays.

The department will provide an application fee waiver to individuals who are first-generation or are in financial need. To receive a fee waiver code, you are required to self-disclose being a first-generation student or indicate you are in financial need by filling out the Fee Waiver Application below. Please complete the Fee Waiver Application at least one week before the application deadline to receive a fee waiver code. Students who request an Application Fee waiver will not be disclosed to the Admissions Committee and will not impact admission decisions. Limited fee waivers are available.

Application Fee Waiver for Applicants

• Submit all materials one week prior to deadline. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Start your application early. Do not wait until you can gather all your materials. It is better to start the application and add items as they become available.
• Track your application status. After submission of your application, you will receive a link to a personal web page where you can track your application status. We update this page as we receive your materials, usually within two weeks of receipt.

For more information, review the UW-Madison Graduate School “Steps to Apply” and “Admissions FAQ”.