speech clinician demonstrating throat technique to 5-year-old girl

Speech & Hearing Science

Promote effective communication, a human right, through research and clinical practice. Prepare for a career that improves lives.

Graduate Admissions

Prospective Graduate Students

Thank you for your interest in our graduate programs in the Department of Speech and Hearing Science. To learn about our departmental facilities, take virtual tours of the Speech and Hearing Science building and the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Clinic. You will also find virtual informational presentations about the department, our research labs, and our graduate programs.

AuD information meetings

Register here.

In person: Friday, Oct. 13, 9 to 10:30 a.m. CT, Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Clinic (2001 S Oak St, Champaign, IL 61820)

Virtual: Friday, Oct. 27, 3 to 4:30 p.m. CT

MA information meetings

Register here.

In person: Friday, Oct. 13, 3 to 4:30 p.m. CT, Speech and Hearing Science Building (901 S 6th St, Champaign, IL 61820)

Virtual: Friday, Oct. 27, 3 to 4:30 p.m. CT

Clinical MA Program—Application Information

You will complete your online application through the University of Illinois Graduate College. Visit the Graduate College website for instructions on how to apply.

Application Deadline: Jan. 5

Application Requirements

  • All applicants must satisfy the Graduate College minimum degree and GPA requirements for admission.
  • Transcripts: Transcripts are required from all institutions you have attended (unofficial transcripts are acceptable). Scanned copies of all transcripts should be clear and easy to read. If your scanned transcripts are not legible, you may be required to submit official transcripts. Click here for more information on how to upload your transcripts.
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE): The Department of Speech and Hearing Science does NOT require or consider GRE scores for admission into the clinical MA program.
  • Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required. Request letters from faculty who are acquainted with your educational background and academic abilities. When possible, your reference letter should also comment on your interpersonal, collaborative, and/or clinical skills. Letters from PhD faculty are strongly recommended.
  • Academic Statement: Please use the Academic Statement to describe (within 1000 words): (1) How your academic and professional background, including any professional training, prepared you for graduate study, (2) How our program will help you achieve your intellectual and professional goals, (3) What your academic interests are, and why do you wish to pursue graduate studies in the MA program.
  • Personal Statement: Please use the Personal Statement to explain (within 250 words per item): (1) Describe any experiences and/or challenges that may have shaped your intellectual and personal development, (2) Provide insight into your potential to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect in which scholars with diverse perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn and collaborate productively and positively, (3) Address any concerns you may have in your application (optional), (4) Describe anything you would like to highlight that you have yet to discuss in other areas of the application (optional).
  • Resume: Your resume should include details (e.g., when, where, direct supervisor) about your work history, volunteer activities, and any clinical, teaching, or research experience. You should also list any honors, awards, grants, publications, or presentations you may have, along with any other information you would like us to know. There is no page limit.
  • International students must also submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). See the Graduate College website for minimum TOEFL/IELTS score requirements. Additional information for international applicants can be found here.

Non-Clinical MA Program—Application Information

Application Deadline: Jan. 5

For information on how to apply to the non-clinical MA program, email shs-grad-admissions@ahs.illinois.edu.

AuD Program—Application Information

You will complete your online application through the University of Illinois Graduate College. Visit the Graduate College website for instructions on how to apply.

Application Deadline: Jan. 5

Application Requirements

  • All applicants must satisfy the Graduate College minimum degree and GPA requirements for admission.
  • Transcripts: Transcripts are required from all institutions you have attended (unofficial transcripts are acceptable). Scanned copies of all transcripts should be clear and easy to read. If your scanned transcripts are not legible, you may be required to submit official transcripts. Click here for more information on how to upload your transcripts.
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE): The Department of Speech and Hearing Science does NOT require or consider GRE scores for admission into the AuD program.
  • Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required. Request letters from faculty who are acquainted with your educational background and academic abilities. When possible, your reference letter should also comment on your interpersonal, collaborative, and/or clinical skills. Letters from PhD faculty are strongly recommended.
  • Academic Statement: Please use the Academic Statement to describe (within 1000 words): (1) How your academic and professional background, including any professional training, prepared you for graduate study, (2) How our program will help you achieve your intellectual and professional goals, (3) What your academic interests are, and why do you wish to pursue graduate studies in the AuD program.
  • Personal Statement: Please use the Personal Statement to explain (within 250 words per item): (1) Describe any experiences and/or challenges that may have shaped your intellectual and personal development, (2) Provide insight into your potential to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect in which scholars with diverse perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn and collaborate productively and positively, (3) Address any concerns you may have in your application (optional), (4) Describe anything you would like to highlight that you have yet to discuss in other areas of the application (optional).
  • Resume: Your resume should include details (e.g., when, where, direct supervisor) about your work history, volunteer activities, and any clinical, teaching, or research experience. You should also list any honors, awards, grants, publications, or presentations you may have, along with any other information you would like us to know. There is no page limit.
  • International students must also submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). See the Graduate College website for minimum TOEFL/IELTS score requirements. Additional information for international applicants can be found here.

PhD Program—Application Information

You will complete your online application through the University of Illinois Graduate College. Visit the Graduate College website for instructions on how to apply.

Application Deadline: Jan. 5

Application Requirements

  • All applicants must satisfy the Graduate College minimum degree and GPA requirements for admission.
  • Transcripts: Transcripts are required from all institutions you have attended (unofficial transcripts are acceptable). Scanned copies of all transcripts should be clear and easy to read. If your scanned transcripts are not legible, you may be required to submit official transcripts. Click here for more information on how to upload your transcripts.
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE): Although GRE scores are not required, the scores may provide helpful supporting information in some cases. Applicants who have taken the GRE and feel their scores would benefit their application may choose to submit their scores. If you choose to submit scores, we recommend you scan your official score report as a PDF file and attach it to your application. You do not need to submit official scores through ETS, but if you decide to, please use our University code of 1836. Your scores will only be reviewed by potential faculty mentors. We recommend each prospective student reach out to your potential faculty mentor to discuss whether submitting GRE scores would be advisable.
  • Letters of Recommendation: A minimum of three letters of recommendation are required. Request letters from faculty who are acquainted with your educational background and academic abilities. Letters from PhD faculty are strongly recommended.
  • Academic Statement: Please use the Academic Statement to describe (within 1000 words): (1) How your academic and professional background, including any professional training, prepared you for graduate study, (2) How our program will help you achieve your intellectual and professional goals, (3) What your academic interests are, and why do you wish to pursue graduate studies in the PhD program.
  • Personal Statement: Please use the Personal Statement to explain (within 250 words per item): (1) Describe any experiences and/or challenges that may have shaped your intellectual and personal development, (2) Provide insight into your potential to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect in which scholars with diverse perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn and collaborate productively and positively, (3) Address any concerns you may have in your application (optional), (4) Describe anything you would like to highlight that you have yet to discuss in other areas of the application (optional).
  • Resume: Your resume should include details (e.g., when, where, direct supervisor) about your work history, volunteer activities, and any research, teaching, or clinical experience. You should also list any honors, awards, grants, publications, or presentations you may have, along with any other information you would like us to know. There is no page limit.
  • International students must also submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). See the Graduate College website for minimum TOEFL/IELTS score requirements. Additional information for international applicants can be found here.

Students who are currently enrolled in the Graduate College of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and affiliated with the Department of Speech and Hearing Science should apply to the PhD program through an internal application process.

  • The internal application will include transcripts and previous letters of recommendation.
  • Although GRE scores are not required, the scores may provide helpful supporting information in some cases. Applicants who have taken the GRE and feel their scores would benefit their application may choose to submit their scores. If you choose to submit scores, we recommend you scan your official score report as a PDF file and attach it to your application. You do not need to submit official scores through ETS, but if you decide to, please use our University code of 1836. Your scores will only be reviewed by potential faculty mentors. We recommend each prospective student reach out to your potential faculty mentor to discuss whether submitting GRE scores would be advisable.
  • The internal application must include a new Statement of Academic Purpose and three letters of recommendation that address the applicant’s preparation and potential for success in the PhD program.
  • For instructions on how to complete the internal application process, email shs-grad-admissions@ahs.illinois.edu.