CSUN: The Tseng College | 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA91330-8352 | t: 818.677.3332 | www.tseng.csun.edu | Page 1 of 3
Document: Document Guidelines and Additional Instructions [v3.1]
Pro
gram: Master of Science in Communicative Disorders
How to Compose and Format Your Application Documents
D
uring the application process, you will be asked to submit a statement of purpose, resume, and copies of
unofficial transcripts and test scores. To help you prepare your application documents for submission, please
use the following instructions. Guidance regarding the Letters of Recommendation and the CDS Prerequisite
Coursework also included in this document.
1
.
I
nstructions for Uploading Your Statement of Purpose (SOP):
SOP Content: Your Statement of Purpose should address each of the following:
A. Explain why you want to attend CSUN CDS Distance Learning program for your graduate education and
describe how a distance learning program fits your learning style.
B. T
ell us about yourself as follows:
• Discuss your background and what drew you to the field of Speech-Language Pathology.
• Indicate languages other than English that you are able to speak, read, and/or write (please use
t
he following scale to indicate level of fluency: Basic Knowledge, Conversant, Proficient, Fluent,
or Native Speaker). If you do not speak other languages, you may skip this question
.
• Ho
w have the jobs or volunteer opportunities you have had better prepared you to be a speech-
language pathologist?
• Describe extra-curricular activities in which you have participated or any further information you
would like to convey about yourself as an applicant.
C. Mast
er’s programs in Speech-Language Pathology are highly competitive, what is the one
strength/unique quality you have to offer the CSUN CDS Distance Learning Program that makes you the
best candidate?
D. Think about a situation in which you needed to make a decision but didn’t have all of the information
.
Di
scuss how you arrived at a final decision
SOP Formatting: Please use the following guidelines to properly format your Statement of Purpose:
• The statement should be no more than 1000 words in length.
• Include your full name and the page number at the top of each page (e.g. Matty Matador 1).
• File naming convention: first name last name SOP (ex: John Smith SOP).
• PDF or Word file formats only
CSUN: The Tseng College | 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA91330-8352 | t: 818.677.3332 | www.tseng.csun.edu | Page 2 of 3
2. Instructions for Uploading Your Resume:
Resume Content: The contents of your resume should be an accurate snapshot of your education and relevant
work history, as it relates to your application to this program
Resume Formatting: Please use the following guidelines to properly format your resume:
• File naming convention: first name last name Resume (ex. John Smith Resume).
• PDF or Word file formats only.
3. Instructions for Uploading Your Unofficial Transcripts:
Unofficial Transcripts: attach a copy of your academic records/transcripts from any/all academic institutions
you have attended in the past, in doc, docx, pdf, jpeg, img, tif and txt formats only.
Please note that these transcripts are unofficial copies only. Official copies of your transcripts still must be sent
per the instructions on the Application Instructions webpage
.
4. Recommendation Instructions for All Applicant
s
Recommendations Required: Applicants are required to have recommendation letters submitted to the
department by three (3) references. The recommendation letters should be from individuals who are able to
comment on your qualifications for graduate study. Please note that personal recommendations from friends
or family are not acceptable.
During the online application, you will be asked to provide the name and email of three (3) recommenders who
will be sent recommendation requests through the CSUN Adobe Sign platform via email once you submit your
online application.
What is FERPA and How Does It Affect Application Recommendations: All students who are admitted and
matriculated to the program will have access to the information provided on any recommendations submitted
on their behalf, under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), unless such access is
waived.
You Choice to Waive or Not Waive: During the online application, you will be asked whether you waive or do
not waive, this “FERPA Access” to your recommendations. Your choice will be disclosed to your chosen
recommenders within the request email. This waiver is voluntary and cannot be a condition of admission,
award, or employment, and is specific only to these recommendations.
As an applicant, you have the right to view your recommender’s submission; however, please be aware that
many recommenders may expect you to waive this right. As such, they may be less likely to submit a
recommendation if they know that you will be able to read it. Please carefully consider this when making your
waiver choice.
‘I w
aive my right…’ means that you will NOT be able to see what your recommenders write.
‘I do not waive my right…’ means that you WILL be able to see what they write, after the admission process is
over.
Timing of Recommendations: Recommendations request emails are only sent after your online application is
validated and submitted to the email addresses you provide in your application, so please give your references
ample time to complete their recommendation.
Please advise your recommenders that these requests will be sent by the CSUN Tseng College for Graduate,
International and Midcareer Education’s “CSUN Adobe Sign” from the echosign@echosign.com
email address,
and to check their spam and/or junk mail filters before contacting our office about missing requests. You will
receive ongoing automated emails regarding your application status (including the status of your letters of
recommendation) until your application is complete, or until the application cycle closes.
Changing your Recommenders/Waiver Choice: If you need to change either your recommender, or your waiver
choice, please email us at app.support5@csun.edu or call 818-677-3332 for next steps.
5. CDS Prerequisite Coursework Information:
As stated on the program Admission Requirements page, all applicants who do not possess a Bachelor’s Degree
in Communication Disorders and Sciences/Speech-Language Pathology, must have completed all 10 prerequisite
courses, as well as courses demonstrating knowledge of the biological sciences, physical sciences, statistics, and
the social/behavioral sciences in order to meet current ASHA standards.
In the online application, you will be asked to enter the Course Number, Course Title, Educational Institution
where you completed the course, Date Completed (Term and Year), your Grade, and number of Units for all 10
prerequisite courses, and for each ASHA-required area.
Please carefully review the CDS Masters Admission Requirements
page for more detailed information about the
Prerequisite coursework.
What If I Have Content Questions or Technical Issues?
(Mon-Fri, 8AM-5PM).
If you need technical assistance, please review our "Helpful Tips
" page if you encounter any problems while
completing the online application. If you are still having technical problems, you may email co[email protected]
and a staff member will assist you (Mon-Fri, 8AM-5PM).
CSUN: The Tseng College | 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA91330-8352 | t: 818.677.3332 | www.tseng.csun.edu | Page 3 of 3
