Can I still get into SLP grad school with less than a 3.0?
Updated: May 31, 2023
A list of every ASHA accredited master’s program that has accepted at least one student with a GPA lower than 3.0*
It is often a misconception that it is impossible to secure acceptance from a graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) if you do not have the best grades. While it is true that there is a cutoff if your GPA is lower than a certain number at some programs, there are also some programs that will accept one or more students with GPAs lower than a 3.0!
These programs realize that grades aren’t everything, and that there are many qualified applicants that may not have the best grades! When a program looks at more than just the quantitative aspects of your application (GPA, test scores, clinical or observation hours, etc.), it means that this program uses something called “holistic review.”
Guiberson & Vigil describe holistic review as “a university admissions strategy that considers experiences in concert with metrics such as grades and test scores (2021).” Programs utilizing a holistic review strategy might put more weight on parts of your application that are more difficult to quantify, like your statement of purpose, including why you think you’d be a good fit for that program, your letters of recommendation, your research experiences, or your experiences in other fields that may make you a more qualified candidate than someone with a perfect 4.0!
If your GPA is an area where you don't feel your application is very strong, you'll probably want to find another way to make your application stand out. So, take a look at the rest of your application and see where you can improve! I have a list of ways to improve your application for SLP graduate school here:
There are many programs that use a holistic process when reviewing applications, which means that some students with lower than average grades may still be accepted if the other aspects of their applications really stand out. You may be wondering how many of these programs are out there! Well, Guiberson & Vigil hoped to find that out. They surveyed 110 of 321 accredited master’s programs in 2021, and found that 46% of those programs use at least some holistic review practices when considering applicants.
So when you’re thinking about what programs to apply to if you have a lower GPA, you want to be looking for programs that have holistic review policies. You may be thinking that it is difficult to know which ones will consider applicants with a lower GPA. Well, I have the list for you! Without further ado, here is a list of every ASHA accredited master’s program that has accepted at least one student with a GPA lower than 3.0:
Alabama A&M’s GPA range started at 2.99, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
University of New Hampshire’s GPA range started at 2.98, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
University of Texas at Dallas’ GPA range started at 2.98, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
University of Oregon’s GPA range started at 2.98, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Baylor’s GPA range started at 2.98, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Biola’s GPA range started at 2.97, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
University of Northern Colorado’s GPA range started at 2.7, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Florida State’s GPA range started at 2.96, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
College of Saint Rose’s GPA range started at 2.96, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Pacific University’s GPA range started at 2.96, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Hampton University’s GPA range started at 2.95, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
University of Texas, El Paso’s GPA range started at 2.95, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Old Dominion’s GPA range started at 2.95, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Pennsylvania State’s GPA range started at 2.95, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
California State University, Chico’s GPA range started at 2.94, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Syracuse’s GPA range started at 2.94, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire’s GPA range started at 2.93, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
University of Montana’s GPA range started at 2.92, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Purdue University Fort Wayne’s GPA range started at 2.9, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Minnesota State University, Mankato’s GPA range started at 2.9, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
University of Maryland, College Park’s GPA range started at 2.9, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill’s GPA range started at 2.89, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
University of Delaware’s GPA range started at 2.89, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Western Michigan’s GPA range started at 2.88, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
George Washington University’s GPA range started at 2.88, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Moravian’s GPA range started at 2.87, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Molloy’s GPA range started at 2.87, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Texas Woman's University’s GPA range started at 2.86, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Hardin-Simmons’ GPA range started at 2.86, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Seton Hall’s GPA range started at 2.85, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Michigan State’s GPA range started at 2.84, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Rockhurst’s GPA range started at 2.84, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Wayne State’s GPA range started at 2.83, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
University of Vermont’s GPA range started at 2.83, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Indiana University, Bloomington’s GPA range started at 2.83, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
University of St. Augustine’s GPA range started at 2.82, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale’s GPA range started at 2.8, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Rocky Mountain University’s GPA range started at 2.8, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
University of the District of Columbia’s GPA range started at 2.8, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Loyola’s GPA range started at 2.78, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Indiana University South Bend’s GPA range started at 2.78, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Lewis University’s GPA range started at 2.76, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Elmhurst’s GPA range started at 2.75, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Temple’s GPA range started at 2.73, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
SUNY at Buffalo’s GPA range started at 2.72, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Augustana College’s GPA range started at 2.7, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Adelphi’s GPA range started at 2.7, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Baldwin Wallace University’s GPA range started at 2.7, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
St. Ambrose’s GPA range started at 2.69, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
DePaul’s GPA range started at 2.67, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
South Carolina State’s GPA range started at 2.66, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
St. Xavier’s GPA range started at 2.6, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Hofstra’s GPA range started at 2.59, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
New York University, Steinhardt’s GPA range started at 2.55, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Northern Arizona’s GPA range started at 2.52, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Xavier University of Louisiana’s GPA range started at 2.5, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Portland State’s GPA range started at 2.41, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Central Michigan’s GPA range started at 2.39, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Stephen F. Austin State University’s GPA range started at 2.36, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Northwestern’s GPA range started at 2.34, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Abilene Christian University’s GPA range started at 2.34, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
Emerson’s GPA range started at 2.31, which means that they accepted at least one student with this GPA!
And there you have it, that's 62 programs that would consider applicants that don't necessarily have the highest grades! Keep in mind, even though these programs do accept students with lower grade point averages, you'll need to ensure the rest of your application is very strong! Hopefully, though, this list will assuade any fears that you might have about your ability to be considered for admission if you have some lower grades here or there.
Please share this list with anyone who might be giving up on the grad school search because they think their GPA is too low!
*In the last application cycle listed on ASHA Edfind. Data sourced from the ASHA Edfind website on 28 January 2023. This only includes Master’s programs in Speech-Language Pathology with websites listed on ASHA Edfind. Please use the contact form to request an updated report.
Guiberson, M., & Vigil, D. (2021). Speech-language pathology graduate admissions: Implications to diversify the workforce. Communication Disorders Quarterly, 42(3), 145-155.