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OMNIE FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS Who can apply to this program? Anyone
who is an Ohio resident and holds a bachelor's degree is eligible to apply. Admission
into the program will be on a competitive basis. Applicants must satisfy the participating university's graduate
school Admission
Requirements. I work full-time. Can I still complete the program? Completion of over 400 hours of practicum requirements will be extremely difficult for individuals who must maintain full time employment for the entire year. How do I apply? A
Preliminary Application must be submitted by
June 1, 2010. Following
review of the preliminary applications, prospective candidates will be invited
to apply to one of the participating universities according to their county of
residence.
Which universities will admit the
students? Participating
ASHA accredited universities are the University of
Cincinnati and the University of Akron.
How much weight does the GRE carry?
The
admitting universities require GRE scores and will consider them as part of the
package, not as a single indicator. The GRE is required because good
students may need to be counseled in the areas of need-generally math or
writing might need a refresher. Studies show that GPA is a better
indicator of success in graduate school than GREs. If you are not comfortable
with your GRE scores, you always have the option to re-take the test. Not
everyone will be able to complete the GRE prior to June 1. The Preliminary Application may be submitted without
GRE scores, but they are required for application to the participating graduate
program. Visit
the Educational Testing Service website for more information about the test: I have taken the Miller's Analogy Test, but
not the GRE. Can I use those scores instead? You should include the results of the MAT on your
application, but you will need to take the GRE, since the universities require
it. I
already have a Master's degree. Do I
still need to take the GRE? Yes. Who
should ask to complete my letters of reference? At
lease two of your references address your past academic performance and
abilities. How many students will be admitted? Each of the two 'home' universities will admit 15 students yearly.
Which
universities will participate in teaching the courses? OMNIE is a collaboration of Ohio graduate programs
in speech-language pathology. The distance learning courses will be
delivered by faculty members from Bowling Green State University, Kent State University, Ohio
State University, University of Cincinnati, University of Akron, and the University
of Toledo.
When
does the program start? The next Program of
Study begins in
January, 2011, with two or three courses offered each term of student. Students
will move through the program in a lock-step manner.
My
undergraduate degree is not in communication disorders. What prerequisite courses to I need to take
before the program starts? The following undergraduate prerequisite leveling courses are REQUIRED prior to beginning the program in January, 2011.
The following undergraduate 'leveling' course is RECOMMENDED prior to January, 2008, but is REQUIRED prior to graduate program completion. It will be available each year through distance learning.
Completion of required prerequisites does NOT guarantee acceptance into the Program. How
can I complete the prerequisites before January, 2011?
All prerequisite courses will be offered through
distance learning at various times during the year. Undergraduate prerequisite courses will be posted at http://www.omnie.org/Educational%20Opportunities/Undergraduate.html
How much will this program cost? Tuition fees will vary, since they will
be determined by the university delivering the course/two courses per
session, with 3 terms of study in each calendar year: Fall,
Winter/Spring, and Summer. Some will be quarter hour credit; others will
be semester hour credit. Tuition will be paid directly to the university
offering the course. The entire program cost will be within a range
similar to any graduate program in the state. Is
there any financial assistance in this program? Students are able to apply for financial
assistance/loans through their home university. Mid-way though the academic program OMNIE will provide each student with $10,000 in tuition
reimbursement.
What is the student commitment for school based employment?
The ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ defines OMNIE’s expectation that the student will seek and accept two years of full-time employment in the Ohio schools following program completion. Employment location is the student’s choice, and may be anywhere in Ohio. How
many courses will I need to take to complete the requirements? Seventeen graduate level courses will be delivered
over a three year period, with two courses offered each term of study. Which
courses will I need to take? The Program of
Study will meet all of ASHA's coursework and
practicum requirements. Is
there a practicum required? Yes. The clinical practicum experience allows
graduate students to make practical applications of the knowledge and theory
gained in the classroom. Students work with a variety of clients, both adults
and children, earning clinical clock hours to meet ASHA requirements for the
Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (www.asha.org) Practicum experiences will begin during the second year of the
program. What kind of computer, hardware, and software are recommended?
Minimum Hardware Requirements
Minimum Pentium IV - 2.0 GHz (2.8GHz or higher is recommended) Internet Service Provider Requirements
Internet access from a reliable ISP with live technical support and a high-speed connection, such as DSL or Cable Software Requirements
Microsoft XP Home Edition or Professional Version Free Software
RealPlayer One - free download Recommended:
VCR Will I need to come to campus? This
is a distance learning graduate degree; all coursework will be offered
on-line. The program is designed for the non-traditional student who
needs to maintain current employment or personal responsibilities. In the
second and third years of the program, the student will need to travel to
practicum sites in order to complete clinical practicum requirements. Is this program just for people who
want to work in the schools? Yes.
Due to the current and projected
shortages of school-based SLPs, OMNIE's
objective is to increase the number of qualified service providers in Ohio schools.
Successful
completion of the program will give students the requirements for licensing by
the Ohio Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology and the Ohio Department of
Education. Graduates will also be eligible to take the ASHA
comprehensive exam for the Certificate of Clinical Competence. What is ASHA? ASHA is the American Speech-Language-Hearing
Association (ASHA). It is the professional organization and the accrediting
body for certification in the profession. More about the profession can be
learned through the ASHA web site at: http://www.asha.org What is CCC? To practice as a speech-language pathologist you
must hold ASHA's Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC), which is required in
most states for licensure as an audiologist or speech-language pathologist. To
obtain your CCCs, you must have a graduate degree (master's level or doctorate)
in speech-language pathology; audiology; speech, language, and hearing science;
or an allied discipline, complete required clinical experiences and obtain a
passing score on the PRAXIS, a national examination. |
