Graduation Prep Checklist

Final Semester

(Term 5 of 5, or Term 9 of 9)

Prepare for your Clinical Fellowship -

We want you to feel prepared for licensure and your fellowship.  But we also want to honor the fact that you are all soon-to-be colleagues and professionals who are capable of researching the necessary steps for your unique situation.  Our students are spread across 45 states and have dozens of unique situations that will impact their job search.  We want to arm you with the best possible resources for CF readiness.  We recommend that you first familiarize yourself with the below steps and resources:

• • Learn the necessary steps for state licensure in your state 

    • This can take weeks or even months in some states.  Some paperwork can be completed early while others have to wait until your degree is official and complete before it can be signed off on.  Three excellent resources are:

      • • CD 602 "Licensure and Certification in your home state" assignment - This may feel like a long time ago, but you’ve already started this learning process about licensure!  Review the assignment instructions and your own completed work for this assignment for a reminder of what you need to do in your state.

        • ASHA’s List of State by State information - To our knowledge, this is the most complete, comprehensive set of links out to each state’s requirements. If additional clarification is needed beyond what is included on the ASHA website, reach out directly to your state licensure board. 

        • ASHA’s Clinical Fellowship Guide - This dense site includes much information and many links that you’ll need to access before and during your fellowship.  It would behoove you to learn more about these details now.  Some of you may be lucky enough to have experienced CF supervisors who know this info like the back of their hands.  Others will need to self-advocate to ensure that all the appropriate steps are taken.

• Know what you need and be prepared with your paperwork - As you are learning about licensure and credentialing requirements for your state, you’ll run across paperwork that must be signed by S@E program leadership.  Most of it will require the signature of the Graduate Program Director (Laura Glufling Tham laura_glufling_tham@emerson.edu) or the Director of Clinical Education (Melissa Spring, melissa.spring@emerson.edu).  Less commonly, it could be signed by anyone on the administration team. Some common examples of requests (not required for all students, not exhaustive of types of forms) that we get include:

  • • California Commission for Teacher Credentialing (CTC) - must be filled out by Director of Clinical Education and then signed by Graduate Program Director

    • Required Professional Experience (RPE) form for state licensure - can be filled out up to 75 days prior to graduation

    • New York “Form 2”  for licensure - Reviewed by Director of Clinical Education, filled out by the Registrar.  Cannot be completed until after graduation

    • New York Letter required for school-based fellowships - Written by Director of Clinical Education

• Take The Praxis Exam -

  • • Consider taking a Praxis practice exam.  Two resources for this recommended by CSD faculty are at TherapyEd.com and Praxis.ETS.org  If you have questions after taking a practice exam, visit any Program Director in their drop in placement/advising office hours and they would be happy to support you further.  You may also email program_advising@emerson.edu.

    • Schedule the actual Praxis. Completion of the Praxis is not a graduation requirement.  In many states (but not all!), it is also not a requirement to complete before your Fellowship Year.  But it is absolutely a requirement for obtaining your ASHA CCCs and is, in some states, tied to licensure as well.  Common advice is to take the Praxis around the same time that you take Comps, as studying for one may be beneficial to you in preparing for the other.  

    • Historically, most Emerson students only take the Praxis once to receive a passing score.  If you have taken the Praxis and did not pass, we recommend contacting your Program Director, or emailing program_advising@emerson.edu to receive advice & guidance before retaking the praxis.

Take advantage of Emerson's Support Systems - 

• Complete the First Destination Survey:

  • This survey serves as a valuable resource for the entirety of Emerson College, as it documents the post-graduation pathways of all Emerson graduates. Your engagement in this survey facilitates a deeper understanding for us regarding how we can enhance support for students in relation to your career development and outcomes.  Please fill this out now and know that you can update your responses for several months after graduation.  Please note that the link above is unique to the Class of 2025 which includes December 2024, May 2025, and August 2025 graduates.  It will be updated each fall for the next graduating class.  If this link doesn't work for you, please contact careers@emerson.edu and program_advising@emerson.edu together for support.

• Connect with the Student Success team about what your preferred email address will be post-graduation. 

  • They will make note of it in your file so that you never miss out on communications that are sent to alumni as well as opportunities to stay connected with Emerson. You're encouraged to send the information to studentsuccess@speech.emerson.edu.

• Prepare your resume and start prepping for Interviews: 

  • • We highly recommend the Career Development Center at Emerson.  Specifically, we recommend utilizing the resources in Handshake, which include resume and cover letter guides, interview tips, industry insights, and tools for freelancing and salary negotiation, to support you in building a strong professional foundation. The Graduate Career Action Plan, industry guides, and online resume review help you navigate job searches, explore opportunities, and receive feedback without needing an appointment. For personalized support, you can book 1:1 appointments with career advisors to clarify goals, refine materials, and develop strategies aligned with your values.

• If you still have questions, follow up with the Program Directors or CD604 facilitators. 

  • • Program Directors have drop in office hours every week!  You can find us in the Canvas Calendar attached to the orientation course.  Stop by and ask away! We'd love to support you.

    • You’ll have opportunities as part of CD604 to explore CF Readiness! These individuals have a strong desire to mentor and support you. But none of them can be experts in every unique situation across hundreds of students and dozens of state rules and regulations.  They are ready and willing to answer your questions, but they will expect you to come prepared with specific questions having reviewed all of the resources above. Don’t show up at the metaphorical table empty-handed.