General Information
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers graduate work leading to the Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology (MScSLP).
The MSc program is designed to develop competencies in the prevention, evaluation, treatment, and management of articulation, language, fluency, voice, and resonance disorders as well as in the fundamental practices of audiology. Developed for students who hold an undergraduate degree in a variety of fields other than speech-language pathology, this entry-level program offers a course-based master’s and an optional thesis-based track and is designed to provide students with the academic and clinical education required for certification by provincial and national professional associations.
The thesis-based MSc in Speech-Language Pathology program is designed to provide speech-language clinicians with the research skills needed to study the etiology, prevention, diagnosis, and management of speech, language, and hearing disorders. Students will undertake thesis research to enhance their abilities to take leadership roles in academic, clinical, and laboratory settings.
The Department maintains laboratory, instrumentation, and clinical facilities for a wide range of research interests (e.g., speech science, motor speech disorders, voice, language development and disorders, craniofacial anomalies, hearing disorders, and clinical supervision).
More detailed information on the program may be obtained at www.csd.ualberta.ca
Practicum Intervention Policy
The Dean, or Supervisor acting on behalf of the Dean, may immediately deny assignment of a student to, withdraw a student from, or vary terms, conditions, or site of practicum/ clinical placement if the Dean or Supervisor has reasonable grounds to believe that this is necessary in order to protect the Public Interest. Refer to Practicum Intervention Policy for additional information.
Professional Ethics/Code of Student Behaviour
Students in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders are required to adhere to the professional code of ethics of their professional/licensing bodies. Refer to the Code of Student Behaviour. Amendments to the Code of Student Behaviour occur throughout the year. The official version of the Code of Student Behaviour, as amended from time to time, is housed on the University Governance website at www.governance.ualberta.ca.
Criminal Records Check
Students should be aware that under the Protection for Persons in Care Act, they may be required to satisfy a criminal-records check before being allowed to serve a period of internship, practicum placement or work experience. Refer to Requirement for Police Information Checks .
Entrance Requirements
The Department’s minimum admission requirements are an undergraduate degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.3 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution. The admission GPA will be calculated on the last ★60 of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework. However, the minimum grade point average of accepted applicants is usually substantially higher than 3.3.
English Language Proficiency
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores required for admission are as follows:
Internet Test (iBT) (Maximum 120)
CSD Minimum requirements:
- Overall score: 102
- Reading: 22
- Listening: 26
- Speaking: 26
- Writing: 24
The International English language testing system (IELTS)
(Academic AC or General Training GT)
- Total: 7.5
- Reading: 7.5
- Listening: 7.5
- Speaking: 7.5
- Writing: 7.5
Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation, results of an online situational judgement test and a statement of career interests. Personal interviews may be used if deemed necessary in making final selections.
The deadline for submitting applications is February 1. For more information see www.csd.ualberta.ca
Applicants must have completed preparatory courses in areas fundamental to the program, as listed below.
Pre-requisite Courses
Application to the MSc SLP program requires the completion of eight prerequisite courses. These courses are selected to provide speech-language pathology applicants with the background needed to succeed in the MSc SLP program. The following courses and associated knowledge / skills are prerequisites to the MSc SLP program. To see a detailed list of prerequisite courses that can be used for credit at various universities, please refer to the Department Website.
- Statistics: Introduction to statistical methods
- Child Development or Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive psychology
- Neuroanatomy or Neuropsychology
- Introductory Linguistics
- Articulatory Phonetics
- Child Language Development, Child Language Acquisition or First Language Acquisition
- Indigenous Canadian History:
All students admitted to the MSc SLP program are required to complete a course focused on Indigenous history in Canada. This is considered a program prerequisite. For students who have not met the requirement at the time of admission, a condition of their admission would be to complete the course by the start of the first term of registration. This requirement may be fulfilled through the certificate version of the University of Alberta Indigenous Canada MOOC.
Academic Standing
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) supports and adheres to the Academic Standing policies of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. These policies are outlined in the Calendar under Academic Standing.
In addition to FGSR policies, the CSD Department has set additional requirements, as follows:
Academic Probation Policy
A recommendation for Academic Probation will be made to FGSR in the following circumstances:
- First failure of an MSc SLP academic or clinical course
- Recommendation of a “Borderline Pass” in a clinical course
- Cumulate GPA below 3.0
Students enrolled in the thesis-based track in the MSc SLP program will be governed by the Academic Probation Policy of the CSD Department. In addition, these students will be required to maintain a cumulative GPC of 3.3. If a student’s cumulative GPA is below 3.3, the student may be required to change to the course-based track.
Financial Assistance
A limited number of teaching and research assistantships may be available within the Department. Successful candidates selected for the program are provided applications for department teaching and research assistantships. Students should review www.gradstudies.ualberta.ca for current information on available awards and other possible sources of funding.
Graduate Program Requirements
Graduate Courses
Graduate courses can be found in Course Listings , under the headings Rehabilitation Medicine (REHAB) and Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD).
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