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).
For more detailed information on the program visit our Communication Sciences and Disorders website.
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 units 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.
Pre-requisite Courses
The following are prerequisite courses that prospective applicants must complete in their undergraduate degree or previous studies:
- Statistics: Introduction to statistical methods (3 units)
- Child Development (3 units)
- Cognitive Psychology (3 units)
- Neuroanatomy/ Neuropsychology (3 units)
- Introductory Linguistics (3 units)
- Articulatory Phonetics (3 units)
- Child Language Acquisition (3 units)
These courses are selected to provide speech-language pathology applicants with the background needed to succeed in the MScSLP program. These courses and associated knowledge/skills are prerequisites to the MScSLP program. To see a detailed list of prerequisite courses that can be used for credit at various universities, please refer to our Department Website.
Indigenous Perspectives in Canada:
All students admitted to the MScSLP program are required to complete a course focused on Indigenous perspectives, histories and/or experiences in Canada.
- Students who have successfully completed an approved 3-unit (minimum) course in a prior degree program will be considered to have met this requirement at the time of admission. (Course information must be submitted for approval to the department, which maintains a list of approved courses from various institutions.)
- Students may also meet the requirement through the successful completion of the certificate version of the University of Alberta Indigenous Canada MOOC. Students will need to provide this certificate as proof of completion to the department’s Academic Advisor prior to program start.
- For students who have not met the requirement at the time of admission, and who choose to take a 3-unit approved course instead of the MOOC (see above), those 3 units are extra-to-degree and outside of the required credit load for the MScSLP program.
English Language Proficiency
Applicants who do not possess a degree or its academic equivalent from an academic institution recognized by the University of Alberta, in which the language of instruction is English must take an English Language Proficiency test.
- 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) scores required for admission are as follows:
(Academic AC or General Training GT)
- Total: 7.5
- Reading: 7.5
- Listening: 7.5
- Speaking: 7.5
- Writing: 7.5
Other Requirements:
Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation, a curriculum vitae, a statement of career interests, and complete an online situational judgment test (CASPer). Personal interviews may be used if deemed necessary in making final decisions.
Application Deadline:
The deadline for submitting applications for admission (including a listing of prerequisites completed and/or in progress) is January 15. For more information contact the Academic Advisor for Communication Sciences and Disorders.
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 .
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 GPA 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
Scholarships and graduate assistantships may be obtained from various sources. More detailed information on theses and other awards can be obtained on the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (Awards and Funding) webpage.
Graduate Program Requirements
Master’s Programs
Combined Degree Programs
Certificates
Graduate Courses
Graduate courses can be found in Course Listings , under the following subject headings:
- Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD)
- Rehabilitation Medicine (REHAB)
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