Why study this program?
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers a program 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 MScSLP program is currently offered at two campus locations: Edmonton and Augustana (Camrose). Of the students admitted to the program, a portion are admitted to our Edmonton and Augustana campuses based on student preference. With MScSLP’s distributed education model, students at all campuses complete the same core program of required courses. Each campus may offer unique elective opportunities reflective of local expertise and community partnerships in addition to the online electives available to all.
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).
An Interprovincial Agreement between the Province of Alberta and the Province of Saskatchewan exists for the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Contact the Department for further information.
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 February 1. For more information contact the Academic Advisor for Communication Sciences and Disorders.
Requirements for the course-based MSc-SLP include successful completion of a minimum of 90 units in courses, which includes 3 units in interprofessional course work, 2 units in electives, and 34 units in clinical practica. During clinical practica, students must accrue a minimum of 350 supervised clinical hours (300 direct contact). This includes the completion of a research project equivalent to 3 units (CSD 900 ) that students are required to complete.
Requirements for the thesis-based MSc-SLP include all of the academic and clinical requirements outlined above for the course-based track. However, thesis-based students may take REHAB 500 or equivalent as an alternative to CSD 501 . In addition, instead of the research project (CSD 900 ), thesis-based students complete a thesis and an additional one-credit practical course in methods of data analysis. Additional coursework in research design, statistics, or specialized content may be recommended by the supervisor and thesis committee.
The period of residency is three four-month terms (fall, winter, fall) and one spring/summer term of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta.
The prerequisite courses and program requirements for both course-based and thesis-based routes ensure that students meet standards required for membership/certification in provincial and national professional associations. Further information about prerequisite courses and the required program of study may be obtained from the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders website www.csd.ualberta.ca.
Required Courses
- CSD 501 - Clinical Research Methods
- CSD 502 - Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism
- CSD 505 - Speech Science
- CSD 507 - Phonological Disorders
- CSD 509 - Motor Speech Disorders
- CSD 511 - Child Language Development and Assessment
- CSD 517 - Hearing and Hearing Disorders
- CSD 518 - Remediation of Child Language Disorders
- CSD 520 - Adult Language Disorders I
- CSD 521 - Dysphagia
- CSD 523 - Augmentative/Alternative Communication Systems
- CSD 524 - Introduction to Clinical Practice II
- CSD 525 - Introduction to Clinical Practice III
- CSD 526 - Voice and Resonance Disorders
- CSD 527 - Language and Literacy
- CSD 528 - Fluency Disorders
- CSD 529 - Adult Language Disorders II
- CSD 530 - Introduction to Clinical Practice I
- CSD 532 - Advanced Clinical Practicum I
- CSD 533 - Clinical Practicum II
- CSD 540 - Clinical Practicum III
- CSD 541 - Clinical Practicum IV
- CSD 571 - Anti-Racism, Diversity and Equity in SLP Practice
Course-based only
Prior to registering for the Directed Research Study, students must have completed the interprofessional coursework and the required credits of approved electives.
Thesis-based only
- Registration in 900-level THES
- an additional one-credit (1-unit) practical course in methods of data analysis
Notes
- Approved elective course work in CSD 570 or equivalent completed prior to the MScSLP course-based program will not be considered for the 1-unit elective requirement.
Length of Program
A minimum of two calendar years will normally be required to complete the program. Students in the thesis-based track will most likely require at least one additional term to complete the program. The time required to complete the program may be varied for individual candidates but cannot exceed the statutory limits of the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies as set out in Time Limit for Completion of Graduate Programs .
Courses
Graduate courses can be found in Course Listings , under the following subject headings:
- Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD)
- Rehabilitation Medicine (REHAB)
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 & Postdoctoral Studies (Awards and Funding) webpage.
For general information, please visit the Tuition and Fees page on the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research site.The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research administers over $29 million each year in scholarships, awards, and financial support for graduate students, as well as financial and loan advising. Additional scholarships are also available for specific faculties and programs.
Please refer to the detailed program information or email csd@ualberta.ca.
General inquiriesPlease check out some of our most frequently asked questions (FAQS) to see if your question has been answered, or contact the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) during our office hours.
Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR)
Killam Centre for Advanced Studies
2-29 Triffo Hall
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E1