FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES


SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION SCIENCES AND DISORDERS

Elborn College 1510, Tel: 519- 661-2001

PREPARATORY PROGRAM

Communication Sciences and Disorders offers Master of Clinical Science (MCISc) and Master of Science (MSc) degrees in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. Applicants to these programs who do not possess an honors degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders or equivalent must complete a two-term "Preparatory Program". The aim of this program is to introduce students to the disciplines of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology and to provide students with the intensive background preparation in speech, language, and hearing sciences needed to pursue graduate work in Communicative Disorders. During these two terms (Fall and Winter), Preparatory Program students are registered as "Special Undergraduate" students and pay tuition in accordance with the undergraduate fee schedule.

Admission Requirements

Entry to the graduate program in Communicative Disorders is on a competitive basis. Outstanding applicants holding an undergraduate degree will be considered. An applicant who holds a BSc(CD) or equivalent degree (with a minimum "B" [70%] average in the ten full courses most recently taken) may apply to the 2-year Master's degree program.

Applicants with degrees in disciplines other than Communication Sciences and Disorders are eligible to apply to enter the pre-professional year if they:

  1. Successfully complete a 4-year honors degree or its equivalent prior to entering the graduate program. (A BEd degree is not considered as equivalent to the fourth year of an honors program.)
  2. Successfully complete prerequisite course work in:
    1. a statistics course, equivalent to Western's Psychology 281 (preferably taken in a Psychology Department), and
    2. a developmental psychology course, equivalent to Western's Psychology 240a/b.

  3. Have a minimum "B" (70%) average in the ten full courses most recently taken.
  4. A minimum of 14 hours of supervised experience in communication disorders setting (Audiology and/or Speech-language Pathology).
  5. Admission decisions are based on:
    1. academic background and preparation for further study,
    2. grade point average of previous university course work,
    3. work experience in the field or in related areas,
    4. letters of reference,
    5. the student's personal statement and resumé, and
    6. the score for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

If applications are similar in all other aspects, preference will be given to applicants who have not only completed the above courses, but who have also included course work in the following areas: Communication Sciences and Disorders, Linguistics, Hearing Science, Physical and Biological Science, and Psychology.

Applicants whose first language is not English require a minimum TOEFL score of 620 or equivalent (e.g., MELAB or IELTS) for admission.

Students who, after admission, show an inadequate command of spoken or written English must improve their proficiency to the School's satisfaction. Students may be asked to withdraw from the program if their inadequate command of English interferes with their ability to provide professional services.

Applicants should be aware that the number of students who seek admission to the program considerably exceeds the number of places which are available.

While non-Canadians can be accepted into the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given preference.

Application Deadline

Applications for the program must be complete (including all supporting documents) and received by ORPAS by January 15, 2001, for entry in the Fall of the next academic year.

An application package is available from:
Ontario Rehabilitation Sciences Programs Application Service (ORPAS)
Ontario Universities' Application Centre
650 Woodlawn Road West, P.O. Box 1328
Guelph, ON N1H 7P4
website: http://www.ouac.on.ca/orpas/

Major Area of Study

Students applying to the program must specify whether they wish to enter audiology or speech-language pathology.

Progression

Students must achieve a minimum of 70% overall academic average with a passing grade of 60% in all courses of the Preparatory Program. After successful completion of the Preparatory Program, students will be considered for admission to the graduate program.

Preparatory Year

The following courses are part of the program but may not be required courses for all students:

Communication Sciences and Disorders 410a/b, 411a/b, 412a/b, 417a/b, 423a/b, 439a/b, 497a/b, Anatomy 225.

Each student must seek academic counselling from the School to establish the individual's course requirements during the preparatory year.

Certification/Registration

Graduates in MSc and MClSc degree tracks meet all existing requirements for membership and certification by the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (CASLPA); membership by the Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (OSLA); and licensing from the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO). Registration with CASLPO is required by law for professionals in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology practising in Ontario.

Obtain regulations regarding eligibility for practice in Canada from:


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FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

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