Speech-Language Pathology, M.Sc.

Program Description

The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is a full-time course-based professional Master’s program. It prepares students with knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours to practice as entry level speech-language pathologists. The program utilizes a problem-based, self-directed learning philosophy. Students will complete course work and clinical placements during their two study years. All courses are required.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must achieve a four-year baccalaureate degree (120 units/credits), and must have a minimum average of B+ or 3.3/4.0 or 9/12, calculated over the last 60 units of their university course work. Applicants may apply in the 4th year of their degree.

The SLP program has 4 pre-requisite courses. Applicants will require a minimum of:

• one linguistics course at any level with a grade of B or higher;
• one relevant course in psychology at a second-year level or higher (e.g., child development, developmental psychology, aging and perception, cognition) with a grade of B or higher;
• one relevant human anatomy or human physiology course at any level with a grade of B or higher (must focus on anatomy and physiology related to speaking, hearing, voice and/or swallowing); and
• one research methods or statistics course at any level with a grade of B or higher.

Applicants must be enrolled in the specified prerequisite courses by the application deadline date (i.e. the course must be listed on an official transcript).

Applicants whose first language is not English and who did not attend an English-speaking university for their undergraduate degree must achieve at least a score of 100 (iBT)
(reading-24, speaking-26, listening-24, writing-26) on the TOEFL.

The number of seats in the Speech-Language Pathology program is limited, therefore, possession of published minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

Vulnerable Sector Checks are required as a condition of continued registration with a FHS Health Professional Program. An original Vulnerable Sector Check must be submitted on an annual basis and meet the directives of the current FHS Police Records Check Policy approved June 26, 2019. Click here for the full policy.

Application Policy & Procedure

All applicants (domestic and international) must apply through the Ontario Rehabilitation Science Programs (ORPAS) online application service http://www.ouac.on.ca/orpas/. Application deadline is available on the ORPAS website. Applicants who are academically eligible will be ranked on the basis of their preadmission sub-GPA. The top-ranked (approximately 150) applicants will be invited to pay the $55 interview fee and participate in an online mini multiple interview (MMI). Personal qualities and life experiences are assessed at these “mini” interviews, two of which are written stations. These interviews will take place online. Final offers of admission will be based on a combination of pre-admission sub-GPA and MMI score. Interview dates and Offer dates can be found on the program’s website https://srs-slp.healthsci.mcmaster.ca/education/future-students/admissions/

Applicants should understand that where it is discovered that any application information is false or misleading, or has been concealed or withheld, the application will be deemed invalid, and the matter will be forwarded to the Office of Academic Integrity.  If the student has already been admitted and registered, withdrawal from the university may be required, pending a university investigation.

Professionalism is an important requirement of the McMaster Speech-Language Pathology Program.  In keeping with the standard of excellence required in our program, we expect applicants to the MSc(SLP) program to conduct themselves in a professional manner throughout all phases of the application process. Any and all interactions throughout the admissions process, where applicants are engaged with Speech-Language Pathology program staff, faculty, students, and/or community volunteers may be taken into consideration in making admissions decisions. Admission may be denied to applicants who, among other critical determinants, behave in a manner that is considered below the level of professionalism expected of similarly situated candidates, regardless of their academic standing or interview performance.

Education Equity
The Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University acknowledges the barriers and challenges of students accessing post graduate education programs and opportunities. The MSc(SLP) Program has a Facilitated Admissions program for individuals who self-identify as Indigenous, and for individuals who self-identify as Black. These processes were developed to provide equitable access to under-represented students and aligns with the School of Rehabilitation Science (SRS) commitment to the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion and social justice in all that we do, and McMaster University’s statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose.

Indigenous Applicants
Indigenous applicants wishing to apply are encouraged to self-identify when completing an application in ORPAS, and to complete an application with the Facilitated Indigenous Admissions Program (FIAP), to access the Indigenous specific criteria for admissions. The deadline for application through FIAP is the same as the application to the Program. Support for individuals applying to FIAP is available through the Indigenous Health Learning Lodge: ihll@mcmaster.ca. See MSc(SLP) Program website for details.

Black Applicants
Applicants wishing to apply to this stream must self-identify for the Facilitated Black Admissions Program at the time of the application (i.e., indicate that you are applying through the Facilitated Black Admissions Program), and follow the program-specific application process. See MSc(SLP) Program website for details.

Website: https://srs-slp.healthsci.mcmaster.ca/

Review of Student Progress

All students seeking to practice as a speech-language pathologist are expected to demonstrate clinical performance consistent with the minimum standards and clinical competencies of graduate study. This performance is expected to be developmental, reflecting increasing levels of clinical skill and independence. Only those students whose clinical performance is consistent with such standards will be recommended to graduate.

Graduate student progress is overseen by McMaster faculty and registered therapists. Student progress includes progress in academic coursework, clinical skills, and professional attributes required of all students at graduation. Student  progress in the program is regularly reviewed by a Program Academic Study Committee (PASC). The PASC is responsible for determining if a student may proceed to the next term of study.

The program may, in appropriate circumstances, defer or remove a student from a clinical placement if the student fails to meet program requirements, including but not limited to requirements for professionalism, ethical behaviour, knowledge and skills, and communication. Failure to meet any requirement may result in restrictions or termination of a practicum placement or other program experience. In most cases termination of the clinical placement constitutes a failure, which will result in the student receiving a grade of F in the course, and may result in dismissal from the program.

Accreditation

The MSc (SLP) Program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Canadian University Programs in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology and was awarded a full 7-year term of accreditation in April 2022.

Regulation of Practice

To practice in Canada, speech-language pathologists must be registered with the appropriate provincial or territorial regulatory organization, if such an organization exists, or with an equivalent regulatory body determined by that province or territory. Each regulatory body has a separate and distinct registration process; however, in all circumstances, an approved degree in speech-language pathology is required. Graduates from the MSc(SLP) Program will be eligible for registration with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO). Students may choose to seek registration in other provinces or territories. While standards for registration in Ontario are generally similar to those in other provinces or territories, there may be some differences. Students planning to practice outside of Ontario must notify the Director of Clinical Education in their first semester of study of any requirements that differ from those in Ontario.

Introduction to EDI-IR in the Interprofessional Context in Rehabilitation Sciences

The Introduction to EDI-IR in the Interprofessional Context in Rehabilitation Sciences will provide learners from the Master of Science Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Speech-Language Pathology programs as well as the Graduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences (RS) (i.e., masters, PhD) the opportunity to engage in active learning sessions that provide foundational knowledge
related to EDI-IR. The milestone will cover a variety of topics relevant for learners across the programs and will include:

• Understanding professionalism and discriminatory behaviours in clinical and academic settings (e.g., Student Code of Conduct, responding to microaggressions).
• Introduction to Indigenous Ways of Knowing and the history of Indigenous People in Canada.
• Exploring Perspectives on Disability (EPOD), and critical reflexivity related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The milestone will include six sessions and will be offered in a combination of virtual and in-person sessions. All students must complete the milestone, or equivalency in extenuating circumstances, as a requirement for degree completion.