Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology (Thesis based)

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). During the first term of study, students in the MSc SLP program may choose the option of completing a thesis. Students taking the thesis option will complete the same coursework as students in the course-based option, except CSD 900, the course associated with the research project. Instead of enrolling in CSD 900, students will enroll in Thesis research (THES 906).

Thesis students also will take at least one credit of additional coursework in research methods and statistics. Any further coursework will be based on individual student needs and will be determined at the discretion of the supervisor and the thesis committee members. The student will propose and conduct original research that will be the basis for the thesis. FGSR regulations about master's theses, including supervisory committees and deadlines, will apply to these students.

Requirements for the thesis track of the MSc SLP include all of the academic and clinical requirements outlined above for the course-based track, except the CSD 900 research project. Students taking the thesis option typically require a minimum of 1 additional term to complete the program

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. 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