FAQs

One or more of the prerequisites is not offered at my university. What do you suggest?

Some of the prerequisites can be obtained through online courses.

Athabasca University offers the following courses, which have been accepted by our program:

  • ANTH 354 - Language and Culture (meets requirement for Introductory Linguistics - if a student needs CSD 211 this course is not suitable - use LING 101)
  • MATH 315 - Introduction to Statistics
  • PSYC 402 - Biological Psychology (meets requirement for Neuropsychology)
  • PSYC 355 - Cognitive Psychology
  • PSYC 323 - Developmental Psychology
  • PSYC 387 - Learning (meets requirement for Cognitive Psychology)

University of Alberta online courses:

  • PTHER 352 - Introductory Statistics for Health Care Professionals
  • LING 101 - Introduction to Linguistic Analysis (fall, winter, spring and summer)
  • LING 205 - Phonetics (spring and fall)
  • CSD 311 - Language Development in Children and Adolescents (spring and fall)
I'm not sure that a particular course is a match of your prerequisite. I don't see it listed on the University course lists. How can I find out for sure?

Go to the Prerequisite Courses webpage for detailed information on how to review a course that is not on the department website.

If I hold a professional undergraduate degree in speech-language pathology or speech and hearing sciences am I still required to fulfill the 7 prerequisite courses?

Yes. This program is not designed for students with BScSLP or BSLP degrees or similar degrees. Therefore, students must fulfill the 7 prerequisite courses by the application deadline. Courses from their professional degree are not considered foundational courses so can not be used for these prerequisite courses.

What kind of degree is accepted?

Students need the equivalent of a 4 year undergraduate degree in a related field such as arts, science, education, etc. This program is not designed for students with BScSLP or BSLP degrees or similar professional degrees. Therefore, students must fulfill the 7 prerequisite courses by the application deadline. Courses from their professional degree are not considered foundational courses so can not be used for these prerequisite courses. A SLP Assistant diploma degree/certificate is not transferable to the UofAB therefore the courses cannot be counted as part of their most recent 60 credits.

How will Winter 2020 grades impact my GPA calculation?

For information about how Winter 2020 grades and credits will affect GPA calculations please consult the official U of A policy.

If prerequisite courses, i.e., approved statistics, child development, cognitive psychology, neuroanatomy/neuropsychology, introduction to linguistics, articulatory phonetics, child language acquisition courses, were taken in Winter 2020 a grade of credit will be accepted as a passing grade to meet the prerequisite course requirement.

What kind of grades are you looking for in the prerequisite courses?

We do not have a specific cut-off for the prerequisite courses. It must be a passing grade but keep in mind that this is a competitive program.

How many prerequisite courses can be in progress or to be taken by the application due date for an application to be considered?

It is strongly recommended that students have no more than 2 prerequisites remaining to be completed after the application deadline date (i.e., currently in progress or to be completed in an upcoming term). As soon as a student has registered in the prerequisite courses, the student should send proof of enrollment at mscslp@ualberta.ca. It is a condition of acceptance that all courses must be completed before beginning the program.

How is my GPA calculated?

To determine the GPA we count back chronologically starting from the most recent, applicable 60 credits completed by January 1 of the admission year until we hit 60 credits. If the 60 credits lands in the middle of a semester we use the whole semester. Courses taken in Spring/Summer terms, exchange programs and graduate programs are counted in the GPA. Certificate-level and Diploma-level courses including Speech-Language Pathology Assistant programs, and practicum courses, pass/fail courses are NOT included in the calculation of the admission GPA. If applying with any courses listed as in progress after January 1 (winter term) of the year of admission they will not be calculated in the GPA calculation. If taking course(s) outside of a degree (ie., special student, open studies) the course(s) must transfer to the UofA. Courses taken within Alberta can be checked using the Alberta Transfer guide.