- School of Communication Sciences and Disorders -

School of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Beatty Hall
1266 Pine Avenue West
Montreal, QC  H3G 1A8 
Canada 
Telephone: (514) 398-4137
Fax: (514) 398-8123
E-mail: scsd@mcgill.ca
Web site: www.mcgill.ca/scsd

1.2 Administrative Officers

1.3 Staff

Jeanne Claessen; M.A.(Reading), Dip. Clinical Communication Studies(City University, London)

Amee Shah; B.Sc. ASR, M.A. Ling. University of Bombay (India), M.A.-SLP,M.Phil, Ph.D. City University of New York

Patricia Viens; ASLTA Certificate(Rochester I.T.), ASL Workshop Certificate(Vista U.)

1.4 Historical Notes

The School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, which is a part of the Faculty of Medicine, began its operation in September 1963 within the Division of Audiology and Speech Pathology of the Institute of Otolaryngology at the Royal Victoria Hospital. It was one of the first university departments in Canada to offer graduate training in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.

Originally the School offered a two-year professional program which led to the M.Sc., Applied. For the first few years, this provided joint qualification in Audiology and Speech Pathology, however, it was soon decided that specialization within one or the other area was necessary. Over the years, the student population has grown from four to more than 50 students and the full-time faculty from two to eight.

In keeping with the McGill tradition of excellence in research, the School was the first in Canada to offer a doctoral degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. In the past few years increased emphasis has been placed on research programs and in 1989, the M.Sc. program was modified so that students could receive both professional and research training at that stage. This modification provides the necessary background for students wishing to continue their studies at the doctoral level.

2 Programs Offered

The School offers a professional degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the M.Sc. (Applied) level with specialization in Speech-Language Pathology and two research degrees, an M.Sc. (Research) and a Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders.

2.1 M.Sc.(Applied) Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders

The professional degree leads to a Master of Science (Applied) with a specialization in Speech-Language Pathology. The program involves two academic years of full-time study and related practical work followed by a summer internship. To prepare students as creative professionals, the program emphasizes the understanding of principles and theories, and their present or potential clinical applications, in addition to the teaching of specific techniques for assessment and intervention. Active participation in the learning process is encouraged.

The profession of Speech-Language Pathology concerns assessment and intervention in speech and language disorders. In particular, the Speech-Language Pathologist is concerned with two major parameters of communication sciences and disorders: language and speech. At present, most speech-language pathologists in Canada work in hospitals, public school systems, rehabilitation centres, and in special education facilities.

2.1.1 Requirements for Licensure

The majority of provinces in Canada and certain states in the U.S.A. require that those intending to practice as Speech-Language Pathologists within their borders comply with special provincial or state licensing regulations. Graduates wishing to practice in the province of Quebec must be members of l'Ordre des Orthophonistes et Audiologistes du Québec (OOAQ) in order to call themselves Speech-Language Pathologists. Further information is available from the OOAQ, 235, boulevard René Levésque est, bureau 601, Montréal (Québec) H2X 1N8. Telephone: (514) 282-9123. Web site: www.ooaq.qc.ca

Quebec law requires that candidates seeking licensure in provincially recognized professions demonstrate a verbal and written working knowledge of the French language. See "Language Requirements for Professions" in the General Information and Regulations section.

2.2 Research Degrees - M.Sc. and Ph.D.

Selected candidates may be accepted for the M.Sc. and Ph.D. research degrees. Each student's Thesis supervisor and Thesis Committee design an individualized program of study in collaboration with the student. The program can include graduate courses offered by the School and by other departments at McGill.

Ph.D. Option in Language Acquisition (LAP)

Information about this option is available from the School and on the Web at: www.psych.mcgill.ca.

2.3 Funding

The IODE Provincial Chapter of Quebec funds two $1,000. "Silence to Sound" awards for studies in hearing impairment. These in-course awards are based on academic merit, financial need, and potential for excellence are awarded by the School.

Montreal League for the Hard of Hearing Award. Candidates must be enrolled at the graduate level in the School and working in the area of hearing impairment. Awarded by the School. Value - up to $1,000.

3 Admissions Requirements

3.1 M.Sc.(Applied)

An applicant must hold an undergraduate degree with a minimum B average (3.0 on a 4.0 point scale) or better in areas relevant to the selected field of specialization. Specific requirements are six credits in statistics, a total of 18 credits across the disciplines of psychology and linguistics (with a minimum of six credits in each discipline). Knowledge of physiology is also desirable.

3.2 M.Sc. in Communication Sciences and Disorders

1. students who are also taking courses for professional qualification;

2. students who have a non-thesis professional degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders; and

3. students with degrees in related fields who wish to do research but not obtain professional qualification in Communication Sciences and Disorders.

3.3 Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Applicants should normally have a Master's degree with thesis or its equivalent in Communication Sciences and Disorders or a related field (e.g., psychology, linguistics).

Students who possess an appropriate Bachelor's degree or Master's degree without thesis will also be considered for the Ph.D. program, but, if admitted, must first complete a qualifying year of coursework and a research project in the School ("fast-track" option).

4 Application Procedures

Please see the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders website at: www.mcgill.ca/scsd/application for required application materials.

School of Communication Sciences and Disorders will only consider applications upon receipt of the following documentation prior to the February 1st deadline.

On-line application

Information Form

Prerequisite Form

Personal Statement

Two letters of Recommendation

Two official copies of Transcripts from all Universities attended

Non-Canadian applicants whose mother tongue is not English and who have not completed an undergraduate degree from a recognized institution where English is the language of instruction are required to submit documented proof of competency in oral and written English prior to admission: the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based), or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum overall band score of 6.5.

4.1 M.Sc. (thesis) and Ph.D. programs

Application for Fall admission are processed shortly after the deadline of February 22. All applications received by that date are automatically considered for any internal funding or awards made available to the department for recruitment purposes. Applications for Winter or Summer admission are processed when they are received, but must be received no later than August 1 (Winter admission) or December 15 (Summer admission). Students who apply for Fall admission generally have the most options with respect to applying for external funding as well as for being considered for internal support.

Applications will be considered upon receipt of supporting documents as outlined above. All applicants are strongly encouraged to submit reports of their performance on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

5 Program Requirements

5.1 Academic Regulations and Calendar of Dates

The general rules concerning higher degrees apply. These regulations and the Calendar of Dates relevant to graduate programs can be found in the General Information section of the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Calendar.

5.2 Vaccination Requirements

5.3 M.Sc.(Applied) Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (68 credits)

The professional degree program leads to a Master of Science, Applied degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a specialization in Speech-Language Pathology. The program involves two academic years of full-time study and related practical work followed by a summer internship.


Fall
SCSD 616	(3)	Audiology
SCSD 617	(3)	Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing
SCSD 619	(3)	Phonological Development
SCSD 624	(3)	Language Processes
SCSD 633	(3)	Language Development
SCSD 681	(1)	Practicum and Seminar 1
Winter
SCSD 631	(3)	Speech Science
SCSD 632	(3)	Phonological Disorders: Children
SCSD 637	(3)	Developmental Language Disorders 1
SCSD 638	(3)	Neurolinguistics
SCSD 682	(1)	Practicum and Seminar 2
Summer
SCSD 646	(2)	Introductory Clinical Practicum

One three-credit seminar option must be taken.


Fall
SCSD 618	(3)	Research and Measurement Methodologies
SCSD 636	(3)	Fluency Disorders
SCSD 639	(3)	Voice Disorders
SCSD 643	(3)	Developmental Language Disorders 2
SCSD 644	(3)	Applied Neurolinguistics
SCSD 683	(1)	Practicum and Seminar 3
Winter
SCSD 609	(3)	Neuromotor Disorders
SCSD 642	(3)	Aural Rehabilitation
SCSD 669	(3)	Special Developmental Speech/Language Problems
SCSD 680	(3)	Deglutition and Dysphagia
SCSD 684	(1)	Practicum and Seminar 4
Summer
SCSD 679	(2)	Advanced Clinical Practicum

One three-credit seminar option must be taken.


SCSD 634	(3)	Research and Measurement Methodologies 2
SCSD 664	(3)	Communication Sciences and Disorders 1
SCSD 666	(3)	Communication Sciences and Disorders 3
SCSD 667	(3)	Communication Sciences and Disorders 4
SCSD 670	(3)	Communication Sciences and Disorders 2

A seminar may also be taken outside of the School upon approval of a faculty advisor.

5.4 M.Sc. in Communication Sciences and Disorders (45 credits)

M.Sc. candidates must complete at least 45 credits, including a minimum of 24 and a maximum of 39 credits for thesis research (courses SCSD 671, SCSD 672, SCSD 673 and SCSD 674), and a minimum of 6 credits in other courses. The non-thesis credits can be special topic courses in the School and/or courses in other departments, as arranged with the student's thesis supervisor.

SCSD 671	(12)	M.Sc. Thesis 1
SCSD 672	(12)	M.Sc. Thesis 2


a maximum of 15 credits may be chosen from:
SCSD 673	(12)	M.Sc. Thesis 3
SCSD 674	(3)	M.Sc. Thesis 4
a minimum of 6 credits must be chosen from:
SCSD 675	(12)	Special Topics 1
SCSD 676	(9)	Special Topics 2
SCSD 677	(6)	Special Topics 3
SCSD 678	(3)	Special Topics 4
or courses in other departments, as arranged with the student's thesis supervisor

5.5 Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Ph.D. students must complete a full graduate course in statistics and both advanced research seminars as well as the other course requirements in their individual program of study, and pass a comprehensive examination. Students entering the Ph.D. program through the fast-track option must additionally demonstrate the ability to complete a research project and related coursework during the initial year. An examination in a foreign language is not required.


SCSD 652	(3)	Advanced Research Seminar 1
SCSD 653	(3)	Advanced Research Seminar 2
SCSD 685	(3)	Research Project 1
SCSD 686	(3)	Research Project 2
SCSD 701		Doctoral Comprehensives

6 Courses

Students preparing to register should consult the Web at www.mcgill.ca/minerva (click on Class Schedule) for the most up-to-date list of courses available; courses may have been added, rescheduled or cancelled after this Calendar went to press. Class Schedule lists courses by term and includes days, times, locations, and names of instructors.

(3) The focus of this course will be on the assessment and management of motor speech disorders, associated with both acquired and developmental neuromotor disorders, and swallowing disorders (of both neuromotor and structural origin).

(3) Basic diagnostic and rehabilitative procedures, goals and procedures used in clinical audiology, and the psychoacoustic theories on which they are based will be presented.

(3) The anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing mechanisms will be covered. Topics will include neuroanatomy, the anatomy and physiology of the head, neck and upper torso, and the external, middle, and inner ear.

(3) Methodologies used in research and measurement in the field of communication sciences and disorders will be introduced. Topics covered include: the nature and interpretation of test norms; validity; interpretation of test score differences; and questionnaire development (scaling). Tests currently used in speech-language pathology and audiology are examined.

(3) Theories and research related to normal and abnormal phonological development in children will be studied.

(3) The structure and nature of on-line processing of the language code, and the interaction of structure and function of language will be studied. Theories about the nature of representation and research concerning its processing, and the role of sociocultural factors in linguistic performance also will be covered.

(3) The acoustic analysis and perception of speech and related pathologies will be presented. Theories and models of speech production, speech motor control, and speech perception will be considered.

(3) The nature of phonological disorders and clinical approaches for their remediation in children will be presented.

(3) Theories of language acquisition, prerequisites to language development, and current issues in research will be studied. Topics include the role of input, individual differences in acquisition, and language socialization.

(3) This course addresses the strengths and weaknesses of various research designs. Issues concerning the analysis and interpretation of research results also will be discussed.

(3) The nature of stuttering, various causal theories, and techniques for evaluation and treatment of children and adults will be presented.

(3) The nature of developmental language disorders and the assessment of language competence and performance in both speaking and non-speaking children will be studied.

(3) Current theories of language- brain relationships and speech and language deficits subsequent to brain damage will be studied. A review of current research on phonetic, lexical, and syntactic processing in brain-damaged individuals is included.

(3) Information about the vocal mechanism, its pathologies, and methods of evaluation and treatment will be studied.

(3) This course addresses the effects of hearing impairment in adults as well as in the developing child with attention to problems in speech, language, and cognitive function as well as social-emotional adjustment. Various intervention approaches are examined.

(3) Major theories of language disorders are translated into intervention principles used in language treatment programs. Adaptations of intervention techniques to suit specific disorders (including augmentative communication) will be explored.

(3) Various classificatory systems and appropriate assessment and remediation principles for brain-damaged individuals will be covered. Theoretical and clinical issues relevant to treatment of aphasic, neuromotor, and memory disorders will be considered.

(2) () This course provides an introduction to professional practice through intensive exposure to a variety of clinical populations.

(3) (This course may be taken as an advanced course for M.Sc. students.) Pro seminar in which current research topics in communication disorders will be discussed.

(3) Current research and professional issues in communication sciences and disorders will be discussed. Specific topics to be selected yearly.

(3) Information pertinent to cerebral palsy, cleft palate, autism, mental retardation, multiple handicaps and syndromes involving speech and language disorders will be presented. General descriptions of the disorders and specific assessment and remedial procedures will be addressed.

(3) Current research and professional issues in communication sciences and disorders will be discussed. Specific topics to be selected yearly.

(Students must register for both SCSD 671D1 and SCSD 671D2) (No credit will be given for this course unless both SCSD 671D1 and SCSD 671D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms) (SCSD 671D1 and SCSD 671D2 together are equivalent to SCSD 671)

(6) (Students must also register for SCSD 671N2) (No credit will be given for this course unless both SCSD 671N1 and SCSD 671N2 are successfully completed in a twelve month period) (SCSD 671N1 and SCSD 671N2 together are equivalent to SCSD 671)

(6) (Prerequisite: SCSD 671N1) (No credit will be given for this course unless both SCSD 671N1 and SCSD 671N2 are successfully completed in a twelve month period) (SCSD 671N1 and SCSD 671N2 together are equivalent to SCSD 671) See SCSD 671N1 for course description.

(Students must register for both SCSD 672D1 and SCSD 672D2) (No credit will be given for this course unless both SCSD 672D1 and SCSD 672D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms) (SCSD 672D1 and SCSD 672D2 together are equivalent to SCSD 672)

(6) (Students must also register for SCSD 672N2) (No credit will be given for this course unless both SCSD 672N1 and SCSD 672N2 are successfully completed in a twelve month period) (SCSD 672N1 and SCSD 672N2 together are equivalent to SCSD 672)

(6) (Prerequisite: SCSD 672N1) (No credit will be given for this course unless both SCSD 672N1 and SCSD 672N2 are successfully completed in a twelve month period) (SCSD 672N1 and SCSD 672N2 together are equivalent to SCSD 672) See SCSD 672N1 for course description.

(Students must register for both SCSD 673D1 and SCSD 673D2) (No credit will be given for this course unless both SCSD 673D1 and SCSD 673D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms) (SCSD 673D1 and SCSD 673D2 together are equivalent to SCSD 673)

(6) (Students must also register for SCSD 673N2) (No credit will be given for this course unless both SCSD 673N1 and SCSD 673N2 are successfully completed in a twelve month period) (SCSD 673N1 and SCSD 673N2 together are equivalent to SCSD 673)

(6) (Prerequisite: SCSD 673N1) (No credit will be given for this course unless both SCSD 673N1 and SCSD 673N2 are successfully completed in a twelve month period) (SCSD 673N1 and SCSD 673N2 together are equivalent to SCSD 673) See SCSD 673N1 for course description.

(2) () This course enhances professional practice independence through intensive exposure to a variety of clinical populations.

(3) Advanced physiology and neurophysiology of mastication and deglutition, including normal function and diagnosis and treatment of swallowing disorders.

(1) Course provides initial practicum experiences including a combination of the following: speech/language and hearing screenings, facility tours, short term placements and laboratory assignments.

(1) This course provides clinical experience through short-term placements and screenings, as well as discussions of current practicum issues.

(1) Professional practice experiences focusing on a variety of clinical populations are provided. Discussion of advanced issues in clinical practice is included.

(1) This course provides clinical practicum experiences in a range of settings. Professional practice issues are considered.

(Students must register for both SCSD 701D1 and SCSD 701D2) (No credit will be given for this course unless both SCSD 701D1 and SCSD 701D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms) (SCSD 701D1 and SCSD 701D2 together are equivalent to SCSD 701)

Health Sciences Calendar
2004 - 2005