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, language, and swallowing disorders. At present, most speech-language pathologists in Canada work in hospitals, public school systems, rehabilitation centres, special education facilities, and in private practice nursing homes and extended care facilities.

Students pursuing the M.Sc.A. complete the basic academic content and clinical practica required in preparation for clinical practice as outlined by Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC). Our M.Sc.A. program is completed in two years. The emphasis on bridging theory and clinical practice is very strong in our program. Our admission requirements emphasize basic sciences and do not require completion of a specific undergraduate degree. This flexible entry accommodates students with undergraduate degrees in different fields and promotes diversity within our student body. Our goal is to recruit and train skillful therapists and problem-solvers who can rely on a strong foundation in theory to address challenging clinical issues. Our M.Sc.A. graduates typically pursue professional careers working in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centres, or in private practices. A subset of our graduates will enter a doctoral program (immediately or after a period of clinical employment) to pursue a research career.

Selected candidates may be accepted into the M.Sc. research degree program. Each student's Advisory Committee designs 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.

This program is designed for students who wish to combine research training with their clinical (M.Sc.A.) program or students from related fields who wish to gain research experience in communication sciences to prepare for doctoral studies. Students are required to take two semesters (6 credits) of statistics and complete a thesis. Admission to the M.Sc. research program requires identification of an SCSD professor(s) with relevant expertise to mentor the student through the thesis process. Graduates of our M.Sc. research program follow diverse career paths, some working in clinical settings (if they also have a clinical degree) or settings that combine clinical and research activities, and others continuing their research training at the doctoral level.

Selected candidates may be accepted into the Ph.D. research degree program. Each student's Advisory Committee designs 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.

Students pursuing a Ph.D. in SCSD have varied educational backgrounds, including both clinical and related non-clinical fields. Students who enter the program from a related field (e.g., Psychology, Linguistics) or without a master’s thesis complete a Qualifying year, which includes coursework and a research project. This flexible entry attracts independent scholars with diverse backgrounds and interests, which creates a stimulating and enriched training environment. The main component of the Ph.D. program (beyond the Qualifying year) has minimal required coursework and is structured to support students as they develop and pursue an innovative, individualized program of doctoral studies. Admission to the doctoral program requires identification of a SCSD professor(s) with relevant expertise to mentor the student in this process. Ph.D. students have the opportunity to pursue an interdisciplinary specialization in language acquisition through the McGill Language Acquisition Program, which intersects with McGill departments of Linguistics, Psychology, and Education. Our Ph.D. graduates typically pursue academic careers in universities or research institutes, but some work in settings that combine research and professional activities.

This unique interdisciplinary Ph.D. program is available for doctoral students across four departments at McGill including SCSD, Linguistics, Psychology, and Integrated Studies in Education. The program is designed to provide enriched training focused on the scientific exploration of language acquisition by different kinds of learners in diverse contexts. Students in the Language Acquisition Program are introduced to theoretical and methodological issues on language acquisition from the perspectives of cognitive neuroscience, theoretical linguistics, psycholinguistics, education, communication sciences and disorders, and neuropsychology. In addition to the SCSD Ph.D. requirements, students in this program must complete 3 credits of coursework in language acquisition outside their home department, and three interdisciplinary seminars (2 credits each) and must include a faculty member in the Language Acquisition Program on their thesis committee. More information about this program can be found at mcgill.ca/linguistics/graduate/lap.