Program Overview

Program Overview

The Communicative Disorders Assistant (CDA) program is a graduate certificate program designed for students with previous education and/or relevant experience. The program is recognized by the Communicative Disorders Assistant Association of Canada (CDAAC) and Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC).

Program Details

• Credential: Ontario College Graduate Certificate
• Location: Oshawa
• OCAS Code: CDA
• Next Intake: September 2025
• Faculty: Faculty of Health Sciences (HS)
• Length: Three consecutive semesters
• Delivery: In person

Admission Requirements

• Academic Requirements:
  • Two or three-year college diploma or three or four-year university degree with emphasis on communicative disorders; linguistics; cognitive sciences; psychology; health sciences; social sciences and/or human/social services curriculum.
  • Applicants with a diploma or degree outside the scope named above will be considered if they have volunteer and/or work experience in a clinical setting with a speech-language pathologist, audiologist and/or communicative disorders assistant.
• English Language Proficiency:
  • Proof of English language proficiency required.
  • Applicants who are internationally educated in a non-English speaking country must meet Durham College’s English Language Proficiency Policy.

Tuition

• Year one domestic: $5,026 (CAD)
• Year one international: $17,613 (CAD)

Courses

Semester 1

• Anatomy and Physiology Of Communication and Swallowing (ANAT 1100)
• Introduction to Audiology (AUDI 1100)
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Assistive Technology (AUDI 1101)
• Clinical and Professional Practice 1 (AUDI 1102)
• Child Language Acquisition and Related Disorders 1 (LING 1100)
• Articulation and Phonology (LING 1101)
• Adult Neurogenic Disorders and Rehabilitation 1 (REHA 1100)

Semester 2

• Stuttering and Voice (AUDI 1200)
• Clinical and Professional Practice 2 (AUDI 1201)
• Child Language Acquisition and Related Disorders 2 (LING 1200)
• Amplification Systems and Aural Rehabilitation (REHA 1200)
• Adult Neurogenic Disorders and Rehabilitation 2 (REHA 1201)
• Principles Of Therapy and Programming for Diverse Populations (SOCI 1205)

Semester 3

• Practicum Seminar (AUDI 1300)
• Integrated Practicum 1 (AUDI 1301)
• Integrated Practicum 2 (AUDI 1302)

Career Options

• Audiometric/hearing technician
• Behavioural therapist
• Communicative disorders assistant
• Communication health assistant
• Infant hearing screener/technician
• Rehabilitation assistant
• Speech language therapy assistant

Field Placement

• Two clinical field placements in the third semester, totaling over 500 hours, under the supervision of qualified clinicians.
• Field placements may be obtained locally as well as throughout Ontario and Canada.
• Students are encouraged to secure their own field placements at their choice location.

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

• Graduates may also be eligible to apply their academic credits toward further study through Durham College’s partnerships with many Canadian and international colleges and universities.