Program Overview

School of Communication Sciences and Disorders

The School of Communication Sciences and Disorders is located in the Sir Charles Tupper Medical Building, 5850 College Street, 2nd Floor, Room 2C01, PO Box 15000, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4R2.

Program Overview

The School offers a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, a two-year program that provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work as speech-language pathologists in a variety of settings.

Year I

• Fall Term
  • CMSD 5020 - Phonetics: This course considers the articulatory, linguistic, and acoustic aspects of phonetics. The application of phonetics to communication disorders, and training in broad and narrow phonetic transcription are included.
  • CMSD 5130 - Introduction to Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology: This course will help students acquire a basic understanding of the roles of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and audiologists (AUDs) in working with clients with communication disorders.
  • CMSD 5150 - Speech and Language Acquisition: This course acquaints students with current theories of language development, the course of language acquisition, and factors that impact language development.
  • CMSD 5290 - Introduction to Neurosciences for Communication Disorders: The purpose of this course is to provide the student with a basic knowledge of the neurological foundations for human communication processes.
  • CMSD 6310 - Audition I: This course provides knowledge of hearing science at an introductory level.
  • IPHE 5900 - Interprofessional Health Education Portfolio: This class is intended to prepare students to work in collaborative and patient/client/community/family-centered work environments.
• Winter Term
  • CMSD 5050 - Fundamentals of Speech Science: This course is an introduction to speech science.
  • CMSD 5120 - Hearing Measurement: This course deals with an overview of the basic audiological test battery.
  • CMSD 5260 - Hearing Disorders: This course considers diseases, disorders and dysfunction of the auditory system that may be encountered by speech-language pathologists and audiologists.
  • CMSD 6350 - Assessment of Neurogenic Language and Cognitive Disorders - Adult: The course will focus on language and cognitive disorders associated with aphasia, dementia, traumatic brain injury, and right hemisphere damage.
  • IPHE 5900 - Interprofessional Health Education Portfolio: This class is intended to prepare students to work in collaborative and patient/client/community/family-centered work environments.

Year II

• Fall Term
  • CMSD 5070X - Clinical Methods - Speech-Language Pathology: This course will introduce students to the principles and procedures of speech-language pathology clinical practice.
  • CMSD 5250 - Speech Disorders - Children: This course explores the nature and etiology of both articulatory and phonological disorders in children.
  • CMSD 5270 - Language Disorders in Preschool Children: This course deals with general principles of assessment and management of language disorders in preschool children.
  • CMSD 6460 - Treatment of Neurogenic Language and Cognitive Disorders - Adults: This course will focus on treatment planning using various aphasia/cognitive-linguistic rehabilitation models and treatment procedures for adults.
  • CMSD 6612 - Dysphagia: This course provides an overview of normal and disordered swallowing.
  • IPHE 5900 - Interprofessional Health Education Portfolio: This class is intended to prepare students to work in collaborative and patient/client/community/family-centered work environments.
• Winter Term
  • CMSD 5070Y - Clinical Methods - Speech-Language Pathology: This course will introduce students to the principles and procedures of speech-language pathology clinical practice.
  • CMSD 6390 - Voice/Resonance Disorders: This course is designed to provide the student with an overview of the etiology, assessment, differential diagnosis and treatment of voice and resonance disorders.
  • CMSD 6450 - Speech Disorders - Adults: This course considers speech disorders of neurologic origin in the adult population.
  • CMSD 6470 - Language Disorders in School Age Children: This course considers the nature of language impairments in school age children.
  • CMSD 7001 - Research Project: The student is expected to choose an area of interest to engage in a research project or activity under the direction of a faculty member.
  • IPHE 5900 - Interprofessional Health Education Portfolio: This class is intended to prepare students to work in collaborative and patient/client/community/family-centered work environments.

Year III

• Fall Term
  • CMSD 5140 - Aural (Re)Habilitation with Children: This course is designed to familiarize students with the general principles and features of communication management programs for preschool and school-age children with hearing loss.
  • CMSD 6370 - Fluency Disorders: This course deals primarily with the nature and treatment of developmental stuttering.
  • CMSD 6490 - Advanced Language Disorders in Children: This seminar-style course explores issues of linguistic and cultural diversity and how they impact the development, assessment and treatment of speech and language disorders.
  • CMSD 6550 - Seminar in Adult Communication Disorders: This course will focus on contemporary topics in adult speech-language pathology.
  • CMSD 6611 - Augmentative and Alternative Communication: This course provides introduction to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) issues.
  • CMSD 7002 - Research Project: The student is expected to choose an area of interest to engage in a research project or activity under the direction of a faculty member.
  • IPHE 5900 - Interprofessional Health Education Portfolio: This class is intended to prepare students to work in collaborative and patient/client/community/family-centered work environments.
• Winter Term
  • CMSD 7062 - Practicum Externship: Students are assigned supervised practicum placements on a full time basis for a 12-week period.
  • IPHE 5900 - Interprofessional Health Education Portfolio: This class is intended to prepare students to work in collaborative and patient/client/community/family-centered work environments.

Practicum Internship

• CMSD 7061 - Practicum Internship: Students are assigned supervised practicum placements on a full time basis for a 12-week period. Placements are in facilities throughout the Atlantic Provinces.