The speech language pathology programs in Canada are concerned with equipping students with the needed knowledge for the assessment and treatment of a broad range of speech, language, voice, swallowing, and cognitive-communication impairments.
Such impairments may be as a result of structural and functional causes and may be such that has developed over time.
Other causes might be a stroke, head injury or cancers of the head and neck.
In this article, we will be looking at the speech language pathology programs in Canada.
Average Salary for a Speech-Language Pathologist in Canada
According to Job Bank Canada, Audiologists and speech-language pathologists (NOC 3141) usually earn between $27.00/hour and $51.28/hour in Canada.
Audiologists, speech therapists and speech-language pathologists (NOC 3141) usually earn between $30.18/hour and $58.55/hour in Alberta.
Audiologists, speech therapists and speech-language pathologists (NOC 3141) usually earn between $41.58/hour and $60.39/hour in the Edmonton Region.
Audiologists, speech therapists and speech-language pathologists (NOC 3141) usually earn between $28.00/hour and $48.61/hour in British Columbia.
Audiologists, speech therapists and speech-language pathologists (NOC 3141) usually earn between $25.25/hour and $45.00/hour in Québec.
Audiologists, speech therapists and speech-language pathologists (NOC 3141) usually earn between $21.25/hour and $57.69/hour in Saskatchewan.
Audiologists, speech therapists and speech-language pathologists (NOC 3141) usually earn between $33.33/hour and $54.95/hour in Nova Scotia.
Highest paying cities for Speech Language Pathologists in Canada
| Toronto, ON | $57.57 per hour |
| Calgary, AB | $56.90per hour |
| Vancouver, BC | $52.23per hour |
| Ottawa, ON | $50.32per hour |
| Edmonton, AB | $48.00per hour |
Where Can I Find Speech-Language Pathologist Jobs?
When you are done with the speech language pathology programs in Canada, you can decide to gain experience through volunteering for organizations like Toronto Rehab Institute/UHN or Aphasia Institute.
However, if you do not have a specific organization in mind but looking for Speech-Language Pathologist jobs, looking through career sites like Job Bank, Indeed and Workopolis would be a great start.
Alternatively, Speech-Language & Audiology of Canada or the Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists websites or that of other states are places to see career postings.
Speech Language Pathology Schools in Canada
Currently, there are twelve Canadian universities that provide entry-to-place education in speech-language pathology.
Five of these universities provide entry-to-practice education in audiology.
The entry-to-practice degree requirement in Canada is a Master’s degree.
- University of Alberta
- University of British Columbia
- Dalhousie University
- Université Laval
- Université Laurentienne
- McGill University
- McMaster University
- Université de Montréal
- University of Ottawa
- Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
- University of Toronto
- University of Western Ontario
As we mentioned earlier, five of the universities listed above offer programs in both audiology and speech-language pathology, and they are:
- University of British Columbia
- Dalhousie University
- Université de Montréal
- Université d’ Ottawa
- Western University
Seven of the universities offer a speech language pathology programs in Canada solely, and these universities are:
- University of Alberta
- Université Laurentienne
- Université Laval
- McGill University
- l’Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
- The University of Toronto
- McMaster University
Among these universities, programs among five of them are offered in French, while the rest offer their programs in English. These universities with programs in French are:
- Université Laurentienne
- Université Laval
- Université de Montréal
- Université d’Ottawa
- l’Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
The list of speech pathology programs in Canada
- Communication Sciences & Disorders News at University of Alberta
- Audiology & Speech Sciences at the University of British Columbia
- Speech-language pathology and Audiology at Dalhousie University
- Master’s degree in speech therapy at l’Université Laval
- Orthophonie (M.Sc.S.) at Université Laurentienne
- MSc(A) in Communication Sciences and Disorders at McGill University
- Speech-Language Pathology (M.P.O.) program at Université de Montréal
- Master of Health Sciences Speech-Language Pathology at University of Ottawa
- Master’s in speech therapy at Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
- Clinical Science (MClSc) program in audiology at the University of Western Ontario
- McMaster University speech pathology program
- University of Toronto speech pathology program
Now, let us review some of these speech pathology programs in Canada.
Communication Sciences & Disorders at the University of Alberta
Communication Sciences & Disorders at the University of Alberta provides one of the speech language pathology programs in Canada that identify, assesses, evaluate, treat, manage, educate and help to prevent language, speech, voice, fluency, cognitive, and other related communication disorders, as well as swallowing problems.
Communication disorders may be related to hearing impairment, neurological disorders, language learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, developmental delay, autism, cleft palate, head and neck cancer, brain injuries, feeding and swallowing difficulties and other disorders not listed.
Online speech-language pathology programs at the University of Alberta
(1)Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders
(2) Language Development in Children and Adolescents
Audiology & Speech Sciences at the University of British Columbia
Audiology & Speech Sciences is the only program at British Columbia.
Their program is one of the Speech Language Pathology Programs in Canada that is designed to educate audiologists and speech-language pathologists.
The School of Audiology and Speech Sciences offers a solid academic foundation, valuable opportunities for practical experience, and a stunning location in which to study.
Online speech-language pathology programs at the University of British Columbia
Neuroanatomy for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology:
An overview of neuroanatomy and functional neuroanatomy with emphasis on neuroanatomy related to hearing and speech mechanisms.
Introduction to Neurolinguistics:
This 6-week course is offered online each year, beginning in March and is a course that addresses historical and current research findings and issues related to identifying the neuroanatomical substrates associated with language processing, including brain imaging, localization, and lateralization of language functions.
Speech-language pathology and Audiology at Dalhousie University
Their school offers two three-year programs of study leading to a Master of Science degree: one in speech-language pathology and one in audiology.
Currently, the school does not offer any part-time studies.
Each of the Dalhousie university speech-language pathology programs includes intensive practicum experiences during the summer of the second year and the winter of the third year.
Placements during these periods are usually outside of the Halifax area.
Each program also includes a research component.
Students must complete either a research project or a Master’s thesis.
The thesis is larger in scope than the project and students are expected to be more independent in the completion of a thesis.
Master’s degree in speech therapy at l’Université Laval
The master’s degree in speech therapy from Université Laval prepares you to become a health professional who assesses and treats various disorders of speech, oral and written language, communication and swallowing.
The training program of the Faculty of Medicine consists of a professional master’s degree in speech therapy with a focus on theory and practice.
To obtain the license to practice as a speech therapist, you must pass a master’s degree in speech therapy.
See the program details.
Orthophonie (M.Sc.S.) at Université Laurentienne
The Master of Health Sciences (Speech Pathology) Program’s objective is to train professionals in speech therapy capable of working in French and English in Ontario.
Candidates should have knowledge of French and English, as well as knowledge of the fundamentals of psychology, biology, physics, linguistics and language, speech and hearing, and will receive highly specialized training in the field of communication disorders.
See the program details.
MSc(A) in Communication Sciences and Disorders at McGill University
The McGill School of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers a personalized and supportive learning environment to complete your professional training, leading to a Master of Science (Applied) degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a specialization in Speech-Language Pathology.
McGill university’s speech-language pathology program is offered in small class sizes to ensure that all learners benefit from individualized attention and strong mentorship.
Their M.Sc. degree allows students to gain basic research experience in communication and its disorders.
The PhD degree provides advanced, interdisciplinary research training leading to high-level careers.
See the program details.
Speech-Language Pathology (M.P.O.) program at Université de Montréal
The School of Speech Therapy and Audiology at the Université de Montréal is one of the largest training centres for speech therapists and audiologists in North America.
Their program is one of the Speech Language Pathology Programs in Canada that prepares the next generation of professionals in the French-speaking world by offering training that meets American and international standards for the practice of the profession.
See the program details.
Master of Health Sciences Speech-Language Pathology at University of Ottawa
The Faculty of Health Sciences’ Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Program is a graduate-level program leading to the Master of Health Sciences (MSc) degree in Audiology or Speech-Language Pathology.
It offers specialized training in the field of communication disorders and aims to train competent health professionals to meet the needs of the Francophone population of Ontario and, more broadly, the needs of Francophone communities in the bilingual and multicultural Canadian context.
The Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Program offer two streams of graduate study: audiology and speech-language pathology.
See the program details.
Master’s in speech therapy at Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
The general objective of the master’s program in speech therapy is to train a professional capable of preventing, detecting, evaluating and treating the various disorders of voice, speech, language and oropharyngeal function.
The master’s program in speech therapy is a two-year (six trimester) full-time program. In addition to the 24 credits of prerequisite courses, the master’s program in speech-language pathology consists of 76 credits, including 14 credits of clinical training and 6 credits related to the essay.
The master’s degree in speech therapy gives access to the license of the Ordre des orthophonistes et audiologistes du Québec. See the program details.
Clinical Science (MClSc) program in audiology at the University of Western Ontario
Western’s Master of Clinical Science (MClSc) program in audiology is a world leader in the field and has pioneered the development of technology for paediatric audiology.
At the Western university’s speech-language pathology programs, students receive personal attention through small group laboratory experiences and teaching clinics, and access to the school’s state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities. There are other programs as well at the University of Western Ontario.
Other universities on our list with speech language pathology programs in Canada are:
| University | Program Details |
| McMaster University | University of Toronto Speech-Language Pathology Program |
| University of Toronto | University of Toronto Speech-Language Pathology Program |
Accreditation and Licensing
In Canada, those wanting to practice as Speech-Language Pathologists must have at least Master’s-level training in Communication Sciences and Disorders from an accredited university program.
The requirements for professional certification necessary for clinical practice are set by provincial regulatory bodies.
Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC) conducts an annual examination for those wishing to qualify for national certification.
Any of the speech language pathology programs in Canada must meet the requirements necessary for the certification of graduates.
It’s important to note that, as of 1998, SAC and ASHA (the US equivalent) recognize one another’s certification.
Are speech pathologists in demand in Canada?
Speech pathologists are in demand in Canada. This career opportunity has been firmly established on the list of Canada NOC.
There are opportunities across the country for speech pathologists.
Speech Therapist Jobs in Canada are often better paid than in the UK, Europe and Asia and Canadian employment law respects the work-life balance.
What are your thoughts about these Speech Language Pathology Programs in Canada? Please share your thoughts with us.
What is the role of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology Canada (SAC)?
SAC is a national, professional member association that offers certification examinations for speech-language pathologists, which most times may be written by internationally trained applicants at ACSLPA’s request.
This exam offered by SAC takes place twice a year and most importantly, applicants have up to three chances to successfully complete the examination.
The examination fees, registration deadlines, locations, and turnaround time of exam results are such that applicants must be aware of them.
The SAC’s website provides information, as well as recommended resources to prepare students for the examination. Applicants may also apply to become a member of SAC.
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Footnote: https://www.cacup-aslp.ca/en/accredited-programs/university-programs