Frequently Asked Questions

Due to the nature of our program, part-time studies are not available. Students must enroll as full-time students.

Enrolment is only offered in September of each year; therefore, January enrolment is not possible.

Due to the nature of our program, it is not available online. In addition, please note that distance learning is not available either.

We offer a unique program consisting of both foundation and profession-specific courses, with no specific course prerequisites required for admission. This allows students from a wide range of academic backgrounds to apply. 

The costs associated with the program can be estimated on the Dalhousie Money Matters website.

Speech-language pathologists enjoy good employment opportunities. Currently, the greatest number of opportunities are outside large cities, but jobs are frequently available in urban settings as well. Your chance of securing a position soon after graduation increases if you are mobile.

Speech-language pathologists work in a variety of environments: hospitals, community health centres, private clinics, schools, preschools, child development centres, rehabilitation centres, and universities.

Audiologists enjoy good employment opportunities. Currently, the greatest number of opportunities are outside large cities, but jobs are frequently available in urban settings as well. Your chance of securing a position soon after graduation increases if you are mobile.

Audiologists work in a variety of environments: hospitals, community health centers, private practice, schools, industry (hearing aid manufacturers), and universities.

All application forms and required documents must be received by our office no later than January 15 of each year (or the next business day if January 15 falls on a weekend).

The application requirements and procedures are clearly outlined on our website. Please see the Admissions section of our website for more information.

Interviews are not part of the admission process at the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Applicants who would like to apply to both programs must submit two separate applications and application fees.

Please include the unofficial copy of your transcript(s) when you email us your PDF submission even if not all of your fall grades are available. If you are offered admission, you will then need to ensure that your university forwards official copies of your transcripts.

Applicants who have been out of university for more than five years qualify as mature applicants. Mature applicants must still meet the same admission requirements as all other applicants. Confidential reference letters from employers, clinicians or supervisors can be submitted in lieu of academic references if you are a mature applicant. However, we encourage mature applicants to still submit academic references if possible.

The GPA used in the admission process is calculated using the most recent 60 credit-hours (equivalent to 20 half credit courses) of undergraduate studies for which grades are available at the time of application. Please note that graduate degrees, diplomas, and certificates will not be counted.

Dalhousie’s Faculty of Graduate Studies defines an academic reference as a reference written by a professor or instructor who has taught and graded an applicant in a university setting. Supervisors of undergraduate honours or graduate theses are considered as academic references. Academic references do not include references written by practicum supervisors, volunteer supervisors, or employers. Although these individuals often give valuable references, they are considered professional references. You may have one professional reference in addition to your two required academic references.

If you have completed a four-year undergraduate degree, then you should be able to find a professor or instructor who is able to complete an academic reference. If you are a mature student (meaning that you have been out of school/university for over five years), you can submit professional references. However, we encourage mature applicants to stilll submit academic references if possible.

It takes approximately five business days after you have submitted your application before your referees will receive the e-ref link. The e-ref link comes from the following email account: e-ref@dal.ca. Please remind your referees to check all of their incoming mailboxes (inbox, spam folders, etc.) to ensure they have received the e-ref link.

Applicants will receive notification about their application status via email during the months of April and May. Applicants who have been placed on a waiting list will be contacted if a spot becomes available. This may happen at any time between May and the first week of September.

For this section, you can simply indicate how you expect to pay for the program. Your response can be general, such as indicating that you plan to use student loans, a line of credit, personal savings, or parental financial assistance. It is not necessary to indicate a specific dollar amount.