International Applicants

Applying to Master of Clinical Science in Audiology and Master of Clinical Science in Speech- Language Pathology programs as an international student, you can use the Western University's School of Graduate and Post Doctoral Studies Application Portal or the Ontario Rehabilitation Sciences Programs Application Portal (ORPAS)*.

The application deadline on the Western SGPS portal is February 7. The deadline for applications submitted through ORPAS will be first week of January.

Please click here to start an application directly through the Western SGPS portal. 

If you require guidance for your application, please reach out to us: cozkurt@uwo.ca (International Recruitment Coordinator) or earmouth@uwo.ca (Program Coordinator).

*International students have the option to apply directly through Western University SGPS or ORPAS for MCISc in Speech Language Pathology or Audiology programs. With a direct application through SGPS, applications can be reviewed sooner, whereas with an ORPAS application, the earliest programs can review submissions is mid-January. The direct application stream to rehab programs has been specifically created for international students at Western University to help review applicant files earlier and help international students manage the visa processing times.

• A 4-year degree from an accredited university.
  • Transcripts outside of Canada and US must be evaluated for equivalency by WES (World Education Services).
• Both the original transcript and WES evaluation must be submitted with your application.
• Possess a minimum 3.30 SubGPA in the final 2 years (10 Full or 20 Half Courses) of your undergraduate program.
• Applicants who did not complete their entire undergraduate degree in an English-Speaking institution must submit proof of English Language proficiency.
  • TOEFL IBT Score 105.
  • IELTS Academic Score 7.5
  • Duolingo English Test minimum score of 135.
• Applicants must submit a professional or personal reference from someone who knows the applicant from a non-academic setting (e.g. work supervisor, coach, clergy member)
• Two Academic letters.
• A CV
• Completion of Statement of Intent

Students in both Audiology and Speech- Language Pathology programs are required to utilize specialized computer software as part of their courses. As such:

• Students are required to have access to a personal laptop / computer that runs recent Windows or Mac OS for the purposes of completing coursework and utilizing specialized software.
• App-based devices (Chromebook, Android Tablet, IPAD) do not have the computing capabilities to run the required specialized software.

Given the intensity, breadth and depth of the information and clinical training, students in the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Programs must possess very strong cognitive, communication, sensory and interpersonal skills necessary for provision of safe, ethical, and effective assessment, treatment, counseling, and educational services. Prior to applying to our programs, potential candidates are encouraged to review the ‘Essential Skills’ documents and carefully reflect on whether they meet the requirements for these professions.

• Speech Language- Pathology Essential Skills and Attributes.
• Audiology Essential Skills and Attributes.

Overview of Prerequisites

Applicants are required to complete the stated prerequisite undergraduate university level courses with a pass in each course in order to be considered for the MClSc program.

Introduction to all (or most) of the following areas of infant and child development:

1. • Child development (0.5 full course equivalents);
   • Statistics (0.5 full course equivalents);
   • General linguistics (0.5 full course equivalents);
   • Human anatomy or human physiology (0.5 full course equivalents);
   • General Science/Life Biomedical (0.5 full course equivalent)
   • Social Science/Psychology (0.5 full course equivalent)

Description of Prerequisite Courses

Child Development (0.5 full course equivalents):

We accept courses that cover a broad range of developmental issues (cognition, perception, social, emotional, sensorimotor, language) across the entire child developmental stage. We do not accept courses that are limited to language development or language disorders.

Elementary Statistics (0.5 full course equivalents):

We accept statistics courses that address most of the basic statistical methods including statistical inference, experimental design, sampling design, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing for means and proportions, regression and correlation.

General Linguistics (0.5 full course equivalents):

We accept courses that cover all aspects of general linguistics, this course should include semantics, pragmatics, syntax, phonology, phonetics, morphology, language acquisition. Courses in language development or acquisition alone are not acceptable, nor are courses on language disorders.

Human Anatomy or Human Physiology (0.5 full course equivalents):

We accept courses on general human anatomy or physiology that covers the structure and/or physiological principles of human neural, muscular and respiratory systems. You may need to take two half year courses to cover all of this material, (i.e. Part I and Part II).

General Science/Life Biomedical  (0.5 full course equivalents):

We accept general, life science or psychology-based science courses. This could include courses in neuroscience, neuropsychology, physiological psychology, brain and behaviour, biology, etc.

Social Science/Psychology (0.5 full course equivalents):

We accept courses in psychology, sociology, social science, etc. This could include courses such as: perception, cognition, social psychology, abnormal psychology, phonetics, language acquisition, etc.

How to Verify Prerequisites

We have reviewed a number of courses from a variety of institutions across Canada. A number of courses have been pre-approved by the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders. To view a list of pre-approved courses, visit the Approved Prerequisites page and then select the institution. For example, clicking on the University of Alberta will open a list of prerequisite courses that we have previously accepted from the University of Alberta in Edmonton.

Please note that the acceptable list is subject to change and not all courses listed on the Approved Prerequisites section are necessarily offered at any given time. It is the applicant’s responsibility to confirm course offerings with the institution of interest.

If the course you would like to use to satisfy a prerequisite does not appear on the Approved Prerequisites section of the website, you must obtain pre-approval from the department and submit this documentation with the program application. You must submit the Prerequisite Verification Form to get approval.

Please check the course content carefully with the criteria listed above. If it does not fit, please do not send a request for verification. It will not be accepted.

Overview of Prerequisites

Applicants are required to complete the stated prerequisite undergraduate university level courses with a pass in each course in order to be considered for the MClSc program.

• Child development (0.5 full course equivalents);
• Statistics (0.5 full course equivalents);
• Human anatomy or human physiology (0.5 full course equivalents);
• Social Science/Psychology (0.5 full course equivalent)

Description of Prerequisite Courses

Child Development (0.5 full course equivalents):

We accept courses that cover a broad range of developmental issues (cognition, perception, social, emotional, sensorimotor, language) across the entire child developmental stage. We do not accept courses that are limited to language development or language disorders.

Elementary Statistics (0.5 full course equivalents):

We accept statistics courses that address most of the basic statistical methods including statistical inference, experimental design, sampling design, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing for means and proportions, regression and correlation.

Human Anatomy or Human Physiology (0.5 full course equivalents):

We accept courses on general human anatomy or physiology that covers the structure and/or physiological principles of human neural, muscular and respiratory systems. You may need to take two half year courses to cover all of this material, (i.e. Part I and Part II).

Social Science/Psychology (0.5 full course equivalents):

We accept courses in psychology, sociology, social science, etc. This could include courses such as: perception, cognition, social psychology, abnormal psychology, phonetics, language acquisition, etc.

How to Verify Prerequisites

We have reviewed a number of courses from a variety of institutions across Canada. A number of courses have been pre-approved by the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders. To view a list of pre-approved courses, visit the Approved Prerequisites page and then select the institution. For example, clicking on the University of Alberta will open a list of prerequisite courses that we have previously accepted from the University of Alberta in Edmonton.

Please note that the acceptable list is subject to change and not all courses listed on the Approved Prerequisites section are necessarily offered at any given time. It is the applicant’s responsibility to confirm course offerings with the institution of interest.

If the course you would like to use to satisfy a prerequisite does not appear on the Approved Prerequisites section of the website, you must obtain pre-approval from the department and submit this documentation with the program application. You must submit the Prerequisite Verification Form to get approval.

Please check the course content carefully with the criteria listed above. If it does not fit, please do not send a request for verification. It will not be accepted.

Before applying or accepting an offer of admission to the School of CSD, prospective students should be aware of the following:

• The Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology programs are two-year (6 term), full-time, in-person programs. We do not have the traditional Fall and/or Winter reading weeks that University undergraduate programs have. Applicants must be prepared to be a full-time student during the Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer terms. Students must be prepared to participate in daytime and evening classes.
• Students must obtain and complete all mandatory immunizations, vaccinations, medical and non-medical requirements specified by Western University, the School of CSD, and other clinical facilities.
• Students must also be aware that at this time most placement partners including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and community clinics, have pre-placement policies for students that include mandatory vaccination requirements. Students will be required to be compliant with the policy requirements of our placement partners in order to attend placements in those facilities. If students are not compliant with those policies, they will not be able to attend those placements and will fail to meet clinical graduation requirements. Students who fail to meet clinical graduation requirements will not be eligible to complete the program.
• Students must obtain, pay for, and submit documentation of a clear police Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) as required by clinical placement facilities.
• Students are encouraged to have a strong foundation in math, anatomy and physiology, and science prior to applying to the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology programs.
• Students must attend and pay for all costs associated with the clinical placements assigned to them. It is important for you to realize that this may mean paying for housing in two locations (one at Western and one where your clinical placement happens). There is very limited funding and bursaries to cover costs associated with participation in the program, including in clinical placements.
• Students are expected to participate in all aspects of the CSD program, including:
  
  
  • Oral presentations in front of groups/peers
  • Fast turn-around in lesson plan and report writing.
  • Talking with families and clients
  • Receiving feedback about clinical and academic performance
  • In-person and individual practical evaluations
  • Speech-Language Pathology students are required to participate in anatomy cadaver labs.

These are program expectations that cannot be waived. Please consider that you must participate in these important aspects of clinical training and help guide your admission acceptance decision-making process.

Co-op Work Permit and Study Permit

International students require a study permit to study at Western. In the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology program, an additional permit is required: a co-op work permit. A Co-op work permit is a special type of permit that allows you to work in Canada as part of your academic program.

As part of your degree requirements, students in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders participate in clinical placements. International students need a co-op work permit with their study permits when starting the program, thus, you must apply for a co-op work permit alongside your study permit. 

To avoid delays, the best time to apply for a co-op work permit is at the same time that you apply for your study permit. We will supply you with a letter to include with your co-op work permit application stating that placements are a required part of your studies. If the co-op letter is not included in your offer, please reach out to the school to request.

It is very important for international students to understand the rules and regulations when it comes to working as an international student in Canada. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure a co-op work permit is obtained prior to starting the program.

Follow this link for more information regarding applying to a co-op work permit, or visit IRCC Website.

You can book an appointment with Western University International Student Advisors for assistance and your questions.

All international students should complete the International Student Orientation for Graduate Students offered through Western’s International & Exchange Student Center. You must present your study permit and co-op work permit to the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders by September 1.