MHSc Prerequisites

Please refer to the MHSc FAQ page for an example of how to read the prerequisite charts.

Questions regarding prerequisites should be directed to slp.studentaffairs@utoronto.ca.

Overview of Prerequisites

Applicants are required to complete the stated prerequisite undergraduate university level courses with a final grade of B+ in each course in order to be considered for the MHSc program. Prerequisite courses should be completed within the last 10 years. They include:

• Child development (0.5 full course equivalents);
• Elementary statistics (0.5 full course equivalents);
• General linguistics (0.5 full course equivalents);
• Human physiology (1.0 full course equivalents);
• Phonetics (0.5 full course equivalents); and
• Research methods (0.5 full course equivalents)

Description of Prerequisite Courses

Child Development (0.5 full course equivalents):

Courses in this area are mainly from psychology, that is, developmental psychology or child development. We do not accept courses that are limited to language development or language disorders. Course topics need to cover a broad range of developmental issues across the entire child developmental stage (0-18/21), not just one particular age group (e.g., adolescents or infants).

Elementary Statistics (0.5 full course equivalents):

We accept statistics courses that address a minimum of basic statistical methods including descriptive statistics, probability, distributions, hypothesis testing, and analysis of variance.

General Linguistics (0.5 full course equivalents):

We only accept courses that cover aspects of formal linguistics (e.g., semantics, pragmatics, syntax, phonology). Courses in language development or acquisition are not acceptable, nor are courses on language disorders, courses on the psychology of language or sociolinguistic courses.

Human Physiology (1.0 full course equivalents):

We accept courses on general human physiology, but if not otherwise possible, one half course on human anatomy, neuro-anatomy, neurophysiology or speech related physiology or anatomy course, will be accepted for a maximum of 0.5 credit. In this situation, you need to take an additional half-course on general human physiology.

Phonetics (0.5 full course equivalents):

We accept courses that are fully dedicated to phonetics (sound patterns of English, including transcription of normal speech), but courses that have only a component related to phonetics are not acceptable, nor are courses on speech disorders. Phonology courses are not accepted.

Research Methods (0.5 full course equivalents):

Research methods courses may be from a variety of disciplines, but must cover a quantitative approach to analyzing statistical data,  the scientific method, non-experimental and experimental methods, validity, ethical issues in research, bias, and limitations.

How to Verify Prerequisites

A number of courses from a variety of institutions across Canada have been reviewed and pre-approved by the Department of Speech-Language Pathology. To view a list of pre-approved courses, visit the MHSc Approved Prerequisites section and then select the institution of interest. 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 course offerings are subject to change and not all courses listed on the MHSc Approved Prerequisite section of the website 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 is not listed on the MHSc Approved Prerequisites section of the website, you must obtain pre-approval from the department and submit this documentation with the program application. To begin the pre-approval process, please complete the Prerequisite Verification Form.

Please carefully check the course content with the criteria listed above. If it does not fit, please do not send a request for verification. It will not be accepted. Courses taken outside Canada will have to meet the same criteria. No exceptions.