Â鶹´«Ã½ the School
The School of Communication Sciences and Disorders (SCSD) at Â鶹´«Ã½ began in 1976 as the School of Human Communication Disorders (SHCD). It offers the only programs in audiology and speech-language pathology in Atlantic Canada.
Both are three-year programs, leading to a Master of Science degree. Because of the three-year duration of its programs, applicants do not need to have the prerequisite courses before entering. Instead, students take foundation courses during their first year of study to prepare them for the profession-specific courses that follow.
The school prides itself on the clinical education opportunities available to its students. We are fortunate to be affiliated with the , which host many of our students' practicum placements at the centre’s clinics in the Halifax region, and around the province. Students also receive clinical education in our own school-based clinics. In addition, students are placed in carefully selected sites throughout the Atlantic Provinces for internships and externships or may choose other locations for their externships, including their home province or an international site.
Students in both our programs have the opportunity to engage in research. Early in their studies, students will decide to complete either a one-credit research project or 2-credit thesis option for their program. Students typically pursue research topics that coincide with the research interests of faculty. These topics include both applied and basic research in areas like cochlear physiology, speech perception, dialects, language development, adult aural rehabilitation and more.
Mission
Our mission is to educate audiologists and speech-language pathologists, advance knowledge in communication sciences and disorders, promote diversity in our professions, and advocate for
people with communication disorders.
Vision
Our graduates are highly competent professionals, who are sought-after locally, nationally, and internationally; our research is at the forefront of knowledge, advancement, and translation; and our outreach services are valued for their unique and innovative contributions to society.
The school is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Canadian University Programs in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CACUP-ASLP). Accreditation assures that Â鶹´«Ã½ graduates meet the academic requirements for certification and registration in all provincial regulatory bodies.
Statement on Anti-racism and Anti-oppression
The ongoing violent attacks on and deaths of Black, Indigenous, and other People of Colour (BIPOC) at the hands of the police in the United States and Canada have highlighted the need to speak out and act in meaningful ways to bring about systemic change.Â
°Õ³ó±ðÌýSchool of Communication Sciences and Disorders affirms its opposition to all forms of oppression, racism, and discrimination and states clearly and unequivocally that Black Lives Matter and Indigenous Lives Matter. We pledge to scrutinize and change our policies and practices in order to eliminate systemic racism and discrimination in our School and achieve true diversity, inclusivity, equity, and cultural safety. This work is consistent with our strategic plan and core values. As first steps we will immediately engage in the following activities:
- Evaluate the admissions requirements—particularly the use of GRE scores—and revise so as to seek to eliminate systemic biases in the admissions process;
- Review the Equity Admissions Policy and potentially expand it to include other marginalized groups;
- Prioritize equity and diversity when hiring;
- Develop a process for compensating BIPOC students, alumni, and external experts who are asked to consult with us on issues of diversity, oppression, racism, and discrimination;
- Evaluate and improve how diversity is addressed in the curriculum;
- Provide anti-oppression and trauma-informed training to faculty and staff;
- Develop and implement a plan to support the success of BIPOC students in the program;
- Dialogue with other speech-language-pathology and audiology organizations about dismantling systemic racism and promoting equity in the professions and in our services such as Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC), Canadian Academy of Audiology (CAA), Nova Scotia College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists (NSCASLP), Hearing and Speech Nova Scotia (HSNS), and Regional Centres of Education;
- Engage in meaningful respectful discussions with BIPOC consultants, students, staff, and faculty to identify further actions that can bring about substantive change. The action plan will be completed by December 2020;
- Inform students, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders monthly on our progress.