Coursework Requirements

ACSLPA has adopted the Academic Equivalency Framework (AEF), which was developed by a coalition of Canadian audiology and speech-language pathology regulators, as the minimum academic and supervised clinical practice requirements for entry-to-practice audiologists and speech-language pathologists in Alberta.

In accordance with the AEF, your program of study must include a minimum of the following hours:

Coursework Category	Courses Within Category	Minimum # of Courses Required	**Minimum Coursework Hours Requirements
Foundational Knowledge Specific to Profession (Section I)	Anatomical, physiological, and neurological basis of speech, language, and hearing function (i.e., anatomy and physiology, neurosciences, neuroanatomy, related to speech and hearing)	1 course (At least 36 hours)	135 clock hours Undergraduate and graduate level coursework
	Speech-Language Pathology Majors Fundamentals pertaining to the use of speech and language processes (i.e., linguistics, psycholinguistics, normal acquisition of speech and language, phonetics, phonology)	2 courses (At least 72 hours)
	Audiology Majors Physical basis and processes of the production and perceptual processes of hearing (i.e., hearing science, acoustics)	2 courses (At least 72 hours)
Basic Knowledge from Related Disciplines and Professional Practice Issues (Section II)	● Basic principles and methods involved in conducting research (i.e., statistics, research methods)	2 courses (At least 72 hours)	180 clock hours Undergraduate and graduate level coursework
	● Psychological and social aspects of human development (i.e., psychology or education courses pertinent to communication disorders)	1 course (At least 36 hours)
	● Professional practice/issues, administrative organization of programs (i.e., professional issues, principles of clinical practice)	1 course (At least 36 hours)
Core Professional Area (Section III) (speech-language pathology)	Speech-Language Pathology Majors Articulation/phonological disorders Preschool/school-aged language development and literacy Developmental language disorders Acquired language disorders Cognitive communication disorders Voice and resonance/structurally related disorders Fluency disorders Neurologically based/motor speech disorders Augmentative and alternative communication Dysphagia Professional practice issues specific to SLPs		405 clock hours Typically graduate level coursework *Work experience may be considered as a supplement
Core Professional Area (Section III) (audiology)	Audiology Majors Hearing measurement Audiological assessment Electrophysiological and other diagnostic measurements Basic and advanced concepts in amplification (systems, selection, fitting, verification, and validation) Implantable hearing devices Calibration and maintenance of instrumentation Auditory and vestibular disorders (peripheral and central) Assessment and management of tinnitus, hyperacusis Pediatric audiology (Re)habilitation procedures applied to children, adults, the elderly, specific populations (developmental delay, occupational hearing loss) Professional practice issues specific to audiology		405 clock hours Typically graduate level coursework *Work experience may be considered as a supplement
Minor Professional Area (Section IV)	Speech-Language Pathology Majors Hearing disorders; screening procedures/basic audiometric testing; application of audiometric information to the speech-language assessment; (re)habilitation of speech-language in hearing impaired; use, care and maintenance of hearing aids, assistive listening devices and amplification systems Audiology Majors Speech and language development, delays, and disorders (screening/identification programs for speech, language, and hearing problems throughout the lifespan; potential impact of hearing loss on speech and language acquisition; screening procedures for speech-language delays and disorders)		45 clock hours *Typically graduate level coursework
	TOTAL HOURS IN ALL CATEGORIES		765 CLOCK HOURS
*Only graduate level courses are typically accepted. Undergraduate coursework may be considered if the content is determined, by the designated ACSLPA decision maker, to be “substantially equivalent” to a speech-language pathology or audiology program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Canadian University Programs in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CACUP-ASLP).
**An applicant's work experience may be used, as a supplement to information about the coursework hours obtained during their program of study, to make determinations about the substantial equivalency of their qualifications in the Core Professional Area (Section III). Work experience will not be considered to address deficiencies in Section I, II, and IV. ACSLPA contacts applicants if work experience information is required.
***According to the AEF, up to 33% of student-led hours (e.g., laboratory hours, problem-based learning, self-directed study, guided learning) may be counted towards minimum coursework hours requirements. Up to 100% of instructor-led hours (e.g., lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops) may be counted.