Use of Protected Title - SLPs

Authorization Criteria for use of the Protected Title “Doctor” or “Dr.”
by Speech-Language Pathologist When Providing a Health Service

Revised Authorization Criteria; Approved by ACSLPA Council January 21, 2023

In order for the title “Doctor” or “Dr.” to be used:

The doctoral degree obtained must be earned in the professional practice area of the regulated member:

1. A clinical doctorate in Speech-Language Pathology (e.g., CScD, DSLP, SLPD) is a post-entry-level doctorate, designed for individuals who hold a master’s degree in speech-language pathology. It typically prepares a speech-language pathologist to assume advanced professional roles or to serve as collaborators of clinical research. In order to be considered acceptable, the clinical doctorate degree must:
   • be identified as a doctoral degree in speech-language pathology[1];
   • be granted by a speech-language-pathology or communication-sciences-and-disorders department or program;
   • be granted either from a government-authorized, degree-granting institution of higher education in Canada OR from an American program that meets the ASHA Guidelines for the Clinical Doctorate in Speech-Language Pathology OR by a university program outside of North America acceptable to the Registrar[2]; and
   • provide indication on the academic transcript that the degree has been conferred.
2. A PhD in Speech-Language Pathology is also a post-entry-level degree designed for individuals who hold a master’s degree in speech-language pathology. It typically refers to a research doctoral program that prepares a person for a career as a teacher, researcher, and scholar, which may or may not include a clinical focus.In order to be considered acceptable the PhD must:
   • be identified as a doctoral degree in speech-language pathology OR in communication sciences and disorders OR rehabilitation science, with a concentration in SLP[1];
   • be granted by:
     • a speech-language-pathology program;
     • a communication-sciences-and-disorders program;
     • a rehabilitation-science department or program approved by Council; or
     • have been obtained from either a government-authorized, degree-granting institution of higher education in Canada OR an institution of higher education that is accredited by a U.S.-Department-of-Education-recognized accrediting agency OR by a university program outside of North America acceptable to the Registrar[2]; and
     • provide indication on the academic transcript that the degree has been conferred.
3. A professional Doctorate from a university program or department other than speech-language pathology or communication-sciences-and-disorders is also a post-entry level degree designed for individuals who hold a master’s degree in speech-language pathology or a related field. It typically prepares an individual who already possesses a master’s level professional degree to focus on putting theory into practice in specific professional settings. Examples of university departments that might offer a professional doctorate of relevance to a speech-language pathologist would include, but not be limited to Education or Psychology.

In order to be considered acceptable the professional doctorate degree must:

• • be identified as a doctoral degree in a field of study related to speech-language pathology, with a concentration in speech language pathology[1];
  • be granted by:
    • a university department in a field of study related to speech-language pathology;
  • have been obtained from either a government-authorized, degree-granting institution of higher education in Canada OR an institution of higher education that is accredited by a U.S.-Department-of-Education-recognized accrediting agency OR by a university program outside of North America acceptable to the Registrar[2]; and
  • provide indication on the academic transcript that the degree has been conferred.

[1] Degrees awarded outside North America must be reviewed and confirmed by an academic credentialing body to ensure they are recognized as doctoral degrees in Canada.

[2]The Registrar or designate may conduct a high-level review of the course titles and may request more detailed information on course and/or dissertation content to confirm the degree was obtained in the professional practice area of the member (e.g., audiology).