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Ministry-approved title: Communicative Disorders Assistant
Communicative disorders assistants, under the guidance of speech-language pathologists and/or audiologists, help implement effective treatment plans that will assist people of all ages to communicate more effectively. The program has a dedicated Communicative Disorders Assistant Audiology lab featuring the latest technologies being used in the field. The first two semesters are focused on classroom courses and practical, hands-on lab skills. Students have opportunities to gain practical clinic skills through DC Kids Speech and Language Clinic and in their third semester they will attend field placements at various locations and agencies where they will take advantage of invaluable experiential learning opportunities which help them prepare for their careers.
Applicants who are internationally educated in a non‐English speaking country must meet Durham College’s English Language Proficiency Policy.
This program may be highly competitive and have a specific selection process and application deadline. Please refer to Admission Processes for details.
Please note: For applications to the CDA program, there is no requirement to submit a letter of intent, resume or references. However, as noted above, volunteer and/or work experience may be requested if applicants do not meet the academic requirements for admission listed above.
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Please contact the international office.
This graduate certificate program is designed for students with previous education and/or relevant experience (please see the entrance requirements section of this page for more details).
Communicative disorders assistants (CDAs), under the guidance of qualified speech-language pathologists and/or audiologists, play a variety of roles including providing speech and language therapy to children and adults in addition to carrying out speech/language screenings and hearing screenings and assessments.
Durham College’s CDA program, which is recognized by the Communicative Disorders Assistant Association of Canada (CDAAC) and Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC) will enable you to obtain the knowledge, skills, confidence and credentials needed to deliver a wide range of communication services to clients of all ages with speech, language and/or hearing disorders.
We provide you with a thorough understanding of physiological and functional speech/language and hearing disorders and the development of essential programming skills and communication intervention techniques as we prepare you for a rewarding career in the field of communicative disorders and teach you the most current and effective therapy techniques.
Our faculty members are dedicated speech-language pathologists, audiologists and communicative disorders assistants with many years of clinical experience in communicative disorders. They foster student learning through:
You will practice your skills in our dedicated CDA classroom, and speech-language/AAC and audiology lab, which is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and clinical resources that allow students to hone their clinical and professional skills.
Students gain practical clinical experience throughout the academic year with the opportunity to participate in our on-campus DC Kids Speech and Language Clinic Our on-site community speech and language clinic, provides assessments and intervention to clients from preschool-age to high school. Under the supervision of a registered Speech-language Pathologist, students participate in speech and language assessments, assist in the development of treatment plans and provide direct therapy to a wide range of clients.
Our CDA program also includes two clinical field placements in the third and final semester of our program, totaling 500 hours, often leading to full-time positions for our students after graduation.
The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC.
Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
In person
Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
Your learning experience will be complemented by two clinical field placements in the third semester, totaling over 500 hours, under the supervision of qualified clinicians. This opportunity will provide you with hands-on experience and the ability to practice your skills. Depending on student preference, field placements may be obtained locally as well as throughout Ontario and Canada. Students are encouraged to secure their own field placements at their choice location. Our Field Placement Officer also works with school boards, hospitals, and larger agencies to place students directly. Field placements are unpaid experiences and students attend full-time from May to August. Placements may also require travel and commuting; students are responsible for any associated expenses for travel.
Please note: There are costs associated with Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV), immunizations, lab tests and certifications. Be sure to keep all of your receipts for income tax purposes. These costs include:
It is required that students have completed the ERV with Verified to be eligible for the field placement component of this program. You must (at your expense) provide:
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Graduates may also be eligible to apply their academic credits toward further study through Durham College’s partnerships with many Canadian and international colleges and universities.
Looking for more pathway opportunities or to transfer to Durham College? Click here for more information.
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