Communicative Disorders Assistant

Description

As a student in the CDA program, you gain knowledge and hands-on experience to work in an adjunctive capacity as supportive personnel to qualified Speech-Language Pathologists and/or Audiologists in a variety of treatment settings, including virtual care. Students focus on conducting programming after the Speech-Language Pathologist or the Audiologist has completed the assessment and determined the therapy plan. Students gain clinical experience in our on-site speech, hearing and language clinic and during the placement semester.

Based on a thorough understanding of physiological and functional speech/language and hearing conditions, students develop programming skills and learn intervention techniques to elicit and sustain communication behaviours. In addition, students identify behaviour and environmental factors that can potentially support or erode the efficacy of therapy.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program are prepared for employment as supportive personnel serving children and adults with complex communication needs. Graduates may find work in a variety of settings including children's treatment centres, school boards, public health units, hospitals, and private speech and/or audiology clinics.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. implement speech/language/hearing programs with the supervision of a speech-language pathologist and/or audiologist;
2. collect, analyze and describe data based on observational training to inform client progress toward established goals;
3. perform routine procedures to maintain the quality and accuracy of therapy and assessment materials, and equipment;
4. prepare written and oral progress reports to monitor and document client progress;
5. develop relational strategies in the clinical support of clients according to their individual communicative differences and factors;
6. curate ancillary resources available to individuals with complex communicative needs to support individualized programming;
7. collaborate as a member of a therapeutic team to find solutions and support client progress and goals;
8. employ professional, ethical and client-centred care across all therapeutic modalities to respect client diversity.

Program Progression

The following reflects the planned progression for full-time offerings of the program.

Fall Intake

• Sem 1: Fall 2025
• Sem 2: Winter 2026
• Sem 3: Summer 2026

Admission Requirements

Ontario College Diploma, Ontario College Advanced Diploma, Degree or equivalent with a specialty in communication disorders, linguistics, human anatomy and physiology, social sciences, or human services curricula.  

Selection Process

Applicants with a diploma or degree outside the specialty listed above will be considered if they have volunteer and/or work experience in a clinical setting with a speech-language pathologist, audiologist and/or communicative disorders assistant.

This is a highly competitive program. Applicants will be assessed and ranked based on academic grades. The overall minimum GPA is determined annually.

Additional Information

Prior to the commencement of client contact, students must have proof of completed TB and vulnerable sector screening.

In addition to these requirements, applicants must also provide proof of a current standard First Aid, C.P.R. BLS certification, and verification of immunization as outlined on the clinical preparedness permit prior to the commencement semester 2.

Certain clinical placements will require students to have updated flu shots, Hepatitis B vaccination, additional site specific vaccination as well as a Vulnerable Sector Screening Police Record Check including a check of the Pardoned Sex Offender Database.

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure their eligibility to participate in clinical placements. The College assumes no responsibility for these matters and students should be aware that tuition will not be refunded in the event that access to a placement is denied.

Graduation Requirements

15 Program Courses
2 Field Placements

Graduation Eligibility

To graduate from this program, a student must attain a minimum of 60% or a letter grade of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) in each course in each semester. The passing weighted average for promotion through each semester and to graduate is 60%.

Program Tracking

The following reflects the planned course sequence for full-time offerings of the Fall intake of the program. Where more  than one intake is offered  contact the program co-ordinator for the program tracking.

Plan of Study Grid

Semester 1		Hours
Program Courses
CODA 1000	Speech Sound Disorders	42
CODA 1002	Child Language Development and Intervention Supports	42
CODA 1003	Introduction to The Communicative Disorders Assistant Profession	28
CODA 1004	Introduction to Augmentative and Alternative Communication	42
CODA 1006	Introduction to Communication Disorders in Adults	28
CODA 1021	Introduction to Audiology	56
CODA 1022	Introduction to Clinical Theory	28
CODA 1023	Introduction to Clinical Practice	28
	Hours	294
Semester 2
Field Placements
CODA 1015	Field Practicum 1	245
CODA 1016	Field Practicum 2	245
	Hours	490
Semester 3
Program Courses
CODA 1010	Voice and Fluency	42
CODA 1011	Language, Learning and Literacy	42
CODA 1012	Augmentative and Alternative Communication: High Tech and Software	42
CODA 1014	Communication Disorders in Adults	28
CODA 1019	Amplification Systems and Aural Rehabilitation	42
CODA 1024	Advanced Clinical Theory	28
CODA 1025	Advanced Clinical Practice	28
	Hours	252
	Total Hours	1036

Graduation Window

Students unable to adhere to the program duration of one year (as stated above) may take a maximum of two years to complete their credential. After this time, students must be re-admitted into the program, and follow the curriculum in place at the time of re-admission.

Disclaimer: The information in this document is correct at the time of publication. Academic content of programs and courses is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational objectives and employment market needs. 

Program outlines may be subject to change in response to emerging situations, in order to facilitate student achievement of the learning outcomes required for graduation. Components such as courses, progression, coop work terms, placements, internships and other requirements may be delivered differently than published.