Bachelor of Health Science (Speech Pathology)

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Health Science (Speech Pathology) students develop a working understanding of both the theoretical and practical components of speech pathology, with an emphasis on both general and specialist knowledge and skills.

The first qualification in speech pathology to be offered outside a metropolitan area, CSU's Bachelor of Health Science (Speech Pathology) equips graduates with the skills to work in either rural or urban practice. The course focuses on the assessment, diagnosis and treatment/rehabilitation of human communication disorders, e.g. speech and hearing, voice, language, fluency and swallowing disorders.

What will I learn?

This course focuses on the assessment, diagnosis and treatment/rehabilitation of human communication disorders, e.g. speech and hearing, voice, language, fluency and swallowing disorders. Linguistics, biomedical sciences and theoretical subjects provide a base on which to build the knowledge of normal and disordered communication and swallowing, and the skills for speech pathology practice. Basic and clinical sciences also provide an understanding of human communication. This knowledge is then applied to diagnostics, treatment planning and intervention in a variety of contexts for individuals of all ages with communication and swallowing disorders.

An Honours stream is available to students who satisfy minimum requirements at the end of second year.

Practical experience

Students are required to study theoretical subjects and participate in clinical training with clients. The opportunity to gain real life experience begins in the first year of the course through participation in a community engagement project, and clinical training continues through each year of the course. You will have the opportunity to work and study with other allied health students such as those in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, and nursing.

Your course is recognised by industry

The Bachelor of Health Science (Speech Pathology) is fully accredited with Speech Pathology Australia.

Additional admission requirements

Refer to the workplace learning section for information on:

• Immunisation
• National Criminal Record Clearance
• Senior First Aid Certificate

Learning facilities

CSU provides many opportunities to develop practical clinical skills through facilities such as:

• rooms with the technology to allow unobtrusive observation of therapy sessions with clients
• a speech pathology and audiology laboratory
• state-of-the-art anatomy and physiology laboratories. 

Course structure

The course consists of 256 points. At the end of 2nd year students can choose, dependent upon satisfying minimum requirements, to complete the honours stream or remain in the pass degree.

Common Stream

BMS126 Foundations of Human Physiology
BMS224 Head and Neck Anatomy
BMS255 Neuroscience for Health Practice
HIP100 Introduction to Health and Rehabilitation
HIP202 Research for Health Practice
PSY111 Foundations of Psychology for Health and Human Services
SPH101 Speech, Language, Learning and Culture
SPH103 Analysing Language Interaction and Context
SPH105 Introduction to Communication Practice
SPH106 Communication Development and Community Projects
SPH201 Speech Impairments in Children
SPH202 Audiology and Auditory Processing
SPH204 Communication and Disability
SPH211 Language Impairments in Children and Adolescents
SPH214 Therapeutic Communication Practice (16 points)

Pass Stream

IKC100 Indigenous Health
SPH306 Stuttering and Evidence Based Practice
SPH308 Communication, Disability and Neurological Impairment (16 points)
SPH312 Swallowing
SPH314 Therapeutic Communication Practice 3 (16 points)
SPH401 Professional Issues in Speech Pathology
SPH404 Therapeutic Communication Practice 4a (24 points)
SPH411 Issues and Syntheses in Speech Pathology
SPH414 Therapeutic Communication Practice 4b (24 points)
Elective

Honours Stream

HLT333 Community Health Research Preparation (16 points)
HLT441 Community Health Research Project/Dissertation (16 points)
IKC100 Indigenous Health
SPH306 Stuttering and Evidence Based Practice
SPH308 Communication, Disability and Neurological Impairment (16 points)
SPH312 Swallowing
SPH315 Therapeutic Communication Practice 3 Honours
SPH401 Professional Issues in Speech Pathology
SPH402 Therapeutic Communication Practice 4a Honours (16 points)
SPH411 Issues and Syntheses in Speech Pathology
SPH412 Therapeutic Communication Practice 4b Honours (16 points)

Auslan 1 and Auslan 2 (Riverina TAFE or equivalent) = credit for one unspecified elective

Enrolment pattern

Common Stream

Session 1 (30)\
BMS126 Foundations of Human Physiology
HIP100 Introduction to Health and Rehabilitation
SPH101 Speech, Language, Learning and Culture
SPH105 Introduction to Communication Practice

Session 2 (60)
BMS224 Head and Neck Anatomy
PSY111 Foundations of Psychology for Health and Human Services
SPH103 Analysing Language Interaction and Context
SPH106 Communication Development and Community Projects

Session 3 (30)
HIP202 Research for Health Practice
SPH201 Speech Impairments in Children
SPH211 Language Impairments in Children and Adolescents
SPH214 Therapeutic Communication Practice commenced (16 points)

Session 4 (60)
BMS255 Neuroscience for Health Practice
SPH202 Audiology and Auditory Processing
SPH204 Communication and Disability
SPH214 Therapeutic Communication Practice completed (16 points)

Pass Stream
Session 5 (30)
IKC100 Indigenous Health
SPH308 Communication, Disability and Neurological Impairment commenced (16 points)
SPH312 Swallowing
SPH314 Therapeutic Communication Practice 3 commenced (16 points)

Session 6 (60)
[ ] Elective
SPH306 Stuttering and Evidence Based Practice
SPH308 Communication, Disability and Neurological Impairment completed (16 points)
SPH314 Therapeutic Communication Practice 3 completed (16 points)

Session 7 (30)
SPH401 Professional Issues in Speech Pathology
SPH404 Therapeutic Communication Practice 4a (24 points)

Session 8 (60)
SPH411 Issues and Syntheses in Speech Pathology
SPH414 Therapeutic Communication Practice 4b (24 points)

Honours Stream
Session 5 (30)
HLT333 Community Health Research Preparation commenced (16 points)
IKC100 Indigenous Health
SPH308 Communication, Disability and Neurological Impairment commenced (16 points)
SPH312 Swallowing

Session 6 (60)
HLT333 Community Health Research Preparation completed (16 points-cont.)
SPH306 Stuttering and Evidence Based Practice
SPH308 Communication, Disability and Neurological Impairment completed (16 points-cont.)
SPH315 Therapeutic Communication Practice 3 (Honours) (8 points)

Session 7 (30)
SPH401 Professional Issues in Speech Pathology
HLT441 Community Health Research Project/Dissertation commenced (16 points)
SPH402 Therapeutic Communication Practice 4a Honours (16 points)

Session 8 (60)
HLT441 Community Health Research Project/Dissertation completed (16 points-cont.)
SPH411 Issues and Syntheses in Speech Pathology
SPH412 Therapeutic Communication Practice 4b Honours (16 points)

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Health Science (Speech Pathology) (Pass and Honours) has received National Accreditation by Speech Pathology Australia from 2007 - 2011.

Admission requirements

While no HSC or VCE subjects are specified as prerequisites for admission, applicants are advised to include 2 Unit biology and 2 Unit English in their HSC studies. Victorian VCE students are advised to include Units 3 and 4 English and Units 3 and 4 biology. Studying psychology may also be of benefit.

In line with NSW Health requirements, students are required in first year to obtain a First Aid Certificate (HLTFA301B) and appropriate state police clearances. They must also maintain a record of immunisations and comply with state Working with Children requirements.

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

• the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
• the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
• a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
• a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
• an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
• completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

English proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they

1. have undertaken an academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with an average score of 6.5, and with scores of 6 or higher in each of the individual skill areas within the last 12 months;  or
2. undertaken a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 577 (or computerised TOEFL score of 233), with a Test for Written English Score (where reported) of at least 5.0 or an Internet-based score of 90 with a written score of 24 within the last 12 months; or
3. undertaken other equivalent examinations, as determined by the Board of Graduate Studies;  or
4. completed a university degree where the language of assessment is in English;

The Presiding Officer of the Board of Graduate Studies may, in special circumstances, on behalf of the Board waive the above proficiency requirements after consulting the relevant Dean, Sub-Dean and nominated Supervisor.

NOTE: A Faculty may require a higher standard of proficiency than that specified above for programs deemed to be linguistically demanding.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

• voluntary or paid work experience;
• performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
• participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
• completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

Session 1