Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology students develop an 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 Speech and Language Pathology equips graduates with the skills to work in either rural or urban practice.

What will I learn?

This course focuses on the assessment, diagnosis and treatment / rehabilitation of human communication disorders, such as 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 Speech and Language 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

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

CRICOS code

039052M 

Graduation requirements

To graduate with the Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology, students must satisfactorily complete 256 points (29 subjects). Students may be eligible to enter the Honours stream if they meet the specified academic requirements at the end of second year, and will graduate with the Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology (Honours).

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
IKC100 Indigenous Health
PSY111 Foundations of Psychology for Health and Human Services
SPH101 Speech, Language, Learning and Culture
SPH105 Foundations of Therapeutic Communication A
SPH106 Foundations of Therapeutic Communication B
SPH201 Speech Impairments in Children
SPH202 Managing Auditory Impairments
SPH204 Communication and Disability
SPH211 Language Impairments in Children and Adolescents
SPH214 Therapeutic Communication Practice 2

Pass Stream

SPH306 Evidence Based Management of Stuttering
SPH308 Communication, Disability and Neurological Impairment
SPH309 Analyzing Language in Interaction
SPH312 Swallowing
SPH314 Therapeutic Communication Practice 3
SPH421 Management and Reflexive Practice
SPH403 Therapeutic Communication Practice 4a
SPH423 : Advanced Topics in Communication and Swallowing
SPH413 Therapeutic Communication Practice 4b
Elective

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

Honours Stream

HLT333 Community Health Research Preparation
HLT441 Community Health Research Project/Dissertation
SPH306 Evidence Based Management of Stuttering
SPH308 Communication, Disability and Neurological Impairment
SPH312 Swallowing
SPH315 Therapeutic Communication Practice 3 (Honours)
SPH401 Management and Reflexive Practice
SPH405 Therapeutic Communication Practice 4a (Honours)
SPH411 Advanced Topics in Communication and Swallowing
SPH415 Therapeutic Communication Practice 4b (Honours)

Enrolment pattern

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

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

Session 2 (60)
BMS224 Head and Neck Anatomy
IKC100 Indigenous Health
PSY111 Foundations of Psychology for Health and Human Services
SPH105 1b: Foundations of Therapeutic Communication B

Session 3 (30)
HIP202 Research for Health Practice
SPH201 Speech Impairments in Children
SPH211 Language Impairments in Children and Adolescents
SPH214 Therapeutic Communication Practice 2 commenced

Session 4 (60)
BMS255 Neuroscience for Health Practice
SPH202 Managing Auditory Impairments
SPH204 Communication and Disability
SPH214 Therapeutic Communication Practice 2 (completed)

Pass Stream
Session 5 (30)
SPH308 Communication, Disability and Neurological Impairment (commenced)
SPH309 Analyzing Language Interaction
SPH312 Swallowing
SPH314 Therapeutic Communication Practice 3 commence

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

Session 7 (30)
SPH403 Therapeutic Communication Practice 4a
SPH413 Therapeutic Communication Practice 4b

Session 8 (60)
SPH401 Management and Reflexive Practice in Speech and Language Pathology
SPH411 Advanced Topics in Communication and Swallowing

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

Session 6 (60)
HLT333 Community Health Research Preparation completed (completed)
SPH306 Evidence Based Management of Stuttering
SPH308 Communication, Disability and Neurological Impairment completed (completed)
SPH315 Therapeutic Communication Practice 3 (Honours)

Session 7 (30)
SPH405 Therapeutic Communication Practice 4a (Hons)
SPH415 Therapeutic Communication Practice 4b (Hons)
HLT441 Community Health Research Project/Dissertation (commenced)

Session 8 (60)
HLT441 Community Health Research Project/Dissertation completed (completed)
SPH 422 Advanced Topics in Communication and Swallowing
SPH 421 Management and Reflexive Practice in Speech and Language Pathology;

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. 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.

National Criminal Record Check

Students may be required to undergo a criminal record check and/or complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration under the Child Protection Act 1998 as part of professional experience requirements. These checks are intended to identify people who might, because of convictions for such things as violence or sexual offences, put students/clients' personal safety or health at risk. Traffic violations and other minor offences are not of interest.

As such, prospective students should be aware that an inability to obtain a criminal record clearance or complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration may limit practicum opportunities in some organisations and industries. Furthermore, criminal convictions involving violence or sexual offences may limit continued enrolment in a course and/or employment opportunities after completing the course.

If you have any queries regarding these matters, including the opportunities available for review of a particular case, contact the Course Director.

Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

Session 1