Course summary
The Bachelor of Speech Pathology prepares students for entry into professional speech pathology practice. Speech pathologists assess and treat communication and swallowing disorders of children and adults exhibiting acquired or congenital disorders of speech, fluency, voice, language swallowing.
The degree aims to educate students to become knowledgeable, skilled, empathetic, ethical and innovative professionals who are able to provide effective assessment and intervention for people of different ages, who exhibit health disorders.
The Bachelor of Speech Pathology prepares students for entry into professional speech pathology practice. Speech pathologists assess and treat communication and swallowing disorders of children and adults exhibiting acquired or congenital disorders of speech, fluency, voice, language swallowing.
The degree aims to educate students to become knowledgeable, skilled, empathetic, ethical and innovative professionals who are able to provide effective assessment and intervention for people of different ages, who exhibit health disorders.
The Bachelor of Speech Pathology enables students to develop an understanding of the theoretical and practical components of speech pathology, with a focus on both general and specialist knowledge and skills. The course shares components with existing SCU degrees such as the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, and the Bachelor of Clinical Sciences.
Arts and science-based units are included in the course. Threaded through the course, are principals of evidence-based practice, cultural competency, multi-modal communication and holistic perspectives of functioning.
The course includes an embedded allied health Honours program for eligible students, which can be studied concurrently during the Bachelor degree course.
| Graduate Attribute | Course Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| Intellectual rigour | Apply critical analysis, prudent judgement and the use of research/evidence to inform clinical/professional practice |
| Creativity | Develop an entrepreneurial and sustainable approach to clinical/professional practice utilising appropriate leadership and management skills Demonstrate knowledge, skill and empathy as ethical, innovative and creative professional eligible to enter clinical/professional practice |
| Ethical practice | Establish clinical/professional practice based on ethical decision-making and evidence-based practice Demonstrate accountability and responsibility within clinical/professional practice |
| Knowledge of a discipline | Function in accordance with all relevant legislation, registration requirements, guidelines and standards affecting clinical/professional practice Assess, plan, provide and evaluate safe and effective clinical practice with a range of client groups across the lifespan |
| Lifelong learning | Identify and reflect on the generalist and specialist skills of practice required for continuing professional development and professional practice |
| Communication and social skills | Work collaboratively in a range of health care teams with an understanding of best practice and the evidence base that supports it Communicate and collaborate effectively with clients, families, significant others and professional colleagues in ways that are appropriate to the scholarly, professional and/or social setting |
| Cultural competence | Demonstrate cultural safety in clinical/professional practice and leadership Demonstrate an understanding of health inequalities and indigenous health (worldwide) |
Students will complete approximately 1 000 hours of professional placement in various settings throughout the four years of study. These settings include but are not limited to the SCU Health Clinic on campus, public hospital, private practice, community health, rehabilitation centres, aged care facilities, schools and rural health locations.
Professional experience placements require students to fulfil certain pre-requisites prior to attending any placements. Before applying for this course, it is important that you understand what these requirements are.
The Bachelor of Speech Pathology is accredited by the Speech Pathology Australia (SPA), the national professional and accrediting body. Students and graduates of the Bachelor of Speech Pathology will be eligible for membership of Speech Pathology Australia.
Course overview
Course code
3007306
Course abbreviation
BSpPath
Credit points
384
Equivalent units
32
Duration
4 years full-time; 8 years part-time
Duration
4 years full-time
Availability details
Domestic
| Location | Teaching period | UAC code | QTAC code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Session 1 | 330168 | 059861 |
Fee information
International
| Location | Teaching period | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Session 1 | $22,880 ($2,860 per unit) | 085520F |
Course requirements
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
-
To be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Speech Pathology a candidate shall successfully complete the equivalent of thirty two (32) units (384 credit points) comprising:
- all units listed in Part A; and
- two (2) elective units from Part B University elective units
-
To be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Speech Pathology with Honours a candidate shall successfully complete the equivalent of thirty two (32) units (384 credit points) comprising:
- all units listed in Part C – Honours stream
- successfully complete all units in years 3 and 4 of the Honours stream on their first attempt; and
- maintain a GPA of at least 5.0 (Credit grade average) for years 3 and 4
Progression in clinic based units
- Candidates are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 18 months between study of any two (2) clinic units.
- Candidates are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 18 months between study of a theory unit that relates specifically to a particular clinic unit.
Subsequent to (a) and (b) above, candidates who have an interrupted study sequence of more than 18 months will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and may be required to undertake a specified supported professional experience placement to ensure clinic currency prior to continuation of the course.
Schedule of units
Course progressions
Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.
Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment
Browse uni-wide elective units by selecting Uni-wide elective in the advanced filter of the Unit search.
Browse shared majors and their units at Shared majors
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1, Year 1 | |||
| BIO01302 - Human Anatomy | Introductory | ||
| CMM10580 - The Australian Health Care System | Introductory | ||
| BHS10581 - Psychology and Sociology for Health Sciences | Introductory | ||
| SPT10001 - Introduction to the Speech Pathology Profession | Introductory | ||
| Session 2, Year 1 | |||
| BIO00307 - Human Physiology | Introductory | ||
| HLT10583 - Communication Skills for Health Sciences | Introductory | ||
| SPT10002 - Phonetics and Linguistics for Speech Pathology | Introductory | ||
| MAT00330 - Research and Analysis in Health | Introductory | ||
| Session 1, Year 2 | |||
| BIO20001 - Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology of the Head and Neck | Intermediate | ||
| CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples | Intermediate | ||
| SPT20002 - Speech, Language and Literacy in Children: Theory and Practice | Intermediate | ||
| SPT20003 - Appraising and Applying Research Findings Across Disciplines | Intermediate | ||
| Session 2, Year 2 | |||
| SPT20004 - Neurology for Speech Pathology | Introductory | ||
| SPT20005 - Audiology for Speech Pathology Practice | Intermediate | ||
| SPT20006 - Paediatric Speech and Language Internal Clinic | Intermediate | ||
| SPT20007 - Working in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Contexts and in Rural and Remote Settings | Intermediate | ||
| Session 1, Year 3 | |||
| SPT30001 - Voice: Theory and Practice | Intermediate | ||
| SPT30002 - Speech and Swallowing in Adults and Children: Theory and Practice | Intermediate | ||
| SPT30003 - Language in Adults: Theory and Practice | Intermediate | ||
| HLT83001 - Allied Health Honours Seminar I | Advanced | ||
| Session 2, Year 3 | |||
| HLT30002 - Clinics in Multimodal Intervention: Internal | Advanced | ||
| HLT30001 - Simulated and Actual Internal Clinics: Mixed Caseload | Advanced | ||
| SPT30004 - Fluency: Theory and Practice | Intermediate | ||
| HLT83002 - Allied Health Honours Seminar II | Advanced | ||
| Session 1, Year 4 | |||
| HLT83003 - Allied Health Honours Thesis I | Advanced | Note 1 | |
| HLT83005 - Diagnostic Intake Clinic: Advanced and Interdisciplinary Practice (Internal) | Advanced | ||
| HLT83006 - Accountability and Clinical Reasoning | Advanced | ||
| Session 2, Year 4 | |||
| SPT40002 - Assessment and Intervention of Communication and Swallowing for Children: External Clinic | Advanced | ||
| SPT40001 - Assessment and Intervention of Communication and Swallowing for Adults: External Clinic | Advanced | ||
| HLT83004 - Allied Health Honours Thesis II | Advanced | Note 1 | |
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1, Session 1 | |||
| Part-time students: Select the first two units in Year 1, Session 1 and the second two units in Year 2, Session 1 | |||
| SPT10001 - Introduction to the Speech Pathology Profession | Introductory | ||
| BIO01302 - Human Anatomy | Introductory | ||
| CMM10580 - The Australian Health Care System | Introductory | ||
| BHS10581 - Psychology and Sociology for Health Sciences | Introductory | ||
| Year 1, Session 2 | |||
| Part-time students: Select the first two units in Year 1, Session 2 and the second two units in Year 2, Session 2 | |||
| BIO00307 - Human Physiology | Introductory | ||
| MAT00330 - Research and Analysis in Health | Introductory | ||
| HLT10583 - Communication Skills for Health Sciences | Introductory | ||
| SPT10002 - Phonetics and Linguistics for Speech Pathology | Introductory | ||
| Year 2, Session 1 | |||
| Part-time students: Select the first two units in Year 3, Session 1 and the second two units in Year 4, Session 1 | |||
| BIO20001 - Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology of the Head and Neck | Intermediate | ||
| SPT20002 - Speech, Language and Literacy in Children: Theory and Practice | Intermediate | ||
| CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples | Intermediate | ||
| SPT20003 - Appraising and Applying Research Findings Across Disciplines | Intermediate | ||
| Year 2, Session 2 | |||
| Part-time students: Select the first two units in Year 3, Session 2 and the second two units in Year 4, Session 2 | |||
| SPT20004 - Neurology for Speech Pathology | Introductory | ||
| SPT20005 - Audiology for Speech Pathology Practice | Intermediate | ||
| SPT20006 - Paediatric Speech and Language Internal Clinic | Intermediate | ||
| SPT20007 - Working in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Contexts and in Rural and Remote Settings | Intermediate | ||
| Year 3, Session 1 | |||
| Part-time students: Select the first two units in Year 5, Session 1 and the second two units in Year 6, Session 1 | |||
| SPT30001 - Voice: Theory and Practice | Intermediate | ||
| SPT30002 - Speech and Swallowing in Adults and Children: Theory and Practice | Intermediate | ||
| SPT30003 - Language in Adults: Theory and Practice | Intermediate | ||
| ELECTIVE UNIT | |||
| Year 3, Session 2 | |||
| Part-time students: Select the first two units in Year 5, Session 2 and the second two units in Year 6, Session 2 | |||
| SPT30004 - Fluency: Theory and Practice | Intermediate | ||
| HLT30002 - Clinics in Multimodal Intervention: Internal | Advanced | ||
| HLT30001 - Simulated and Actual Internal Clinics: Mixed Caseload | Advanced | ||
| ELECTIVE UNIT | |||
| Year 4, Session 1 | |||
| Part-time students: Select the first unit in Year 7, Session 1 and the second two units in Year 8, Session 1 | |||
| HLT83007 - Health Promotion and Primary Health Care | Advanced | Note 1 | |
| HLT83005 - Diagnostic Intake Clinic: Advanced and Interdisciplinary Practice (Internal) | Advanced | ||
| HLT83006 - Accountability and Clinical Reasoning | Advanced | ||
| Session 2, Year 4 | |||
| Part-time students: Select the first unit in Year 7, Session 2 and the second two units in Year 8, Session 2 | |||
| SPT40001 - Assessment and Intervention of Communication and Swallowing for Adults: External Clinic | Advanced | Note 1 | |
| SPT40002 - Assessment and Intervention of Communication and Swallowing for Children: External Clinic | Advanced | ||
| HLT10601 - Transition to Professional Practice | Advanced | ||
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session 2, Year 1 | |||
| MAT00330 - Research and Analysis in Health | Introductory | ||
| CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples | Intermediate | ||
| BIO00307 - Human Physiology | Introductory | ||
| Session 1, Year 2 | |||
| CMM10580 - The Australian Health Care System | Introductory | ||
| BHS10581 - Psychology and Sociology for Health Sciences | Introductory | ||
| BIO01302 - Human Anatomy | Introductory | ||
| SPT10001 - Introduction to the Speech Pathology Profession | Introductory | ||
| Session 2, Year 2 | |||
| HLT10583 - Communication Skills for Health Sciences | Introductory | ||
| SPT10002 - Phonetics and Linguistics for Speech Pathology | Introductory | ||
| Elective Unit | |||
| Session 1, Year 3 | |||
| BIO20001 - Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology of the Head and Neck | Intermediate | ||
| SPT20002 - Speech, Language and Literacy in Children: Theory and Practice | Intermediate | ||
| SPT20003 - Appraising and Applying Research Findings Across Disciplines | Intermediate | ||
| Session 2, Year 3 | |||
| SPT20004 - Neurology for Speech Pathology | Introductory | ||
| SPT20005 - Audiology for Speech Pathology Practice | Intermediate | ||
| SPT20006 - Paediatric Speech and Language Internal Clinic | Intermediate | ||
| SPT20007 - Working in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Contexts and in Rural and Remote Settings | Intermediate | ||
| Session 1, Year 4 | |||
| SPT30001 - Voice: Theory and Practice | Intermediate | ||
| SPT30002 - Speech and Swallowing in Adults and Children: Theory and Practice | Intermediate | ||
| SPT30003 - Language in Adults: Theory and Practice | Intermediate | ||
| Elective Unit | |||
| Session 2, Year 4 | |||
| SPT30004 - Fluency: Theory and Practice | Intermediate | ||
| HLT30002 - Clinics in Multimodal Intervention: Internal | Advanced | ||
| HLT30001 - Simulated and Actual Internal Clinics: Mixed Caseload | Advanced | ||
| Session 1, Year 5 | |||
| HLT83007 - Health Promotion and Primary Health Care | Advanced | Note 1 | |
| HLT83006 - Accountability and Clinical Reasoning | Advanced | ||
| HLT83005 - Diagnostic Intake Clinic: Advanced and Interdisciplinary Practice (Internal) | Advanced | ||
| Session 2, Year 5 | |||
| SPT40001 - Assessment and Intervention of Communication and Swallowing for Adults: External Clinic | Advanced | Note 1 | |
| SPT40002 - Assessment and Intervention of Communication and Swallowing for Children: External Clinic | Advanced | ||
| HLT10601 - Transition to Professional Practice | Advanced | ||
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete one or both of the units under Session 3 below and then follow the Course Progression for Session 1 Commencement less the completed unit/s. | |||
| BIO01302 - Human Anatomy | Introductory | ||
| BIO00307 - Human Physiology | Introductory | ||
Notes
| Note 1: | Double-weighted unit |