Course summary
Speech pathologists assess and treat adults and children exhibiting acquired or congenital disorders of speech, fluency, voice, language, swallowing and multimodal communication.
The Bachelor of Speech Pathology prepares you for entry into professional speech pathology practice.
Topics covered include phonetics and linguistics, audiology and neurology, working alongside and interacting with students from other health disciplines. As well as taking advantage of our state-of-the-art facilities, you will receive hands-on experience via clinical placements in schools, hospitals, nursing homes and the Southern Cross University Health Clinic at our Gold Coast campus.
Career opportunities for speech pathologists continue to grow nationally and internationally throughout the health and wellbeing industry, both in private practice and in working with health and education organisations and with various specialists.
Speech pathologists assess and treat adults and children exhibiting acquired or congenital disorders of speech, fluency, voice, language, swallowing and multimodal communication.
The Bachelor of Speech Pathology prepares you for entry into professional speech pathology practice.
Topics covered include phonetics and linguistics, audiology and neurology, working alongside and interacting with students from other health disciplines. As well as taking advantage of our state-of-the-art facilities, you will receive hands-on experience via clinical placements in schools, hospitals, nursing homes and the Southern Cross University Health Clinic at our Gold Coast campus.
Career opportunities for speech pathologists continue to grow nationally and internationally throughout the health and wellbeing industry, both in private practice and in working with health and education organisations and with various specialists.
The Bachelor of Speech Pathology enables students to develop high-level communication skills (both written and oral) and 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 other Southern Cross University degrees such as the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, Bachelor of Podiatry and the Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (Osteopathic Studies).
Arts and science-based units are included in the course, for example phonetics and linguistics, audiology and neurology for speech pathology. Embedded throughout the course are principals of professionalism, evidence-based practice, cultural safety and responsiveness, person-centred care and holistic practice.
Optional major: Indigenous Health
This optional major can be studied at Gold Coast and Coffs Harbour campuses and offers students the opportunity to build theoretical and practical capabilities in cultural protocols and Indigenous ways of knowing and being. Embedded placement opportunities equip graduates with the professional skills required to contribute to the improvement of health and social outcomes in Australian communities.
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
Apply critical analysis, prudent judgement and the use of research/evidence to inform clinical/professional practice |
Develop an entrepreneurial and sustainable approach to clinical/professional practice utilising appropriate leadership and management skills Demonstrate knowledge, skill, compassion and empathy as ethical, innovative and creative professional eligible to enter clinical/professional practice |
Establish clinical/professional practice based on ethical decision-making and evidence based practice Demonstrate accountability and responsibility within clinical/professional practice |
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 |
Identify and reflect on the generalist and specialist skills of practice required for continuing professional development and professional practice |
Work collaboratively in a range of education and 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 |
Demonstrate cultural safety in clinical/professional practice and leadership Demonstrate an understanding of health inequalities and indigenous health (worldwide) |
Students can complete up to 1,000 hours of professional placement in various settings throughout the four years of study. These settings include, but are not limited to, the Southern Cross University Health Clinic on campus, public hospitals, private practice, community health, rehabilitation centres, aged care facilities, schools and regional and remote 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 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffs Harbour | Session 1 | N/A | N/A |
| Gold Coast | Session 1 | N/A | N/A |
Fee information
International
| Location | Teaching period | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffs Harbour | Session 1 | $27,600 ($3,450 per unit) | 085520F |
| Gold Coast | Session 1 | $27,600 ($3,450 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 to receive the Bachelor of Speech Pathology, students must complete the equivalent of 32 units (384 credit points), comprising:
- 24 core units (288) credit points); and
- 1 major (96 credit points).
Exit Awards
Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree of Health and Human Sciences after completing the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points), comprising any 16 core units.
Students may be eligible to exit with a Diploma of Health and Human Sciences after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising any 8 core units.
Professional Experience Learning
This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Health Professional Experience page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.
Progression
Students are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 18 months between study of any two (2) professional experience learning units.
Students 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 professional experience learning unit.
Students 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 clinical currency prior to continuation of the course.
Inherent Requirements
Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Access & Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Access & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.
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 | 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 | |||
| HBIO1001 - Human Anatomy | |||
| HBIO1007 - Human Physiology I | |||
| PSYC1003 - Psychology and Sociology for Health Sciences | |||
| SPCH1001 - Introduction to the Speech Pathology Profession | |||
| 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 | |||
| INDG2001 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples | |||
| PBHL1001 - The Australian Health Care System | |||
| SPCH2011 - Communication Development Across the Lifespan | |||
| SPCH1002 - Phonetics and Linguistics for Speech Pathology | |||
| 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 | |||
| HBIO2008 - Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology of the Head and Neck | |||
| Elective to be chosen from Gnibi or Education | |||
| SPCH2003 - Child Speech: Theory and Practice | |||
| STAT2001 - Introduction to Evidence for Health Science Practitioners | |||
| 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 | |||
| SPCH2002 - Neurology for Speech Pathology | |||
| Elective to be chosen from Gnibi or Education
|
|||
| SPCH2005 - Child Language and Literacy: Theory and Practice | |||
| SPCH2006 - Working in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Contexts and in Rural and Remote Settings | |||
| 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 | |||
| SPCH2001 - Appraising and Applying Research Findings Across Disciplines | |||
| SPCH2008 - Language in Adults: Theory and Practice | |||
| REHB2001 - Simulated and Actual Internal Clinics: Mixed Caseload | |||
| SPCH2007 - Neurogenic Speech Disorders in Adults and Children | |||
| 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 | |||
| SPCH2010 - Swallowing Across the Lifespan | |||
| SPCH2009 - Fluency: Theory and Practice | |||
| SPCH2004 - Speech, Voice and Hearing Sciences | |||
| REHB2002 - Clinics in Multimodal Intervention: Internal | |||
| Year 4, Session 1 | |||
| Part-time students: Select the first two units in Year 7, Session 1 and the last unit in Year 8, Session 1 | |||
| REHB3001 - Diagnostic Intake Clinic: Advanced and Interdisciplinary Practice (Internal) | |||
| SPCH3003 - Critical and Creative Reasoning for Speech Pathology Practice | |||
| PBHL3004 - Health Promotion and Primary Health Care | Note 1 | ||
| Year 4, Session 2 | |||
| Part-time students: Select the first unit in Year 7, Session 2 and the second two units in Year 8, Session 2 | |||
| SPCH3001 - Assessment and Intervention of Communication and Swallowing: Clinical Placements | Note 1 | ||
| HLTH1003 - Small Business and Entrepreneurship for Allied Health, Fitness and Sport | |||
| HLTH3003 - Transition to Professional Practice | |||
| Title | 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 | |||
| HBIO1001 - Human Anatomy | |||
| HBIO1007 - Human Physiology I | |||
| PSYC1003 - Psychology and Sociology for Health Sciences | |||
| SPCH1001 - Introduction to the Speech Pathology Profession | |||
| 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 | |||
| INDG2001 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples | |||
| PBHL1001 - The Australian Health Care System | |||
| SPCH2011 - Communication Development Across the Lifespan | |||
| SPCH1002 - Phonetics and Linguistics for Speech Pathology | |||
| 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 | |||
| HBIO2008 - Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology of the Head and Neck | |||
| INDG2005 - Working with Aboriginal Communities I (Professional Engagement) | |||
| SPCH2003 - Child Speech: Theory and Practice | |||
| STAT2001 - Introduction to Evidence for Health Science Practitioners | |||
| 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 | |||
| SPCH2002 - Neurology for Speech Pathology | |||
| INDG2011 - Aboriginal Social Realities | |||
| SPCH2005 - Child Language and Literacy: Theory and Practice | |||
| SPCH2006 - Working in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Contexts and in Rural and Remote Settings | |||
| 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 | |||
| SPCH2001 - Appraising and Applying Research Findings Across Disciplines | |||
| SPCH2008 - Language in Adults: Theory and Practice | |||
| REHB2001 - Simulated and Actual Internal Clinics: Mixed Caseload | |||
| SPCH2007 - Neurogenic Speech Disorders in Adults and Children | |||
| 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 | |||
| SPCH2010 - Swallowing Across the Lifespan | |||
| SPCH2009 - Fluency: Theory and Practice | |||
| REHB2002 - Clinics in Multimodal Intervention: Internal | |||
| SPCH2004 - Speech, Voice and Hearing Sciences | |||
| Year 4, Session 1 | |||
| Part-time students: Select the first two units in Year 7, Session 1 and the last unit in Year 8, Session 1 | |||
| REHB3001 - Diagnostic Intake Clinic: Advanced and Interdisciplinary Practice (Internal) | |||
| SPCH3003 - Critical and Creative Reasoning for Speech Pathology Practice | |||
| PBHL3004 - Health Promotion and Primary Health Care | Note 1 | ||
| Year 4, Session 2 | |||
| Part-time students: Select the first unit in Year 7, Session 2, and the final two units in Year 8, Session 2 | |||
| SPCH3001 - Assessment and Intervention of Communication and Swallowing: Clinical Placements | Note 1 | ||
| INDG1010 - Trauma and Resilience I OR INDG3001 - Caring for Country OR INDG2006 - Addiction and Aboriginal Communities OR INDG2008 - Racism and Eugenics | |||
| HLTH3003 - Transition to Professional Practice | |||
| Title | Note | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete one or more of the units under Session 2 below and then follow the Course profession for Session 1 Commencement less the completed unit/s. | |||
| Session 2 | |||
| PBHL1001 - The Australian Health Care System | |||
| INDG2001 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples | |||
| HBIO1007 - Human Physiology I | |||
| Title | Note | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete one or both the units under Session 3 below and then follow the Course Progression for Session 1 Commencement less the completed unit/s. | |||
| Session 3 | |||
| HBIO1001 - Human Anatomy | |||
| PBHL1001 - The Australian Health Care System | |||
Notes
| Note 1: | Double-weighted unit |