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Bachelor of Speech Pathology

Bachelors Degree

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Course abbreviation

    BSpPath

  • Course code

    3007306

  • Credit points

    384

  • Equivalent units

    32

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

The Bachelor of Speech Pathology prepares students for entry into professional speech pathology practice. Speech pathologists assess and treat adults and children exhibiting acquired or congenital disorders of speech, fluency, voice, language and swallowing.

This distinctive course aims to educate students to become knowledgeable, skilled, empathetic, ethical and innovative professionals who are able to provide effective speech pathology assessment and intervention for people of different ages.

The course contains industry-specific and inter-professional units of study. A mix of theory units are combined with simulated learning and clinical practicum opportunities across the four-year course.

Graduate AttributeCourse 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 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 SCU Health Clinic on campus, public hospitals, 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 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 other SCU 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 evidence-based practice, cultural competency, multi-modal communication and holistic perspectives of functioning.

Honours: The course includes an embedded allied health Honours program for eligible students, which can be studied concurrently during the Bachelor degree course.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Gold Coast Session 1, Session 2, Session 3 330168 059861

Career Outcomes

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.

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

  1. English proficiency is a requirement for all students. Applicants who do not meet Rule 2 English Language Proficiency Requirements must demonstrate English language proficiency by:
    • achieving an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 8.0 overall and a minimum score of 8.0 in each of the four components; or
    • Achieving an International Second Language Proficiency Rating (ISLPR) score of at least 4+ in each of the four areas: speaking, listening, reading and writing.
  2. An applicant who has completed a Certificate III qualification will not be admitted solely on the basis of this qualification.

Course requirements

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:

  1. all units listed in Part A; and
  2. two (2) elective units from Part B University wide offerings.

Honours

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 in Part C.

Candidates in Honours must successfully complete all units in years 3 and 4 on their first attempt and maintain a Credit grade average (GPA) of at least 5.0 for years 3 and 4.

Exit Awards

A candidate who, while enrolled in the Bachelor of Speech Pathology, has successfully completed sixteen (16) units (192 credit points) comprising any 16 units from the units listed in the Schedule attached to these Rules may elect to be awarded the Associate Degree of Health and Human Sciences following withdrawal from the Bachelor of Speech Pathology.

A candidate who, while enrolled in the Bachelor of Speech Pathology, has successfully completed eight (8) units (96 credit points) comprising any 8 units from the units listed in the Schedule attached to these Rules may elect to be awarded the Diploma of Health and Human Sciences following withdrawal from the Bachelor of Speech Pathology.

Professional Experience Learning

This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on School of Health and Human Sciences 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

Candidates are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 18 months between study of any two (2) professional experience learning 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 professional experience learning unit.

Subsequent to the 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 clinical currency prior to continuation of the course.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Access & Inclusion website. If you have a disability or health condition which may impact on your ability to meet these requirements please refer to the Student Access & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.

Course structure

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.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
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 Note 2
MAT71004 -  Introduction to Evidence for Health Science Practitioners 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
ELECTIVE UNIT
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 -  Speech, Voice and Hearing Sciences 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
SPT20003 -  Appraising and Applying Research Findings Across Disciplines Intermediate
SPT30003 -  Language in Adults: Theory and Practice Intermediate
HLT30001 -  Simulated and Actual Internal Clinics: Mixed Caseload Advanced
SPT30002 -  Neurogenic Speech Disorders in Adults and Children Intermediate
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
SPT72001 -  Swallowing Across the Lifespan Intermediate
SPT30004 -  Fluency: Theory and Practice Intermediate
HLT30002 -  Clinics in Multimodal Intervention: Internal Advanced
ELECTIVE UNIT
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
HLT83005 -  Diagnostic Intake Clinic: Advanced and Interdisciplinary Practice (Internal) Advanced
HLT83006 -  Accountability and Clinical Reasoning Advanced
HLT83007 -  Health Promotion and Primary Health Care Advanced Note 1
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: Clinical Placements Advanced Note 1
SPT40002 -  Assessment and Intervention of Communication and Swallowing: Clinical Cases Advanced
HLT10601 -  Transition to Professional Practice Advanced

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Year 1, Session 2
MAT71004 -  Introduction to Evidence for Health Science Practitioners Introductory
CUL00408 -  Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples Intermediate
BIO00307 -  Human Physiology Introductory Note 2
Year 2, Session 1
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
Year 2, Session 2
HLT10583 -  Communication Skills for Health Sciences Introductory
SPT10002 -  Phonetics and Linguistics for Speech Pathology Introductory
Year 3, Session 1
BIO20001 -  Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology of the Head and Neck Intermediate
SPT20002 -  Speech, Language and Literacy in Children: Theory and Practice Intermediate
Elective Unit
Year 3, Session 2
SPT20004 -  Neurology for Speech Pathology Introductory
SPT20005 -  Speech, Voice and Hearing Sciences 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 4, Session 1
SPT20003 -  Appraising and Applying Research Findings Across Disciplines Intermediate
SPT30003 -  Language in Adults: Theory and Practice Intermediate
SPT30002 -  Neurogenic Speech Disorders in Adults and Children Intermediate
HLT30001 -  Simulated and Actual Internal Clinics: Mixed Caseload Advanced
Year 4, Session 2
SPT30004 -  Fluency: Theory and Practice Intermediate
HLT30002 -  Clinics in Multimodal Intervention: Internal Advanced
SPT72001 -  Swallowing Across the Lifespan Intermediate
Elective Unit
Year 5, Session 1
HLT83006 -  Accountability and Clinical Reasoning Advanced
HLT83005 -  Diagnostic Intake Clinic: Advanced and Interdisciplinary Practice (Internal) Advanced
HLT83007 -  Health Promotion and Primary Health Care Advanced Note 1
Year 5, Session 2
SPT40001 -  Assessment and Intervention of Communication and Swallowing: Clinical Placements Advanced Note 1
SPT40002 -  Assessment and Intervention of Communication and Swallowing: Clinical Cases Advanced
HLT10601 -  Transition to Professional Practice Advanced

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
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.
Session 3
BIO01302 -  Human Anatomy Introductory
CMM10580 -  The Australian Health Care System Introductory

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Year 1, Session 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
Year 1, Session 2
BIO00307 -  Human Physiology Introductory Note 2
HLT10583 -  Communication Skills for Health Sciences Introductory
SPT10002 -  Phonetics and Linguistics for Speech Pathology Introductory
MAT71004 -  Introduction to Evidence for Health Science Practitioners Introductory
Year 2, Session 1
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
Elective
Year 2, Session 2
SPT20004 -  Neurology for Speech Pathology Introductory
SPT20005 -  Speech, Voice and Hearing Sciences 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
SPT30003 -  Language in Adults: Theory and Practice Intermediate
HLT83001 -  Allied Health Honours Seminar I Advanced
HLT30001 -  Simulated and Actual Internal Clinics: Mixed Caseload Advanced
SPT30002 -  Neurogenic Speech Disorders in Adults and Children Intermediate
Year 3, Session 2
HLT30002 -  Clinics in Multimodal Intervention: Internal Advanced
SPT72001 -  Swallowing Across the Lifespan Intermediate
SPT30004 -  Fluency: Theory and Practice Intermediate
HLT83002 -  Allied Health Honours Seminar II Advanced
Year 4, Session 1
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
Year 4, Session 2
SPT40002 -  Assessment and Intervention of Communication and Swallowing: Clinical Cases Advanced
SPT40001 -  Assessment and Intervention of Communication and Swallowing: Clinical Placements Advanced
HLT83004 -  Allied Health Honours Thesis II Advanced Note 1

Note 1:

Double-weighted unit

Note 2:

2018 is the last time this unit will be offered. See information on the School of Health and Human Science website (https://www.scu.edu.au/school-of-health-and-human-sciences/pages/human-physiology-2019/#d.en.205492) for more information regarding changes from 2019

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes

Part A
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
BIO00307 Human Physiology Introductory Note 2
MAT71004 Introduction to Evidence for Health Science Practitioners Introductory
HLT10583 Communication Skills for Health Sciences Introductory
SPT10002 Phonetics and Linguistics for Speech Pathology Introductory
BIO20001 Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology of the Head and Neck Intermediate
CUL00408 Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples Intermediate
SPT20002 Child Speech: Theory and Practice Intermediate
SPT20003 Appraising and Applying Research Findings Across Disciplines Intermediate
SPT20004 Neurology for Speech Pathology Introductory
SPT20005 Speech, Voice and Hearing Sciences Intermediate
SPT20006 Child Language and Literacy: Theory and Practice Intermediate
SPT20007 Working in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Contexts and in Rural and Remote Settings Intermediate
SPT72001 Swallowing Across the Lifespan Intermediate
SPT30002 Neurogenic Speech Disorders in Adults and Children Intermediate
SPT30003 Language in Adults: Theory and Practice Intermediate
SPT30004 Fluency: Theory and Practice Intermediate
HLT30002 Clinics in Multimodal Intervention: Internal Advanced
HLT30001 Simulated and Actual Internal Clinics: Mixed Caseload Advanced
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
SPT40002 Assessment and Intervention of Communication and Swallowing: Clinical Cases Advanced
SPT40001 Assessment and Intervention of Communication and Swallowing: Clinical Placements Advanced Note 1
HLT10601 Transition to Professional Practice Advanced

Part B
Two elective units from the University's offering.

Part C

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
BHS10581 Psychology and Sociology for Health Sciences Introductory
BIO00307 Human Physiology Introductory Note 2
BIO01302 Human Anatomy Introductory
CMM10580 The Australian Health Care System Introductory
CUL00408 Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples Intermediate
HLT10583 Communication Skills for Health Sciences Introductory
MAT71004 Introduction to Evidence for Health Science Practitioners Introductory
BIO20001 Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology of the Head and Neck Intermediate
HLT30001 Simulated and Actual Internal Clinics: Mixed Caseload Advanced
HLT30002 Clinics in Multimodal Intervention: Internal Advanced
SPT10001 Introduction to the Speech Pathology Profession Introductory
SPT10002 Phonetics and Linguistics for Speech Pathology Introductory
SPT20002 Child Speech: Theory and Practice Intermediate
SPT20004 Neurology for Speech Pathology Introductory
SPT20005 Speech, Voice and Hearing Sciences Intermediate
SPT20006 Child Language and Literacy: Theory and Practice Intermediate
SPT20007 Working in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Contexts and in Rural and Remote Settings Intermediate
SPT72001 Swallowing Across the Lifespan Intermediate
SPT30002 Neurogenic Speech Disorders in Adults and Children Intermediate
SPT30003 Language in Adults: Theory and Practice Intermediate
SPT30004 Fluency: Theory and Practice Intermediate
SPT40001 Assessment and Intervention of Communication and Swallowing: Clinical Placements Advanced Note 1
SPT40002 Assessment and Intervention of Communication and Swallowing: Clinical Cases Advanced
HLT83001 Allied Health Honours Seminar I Advanced
HLT83002 Allied Health Honours Seminar II Advanced
HLT83005 Diagnostic Intake Clinic: Advanced and Interdisciplinary Practice (Internal) Advanced
HLT83003 Allied Health Honours Thesis I Advanced Note 1
HLT83004 Allied Health Honours Thesis II Advanced
HLT83006 Accountability and Clinical Reasoning Advanced
Elective