Bachelor of Speech Pathology

Faculty of Education and Arts

Newer Program Available: This program information only applies to students continuing in the Bachelor of Speech Pathology.

CRICOS code
029748F

Available to new international students
Yes

Available to new students
Yes

Award Abbreviation
BSPath

Locations
Newcastle (Callaghan)

Program code
10776

Summary

The Bachelor of Speech Pathology degree provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to practice as speech pathologists.

Speech pathologists are responsible for the assessment and treatment of children and adults with communication and related disorders, for example delayed speech and language development, cleft palate, voice disorders, stuttering and swallowing.

Career opportunities

In New South Wales, speech pathologists usually work from hospitals or community health centres but work opportunities in schools and private practice are increasing.

The demand for speech pathology services is high, and likely to continue to be so.

The Bachelor of Speech Pathology qualifies graduates for employment throughout Australia and is recognised in Canada, The United Kingdom, and The United States of America.

Entry requirements

Recommended Studies: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, plus English Advanced.

Additional entry requirements: Students are required to complete a Criminal Records Check in order to undertake clinical placements in a Public Health Facility.

How to apply

Australian Year 12 students

Apply for entry through UAC.
Entry based on UAI or equivalent.

Non school leavers and previous Australian Year 12 students

Apply for entry through UAC.
Entry based on:

previous Year 12 studies and/or
Higher education, tertiary or post-secondary qualifications and/or
Overseas qualifications considered equivalent to Australian qualifications.
Relevant vocational experience.

International Students

International students currently undertaking:
- an Australian Year 12 in Australia
- an Australian Year 12 outside Australia
- an International Baccalaureate (IB) in Australia

Apply for entry through UAC.
Entry based on UAI or equivalent.

All other international students:

Apply direct to International Admissions.
Entry based on overseas qualifications considered equivalent to Australian qualifications, as well as satisfying English language requirements.

Description

IMPORTANT! You must read the Undergraduate Degree Rules. Click here to view.

Speech Pathology courses deal with all acquired and developmental human communication disorders: child language disorders, phonological and articulatory disorders, stuttering, voice disorders, communication disorders of neurological origin. Courses also cover audiology and swallowing. Courses are delivered using a variety of methods: lectures, tutorials, laboratories and independent learning projects. The program includes a substantial clinical practicum which provides students with the full range of clinical experience required by the Speech Pathology Association of Australia. Clinical placement is arranged in the Hunter area, Central Coast, Sydney, and rural areas. Block placement of three weeks' duration takes place during the December - February break.

Graduates are eligible for membership of the Speech Pathology Association of Australia.

Credit Transfer Agreements

Credit transfer agreements with TAFE NSW and other education providers are under continuous negotiation. For more information about articulation arrangements please see the University’s website, at www.newcastle.edu.au/credit/

Program Structure

For students commencing from 2006

In order to qualify for the award, a student must pass 320 units comprising:

a minimum of 260 units of compulsory courses as set out in the list of Approved Courses.
up to 20 units of directed courses:
- 10 units of LING other than those listed as the prescribed courses; and
- 10 units of PSYC other than those listed as prescribed courses
40 units of electives selected from other available undergraduate courses, either from within the Faculty of Education & Arts or elsewhere.
No more than 20 units of directed courses or electives can be at 1000 level
Students wishing to undertake honours will need to take SPTH4440 (20 unit) in place of 20 units of electives

Full-time enrolment (80 units per year) will enable completion in four years. Students may enrol in less than 80 units per year, and completion will take proportionately longer.

The degree may be conferred with Honours where a student has reached a standard of sufficient merit.

Many course areas require students to complete a prescribed sequence of courses. This means that students must enrol in courses in a particular order to satisfy the requirements. Such requirements are mandatory when they lead to professional accreditation or when they involve the progressive acquisition of knowledge and/or skills. Before enrolling, students must consult the School responsible for the course area to ensure that they are satisfying its requirements. Failure to undertake courses in the required sequence may result in timetable clashes and/or the inability to complete the award in the minimum time.

Not all courses will be offered each semester. To establish offer status click on the course code for the course and follow the links to timetabling information.

In order to be considered for Honours, students must undertake 30 units of research courses, namely SPTH4210 10 units, and SPTH4440 20 units. Students are advised to undertake SPTH4210 Research Review in the third year of their program, and the SPTH4440 in the fourth year of their program. See Program Convenor for further information regarding eligibility for Honours.

Honours

Honours' requirements are currently under review and students are advised that new structures will be introduced in 2008.

Approved Courses - For students commencing from 2006

Year 1 - Compulsory Courses
SPTH1110	Speech Pathology Introduction 1	10 units
SPTH1120	Speech Pathology Introduction 2	10 units
HUBS1403	Biomedical Science Part 1	10 units
HUBS1107	Neuroscience and Head and Neck Anatomy	10 units
LING1001	Foundations of Language	10 units
LING1120	Language Structure and Meaning	10 units
PSYC1010	Psychology Introduction 1	10 units
PSYC1020	Psychology Introduction 2	10 units
Year 2 - Compulsory Courses
SPTH2080	Clinical Practice	10 units
SPTH2210	Speech Pathology in Education and Community Settings 1	10 units
SPTH2220	Speech Pathology in Education and Community Settings 2	10 units
SPTH2230	Complex Communication needs	10 units
HUBS1404	Biomedical Science Part 2 Replacing HUBS2512	10 units
LING3006	Phonetics & Phonology	10 units
LING3350	Structure of English	10 units
STAT	Replacing PSCY2000	10 units
Year 3 - Compulsory Courses
SPTH3020	Speech Pathology 3b	10 units
SPTH3080	Clinical Practice	10 units
SPTH3110	Speech Pathology in Medical Settings 1	10 units
SPTH3120	Speech Pathology in Medical Settings 2	10 units
PSYC2300	Cognitive Psychology	10 units
LINGXXXX	Directed Course 10 units of PSYC other then those already prescribed	10 units
ELECTIVES	Electives	20 units
Year 4 - Compulsory Courses
SPTH4010	Speech Pathology 4	10 units
SPTH4080	Clinical Practice (Part 1)	20 units
SPTH4090	Clinical Practice (Part 2)	10 units
SPTH4210	Research Review	10 units
PSCYXXXX	Directed Course 10 units of LING other then those already prescribed	10 units
and
ELECTIVES	Electives	20 units
or
SPTH4440	Speech Pathology Honours Thesis SPTH4440 & SPTH4210 must be completed to be considered for Honours	20 units

Approved Courses - For students who commenced prior to 2006

For students who commenced prior to 2006