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Bachelor of Speech Pathology

The Bachelor of Speech Pathology is a four-year undergraduate degree that prepares students to work as speech pathologists in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, and private practices. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of speech pathology, as well as the skills and knowledge necessary to work with individuals with communication and swallowing disorders.

Course Structure

The Bachelor of Speech Pathology consists of 320 credit points, which are typically completed over four years of full-time study. The program includes a combination of theoretical and practical coursework, as well as clinical placements and research projects.

• Inter-professional Units: 10 credit points
• Speech Pathology Theory Units: 100 credit points
• Speech Pathology Integration and Practice Units: 100 credit points
• Core Curriculum Units: 20 credit points
• Elective Units: 20 credit points
• Research Units: 20 credit points
• Clinical Placement Units: 40 credit points

Course Map

The course map for the Bachelor of Speech Pathology is as follows:

Year 1

• Semester 1:
  • Inter-professional Units: ALHT106 Psychology for Allied Health
  • Speech Pathology Integration and Practice Units: SPHY101 Introduction to Speech Pathology Practice
  • Speech Pathology Theory Units: SPHY103 Linguistics and Phonetics for Speech Pathology
• Semester 2:
  • Core Curriculum Units: Core Curriculum Unit 1
  • Speech Pathology Theory Units: SPHY100 Communication and Development Across the Lifespan
  • Speech Pathology Theory Units: SPHY105 Foundations of Speech Pathology Practice

Year 2

• Semester 1:
  • Inter-professional Units: ALHT210 Neuroscience for Allied Health
  • Speech Pathology Theory Units: SPHY201 Language Disorders (Developmental)
  • Speech Pathology Theory Units: SPHY209 Speech Disorders (Developmental) and Hearing
  • Speech Pathology Integration and Practice Units: SPHY203 Speech Pathology Practice 2A
• Semester 2:
  • Inter-professional Units: ALHT211 Research and Evidence-Informed Practice in Allied Health
  • Speech Pathology Theory Units: SPHY202 Language Disorders (Acquired)
  • Speech Pathology Theory Units: SPHY205 Motor Speech Disorders (Acquired)
  • Speech Pathology Integration and Practice Units: SPHY207 Speech Pathology Practice 2B

Year 3

• Semester 1:
  • Speech Pathology Theory Units: SPHY301 Swallowing, Feeding, and Mealtime Across the Lifespan
  • Speech Pathology Theory Units: SPHY309 Language, Literacy, and Cognition Across the Lifespan
  • Core Curriculum Units: Core Curriculum Unit 2
  • Speech Pathology Integration and Practice Units: SPHY302 Speech Pathology Practice 3A
• Semester 2:
  • Speech Pathology Theory Units: SPHY310 Community Development, Public Health, and Speech Pathology
  • Speech Pathology Theory Units: SPHY303 Voice Disorders Across the Lifespan
  • Speech Pathology Theory Units: SPHY304 Fluency Disorders Across the Lifespan
  • Speech Pathology Integration and Practice Units: SPHY305 Speech Pathology Practice 3B

Year 4

• Semester 1:
  • Speech Pathology Theory Units: SPHY407 Professional Reasoning in Speech Pathology - 1
  • Speech Pathology Integration and Practice Units: SPHY415 Speech Pathology Professional and Reflective Practice 4A
  • Speech Pathology Theory Units: SPHY405 Workplaces and Work Readiness for Speech Pathology
• Semester 2:
  • Speech Pathology Theory Units: SPHY408 Professional Reasoning in Speech Pathology - 2
  • Speech Pathology Integration and Practice Units: SPHY416 Speech Pathology Professional and Reflective Practice 4B
  • Speech Pathology Theory Units: SPHY406 Disability and Technology in Contemporary Speech Pathology Practice

Graduate Statement

As an ACU graduate, you will have personal insight founded on an understanding of who you are as a professional, a citizen, and a scholar. You will embrace change and growth through critical self-awareness and learning autonomy. You will be empowered to seek truth and meaning, drawing on the principles of justice, equity, and the dignity of all human beings.

Empathy

You will value human dignity and diversity, founded on deep reflection and empathy. You will have experience of Indigenous Knowings and perspectives and be able to engage respectfully when working alongside Australia's First Peoples. You will be able to connect with people and cultures and work with community in ways that recognize the dignity of the human person and all cultures.

Imagination

You will utilize imagination and innovation to solve problems. You will critically analyze information from a range of sources to creatively solve practical problems and use critical thinking to make decisions and advance the common good. You will appreciate the role of innovation and creative thinking in developing a better future for each person and community.

Impact

You will recognize your responsibility to work for social justice and a sustainable world, founded on a commitment to human dignity and the common good. You will lead change through respectful collaboration and effective communication of ideas to diverse peoples, groups, and communities in local and global contexts. You will be empowered to positively impact your profession and the community.

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Speech Pathology, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at year 12 level, or equivalent:

• A study score of at least 133 in English-T (Major) or ESL (Major)
• A study score of at least 97 in one of Biology-T, Chemistry-T, or Physics-T

English Language Requirements

International students must meet the English language requirements for admission to the Bachelor of Speech Pathology. The requirements are as follows:

• IELTS Academic: Overall score of 8.0, with a minimum of 8.0 in all bands
• PTE Academic: 79, with a minimum of 79 in all four communicative skills
• TOEFL: Internet-based total of 110, with a minimum of 30 in writing, 26 in speaking, 29 in reading, and 28 in listening
• C1 Advanced: A minimum of 200, with a minimum of 200 in all tests

Fees

The average first-year fee for the Bachelor of Speech Pathology is $10,518 (CSP). The University reviews fees annually, and the fee may vary depending on the number of units studied per year, choice of major or specialization, and elective units.

Scholarships

ACU offers a range of scholarships to help students with the cost of studying. Some of the scholarships available to students in the Bachelor of Speech Pathology include:

• Academic scholarships
• Community engagement scholarships
• Indigenous scholarships
• International student scholarships

Pathways

There are several pathways available to students who want to study the Bachelor of Speech Pathology. These include:

• Direct entry: Students can apply directly to the Bachelor of Speech Pathology if they meet the admission requirements.
• Pathway programs: ACU offers a range of pathway programs that can help students gain entry to the Bachelor of Speech Pathology. These programs include diploma and certificate courses, as well as bridging courses.
• Credit transfer: Students who have completed previous study may be eligible for credit transfer into the Bachelor of Speech Pathology.

Research Areas

The Bachelor of Speech Pathology covers a range of research areas, including:

• Paediatric speech and language
• Adult speech and language
• Swallowing and feeding disorders
• Fluency disorders
• Voice disorders
• Motor speech disorders
• Language and literacy disorders

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Speech Pathology can pursue a range of career opportunities, including:

• Speech pathologist
• Clinical educator
• Researcher
• Policy developer
• Advocate
• Consultant

Graduates can work in a variety of settings, including:

• Hospitals
• Schools
• Private practices
• Community health organizations
• Government agencies
• Non-government organizations

Staff Profile

The Head of Speech Pathology at ACU is Associate Professor Jane McCormack. Associate Professor McCormack is a certified practicing member of Speech Pathology Australia and has worked in community health clinics, schools, and early intervention settings with children who have speech, language, and communication needs. She teaches and researches in pediatric speech and language, the application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF; WHO, 2001) in speech pathology, interprofessional practice, and alternative models of speech pathology education and service delivery.