Program Overview

Clinical Speech and Language Studies

The Clinical Speech and Language Studies program is a four-year Honours Bachelor Degree (NFQ Level 8) that focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals with communication and swallowing disorders. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of speech and language pathology, as well as the skills and knowledge necessary to work in a variety of clinical settings.

Overview

The program is designed for students who are interested in working with individuals who have communication and swallowing disorders. The program covers a range of topics, including speech and language pathology, clinical practice, linguistics, psychology, and research methods. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in clinical placements and gain hands-on experience in a variety of settings.

Course Details

• Awards: B.Sc. (Clin. Lang.) Honours Bachelor Degree (NFQ Level 8)
• CAO Information: CAO Points 543 (2024), CAO Code TR007
• Number of Places: 34 Places
• Duration: 4 Years Full-Time

Admission Requirements

• Leaving Certificate:
  • O6/H6 Mathematics
  • H4 in a language including English, French, German, Irish, Italian, Russian, or Spanish
  • H4 in one of Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics/Chemistry or Agricultural Science
• GCSE:
  • Grade C/5 Mathematics
  • Grade B/6 in one of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics
  • Grade B/6 in a language including English, French, German, Irish, Italian, Russian, or Spanish
• International Baccalaureate:
  • SL / HL Grade 4 in Mathematics
  • HL Grade 5 in one of English, French, German, Irish, Italian, Russian, Spanish
  • SL Grade 6 in one of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics
• English Language Requirements: All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band C (Higher Entry) English language requirements.

Course Structure

The program is divided into four years, with a focus on both theoretical and practical learning. The key strands within the curriculum include:

• Speech and Language Pathology and Swallowing Disorders
• Clinical Practice
• Linguistics
• Psychology
• Research and Basic Sciences (such as Anatomy and Physiology)

First and Second Years

The first year focuses on foundation studies for understanding typical communication and swallowing behaviors. The second year emphasizes understanding and assessing the strengths and needs of the client population served by the profession, together with studying speech sciences, psychology, and linguistics.

Third and Fourth Years

The third year places emphasis on the application of knowledge to intervention in clinical contexts. Students will also study neurology, psychiatry, discourse analysis, and further develop their research skills. In the fourth year, students are provided with the opportunity to integrate knowledge, skills, and competencies acquired through the four years. Students prepare to become practitioners and researchers and complete a significant piece of research known as the Capstone project.

Clinical Activities and Placements

Clinical activities and placements provide an important learning context from the start of the course. The department has access to a wide range of service settings and clinics, in which to place students, such as hospitals, schools, clinics, rehabilitation centers. During term time, an average of one day per week is reserved for clinical work. Students will also be required to undertake clinical practice outside term time.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program are highly sought after and valued by employers in healthcare and educational contexts. The knowledge and skills developed while studying Clinical Speech and Language Studies equip graduates to work in a wide range of interesting and challenging contexts. Graduates emerge with an in-depth knowledge of their discipline, as well as important transferable skills that provide a strong foundation to engage with society and the workplace.

Study Abroad

While the Department of Clinical Speech and Language Studies has a strong international network, the nature of the professional course — in terms of the clinical practice requirements — precludes study abroad at undergraduate level. However, students get an opportunity to engage in international summer schools during the summer vacation period.

Registration and Accreditation

Upon graduation, the qualification from Trinity is recognized as a license to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist in Ireland. Those holding the degree are eligible to apply for statutory registration with CORU and membership of the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT). Graduates who wish to work in the UK should contact the UK Health Professionals Council. Graduates of the course, who wish to work in another European country, will have to apply for approval from the appropriate registration body in that country. If considering applying for professional recognition to work as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the US or Canada, contact the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists, respectively.