Program Overview

Master of Speech Pathology

Overview

The Master of Speech Pathology is a graduate entry master course that combines theory with clinical practice to prepare students for a career as a speech pathologist. The course is designed to provide students with a detailed understanding of communication development, developmental and acquired communication and swallowing disorders, clinical practice, and research.

Admission Criteria

To be eligible for admission, applicants must have:

• An honours degree or a bachelor degree with a course weighted average of 65 per cent.
• Evidence of studies in human biology at university level is essential. Without this background, students will have to complete additional units in this area before commencing the course.
• A personal statement that reflects relevant work experience and knowledge of the profession.
• English language proficiency, with a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 in each band.

Fees and Scholarships

The tuition fee for the Master of Speech Pathology is $37,712 per year for domestic students. Students may be eligible for FEE-HELP assistance for all or part of the tuition fees.

Location

The Master of Speech Pathology is offered at Curtin Perth.

How to Apply

To apply for the Master of Speech Pathology, students must submit an application through the Curtin University website. The application must include:

• Academic transcript and award certificate
• Resume
• Video statement (maximum 5 minutes)
• Self-identified unit(s) that meet the specific unit prerequisite requirements
• Unit outlines for all units completed at an institution other than Curtin

Professional Recognition and Accreditation

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

Course Structure

The Master of Speech Pathology is a two-year full-time course, with a total of 425 credits. The course includes:

• 200 credits per year, with 100 credits per semester
• A range of units, including human communication science, clinical practice, and research
• Fieldwork opportunities to gain practical experience

Research Areas

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

• Human communication science
• Clinical practice
• Research methods
• Evidence-based practice

What You'll Learn

The Master of Speech Pathology will provide students with the knowledge and skills to:

• Apply knowledge of human communication science to the delivery of speech pathology services and research
• Critically analyse information to plan, implement, and evaluate speech pathology services and research
• Locate, extract, and critically appraise evidence and information from a range of resources
• Demonstrate excellence in written, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills
• Use technologies relevant to the human communication sciences to inform clinical practice and research
• Understand and implement a wide variety of learning strategies, and take responsibility for ongoing professional and personal development
• Incorporate and demonstrate awareness of global or international perspectives in health care to clinical practice and research in speech pathology
• Demonstrate awareness of and respect for individual human rights and cultural diversity
• Independently and collaboratively apply professional skills in an ethical manner across a range of professional settings

Testimonials

"The diverse learning experiences keep the course interesting, and the calibre of the teaching staff is phenomenal – they are leaders in their field. Being exposed to a wide variety of people and experiences has given me some of the best life skills I could wish for." - Kate Dixon

Inherent Requirements

The Master of Speech Pathology is a physically and mentally challenging course. Students must be able to meet the inherent requirements of the course, which include:

• Participating in clinical practice during vacation periods
• Completing fieldwork requirements as soon as possible upon entering the course
• Obtaining First Aid certification and a number of police clearances and immunisations upon entering the course

Credit for Recognised Learning

Students may be eligible for credit for recognised learning (CRL) for previous study or work experience. To apply for CRL, students must submit an application through the Curtin University website.