Program Overview
Programme: BA Speech-Language Pathology
The BA Speech-Language Pathology programme is a four-year career-oriented degree that comprises the scientific study of normal and abnormal human communication, feeding, and swallowing. The programme provides training in speech-language pathology, speech-language, feeding, and dysphagia assessment and intervention.
Programme Information
This programme focuses on the study of human communication, including speech and language development, speech and language disorders, and the assessment and intervention of individuals with communication disorders. The programme also covers the theoretical principles of assessment and intervention in communication disorders, as well as the application of these principles in clinical practice.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the programme, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- A certificate deemed equivalent to the required Grade 12 certificate with university endorsement
- A graduate from another tertiary institution or granted the status of a graduate of such an institution
- A graduate of another faculty at the University of Pretoria Applicants must also comply with the minimum subject requirements and achievement levels, as well as the APS requirements of the programme.
Minimum Requirements
The minimum requirements for admission to the programme are:
- Achievement level of 5 in any two languages, with Afrikaans or English as one of the languages
- Achievement level of 4 in Mathematics
- APS of 30
Additional Requirements
Practising audiologists and speech-language therapists should have good speech production and language use to serve as a model for individuals with communication and hearing disorders. They should also have good hearing, vision, and motor ability to assess and treat individuals with a variety of communication disorders.
Programme Structure
The programme consists of four years of study, with a total of 511 credits. The programme includes a range of modules, including:
- Academic information management
- Academic literacy
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Medical terminology
- Audiology
- Speech-language pathology
- Psychology
- Speech science
- Integrated healthcare leadership
Core Modules
The core modules for the programme include:
- Human communication
- Neuro-anatomy for communication pathology
- Neuro-physiology
- Speech-language pathology
- Speech science
- Integrated healthcare leadership
Elective Modules
Students may choose from a range of elective modules, including:
- Sepedi for beginners
- Setswana for beginners
- isiZulu for beginners
Research Methodology
The programme includes a research methodology module, which covers the concepts of research, research process, and research studies appraisal.
Final Year
In the final year of the programme, students will complete a research report based on a critical investigation of a profession-specific topic. Students will also participate in clinical practice, where they will assess and intervene with clients with a range of communication disorders.
Pass with Distinction
To pass the degree with distinction, students must obtain a final mark of 70% or higher for each of the modules of the final year, an average of 75% or higher for the speech-language pathology modules at fourth-year level, and a final mark of 75% or higher for one of the theoretical modules.