Bachelor of Speech Pathology
Course information for - 2022 entry
Offered at 3 locations
- Study mode
- Attendance
- Duration
- 4 years full-time
- QTAC code
- 115631
- ATAR
- 75.00 for Brisbane
- Fees (first year)*
$8842 CSP
- Start dates
- Semester 1 - February , Semester 2 - To be advised
This is a four year course with an embedded Honours program.
Overview
Speech pathologists recognise the importance of communication and swallowing as activities that enable people to participate fully in their daily lives. They work with individuals, groups, families, and communities to support the development, rehabilitation and maintenance of effective communication and swallowing skills across the lifespan.
Our speech pathology program will prepare you to assess and diagnose difficulties with speech, language, voice, fluency, multi-modal communication and swallowing, and enable you to provide intervention and support that is person-centred, culturally-sensitive and evidence-based. You’ll recognise the dignity of the human person and your responsibility towards the common good, and have opportunities to put your values, knowledge and skills into action with professional practice and community engagement activities in Australia and overseas.
Work placement
Students in the Bachelor of Speech Pathology undertake a range of professional practice placements to ensure they meet Speech Pathology Australia's graduate entry competency with regard to the management of disorders of communication and swallowing.
As part of your course, you will be placed in a range of organisations to integrate the theory you learn with practical workplace experiences (placements).
You will undertake industry placements each semester, starting in first year. Our integrating practice units are designed to help you contextualise theoretical knowledge through clinical practice.
• Year 1: Observation day.
• Year 2: Two x 12 days (school-based placement and simulation experience) in both Semester 1 and 2.
• Year 3: Approximately 10 days of a simulation experience in Semester 1, 12-15 days placement (with adult clients) in Semester 2.
• Year 4: Approximately 30 days in each semester.
As part of your enrolment, you must complete the Faculty of Health Sciences pre-placement requirements. To ensure you meet these requirements you need to start as soon as possible. Visit ACU’s Work Integrated Learning (WIL) website to view your Pre-Placement Requirements checklist.
Professional recognition
The course has full accreditation with Speech Pathology Australia across all three campuses.
Careers
Our graduates have pursued careers in:
- early intervention services for children
- schools
- hospitals
- rehabilitation centres
- mental health services
- community health services
- aged care services
- private practice research
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Speech Pathology, a student must complete 320 credit points (cp).
Sample program map
| Year - Study period | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 | Unit 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 - Semester 1 | ALHT106 Psychology for Allied Health | BIOL125 Human Biology 1 | SPHY103 Linguistics and Phonetics for Speech Pathology | SPHY101 Introduction to Speech Pathology Practice | |
| Year 1 - Semester 2 | SPHY102 Anatomy and Physiology for Speech Pathology | SPHY100 Communication and Development Across the Lifespan | SPHY104 Evidence Based Practice in Speech Pathology | UNCC100 Self and Community: Exploring the Anatomy of Modern Society data-versionlabel=2 > | |
| Year 2 - Semester 1 | SPHY200 Neuroscience Speech Pathology | SPHY204 Speech Disorders (Developmental) | HLSC120 Indigenous Health and Culture | SPHY203 Speech Pathology Practice 2A | |
| Year 2 - Semester 2 | SPHY201 Language Disorders (Developmental) | SPHY202 Language Disorders (Acquired) | SPHY205 Motor Speech Disorders (Acquired) | SPHY207 Speech Pathology Practice 2B | |
| Year 3 - Semester 1 | SPHY309 Language, literacy and cognition across the lifespan | UNCC300 Justice and Change in a Global World data-versionlabel=2 > | SPHY301 Swallowing, Feeding, and Mealtime across the Lifespan | SPHY302 Speech Pathology Practice 3A | |
| Year 3 - Semester 2 | SPHY310 Community Development, Public Health and Speech Pathology | SPHY303 Voice Disorders Across the Lifespan data-versionlabel=2 > | SPHY304 Fluency Disorders Across the Lifespan | SPHY305 Speech Pathology Practice 3B | |
| Year 4 - Semester 1 | SPHY406 Disability and Technology in Contemporary Speech Pathology Practice | SPHY407 Professional Reasoning in Speech Pathology - 1 data-versionlabel=2 > | SPHY410 Speech Pathology Professional and Reflective Practice 4A data-versionlabel=3 > | ||
| Year 4 - Semester 2 | SPHY405 Workplaces and Work Readiness for Speech Pathology | SPHY408 Professional Reasoning in Speech Pathology 2 | SPHY412 Speech Pathology Professional and Reflective Practice 4B data-versionlabel=2 > |
This is a sample program only and units will vary between states. Please refer to the handbook for the prerequisite units and the current listing.
AQF framework
Exit Points
A student who has successfully completed 230 cp from units, and 10 cp from Core Curriculum units may exit from the course with following qualification:
- Bachelor of Allied Health
Additional course information
Classes
Class size: In 2021, approximately 25 people were in each Bachelor of Speech Pathology tutorial. In 2021 we welcomed 69 new students to our Brisbane campus, 80 to our Melbourne campus and 71 to our North Sydney campus.
Contact hours: You can expect 10 - 15 hours of face-to-face contact each week for 12 weeks of the semester in first, second, and third year (on a full-time load). Online learning activities are also incorporated into the program. Additionally, you are required to complete professional practice placements.
For example, in second year you will be undertaking placement related activities one day per week for each week of semester and in fourth year you will have 30-32 days of placement each semester.
We understand the need for flexibility when it comes to your studies. We provide pre-recorded / online lectures for you to view in your own time. Lectures provide an opportunity to learn core content which can then be critically explored in tutorials. Tutorials are provided on campus. They allow you to consolidate and apply content from lectures and to develop attributes and skills required for professional practice. This is achieved through activities including group work, case-based discussions and role play.
Sample assessment: Online quizzes, oral presentations, posters, written examinations, written assignments, case studies, skills tests. Sample unit assessment criteria:
SPHY103 Linguistics and Phonetics for Speech Pathology
- Transcription test (Hurdle)
- Quizzes (20%)
allows students an opportunity to consolidate and demonstrate understanding of theoretical knowledge in linguistics.
- Speech and language analysis report (40%)
enables students to demonstrate their application of linguistic knowledge to describe, analyse and explain human speech and language in context
- Examination (40%)
enables students to demonstrate their understanding and application of knowledge and skills in linguistics
Overseas study available
Each year ACU’s Faculty of Health Sciences offers a number of destinations around the world where you can undertake a community engagement unit or clinical placement/professional practice abroad as part of your studies. These activities are facilitated through ACU’s overseas partners. Most of these experiences are offered to students enrolled in their third or final year of study.
You can also choose to study health sciences units at our Rome Campus over the June – July or December – January breaks.
Units on offer include Indigenous Health and Culture, and Justice and Change in a Global World.
To find out more, visit: www.acu.edu.au/study-at-acu/study-overseas/study-tours-and-short-programs/study-health-sciences-overseas/short-term-international-study-experience
Please note: overseas travel opportunities are subject to public health restrictions in place at the planned time of travel.
Entry requirements
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
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:
| State | Prerequisites |
|---|---|
New South Wales | English (Advanced) or English (Standard) (Band 4) or English as an Additional Language (Band 4); plus at least one of biology, chemistry, physics, or personal development, health and physical education (PDHPE) (Band 2 for all). From 2024 - English (Standard) (Band 4) or English as an Additional Language or Dialect (Band 4); plus at least one of Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, (Band 2). |
Queensland | English (Units 3 & 4, C); one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Health or Physical Education (Units 3 & 4, C) From 2024 - English (Units 3 & 4, C); one of Biology, Chemistry, or Physics (Units 3 & 4, C) |
Victoria | Units 3 and 4 - a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any English other than EAL; and a study score of at least 25 in one of biology, chemistry, physics or health and human development. From 2024 - Units 3 and 4 - a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any English other than EAL; and a study score of at least 25 in one of Biology, Chemistry, or Physics . |
International students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2022 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.
View transparency admission information
English language requirements
Applicants require an academic IELTS minimum overall score of 8.0 (with a minimum score of 8.0 in all bands), or an equivalent acceptable test score as outlined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy (Schedule 3).
Adjustment factors
If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.
Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.
Inherent requirement
There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.
Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you
Pathways
Pathways into course for current or recent Year 12 students
For entry in 2022 and 2023, students need to have completed a Year 12 science subject; in NSW at least one of biology, chemistry, physics, or personal development, health and physical education (PDHPE) (Band 2 for all); in QLD one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Health or Physical Education (Units 3 & 4, C); in Victoria a study score of at least 25 in one of biology, chemistry, physics or health and human development.
For entry from 2024 onwards in NSW at least one of Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, (Band 2 for all); in Qld one of Biology, Chemistry, or Physics (Units 3 & 4, C); in Victoria and a study score of at least 25 in one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics.
Pathways into the Course for current or recent year 12 students
Some Australian preparatory and bridging studies would satisfy the science requirement including:
Satisfactory completion of Biology, Chemistry or Physics in the Certificate IV of Adult Tertiary Preparation;
UNILEARN – Pass in Biology, Chemistry of Physics;
TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificates
ACU (Health Sciences) programs that have a science unit – most commonly Biology but a few have Chemistry. Students would then apply to transfer course (your GPA is converted to an ATAR and you compete for entry).
If you can’t meet the ATAR requirement for your choice of course and you’re currently completing Year 12 or finished Year 12 in the two years previously, we have entry programs to get you where you want to be.
Pathways into course for applicants with previous study and/or life experience
Are you applying to ACU as a non-school leaver?
By that we mean, you’re not currently completing Year 12 and haven’t completed it in the two years previously. If the answer is yes and your selection rank isn’t enough to meet the requirements for your desired course you still have a number of options to help you achieve your study goals.
If you’re over 21, you can sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT), or you can complete a diploma or bridging course relevant to your desired course.
Further study
Honours graduates may be eligible to undertake a Master of Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy.
Graduates may be eligible to progress to a postgraduate coursework degree within the Faculty of Health Sciences. ACU offers a number of postgraduate courses suitable for Bachelor of Speech Pathology graduates including:
Postgraduate programs in Rehabilitation
Postgraduate programs in Mental Health
You can find out more on postgraduate programs in Health Sciences here – https://www.acu.edu.au/about-acu/faculties-directorates-and-staff/faculty-of-health-sciences/postgraduate-study-in-health-sciences
Fees
Course costs
$8842 CSP
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load of 40 credit points (normally 4 units) per semester.
A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:
- the number of units studied per semester;
- the choice of major or specialisation; and
- elective units.
The University reviews fees annually.
Payment options
You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.
Scholarships
You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.
How to apply
Domestic applicants
Deferment
Deferment is available for one year (excludes Honours course). Find out more about deferment: Deferment Information.