Description
As a speech pathologist you will recognise the importance of communication and swallowing as activities that enable people to fully participate in their daily lives. You will assist individuals, groups, families, and communities with speech, language, voice, and fluency concerns; and with multiple modes of communication including speaking, writing, sign, non-verbal cues, and technology-based communication aids. You may also provide advice on swallowing, feeding, and mealtime concerns. You may work as a sole practitioner or in transdisciplinary, interdisciplinary, or multidisciplinary contexts. Your studies will encompass both theoretical perspectives and professional practice experiences.
Course duration
4 years full-time.
Campus availability and study mode
Campus availability
- Brisbane (Attendance)
- Melbourne (Attendance)
- North Sydney (Attendance)
Study mode definitions
Attendance: Face-to-face and/or via video conference, at an ACU campus or another location.
Multi-mode: A combination of Online and Attendance (including examinations, practicums, residentials, etc.).
Online: Fully online (including assessments).
Sample Course Map
| Year – Study Period | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 (Pre: BIOL125) | SPHY100 Development and Communication across the lifespan (Pre: SPHY103) | SPHY104 Evidence based practice in speech pathology | UNCC100 Self and community: exploring the anatomy of modern society |
| Year 2 - Semester 1 | SPHY200 Neuroscience for speech pathology (Pre: SPHY102) | SPHY204 Speech disorders (developmental) (Pre: SPHY100) | HLSC120 Indigenous health and culture | SPHY203 Speech pathology practice 2A (Pre: All 1st year SPHY units, ALHT106) |
| Year 2 - Semester 2 | SPHY201 Language disorders (developmental) (Pre: SPHY203) | SPHY202 Language disorders (acquired) (Pre: SPHY100, SPHY103, SPHY200) | SPHY205 Motor speech disorders (acquired) (Pre: SPHY200, SPHY103) | SPHY207 Speech pathology practice 2B (Pre: SPHY203, SPHY204) |
| Year 3 - Semester 1 | SPHY308 Multimodal communication across the lifespan (Pre: SPHY207) | SPHY303 Voice disorders across the lifespan (Pre: SPHY205, SPHY207) | SPHY301 Mealtime, feeding, and swallowing across the lifespan (Pre: SPHY200, SPHY205) | SPHY302 Speech pathology practice 3A (Pre: All 2nd year SPHY units) |
| Year 3 - Semester 2 | SPHY307 Complex cases in speech pathology (Pre: SPHY301, SPHY302, SPHY303) | SPHY306 Research in speech pathology (Pre: SPHY204, SPHY205, SPHY201, SPHY202) | SPHY304 Fluency disorders across the lifespan (Pre: SPHY200, SPHY207) | SPHY305 Speech pathology practice 3B (Pre: SPHY301, SPHY302, SPHY303) |
| Year 4 - Summer | UNCC300 Justice and change in a global world (Pre: UNCC100) | |||
| Year 4 - Semester 1 | SPHY401 Contemporary issues in speech pathology practice (Pre: All 3rd year SPHY units) | SPHY400 Speech pathology practice 4A (30 credit points) (Pre: All 3rd year SPHY units) | ||
| Year 4 - Semester 2 | SPHY402 Speech pathology practice 4B (30 credit points) (Pre: SPHY400) | |||
'Pre:' – indicates a unit that must be completed before the next unit can be undertaken (prerequisite).
A blank cell indicates that there are no additional units required for that study period.
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.
Deferment, credit points & course units
Deferment
Deferment is available for one year (excludes Honours course). Find out more about deferment: Deferment Information.Credit Points
320
Course Units (Subjects)
Schedule of Unit OfferingsStart dates
- Semester 1 - February
- Semester 2 - To be advised
- Semester 1 - February
- Semester 2 - To be advised
- Semester 1 - February
- Semester 2 - To be advised
Course costs
- Average first year fee: $9165 Commonwealth Supported (indicative only; subject to passage of legislation)
Important Note on Fees
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.
Essential requirements for admission
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
1.1 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:
New South Wales
- Prerequisites: 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).
Queensland
- Prerequisites: English (4, SA) and at least one of biology, chemistry, physics or health education (4, SA).
Victoria
- Prerequisites: 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.
*Disclaimer: The Course entry requirements above are for 2020 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.
International students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
Admission criteria
Each course has a different ATAR/OP cut off and these vary each year. The table below shows the range of scores achieved by students who were accepted into this course last year. Please note some of these scores may have been adjusted by various entry schemes. Learn more about admission to ACU.
ATAR/OP range
For those offered places in 2019
Student Profile
Breakdown of how students entered this course last year and in what numbers.
Further information
Inherent Requirements
There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of the course or unit. Learn more about inherent requirements and how they affect you, and explore the requirements for your course.
Applying for admission
Admission Pathways to this course
Admission Schemes
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Admission Program
- Community Achiever Program (CAP)
- ACU's Schools' Recommendation Program (SRP)
- Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS) - NSW/ACT only
Adjustment Factors which may improve your Selection Rank
- Most applicants to undergraduate courses at ACU are eligible for adjustment factors – which can help improve your selection rank when applying for a degree. Your location, school or personal circumstances may make you eligible too. Learn more about the full list of available adjustments.
If you have a Selection Rank but it's not enough for this course
- Complete a VET qualification such as an AQF Diploma or Advanced Diploma (Qld only)
- Commence another ACU undergraduate degree and successfully complete at least one full-time year (8 units or 80 cp) of study, then apply for internal transfer to this course. A new Selection Rank will be calculated from your results in your ACU units which will be compared with the entry score required for this course. Note - you will need to achieve higher than a pass grade for your studies to achieve the entry score required for this course.
Career paths
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
Professional experience
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). 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 is accredited with Speech Pathology Australia in Brisbane, Melbourne, and North Sydney. Accreditation means that all graduates will be eligible to apply for membership of Speech Pathology Australia.
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).
Pathways to further study
Graduates may be eligible to progress to a postgraduate coursework degree within the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Honours graduates may be eligible to undertake a Master of Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy.
More course information
Honours
Meritorious students may apply to undertake Honours in the third and fourth years of the course, subject to meeting the admission requirements and achieving a grade point average of 5.75.
Determination of students who meet the requirements to enrol in the Honours program, and will be offered a place, will be the responsibility of the undergraduate course coordinator in collaboration with the Head of School.
Contacts for future students
Enquiries:
- 1300 ASK ACU (1300 275 228)
- E-mail: askacu@acu.edu.au
Description
As a speech pathologist you will recognise the importance of communication and swallowing as activities that enable people to fully participate in their daily lives. You will assist individuals, groups, families, and communities with speech, language, voice, and fluency concerns; and with multiple modes of communication including speaking, writing, sign, non-verbal cues, and technology-based communication aids. You may also provide advice on swallowing, feeding, and mealtime concerns. You may work as a sole practitioner or in transdisciplinary, interdisciplinary, or multidisciplinary contexts. Your studies will encompass both theoretical perspectives and professional practice experiences.
Course duration
4 years full-time.
Start dates and campus availability
- 15-Feb-2021
- 15-Feb-2021
- 15-Feb-2021
Deferment, credit points & course units
Deferment
Yes. See Defer your offer.
Students with a Student Visa will need to complete the program in minimum duration, study at least one subject on-campus each semester and must not undertake more than 33% of the program online.
Credit Points
320Course Units (Subjects)
Schedule of Unit OfferingsCourse structure – 1st year
| Year – Study Period | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 (Pre: BIOL125) | SPHY100 Development and Communication across the lifespan (Pre: SPHY103) | SPHY104 Evidence based practice in speech pathology | UNCC100 Self and community: exploring the anatomy of modern society |
| Year 2 - Semester 1 | SPHY200 Neuroscience for speech pathology (Pre: SPHY102) | SPHY204 Speech disorders (developmental) (Pre: SPHY100) | HLSC120 Indigenous health and culture | SPHY203 Speech pathology practice 2A (Pre: All 1st year SPHY units, ALHT106) |
| Year 2 - Semester 2 | SPHY201 Language disorders (developmental) (Pre: SPHY203) | SPHY202 Language disorders (acquired) (Pre: SPHY100, SPHY103, SPHY200) | SPHY205 Motor speech disorders (acquired) (Pre: SPHY200, SPHY103) | SPHY207 Speech pathology practice 2B (Pre: SPHY203, SPHY204) |
| Year 3 - Semester 1 | SPHY308 Multimodal communication across the lifespan (Pre: SPHY207) | SPHY303 Voice disorders across the lifespan (Pre: SPHY205, SPHY207) | SPHY301 Mealtime, feeding, and swallowing across the lifespan (Pre: SPHY200, SPHY205) | SPHY302 Speech pathology practice 3A (Pre: All 2nd year SPHY units) |
| Year 3 - Semester 2 | SPHY307 Complex cases in speech pathology (Pre: SPHY301, SPHY302, SPHY303) | SPHY306 Research in speech pathology (Pre: SPHY204, SPHY205, SPHY201, SPHY202) | SPHY304 Fluency disorders across the lifespan (Pre: SPHY200, SPHY207) | SPHY305 Speech pathology practice 3B (Pre: SPHY301, SPHY302, SPHY303) |
| Year 4 - Summer | UNCC300 Justice and change in a global world (Pre: UNCC100) | |||
| Year 4 - Semester 1 | SPHY401 Contemporary issues in speech pathology practice (Pre: All 3rd year SPHY units) | SPHY400 Speech pathology practice 4A (30 credit points) (Pre: All 3rd year SPHY units) | ||
| Year 4 - Semester 2 | SPHY402 Speech pathology practice 4B (30 credit points) (Pre: SPHY400) | |||
'Pre:' – indicates a unit that must be completed before the next unit can be undertaken (prerequisite).
A blank cell indicates that there are no additional units required for that study period.
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.
Course costs
- Unit Fee: $4790.00 (2021)
- Average first year fee: $38320.00 (2021)
- Estimated Total Cost: $153280.00 (2021)
Important Note on Fees
The Tuition fees quoted above are for commencing students in the current year who undertake a normal full-time load. The Unit Fee is based on a 10cp unit. Fees are reviewed annually.
Tuition fees for continuing students may increase by up to 3 percent each year for the minimum duration of the course as provided on your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE). Students who continue to study beyond the minimum duration will have the relevant annual commencing rate applied to their fees for subsequent study periods.
Essential requirements for admission
Applicants require the equivalent of an Australian Year 12 Certificate, including studies in biology, chemistry or physics. Applicants must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy and 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).
Honours
The Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) program is embedded into years 3 and 4 of the Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Pass) program. To be eligible to apply for admission to the honours program, a student must have completed 160 cp from years 1 and 2 of the Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Pass) degree, with a grade point average of at least 5.75.
Applying for Admission
How to Apply
Information on the application procedure.
- International Students Apply Now
- International students undertaking an Australian Year 12 qualification should apply through the relevant tertiary admissions centre:
- NSW & ACT
- Apply through UAC
- Queensland
- Apply through QTAC
- Victoria
- Apply through VTAC
Inherent Requirements
There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of the course or unit. Learn more about inherent requirements and how they affect you, and explore the requirements for your course.
Career paths
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
Professional experience
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). 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 is accredited with Speech Pathology Australia in Brisbane, Melbourne, and North Sydney. Accreditation means that all graduates will be eligible to apply for membership of Speech Pathology Australia.
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).
Pathways to further study
Graduates may be eligible to progress to a postgraduate coursework degree within the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Honours graduates may be eligible to undertake a Master of Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy.
More course information
Honours
Meritorious students may apply to undertake Honours in the third and fourth years of the course, subject to meeting the admission requirements and achieving a grade point average of 5.75.
Determination of students who meet the requirements to enrol in the Honours program, and will be offered a place, will be the responsibility of the undergraduate course coordinator in collaboration with the Head of School.
Contact us
Phone: +61 3 8676 7040
9am-5am AEST (leave a message after hours).
