The profession of speech pathology deals with the science and social impact of communication and swallowing disorders, which may be acquired or developmental, and are caused by cognitive and/or physical impairment. This course teaches students the full range of skills necessary to assess, plan, and treat people with communication and swallowing difficulties in a range of different contexts. Academically and professionally, the course is closely aligned with areas such as speech science, psychology, audiology, education, linguistics, rehabilitative science, neuroscience and allied healthcare.
This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the course requirements and the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.
Students are required to complete substantial clinical practicums designed to provide the required range of clinical experience. Fieldwork placements commence in the first year and throughout the course, and provide students with valuable learning experiences in a range of settings.
To be eligible to undertake clinical practice and fulfil their duty of care, students are required to complete pre-practicum preparation on commencement of the course and carry out amendments in subsequent semesters, as appropriate. For more information, see course details on our website.
Some units contain supervised practicum placements which are assessed and are required to be passed in order to pass the units.
This course has been Accredited by: Speech Pathology Australia (SPA).
Graduates of this course will be eligible for Practicing Membership with Speech Pathology Australia.
All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:
International students are required to provide an English language test approved by ECU with a score equivalent to an IELTS Academic overall minimum score of 7.5 (no individual band less than 7.0). Internationally schooled applicants may also be required to meet this requirement.
Minimum English standard requirements for this course may also be satisfied with one of the following:
Portfolio pathway applications are not accepted for this course.
Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
---|---|---|
SPE1100 * | Evidence-Based Practice in Speech Pathology | 15 |
PSY1101 | Introduction to Psychology | 15 |
SPE1102 | Language Across the Lifespan | 15 |
MHS1101 | Anatomy and Physiology 1 | 15 |
Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
---|---|---|
MAT1114 | Introductory Statistics | 15 |
SPE1101 | Professional Standards and Competencies | 15 |
SPE1103 | Language Models and Analytical Frameworks | 15 |
MHS1102 | Anatomy and Physiology 2 | 15 |
Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
---|---|---|
HST2122 | Health Research Methodology | 15 |
SPE2104 * | Analysis of Sensorimotor Systems | 15 |
SPE2210 | Impact of Communication and Swallowing Disorders | 15 |
PSY1115 | Psychology of Motivation and Emotion | 15 |
Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
---|---|---|
SPE2103 | Analysis of Speech and Language | 15 |
SPE2205 | Speech Pathology Assessment: Standard Tests | 15 |
IAS3110 | Indigenous Australians, Cultural Competence and Speech Pathology | 15 |
SPE2106 | Treatment Principles | 15 |
Note: SPE2103 should be completed concurrently with SPE2205. If the units are undertaken in different semesters, SPE2103 should be completed before enrolling into SPE2205.
Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
---|---|---|
SPE3128 | Neurogenic Language and Cognitive Communication Disorders | 15 |
SPE3106 | Management of Speech and Language Disorders | 15 |
SPE3107 | Clinical Practicum 1 | 15 |
SPE3112 | Language Difference: Implications for Clinical Practice | 15 |
Note: SPE3128 and SPE3106 should be completed concurrently with SPE3107. If units are undertaken in different semesters, SPE3128 and/or SPE3106 should be completed before enrolling into SPE3107.
Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
---|---|---|
SPE3105 | Management of Sensorimotor Disorders | 15 |
SPE3125 | Assessment and Management of Swallowing Disorders | 15 |
SPE3108 | Clinical Practicum 2 | 15 |
SPE3110 | Professional Issues in Speech Pathology | 15 |
Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
---|---|---|
SPE4244 | Disability and Communication | 15 |
SPE4110 | Clinical Practicum 3 | 30 |
SPE4155 | Evidence Based Decision Making in Speech Pathology | 15 |
Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
---|---|---|
SPE4200 | Innovation and Speech Pathology | 15 |
SPE4111 | Clinical Practicum 4 | 30 |
SPE4109 | Professional Skills in Speech Pathology: Workplace Preparation | 15 |
* Students will be assessed to see if they have achieved the ECU minimum standard of English language proficiency in this unit. Students who don't meet the minimum standard will be provided with appropriate English language support and development.
For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.
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