Bachelor of Speech Pathology
Australian Catholic University Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, North Sydney- Opening Date: 01-Aug-2024
- Closing Date: Not Available
- Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, North Sydney
- $10,272 CSP for the first year
- Prepare to assess and diagnose difficulties with speech, language, voice, fluency, multi-modal communication and swallowing.
- Provide intervention and support that is person-centred, culturally-sensitive and evidence-based.
- Engage in professional practice and community engagement activities in Australia and overseas.
- Complete a range of professional practice placements to meet Speech Pathology Australia's graduate entry competency.
- Complete prerequisites at year 12 level or equivalent in relevant subjects such as English, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics.
- Meet the English Language Proficiency requirements for international students as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
- Accredited program with Speech Pathology Australia.
- Opportunities for industry placements each semester starting from the first year.
- Embedded Honours program within the four-year course.
- ACU strongly encourages students to be fully vaccinated due to industry and community placement requirements.
Bachelor of Speech Pathology
Course information for - 2025 entry
Are you an:
- Domestic
- International
Offered at 4 locations:
- Brisbane
- Canberra
- Melbourne
- North Sydney
Duration: 4 years full-time
QTAC code: 115631
ATAR: 80.05 for Brisbane
Fees (first year): $10272 CSP
Start dates:
- Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2025
- Applications open August 2024
- Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Not available
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.
ACU strongly encourages students to be fully vaccinated. With our industry and community placement partners requiring vaccination, and with public health orders regularly changing - students can avoid interruption to their studies, placement and graduation requirements by becoming fully vaccinated.
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
Established programs are accredited with Speech Pathology Australia. The new Canberra program will undergo accreditation with SPA over the next 2 years.
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
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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
Australian Capital Territory
Pre-requisites: a study score of at least 133 in English-T (Major) or ESL (Major); and a study score of at least 97 in one of Biology-T, Chemistry-T, or Physics-T.
New South Wales
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, 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, 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 2025 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.
Adjustment factors
Inherent requirement
Pathways
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Further study
Fees
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How to apply
Domestic applicants
Deferment
Staff Profile
Associate Professor Jane McCormack
Head of Speech Pathology, Deputy Head of the School of Allied Health (NSW)
Associate Professor Jane McCormack is Head of Speech Pathology at ACU. She is a certified practicing member of Speech Pathology Australia and has worked in community health clinics, schools, and early intervention settings with children who have speech, language and communication needs. Associate Professor McCormack teaches and researches in paediatric speech and language, the application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF; WHO, 2001) in speech pathology, interprofessional practice and alternative models of speech pathology education and service delivery.
Testimonial
I chose ACU as it is one of the most highly regarded universities for speech pathology, and I really liked the vibe that the campus had when I came for Open Day. I have found both the placements I’ve done so far really beneficial, as they allowed me to see how to apply the skills I learnt in classes in real-life practice. I think the staff at ACU are amazing, especially all of the speech pathology staff, as they have a wide range of industry and life experience. All the staff really try to learn who you are and to make the content course interesting and relevant.
Hannah
Speech Pathology student
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