4.5 years minimum for students commencing Session 2
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
Speech pathologists assess and treat adults and children exhibiting acquired or congenital disorders of speech, fluency, voice, language, swallowing and multimodal communication.
The Bachelor of Speech Pathology prepares you for entry into professional speech pathology practice.
Topics covered include phonetics and linguistics, audiology and neurology, working alongside and interacting with students from other health disciplines. As well as taking advantage of our state-of-the-art facilities, you will receive hands-on experience via clinical placements in schools, hospitals, nursing homes and the Southern Cross University Health Clinic at our Gold Coast campus.
Career opportunities for speech pathologists continue to grow nationally and internationally throughout the health and wellbeing industry, both in private practice and in working with health and education organisations and with various specialists.
Speech pathologists assess and treat adults and children exhibiting acquired or congenital disorders of speech, fluency, voice, language, swallowing and multimodal communication.
The Bachelor of Speech Pathology prepares you for entry into professional speech pathology practice.
Topics covered include phonetics and linguistics, audiology and neurology, working alongside and interacting with students from other health disciplines. As well as taking advantage of our state-of-the-art facilities, you will receive hands-on experience via clinical placements in schools, hospitals, nursing homes and the Southern Cross University Health Clinic at our Gold Coast campus.
Career opportunities for speech pathologists continue to grow nationally and internationally throughout the health and wellbeing industry, both in private practice and in working with health and education organisations and with various specialists.
Current Southern Cross students – to access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook.
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
| Country | Score |
|---|---|
| Austria AMC | 2.7 |
| Bangladesh HSC | 4.8 |
| Brazil SSLC | 9.7 |
| Canada High School OSSD | 64 |
| Chile PSU | 6.8, plus 750-800 |
| China Gao Kao | 484 |
| Colombia CB (NAT) | 97, overall 350-349 |
| Denmark USSLE | 7.3 |
| France FB | 12 |
| German Abitur | 3.2 |
| Hong Kong HKDSE | 17 |
| India CBSE (best 4) | 12.5 external exam |
| India CISCE | 83 |
| India Higher Secondary School Certificate (best 4) | 97 in academic |
| Indonesia SMA | 9.7 |
| International Baccalaureate | 29 |
| Japan USSLC | 4.8 |
| Korea, Republic of, CSAT | 314 |
| Malaysia ICSSUEC | 78> |
| Malaysia STPM | 10 (best 3 A levels) |
| Nepal Higher Secondary Education Certificate | 91 |
| Nepal Proficiency Certificate | 97 |
| Norway GPA | 3.2 |
| Pakistan HSSC | 46 |
| Pakistan HSSC Humanities and Science streams | 96 |
| Pakistan HSSC Pre-Eng and Pre-Med streams | 46 |
| Papua New Guinea HSC (best 5) | 3.0 pass Eng & Math |
| Peru OCSE | 19.4 |
| Phillipines NSAT | 99 |
| Russia FCCSE | 4.9 |
| Saudi Arabia MESSLC | 97 |
| Singapore SCGCE | 19 |
| Spain SSSD | 9.7 |
| Spain STBPU | 6 |
| Sri Lanka GCE | 6 |
| Sweden SSLC | 14.7 |
| Taiwan GSAT | 63 |
| Taiwan Senior High School Certificate | 98 |
| Thailand CSE | (Matayom 6) 2.6 |
| Turkey HSD | 4.8 |
| UK Board GCE A Levels | 16.5 |
| USA SAT & ACT | SAT 1560, ACT 25 |
| Vietnam (in 4 subjects) | 9.7 academic |
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.0 |
| Reading | 8.0 |
| Writing | 8.0 |
| Listening | 8.0 |
| Speaking | 8.0 |
The Bachelor of Speech Pathology enables students to develop high-level communication skills (both written and oral) and to develop an understanding of the theoretical and practical components of speech pathology, with a focus on both general and specialist knowledge and skills. The course shares components with other Southern Cross University degrees such as the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, Bachelor of Podiatry and the Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (Osteopathic Studies).
Arts and science-based units are included in the course, for example phonetics and linguistics, audiology and neurology for speech pathology. Embedded throughout the course are principals of professionalism, evidence-based practice, cultural safety and responsiveness, person-centred care and holistic practice.
Optional major: Indigenous Health
This optional major can be studied at Gold Coast and Coffs Harbour campuses and offers students the opportunity to build theoretical and practical capabilities in cultural protocols and Indigenous ways of knowing and being. Embedded placement opportunities equip graduates with the professional skills required to contribute to the improvement of health and social outcomes in Australian communities.
Domestic students
| Location | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| Coffs Harbour | Session 1, Session 2, Session 3 |
| Gold Coast | Session 1, Session 2, Session 3 |
International students
| Location | Teaching period | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffs Harbour | Session 1 | $28,800 ($3,600 per unit) | 085520F |
| Gold Coast | Session 1 | $28,800 ($3,600 per unit) | 085520F |
Applications for this course are made directly to Southern Cross University via our online application service.
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Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
Apply critical analysis, prudent judgement and the use of research/evidence to inform clinical/professional practice |
Develop an entrepreneurial and sustainable approach to clinical/professional practice utilising appropriate leadership and management skills Demonstrate knowledge, skill, compassion and empathy as ethical, innovative and creative professional eligible to enter clinical/professional practice |
Establish clinical/professional practice based on ethical decision-making and evidence based practice Demonstrate accountability and responsibility within clinical/professional practice |
Function in accordance with all relevant legislation, registration requirements, guidelines and standards affecting clinical/professional practice Assess, plan, provide and evaluate safe and effective clinical practice with a range of client groups across the lifespan |
Identify and reflect on the generalist and specialist skills of practice required for continuing professional development and professional practice |
Work collaboratively in a range of education and health care teams with an understanding of best practice and the evidence base that supports it Communicate and collaborate effectively with clients, families, significant others and professional colleagues in ways that are appropriate to the scholarly, professional and/or social setting |
Demonstrate cultural safety in clinical/professional practice and leadership Demonstrate an understanding of health inequalities and indigenous health (worldwide) |
Assessment methods vary for each unit and include multiple choice questions, quizzes, short answer and essay style examinations, scenario-based case studies and self-reflective journals, oral presentations, written assignments, vivas, object structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), practical skill testing and fieldwork performance evaluations.
On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes as well as clinical practical experience. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.
Speech pathologists work in diverse settings including private practice, schools programs, in government agencies or in the health and wellbeing industry. They work independently and also with other health and education specialists in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary teams.
Students can complete up to 1,000 hours of professional placement in various settings throughout the four years of study. These settings include, but are not limited to, the Southern Cross University Health Clinic on campus, public hospitals, private practice, community health, rehabilitation centres, aged care facilities, schools and regional and remote health locations.
Professional experience placements require students to fulfil certain pre-requisites prior to attending any placements. Before applying for this course, it is important that you understand what these requirements are.
The Bachelor of Speech Pathology is accredited by Speech Pathology Australia (SPA), the national professional and accrediting body. Students and graduates of the Bachelor of Speech Pathology will be eligible for membership of Speech Pathology Australia.
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Call +61 2 6620 3876 during business hours.
Email: enquiry@scu.edu.au
Call 1800 005 687 during business hours.
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Speech Pathology, students must complete the equivalent of 32 units (384 credit points), comprising:
Exit Awards
Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree of Health and Human Sciences after completing the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points), comprising any 16 core units.
Students may be eligible to exit with a Diploma of Health and Human Sciences after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising any 8 core units.
Professional Experience Learning
This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Health Professional Experience page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.
Progression
Students are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 18 months between study of any two (2) professional experience learning units.
Students are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 18 months between study of a theory unit that relates specifically to a particular professional experience learning unit.
Students who have an interrupted study sequence of more than 18 months will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and may be required to undertake a specified supported professional experience placement to ensure clinical currency prior to continuation of the course.
Inherent Requirements
Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Access & Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Access & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.
| Note 1: | Double-weighted unit |