Speech Pathology
Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Speech Pathology – Melbourne (Bundoora) (HZHSSP), Bendigo (HZHSSB)
This new course commenced in 2009, replacing the Bachelor of Speech Pathology.
An honours program will be available from 2012
Division of Allied Health: (03) 9479 5815
Duration: 4 years
This program provides prospective speech pathologists with a broad-based knowledge of normal development, the anatomy and function of the human body, causes and types of communication and swallowing disorders, and prevention and treatment strategies for communication and swallowing problems. The growth of the profession calls for speech pathologists with alert, critical minds and the ability to conduct systematic investigations into human communication problems.
The Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Speech Pathology is a four-year, full-time degree program. In first year, students will undertake an interdisciplinary common year in which students enrol in subjects with peers across the Faculty of Health Sciences. The focus of this year is on basic human biosciences and factors influencing health and on developing an understanding of the roles of health professionals in the health and welfare sectors.
The second year of study will see students begin to develop skills specific to the discipline of speech pathology and further explore the underpinning human biosciences and public health aspects. This provides a broad-based knowledge of normal development, the anatomy and function of the human body, and an introduction to causes and types of communication and swallowing disorders.
In third and fourth years, this program utilises both innovative Problem Based Learning (PBL) methods of teaching and learning as well as more traditional formats, and rich clinical learning experiences. PBL results from understanding and working towards the resolution of a problem. In this curriculum, PBL relies on the use of actual speech pathology cases, presented in a variety of formats (e.g. printed case notes; computer-based examples; video or audio samples; simulated patients).
Students who have completed the first three years of the course may be invited to participate in the honours program. Opportunities for postgraduate research studies may then be offered to eligible candidates.
Clinical education
Clinical experience is a major component of the program and is gained at the La Trobe Communication Clinic (on the Melbourne (Bundoora) campus) and through external clinical placements in hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centres, nursing homes, community health centres, early childhood centres, private practice, in metropolitan, rural and interstate settings. Clinical placements begin in the first year of the course with observational experiences and progress through each year of the course. The majority of clinical placements are undertaken in years 3 and 4 of the course.
Degree requirements
This is a four-year, full-time course. Students who meet the appropriate requirements will be invited to participate in an honours program.
Course structure
First year
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | HBS1HBA | Human Biosciences A | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | HLT1IPA | Interprofessional Practice A | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | HLT1PHW | Perspectives of Health and Wellbeing | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | PHE1IDH | Individual Determinants of Health | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HBS1HBB | Human Biosciences B | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HLT1IPB | Interprofessional Practice B | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PHE1SDH | Social Determinants of Health | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Elective | 15 |
Second year
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | HCS2ACW | Analysing and Combining Words | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | HCS2NCP | Normal Communication and Swallowing Processes | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | HLT2IEP | Integrating Evidence into Practice | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | HBS2ANS | Anatomy & Neurophysiology for Speech and Hearing | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HCS3AOC | Analysis of Communication | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HCS3SHS | Speech and Hearing Sciences | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PHE3MHP | Mental Health and Pharmacology | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Elective | 15 |
Third year (offered in 2011)
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | HCS4ACS | Assessment of Communication and Swallowing Disorders | 30 |
| TE-SEM-1 | HCS4ISP | Introduction to Speech Pathology Practice Clinic | 15 |
| plus one of | |||
| TE-SEM-1 | HCS4RSP | Introduction to Research in Speech Pathology | 15 |
| or | |||
| TE-SEM-1 | Elective | 15 | |
| plus | |||
| TE-SEM-2 | HCS5AIA | Assessment and Intervention in Speech Pathology A | 30 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HCS5AIB | Language and Phonology Clinic | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HCS5EBP | Evidence Based Practice in Speech Pathology | 15 |
Fourth year (offered in 2012)
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | HCS5TIM | Therapeutic Intervention and Management | 20 |
| TE-SEM-1 | HCS5SPA | Speech Pathology Practice A | 20 |
| TE-SEM-1 | HCS5CEL | Critical Evaluation of the Literature | 20 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HCS5ASP | Advanced Seminars in Speech Pathology | 20 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HCS5SPB | Speech Pathology Practice B | 20 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HCS5SPC | Speech Pathology Practice C | 20 |
Professional recognition
Graduates of the Bachelor of Health Sciences/ Master of Speech Pathology are normally eligible for membership of the Speech Pathology Association of Australia and are able to work in several overseas countries after completing certain requirements.