Global Utilities

La Trobe University
University Handbook 2010

Speech Pathology

Bachelor of Speech Pathology – Melbourne (Bundoora) (HBSP)

This course is only available for continuing students (pre-2009 intake). Those wishing to study speech pathology should apply for the Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Speech Pathology.

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.

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.

Course structure

This is a four-year, full-time course. Students who meet the appropriate requirements will be invited to participate in an honours program. There will be no new intake into years 1 or 2 of this course in 2010.

Third year (continuing students only)
Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit points
TE-SEM-1 HCS3CLI Third year Clinic1 15
TE-SEM-1 HCS3DSS Disorders of Speech and Swallowing Clinic1 10
TE-SEM-1 HCS3APH Aphasia 20
TE-SEM-1 HCS3APC Acquiring Professional Competency 3 15
TE-SEM-1 PHE3RDA Research Design and Analysis 5
TE-SEM-1 HCS3AAC Augmentative and Alternative Communication 5
TE-SEM-2 HCS3AUR Auditory-Visual Rehabilitation 10
TE-SEM-2 PHE3PDH Psychiatric Disorders in Health Care 5
TE-SEM-2 HCS3STU Stuttering 15
TE-SEM-2 PHE3CND Central Nervous System Disorders and Human Behaviour 5
TE-SEM-1 or TE-SEM-2 Elective at third year level (pass degree only) 15
Fourth year (continuing students only)2
Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit points
TE-SEM-1 HCS4PDA Pass Degree Project in Speech Pathology A 15
TE-SEM-1 HLT3IPA Interdisciplinary Professional Practice 15
TE-W10-28 HCS4PRA Professional Practice in Speech Pathology A 30
TE-W29-50 HCS4PRB Professional Practice in Speech Pathology B 30
TE-SEM-2 HCS4PDB Pass Degree Project in Speech Pathology B 20
TE-SEM-1or TE-SEM-2 Elective at fourth year level 10

Key: 1. Students will vary their enrolment once placement is allocated.

2. Students would normally need to complete all third year subjects to progress to fourth year.