Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours)

Help others find their voice.

Our ability to communicate clearly and enjoy food or drink are things we can take for granted.

But people of all ages can experience difficulties with these seemingly simple tasks, and the effects can be devastating.

Speech pathologists don't just help correct these issues, they improve quality of life.

Launch your career in this rewarding field of health with La Trobe's Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours).

You'll develop an understanding of the anatomy behind speech and swallowing impairments and provide therapeutic treatment and management options.

Build hands-on skills with approximately 1,000 hours of placement on-campus and in clinics across Victoria.

You'll also learn how to improve speech pathology services and policies by tackling a fourth-year industry project or research thesis.

You'll learn:

Therapeutic intervention and management Design and manage the best course of treatment for patients with communication and swallowing impairments.

Anatomy and neurophysiology Gain an understanding of the functional anatomy and neurophysiology relevant to communication and swallowing and their role in impairment.

The science of speech and hearing Discover the latest techniques for investigating sound, speech and hearing, including the analysis of sound waves and speech, and the psychology of sound perception.

The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 8.

Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last two years)

Prerequisite

VCE: Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL.Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in one of Biology, Chemistry, Health and Human Development, any Mathematics, Physical Education or Physics.

HSC: One of English Standard, English Advanced (Band 3), English as an Additional Language or Dialect (Band 4).One of Biology; Chemistry; Mathematics; Physics; or Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (Band 3)

Meeting minimum prerequisites does not guarantee an offer of a place. Entry into all La Trobe courses is based on competitive selection and there may be limited places available.

Admission criteria

ATAR (Compulsory)

This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.

*N/A: Students not accepted in this category, NC: New course, N/P: Not published (includes categories with less than five students). Learn more about our processes

Bridging and enabling courses

Some prerequisites for this course can be satisfied by successfully completing specific subjects offered through Unilearn and achieving the minimum overall grade.

Further details and minimum overall grade information is available from the Prerequisites webpage.

Applicants who complete Unilearn studies must also submit a copy of their 'Statement of Achievement' and transcript with their application.

Personal Statement

Applicants can complete and submit a Personal Statement if they wish other information to be considered during the selection process. This may include information such as work experience or reason for applying. Applicants may wish to provide other documentation in support of their application. Applicants with relevant work experience, may be eligible for extra consideration during the selection process.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) (Current year 12 students exempt)

It is recommended that the STAT Multiple Choice test be completed by applicants who have:

1. not completed Year 12 (or equivalent), University studies, or work experience that can be considered for entry; or do not meet the minimum entry requirements for the program.

Refer to the STAT webpage for further information.

Work Recognition (Current year 12 students exempt)

Applicants seeking consideration via Work Recognition must complete all requirements listed on the La Trobe University Work Recognition webpage and submit a Personal Statement, including relevant work experience and reasons for applying for this course.

Selection rank adjustments

Subject adjustments

VCE: A study score of 30 in Health And Human Development, any Mathematics, Physical Education or any Science equals 4 aggregate points per study. A study score of 20 in any LOTE equals 4 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points.

HSC: Applicants who successfully complete one of the following HSC or equivalent Year 12 subjects will have their selection rank increased by one point per subject: Performance Band 4 in Personal Development; Health and Physical Education, any Mathematics; any language other than English (Band 2). Overall, selection ranks can be increased by a maximum of five points.

Special Access Schemes

For information on adjustment factors that may be applicable, such as those through Special Entry and Access Schemes (SEAS) and other La Trobe special access schemes see: Special access schemes

Applicants with higher education study

Prerequisite

Subject proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency equivalent to stated Year 12 prerequisites.

Meeting minimum prerequisites does not guarantee an offer of a place. Entry into all La Trobe courses is based on competitive selection and there may be limited places available.

Admission criteria

Entire Academic Record (Compulsory)

This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

It is recommended that the STAT Multiple Choice test be completed by applicants who have:

1. not completed Year 12 (or equivalent), University studies, or work experience that can be considered for entry; or do not meet the minimum entry requirements for the program.

Refer to the STAT webpage for further information.

Work Recognition

Applicants seeking consideration via Work Recognition must complete all requirements listed on the La Trobe University Work Recognition webpage and submit a Personal Statement, including relevant work experience and reasons for applying for this course.

Personal Statement

Applicants can complete and submit a Personal Statement if they wish other information to be considered during the selection process. This may include information such as work experience or reason for applying. Applicants may wish to provide other documentation in support of their application. Applicants with relevant work experience, may be eligible for extra consideration during the selection process.

Bridging and enabling courses

Some prerequisites for this course can be satisfied by successfully completing specific subjects offered through Unilearn and achieving the minimum overall grade.

Further details and minimum overall grade information is available from the Prerequisites webpage.

Applicants who complete Unilearn studies must also submit a copy of their 'Statement of Achievement' and transcript with their application.

English Language Test Selection

Applicants who have undertaken studies in a language other than English must demonstrate that they have achieved the required minimum scores in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Academic) or equivalent. Refer to Language requirements for further information.

Selection rank adjustments

Special Access Schemes

For information on adjustment factors that may be applicable, such as those through Special Entry and Access Schemes (SEAS) and other La Trobe special access schemes see: Special access schemes

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

Prerequisite

Subject proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency equivalent to stated Year 12 prerequisites.

Meeting minimum prerequisites does not guarantee an offer of a place. Entry into all La Trobe courses is based on competitive selection and there may be limited places available.

Admission criteria

Academic Record (Compulsory)

Applicants who have not successfully completed an Australian Year 12 or equivalent are ineligible to apply for this course. This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

It is recommended that the STAT Multiple Choice test be completed by applicants who have:

1. not completed Year 12 (or equivalent), University studies, or work experience that can be considered for entry; or do not meet the minimum entry requirements for the program.

Refer to the STAT webpage for further information.

Work Recognition

Applicants seeking consideration via Work Recognition must complete all requirements listed on the La Trobe University Work Recognition webpage and submit a Personal Statement, including relevant work experience and reasons for applying for this course.

Personal Statement

Applicants can complete and submit a Personal Statement if they wish other information to be considered during the selection process. This may include information such as work experience or reason for applying. Applicants may wish to provide other documentation in support of their application. Applicants with relevant work experience, may be eligible for extra consideration during the selection process.

Bridging and enabling courses

Some prerequisites for this course can be satisfied by successfully completing specific subjects offered through Unilearn and achieving the minimum overall grade.

Further details and minimum overall grade information is available from the Prerequisites webpage.

Applicants who complete Unilearn studies must also submit a copy of their 'Statement of Achievement' and transcript with their application.

English Language Test Selection

Applicants who have undertaken studies in a language other than English must demonstrate that they have achieved the required minimum scores in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Academic) or equivalent. Refer to Language requirements for further information.

Selection rank adjustments

Special Access Schemes

For information on adjustment factors that may be applicable, such as those through Special Entry and Access Schemes (SEAS) and other La Trobe special access schemes see: Special access schemes

Applicants with work and life experience

Prerequisite

Subject proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency equivalent to stated Year 12 prerequisites.

Meeting minimum prerequisites does not guarantee an offer of a place. Entry into all La Trobe courses is based on competitive selection and there may be limited places available.

Admission criteria

Academic Record (Compulsory)

Applicants who have not successfully completed an Australian Year 12 or equivalent are ineligible to apply for this course. This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

It is recommended that the STAT Multiple Choice test be completed by applicants who have:

1. not completed Year 12 (or equivalent), University studies, or work experience that can be considered for entry; or do not meet the minimum entry requirements for the program.

Refer to the STAT webpage for further information.

Work Recognition

Applicants seeking consideration via Work Recognition must complete all requirements listed on the La Trobe University Work Recognition webpage and submit a Personal Statement, including relevant work experience and reasons for applying for this course.

Personal Statement

Applicants can complete and submit a Personal Statement if they wish other information to be considered during the selection process. This may include information such as work experience or reason for applying. Applicants may wish to provide other documentation in support of their application. Applicants with relevant work experience, may be eligible for extra consideration during the selection process.

Bridging and enabling courses

Some prerequisites for this course can be satisfied by successfully completing specific subjects offered through Unilearn and achieving the minimum overall grade.

Further details and minimum overall grade information is available from the Prerequisites webpage.

Applicants who complete Unilearn studies must also submit a copy of their 'Statement of Achievement' and transcript with their application.

English Language Test Selection

Applicants who have undertaken studies in a language other than English must demonstrate that they have achieved the required minimum scores in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Academic) or equivalent. Refer to Language requirements for further information.

Selection rank adjustments

Subject adjustments

VCE: A study score of 30 in Health And Human Development, any Mathematics, Physical Education or any Science equals 4 aggregate points per study. A study score of 20 in any LOTE equals 4 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points.

HSC: Applicants who successfully complete one of the following HSC or equivalent Year 12 subjects will have their selection rank increased by one point per subject: Performance Band 4 in Personal Development; Health and Physical Education, any Mathematics; any language other than English (Band 2). Overall, selection ranks can be increased by a maximum of five points.

Special Access Schemes

For information on adjustment factors that may be applicable, such as those through Special Entry and Access Schemes (SEAS) and other La Trobe special access schemes see: Special access schemes