Bachelor of Speech Pathology

Western Sydney University

About

The Bachelor of Speech Pathology is a four-year full-time degree.

Speech pathologists apply their knowledge and skills in areas such as speech, voice, language and swallowing in children and adults to support all individuals’ rights to optimal communication, swallowing and mealtime experiences.

Employment is available in diverse settings including private practice, aged care settings, private and public hospitals, community-based agencies, and schools.

The first two-years of the course combine evidence-based studies in speech pathology with a broad understanding of biomedical and health sciences, linguistics and psychology, to develop the professional competencies essential for ethical and safe inter-professional practice.

The final two years focus on the development of advanced knowledge and skills in speech pathology and clinical practice, which support work integrated learning within a range of community settings.The Honours program is available to high achieving students in the Bachelor of Speech Pathology.

Honours is a key early step in the pathway to leadership and research within the profession without taking any longer to complete the degree.

Students are invited for entry into the Honours program in year three of the combined degree.

Students complete an honours thesis during the fourth year of the program, along-side the core units of the Bachelor of Speech Pathology, including clinical placements.

The thesis presents research that addresses current and topical speech pathology issues.Accreditation The Bachelor of Speech Pathology and the Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) are registered with Speech Pathology Australia as qualifying courses and have not yet undergone accreditation evaluation.

Both courses have been designed to meet the Competency-Based Occupational Standards of Speech Pathology Australia and accreditation is being sought.

Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 320 credit points which includes the units listed below.

Recommended Sequence

Code	Name
400870	Population Health and Society

Code	Name
400871	Professional Health Competencies

Code	Name
400868	Human Anatomy and Physiology 1

Code	Name
401300	Introduction to Speech Pathology Practice

Code	Name
400732	Communication in Health

Code	Name
400863	Foundations of Research and Evidence-Based Practice

Code	Name
400869	Human Anatomy and Physiology 2

Code	Name
401416	Communication and Mealtime Foundations

Code	Name
400866	Culture, Diversity and Health

Code	Name
400864	Research Methods (Quantitative and Qualitative)

Code	Name
101945	Introduction to Linguistics

Code	Name
101614	Psychology and Health

Code	Name
300897	Anatomy of the Head and Neck

Code	Name
401302	Adult Speech and Language

Code	Name
401303	Speech Impairments in Children

Code	Name
401304	Speech and Hearing Across the Lifespan

Code	Name
101677	Cognitive Processes

Code	Name
401305	Swallowing Assessment and Management

Code	Name
401306	Alternative and Augmentative Communication Systems

Code	Name
401307	Clinical Practice 1

Note: Students enrol in the Bachelor of Speech Pathology and apply for entry to the Honours program from Year 3, Spring

Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours)

Code	Name
400865	Evidence-Based Practice

Code	Name
300754	Neuroanatomy

Code	Name
401308	Fluency and Voice

Code	Name
401309	Clinical Practice 2

Code	Name
401310	Complex Communication Needs

Code	Name
401311	Clinical Practice 3

And two electives

Code	Name
401312	Professional Issues

Code	Name
401313	Clinical Practice 4

And two electives

Institution