Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Speech Pathology

The Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Speech Pathology is a four-year program that will qualify you to work as a speech pathologist within the Australian healthcare system.

You can study online but will need to complete intensive on-campus residentials which provide you with the opportunity to develop and practise your clinical skills under the guidance of your lecturers, before attending external clinical placements. Students will also complete three practice education placements in community settings during the last two semesters of their study.

On graduating, you will be equipped to work in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, aged care facilities, community health clinics, schools and/or disability organisations. You'll be ready to work and advocate for optimisation of communication and swallowing across the lifespan.

First Nations students are highly encouraged to apply. CDU's Indigenous Student Support services are on hand to support you through your degree.

This course welcomes international students with dedicated international student academic support services.

To complete the Master of Speech Pathology students are required to complete on-campus residential schools in Darwin (NT), and community-based practice education placements. Together these contribute to a developmental trajectory of practical learning and practice education experiences across the course, including approximately 640 placement hours. Residential school and placement experiences support students to develop the skills, knowledge, attributes, and competencies required to reach readiness to enter the profession of speech pathology.

In the first year of the program students are required to attend five consecutive days of residential school each semester. In second year, students attend two consecutive five-day residential schools (10-days total), and a practice education placement (20 days). Students will go on to complete two community-based practice education placements (a total of 60 days) in their final semester of study. Students with a part-time study plan should discuss how these requirements fit into their program of study. Students should be aware that practice education placements may be scheduled throughout the year and may not be confined to semester dates. Practice education placement dates are based on the availability of external host organisations and are outside of the control of CDU.

Students are required to self-fund attendance at residential schools and practice education placements, including covering any costs associated with travel and accommodation. Reasonable travel for community-based practice education placements is an expectation within the speech pathology course. This may include travel or relocation for 5-8 weeks for one placement block in a regional or remote location. Options to apply for funding to assist with covering these costs are available through CDU Scholarship and Faculty of Health Placements Central. First Nations students are able to access the away from base funding through CDU if their attendance at the residential school or placement meets the eligibility requirements.

The Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Speech Pathology is accredited by Speech Pathology Australia. Graduates of this course are eligible to apply for membership with Speech Pathology Australia.

The Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Speech Pathology is a highly competitive course with a limited number of places. This means that although you may meet the minimum entry requirement for the course, you may not be ranked high enough to receive an offer. Subquotas are in place for First Nations and NT Resident applicants.