The Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) aims to develop graduates who are able to apply their specialist knowledge of communication and swallowing disorders in the varied settings in which speech pathologists practice. To facilitate the high level of independent clinical decision making required of graduates, the course uses a range of contemporary teaching approaches. There is also an emphasis on interprofessional education to equip graduates to work effectively with their fellow health professionals in today's work environment. Clinical skills are evaluated whilst on placements to assure that students reach entry-level performance in order to graduate.
Speech pathologists can work in diverse settings in urban, rural and remote areas and may include hospitals (public & private), community centres, rehabilitation centres, kindergartens, schools, aged care facilities and private practice.
Duration | 4 years full-time or 8 years part-time |
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Credit Points that Must be Earned | 192 |
Number of Units Required | CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in undergraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24). |
Expected Hours of Study | One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term. |
Course Type | Undergraduate Award |
Qualification (post nominal) | BSpchPath(Hons) |
AQF Level | Level 8: Bachelor Honours Degree |
Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2025
Indicative Year - 2024
Indicative Year - 2023
Indicative Year - 2022
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Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
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International Students CRICOS Codes |
Rank Threshold | SR 70 | ATAR 70 |
Domestic students- QTAC
International Students- ONLINE
English (4SA), and a Science subject (Chemistry, Biology or Physics)
International Students:
If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK, Ireland, South Africa or USA you are required to meet the English Language Prerequisite by:
The English Language Proficiency requirements may also be satisfied by (results are to be no older than 2 years from the start of term):
It is recommended that students have had at least one class in a biological science during high school.
Interim Awards | Not applicable |
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Exit Awards | Not applicable |
Accreditation |
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No Residential School for this course.
SPCH12007 - Student observations and improving communication of adults in aged-care settings. |
SPCH13001 - 1/2 day per week of clinical therapy in either an adult or child setting. |
SPCH14003 - Block Placement of 4 days/week for 8 weeks in either an adult or child setting. |
SPCH13006 - Two sites of 1/2 day per week of clinical therapy with both adults and children. |
SPCH12004 - Beginning observations and interactions with children in school and pre-school settings. |
SPCH14006 - Block Placement of 4 days/week for 8 weeks in either an adult or child setting. |
Year | Number of Students |
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2024 | 56 |
2023 | 42 |
2022 | 37 |
2021 | 35 |
2020 | 32 |
Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.
If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.
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Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) placements apply to this course and as such are subject to compulsory pre-placement conditions referred to as mandatory checks and are outlined in the health, security and other compulsory requirements sections. Mandatory checks are determined by industry, organisations, legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures. To be eligible for a WIL placement, students must first achieve compliance with mandatory checks by each closing date prior to a WIL placement and maintain current evidence for the duration of the course.
Mandatory health requirements include immunisation and vaccination evidence (and serology where required) to the following diseases: Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps and Rubella, Varicella, Pertussis, and Tuberculosis screening. Respirator mask fit testing is also an annual requirement for this course.
Effective 25 September 2023, updates have been made to the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for Queensland Health sites and the Queensland Ambulance Service. While Queensland Health does not currently mandate evidence of COVID-19 vaccination, it's essential to recognise that other organisations may enforce their own vaccination specific criteria. This situation is similar across other states and territories, with the exception of Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, where COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory for all healthcare students.
Mandatory security requirements include an Australian Federal Police clearance and working with children check.
Other mandatory requirements include a First Aid and CPR certificate, student agreement to privacy and confidentiality, adherence to Speech Pathology Australia's policies for a registered student professional, fitness to participate in WIL student declaration, jurisdictional and site-specific compulsory requirements, and other training modules.
Course Learning Outcomes | |||||||
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Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
1. KNOWLEDGE Have coherent and advanced knowledge of the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines and knowledge of research principles and methods | |||||||
2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge to identify and provide solutions to complex problems with intellectual independence | |||||||
3. SKILLS Have cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of a body of knowledge and theoretical concepts with advanced understanding in some areas | |||||||
4. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to exercise critical thinking and judgement in developing new understanding | |||||||
5. SKILLS Have technical skills to design and use research in a project | |||||||
6. SKILLS Have communication skills to present a clear and coherent exposition of knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences | |||||||
7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate initiative and judgement in professional practice and/or scholarship | |||||||
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts | |||||||
9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for own learning and practice and in collaboration with others within broad parameters | |||||||
10. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Plan and execute project work and/or a piece of research and scholarship with some independence | |||||||
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Display leadership by creating inclusive work environments and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a culturally respectful manner |
Number of units: 30 | Total credit points: 192 |
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Year 1 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
HLTH11027 | Foundations of Health | |
ALLH11001 | Introduction to Allied Health Practice | |
ALLH11005 | Anatomy and Physiology for Health Professionals 1 | |
PSYC11010 | Fundamentals of Psychology 1: Understanding Human Behaviour |
Year 1 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
ALLH11004 | Anatomy and Physiology for Health Professionals 2 | |
ALLH12007 | Research Methods for Health Professionals | |
ALLH11006 | Life Course Development for Health Professionals | |
SPCH11001 | Introduction to Communication and Swallowing |
Year 2 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
SPCH12002 | Language and Literacy in Early Childhood | |
SPCH12004 | Speech and Hearing | |
SPCH12006 | Linguistics | |
ALLH12006 | Evidence Based Practice for Health Professionals |
Year 2 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
SPCH12003 | Functional Anatomy of the Head, Neck and Thorax | |
SPCH12007 | Speech Pathology Work-Integrated Learning 1 | |
SPCH13004 | Language, literacy and hearing in school aged children | |
SPCH13005 | Acoustics and Phonetics |
Year 3 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
SPCH13001 | Speech Pathology Work-Integrated Learning 2 | |
SPCH13003 | Assessment of Neurogenic Communication Conditions | |
SPCH13010 | Swallowing and Feeding Across the Lifespan | |
SPCH13009 | Multi-Modal Communication |
Year 3 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
SPCH12005 | Voice and Fluency | |
SPCH13006 | Speech Pathology Work-Integrated Learning 3 | |
SPCH13008 | Management of Neurogenic Communication Conditions |
Year 4 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
SPCH14001 | Integrated Practice in Speech Pathology | |
SPCH14002 | Honours Research Practicum 1 | |
SPCH14003 | Speech Pathology Work-Integrated Learning 5 |
Year 4 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
SPCH14004 | Honours Research Practicum 2 | |
SPCH14006 | Speech Pathology Work-Integrated Learning 5 | |
OCCT14003 | Transition to Professional Practice |
AND one elective in Year 3, Term 2, from any CQUniversity undergraduate unit, provided pre-requisite and co-requisite requirements are met.
Course Overview
On completion of this course, students will graduate with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) qualification. The speech pathology profession is diverse, serving a vast range of individuals with often complex communication and swallowing needs. The course provides a scaffolded exposure to a broad range of practice areas, including developmental speech and language, stroke and brain injury, motor neurone disease, dementia, stuttering, voice, literacy, swallowing, and multi-modal communication. Students will apply knowledge of language, cognition, speech, hearing, and anatomy/physiology to support the functional goals of those with communication and swallowing needs.
Work Integrated Learning and Clinical Placement Experiences
The Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) course involves extensive clinical placement experiences. Students complete sessional (part-time) placements starting in Year 2. In Term 2 of Year 4, students complete two block (full-time) placements. Students may be required to complete these block placements outside of Rockhampton, which may result in students incurring travel and accommodation costs.
Prior to engaging in any clinical placement, students are required to complete a range of pre-clinical requirements. These are described under Compulsory Requirements in the CB87 Handbook.
Research Experience
From Term 2 of Year 3 to Term 1 of Year 4, students engage in an honours research project on a topic relevant to speech pathology.