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CB87 - Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours)

Overview

Course Overview

Proposed:

Speech pathology is an exciting career that will enable you the opportunity to work with people across the lifespan, in a variety of different settings. As a speech pathologist, your focus will be helping children and adults communicate effectively, a skill that is essential in everyday life. Speech Pathologists help children and adults who have difficulties with communication (speech, language, hearing) and swallowing. Your role will promote positive well-being.

In this course, you will learn how communication and swallowing typically develop and how to assess these skills in children and adults to determine whether or not they are having difficulties. You will learn how to analyse the results of these assessments so that you can plan an evidenced-based intervention that best meets the individual’s needs. You will undertake extensive Work Integrated Learning opportunities at our Rockhampton Health Clinic, and off-campus at community and clinical sites, where you will observe and work directly with children and adults with speech, language, hearing, or swallowing difficulties. This will allow you to consolidate the content and theory you are learning in class with your developing clinical skills. Throughout these experiences, you will exercise critical thinking and self-reflection, allowing you to develop lifelong learning skills. At the completion of this course, you will be qualified as an entry-level speech pathologist, ready to work with children and/or adults with a diverse range of communication and swallowing difficulties, in a variety of different contexts.

Career Information

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.

Course Details
Duration 4 years full-time or 8 years part-time
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 - 2024
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $9,303
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $23,715
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $18,600
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $37,140
Indicative Year - 2023
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $9,151
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $17,280
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $37,740
Indicative Year - 2022
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $17,280
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $37,740
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $8,842

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes
International Students
CRICOS Codes
Where and when can I start?
Units offered internally at the below campuses may be delivered using a combination of face-to-face and video conferencing style teaching.
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
Please Click Here for more information.
The following tables list the courses availabilities by location and term. Directing your pointer over your preferred location will provide further information if this course is not available for the full duration. Please be sure to also check individual unit availability by location and term prior to enrolling.

Domestic Availability

Term 1 - 2025

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2024

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2023

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2022

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2021

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2020

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2019

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2018

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2017

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2016

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2015

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2014

Rockhampton
Show All

International Availability

Term 1 - 2025

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2024

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2023

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2022

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2021

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2020

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2019

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2018

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2017

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2016

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2015

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2014

Rockhampton
Show All
For any problems regarding admissions availability for the selected course please contact 13 CQUni (13 27 86) or send us an email at http://contactus.cqu.edu.au/
What do I need to start?
Entry Scores
Rank Threshold SR 70.00 | ATAR 70.00
Entry Requirements

English (4,SA), and a Science subject (Chemistry, Biology or Physics) (4,SA)

English Requirements: If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK, Ireland, South Africa or USA you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.

Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion within the last 5 years of:

  • a secondary qualification (Year 11 or 12, or equivalent), or
  • bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years full-time with a minimum overall GPA 4.0

completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency. 

If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores as below:

  • An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 7.5 with a minimum of 7.0 for Reading and Writing and 8.0 for Speaking and Listening, or
  • An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components.

English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.

Each student will be assessed individually.

Assumed Knowledge

It is recommended that students have had at least one class in a biological science during high school.

Course Features

Awards and Accreditation

Interim Awards Not applicable
Exit Awards CL13 - Diploma of Health Science
Accreditation
  • : Core

    This course is accredited with Speech Pathology Australia (SPA). 

Residential School Requirements

No Residential School for this course.

Practicum/Work Placement

SPCH12007 - Student observations and improving communication of adults in aged-care settings.
SPCH12004 - Beginning observations and interactions with children in school and pre-school settings.
SPCH13006 - 1/2 day each at two sites per week of clinical therapy with both adults and children.
SPCH14003 - 1/2 day each at two sites per week of clinical therapy with both adults and children.
SPCH14006 - One Block Placement of 5 days/week for 6 weeks in either an adult or child setting.
SPCH13001 - 1/2 day each at two sites per week of clinical therapy in either an adult or child setting.
SPCH11001 - Students will observe clinical sessions with children and adults at the Rockhampton Health Clinic.
SPCH14007 - One Block Placement of 5 days/week for 6 weeks in either an adult or child setting.

Previous and Current Enrolments

Year Number of Students
2024 48
2023 42
2022 37
2021 35
2020 32
Inherent Requirements
There are Inherent Requirements (IRs) that you need to be aware of, and fulfil, to achieve the core learning outcomes of the units and course. IRs are the essential capabilities, knowledge, behaviours and skills that are needed to complete a unit or course.

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.

Ethical Behaviour

Examples are:

    • Being accountable and responsible for complying with ethical behaviour in your role as a student of CQUniversity as well as during professional practice
    • Think, act and behave ethically in accordance with Speech Pathology Australia's Code of Ethics in all contexts to facilitate safe, competent interactions and relationships with the stakeholders with whom you engage.
    • Complying with academic and non-academic misconduct policies and procedures such as
    • CQUniversity’s Student Charter, Student Misconduct Policy and Student Behavioural Misconduct Procedures and Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
    • Demonstrating integrity in academic, professional and clinical experience settings.


    Behavioural Stability

    Examples are:

    • Demonstrating behavioural stability sufficient to work constructively in diverse and changing academic and/or clinical environments.
    • Being receptive to constructive feedback and responding appropriately. 
    • Demonstrating sufficient behavioural stability to work individually and in teams in changing and unpredictable academic and/or clinical environments.
    • Interacting with people from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures in a calm and composed manner in difficult to deal with situations.
    • Successfully processing your own emotions and behaviour when dealing with stressful situations that can arise in the clinical environment.
    • Reflecting on personal behaviour appropriate for professional performance and being receptive to constructive supervisor/lecturer feedback or criticism.
    • Maintaining behavioural stability through successfully managing your own personal behaviours, experiences and emotions in response to the people you are working with in a professional setting.


    Legal Compliance

    Examples are:

    • Complying with all relevant policies, procedures and frameworks applicable to delivery of professional practice in speech pathology.
    • Complying with the policies of clinical facilities and keeping your pre-clinical requirements up to date throughout the course [e.g., vaccination requirements; mandatory training, obtaining a Working With Children Check ("Blue Card")].
    • Complying with relevant child protection and safety, health and safety, and anti-discrimination legislation
    • Recognising and positively responding to any legal compliance issues that arise and bringing them to the attention of the appropriate stakeholders.
    • Complying with the policies and practices of organisations in which you may be placed or find employment.


    Communication Skills (Verbal, Non-verbal, Written and Technology)

    Examples are:

    • Verbally communicating in the English language with accuracy, appropriateness and effectiveness.
    • Actively participating in discussion activities related to the course.
    • Adjusting your communication to use language that is appropriate to the context of the individual or group.
    • Demonstrating sensitivity to individual and cultural differences during all forms of communication, conveying sensitivity, empathy and respect for others.
    • Communicating effectively during practice, and responding appropriately to requests from others, including staff, supervisors and other health professionals in the clinical setting.
    • Recognising and interpreting non-verbal cues of others, being sensitive to individual and/or cultural variations, to respond respectfully and appropriately during academic and clinical activities related to the course.
    • Using appropriate nonverbal communication including facial expressions, eye contact, tone of voice, body movements and gestures, being mindful of personal space boundaries.
    • Producing accurate written communication necessary for the provision of consistent, safe and appropriate professional practice, including email, letters, record-keeping, clinical notes and reports that also meet legal requirements.
    • Competently and appropriately producing written assessment work in a logical, coherent manner and with correct grammar and punctuation to the required academic standards.


    Cognitive Abilities (Knowledge and Cognitive Skills, Literacy and Numeracy)

    Examples are:

    • Acquiring, processing, integrating and implementing a comprehensive body of knowledge and skills in both academic and clinical settings.
    • Applying evidence based practice, policies and procedures in academic assessments and professional practice.
    • Making safe, appropriate and evidence-based decisions and recommendations in the clinical context.
    • Producing accurate, concise and clear documentation which meets professional and legal requirements in speech pathology.
    • Producing written text proficiently, in English, using appropriate vocabulary and conventions of language, in accordance with appropriate academic conventions such as being able to paraphrase, summarise and reference.
    • Competently reading, writing and accurately interpreting information to convey language effectively in academic assessments and professional practice.
    • Demonstrating effective use of numeracy skills to analyse and interpret research and clinical data.


    Sensory Abilities (Visual, Auditory, Tactile)

    Examples are:

    • Observing and detecting subtle changes in facial expressions, postures, and movements.
    • Responding to tactile input and providing appropriate tactile interaction sufficient to meet the person's needs.
    • Performing functional activities during assessment and treatment including applying appropriate pressure and palpation during oro-motor examinations.
    • Detecting, discriminating, and transcribing others' speech including phonetic and phonemic differences and changes in rate, volume, pitch and voice quality.
    • Listening and and appropriately responding to verbal communication of others.
    • Detecting anatomical or movement abnormalities (e.g., muscles and soft tissues in the oral cavity) in others.
    • Detecting and discriminating alarms, emergency calls and urgent verbal information for care and safety of others.


    Relational Skills

    Examples are:

    • Creating and maintaining rapport, empathy and effective working relationships with others.
    • Sensitively consulting with and eliciting information from others.
    • Maintaining confidentiality in all contexts.


    Reflective Skills

    Examples are:

    • Reflecting on topics taught during the course of study, including on situations that may be difficult or sensitive, yet still require reflective processing, judgement or action.
    • Sharing reflections with others in a respectful and appropriate manner.
    • Identifying when a practice issue is outside one's scope or expertise and identifying appropriate avenues of support.
    • Identifying when one's practice may be negatively affected by personal experience and/or reactions.


    Sustainable Performance

    Examples are:

    • Sustaining study practices, time management and organisation to sufficiently engage with the learning workload within the constrained time frames of the academic term, across the duration of the course.
    • Appropriately and actively participating in activities related to the course of study and professional experience.
    • Undertaking examinations and on-line quizzes with adequate, sustained levels of physical energy and concentration.
    • Undertaking clinical tasks and managing clinical caseloads with sustained levels of physical energy and concentration.
    • Maintaining consistency and quality of performance for the duration of the designated task, particularly when these tasks are related to demonstrating clinical competencies relevant to speech pathology.


    Strength and Mobility (Gross Motor Skills and Fine Motor Skills)

    Examples are:

    • Demonstrating strength, range of motion, coordination and mobility sufficient to meet the needs of others in a clinical environment.
    • Moving readily around people, between work areas and around varying surfaces and levels to complete tasks within required timeframes
    • Providing people support when transferring and mobilising individuals in a safe manner.
    • Evaluating people in a safe and effective manner who have varying physical capacities (e.g., people positioned on hospital beds, on mats on the floor, on chairs and when standing).
    • Safely retrieve, and independently transport and manipulate instruments, materials and equipment.
    • Manipulating small instruments including tongue depressor and small cutlery in time constrained environment (e.g., when testing children).
    • Contributing to handwritten and electronic medical records.
    • Performing treatment techniques that utilise adaptive equipment and various forms of multimodal communication.


    Interpersonal Engagement

    Examples are:

    • Collaborating with fellow students, staff, clinical supervisors, and colleagues and modifying and reflecting on your role within collaborative partnerships.
    • Relating positively and communicating with a wide range of interpersonal skills which include (but are not limited to) being able to engage, build and maintain relationships with all relevant stakeholders to achieve positive working relationships and effective work practices.
    • Creating and maintaining rapport and empathy to ensure effective working relationships and outcomes with colleagues and stakeholders.
    • Interacting and engaging with individuals and groups in a respectful and culturally competent manner in a wide variety of contexts.


    Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Abilities

    Examples are:
    • Competently using a desktop operating system such as Microsoft Windows or Mac OS X, as well as other software such as Microsoft Office relevant to your course of study or workplace.
    • Having sufficient computer knowledge and skills to engage in the on-line learning environment that includes participating in on-line forums, completing relevant on-line assessments and/or responding to emails.


    Compulsory Requirements
    Health Requirements

    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.

    COVID-19 Vaccination Advice

    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.    

    Security Requirements

    Mandatory security requirements include an Australian Federal Police clearance and working with children check.

    Other Compulsory Requirements

    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.

    Core Learning Outcomes
    • 1. Integrate scientific, theoretical, and practical knowledge relevant to speech pathology within the community context.
    • 2. Communicate effectively to diverse audiences within an interprofessional environment
    • 3. Apply the principles of evidenced based practice when assessing, planning, and implementing client-centred, culturally-appropriate speech pathology services
    • 4. Apply speech pathology professional standards of ethical, social, and professional behaviour across a range of practice areas and contexts.
    • 5. Exercise critical thinking and self-reflection within the context of speech pathology practice
    • 6. Investigate, analyse, and synthesise new information and evidence relevant to speech pathology to inform and improve ongoing clinical and professional practice
    • 7. Advance health promotion within the broader health care context through education activities that encompass multi-cultural and cross societal representation.
      Course Learning Outcomes
    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
    Course Structure

    In order to complete this course, you must:

    1. Complete the core structure
    Number of units: 29 Total credit points: 192

    AND one elective in Year 3, Term 2 from any CQUniversity undergraduate unit, provided pre-requisite and co-requisite requirements are met.



    Available units
    Students must complete the following compulsory units:
    SPCH11001 Introduction to Communication and Swallowing
    ALLH11001 Introduction to Allied Health Practice
    ALLH11005 Anatomy and Physiology for Health Professionals 1
    PSYC11010 Fundamentals of Psychology 1: Understanding Human Behaviour
    ALLH11004 Anatomy and Physiology for Health Professionals 2
    ALLH12007 Research Methods for Health Professionals
    ALLH11006 Life Course Development for Health Professionals
    SPCH12006 Linguistics
    SPCH12002 Language and Literacy in Early Childhood
    SPCH12004 Speech and Hearing
    SPCH13005 Acoustics and Phonetics
    ALLH12006 Evidence Based Practice for Health Professionals
    SPCH12003 Functional Anatomy of the Head, Neck and Thorax
    SPCH12007 Speech Pathology Work-Integrated Learning 2
    SPCH13004 Language, literacy and hearing in school aged children
    SPCH13001 Speech Pathology Work-Integrated Learning 2
    SPCH13003 Assessment of Neurogenic Communication Conditions
    SPCH13010 Swallowing and Feeding Across the Lifespan
    SPCH12005 Voice and Fluency
    SPCH13009 Multi-Modal Communication
    SPCH13006 Speech Pathology Work-Integrated Learning 3
    SPCH13008 Management of Neurogenic Communication Conditions
    SPCH14002 Honours Research Practicum 1
    SPCH14001 Integrated Practice in Speech Pathology
    SPCH14003 Speech Pathology Work-Integrated Learning 5
    SPCH14004 Honours Research Practicum 2
    SPCH14006 Speech Pathology Work-Integrated Learning 5
    SPCH14007 Speech Pathology Work-Integrated Learning 6

    AND one elective in Year 3, Term 2 from any CQUniversity undergraduate unit, provided pre-requisite and co-requisite requirements are met.

    More Details

    On completion of this course, students will graduate with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) qualification. As part of the final year of study, students will be required to complete a research project on a topic relevant to speech pathology.