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Professional Recognition

Course code Y12

Bachelor of Speech Pathology Honours

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This course is not available to International students.

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About this Course

This course is for students who are enrolled in ECU's Bachelor of Speech Pathology. Applications are by invitation only based on a students academic performance in the first three years of their course.

Provides students with the skills necessary to assess, plan and treat people with communication and swallowing disorders in a range of different contexts.

The course is closely aligned with areas such as speech science, psychology, audiology, education, linguistics and allied healthcare.

Students are introduced to the research process through the development and completion of a research project.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 8 Bachelor Honours Degree Award.

Course code Y12

Entry requirements

ECU admission and English language requirements apply.

See Course Entry for further information.

Admissions

ECU admission profile

Fees

Commonwealth supported - estimated 1st year indicative fee AUD $11,750

See Fees and Scholarships for further information.

Duration

4 years full-time or part-time equivalent

See Course Details for further information.

Availability & Campus

This course is not available to all students. To discuss your options, please make an enquiry.

Enquire Apply

Course Entry

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

  • The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.

    All applicants are required to be enrolled in the Bachelor of Speech Pathology and be invited to enrol in the Bachelor of Speech Pathology Honours based on their performance in the units across Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 of their undergraduate degree. Students are required to have achieved a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70 per cent or higher. .

    All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • Bachelor degree in a cognate discipline; or
    • Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience.

    For international students, requirements include your secondary school results.

  • International students are required to provide an English language test approved by ECU with a score equivalent to an IELTS Academic overall minimum score of 7.5 (no individual band less than 7.0).  Internationally schooled applicants may also be required to meet this requirement.

    Minimum English standard requirements for this course may also be satisfied with one of the following:

    • Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
    • Special Tertiary Admissions Test;*
    • Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
    • University Preparation Course;
    • Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
    • Aboriginal Student Intake Test;*
    • AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree; or
    • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent).

Applications for this course are not accepted through ECU's Experience Based Entry Scheme.

Course Details

Semester availability

This course is not available to all students. To discuss your options, please make an enquiry.

Course Structure

Year 1 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SPE1100Evidence-Based Practice in Speech Pathology15
PSY1101Introduction to Psychology15
SPE1102Language Across the Lifespan15
MHS1101Anatomy and Physiology 115
Year 1 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
MAT1114Introductory Statistics15
SPE1101Professional Standards and Competencies15
SPE1103Language Models and Analytical Frameworks15
MHS1102Anatomy and Physiology 215
Year 2 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
HST2122Health Research Methodology15
SPE2104Analysis of Sensorimotor Systems15
SPE2210Impact of Communication and Swallowing Disorders15
PSY1115Psychology of Motivation and Emotion15
Year 2 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SPE2103Analysis of Speech and Language15
SPE2205Speech Pathology Assessment: Standard Tests 15
IAS3110Indigenous Australians, Cultural Competence and Speech Pathology15
SPE2106Treatment Principles15
Year 3 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SPE3128Neurogenic Language and Cognitive Communication Disorders15
SPE3106Management of Speech and Language Disorders15
SPE3107Clinical Practicum 115
SPE3112Language Difference: Implications for Clinical Practice15
Year 3 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SPE3105Management of Sensorimotor Disorders15
SPE3125Assessment and Management of Swallowing Disorders15
SPE3108Clinical Practicum 215
SPE3110Professional Issues in Speech Pathology15
Year 4 - Practicum 7
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SPE4110Clinical Practicum 330
SPE4244Disability and Communication15
SPE5102Preparation of Honours Thesis Proposal15
Year 4 - Practicum 8
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SPE4111Clinical Practicum 430
SPE5104Honours Research Project30

Y12|4

For more detailed unit information for this course take a look at our Handbook. To organise your life for next semester visit the Teaching timetable.

Student handbook

Course notes

Important course notes

  • Students are required to complete a substantial clinical practicum designed to provide the required range of clinical experience.

    Clearances and/or Risk Management Protocols Required

    Duty of care requirements must be met prior to commencing practicum placements.

  • Graduates are eligible to apply for membership with Speech Pathology Australia (SPA).

Course learning outcomes

  1. Apply advanced discipline knowledge and theory to a range of speech pathology contexts.
  2. Think critically to research, analyse, interpret and solve complex communication and swallowing conditions.
  3. Think creatively to anticipate challenges, develop new understandings and generate solutions in complex speech pathology contexts.
  4. Use digital technologies to access and evaluate information from multiple sources, to enhance speech pathology practice.
  5. Communicate knowledge and ideas clearly, coherently and with independence.
  6. Demonstrate a global outlook with respect for cultural diversity, including developing capabilities in delivering culturally secure services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, families and communities.
  7. Work collaboratively to initiate social, sustainable and ethical practices to achieve positive client outcomes.
  8. Demonstrate autonomy, accountability and self-awareness for own learning.

Professional Recognition

Course

Accredited by: Speech Pathology Australia (SPA)

Fees and Scholarships

Fees

  • AUD $11,750 - Commonwealth supported estimated 1st year indicative fee 1

Note

1 The 'estimated 1st year indicative fee' is provided as a guide only, based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. At ECU, you pay for the individual units you enrol in, not an overall course fee, so the total cost of your course will vary, depending on what units you choose. An indicative fee will be provided with your course offer, however you can use our Course Fee Calculator to estimate the actual amount you'll need to pay. ECU fees are adjusted annually.

Some units require the payment of a fee for incidental goods or services required to complete those units. For more information and the full list of incidental fees for courses and units, visit What are Incidental Fees.

Scholarships

ECU has a scholarship program that provides many opportunities each year to students undertaking studies here.

Find a scholarship

Related courses

Similar courses to consider

  • Bachelor of Speech Pathology
    Students are required to be enrolled in the Bachelor of Speech Pathology and be invited to enrol in the Bachelor of Speech Pathology Honours based on their performance in units across Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 of their undergraduate degree. Students are required to have achieved a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70 per cent or higher.

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Most of us take communication for granted - but for people with a disorder, it's a daily challenge. Find out more about Speech Pathology, and how you could make a huge difference to the quality of someone's life as a trained Speech Pathologist.

Speech Pathology goes remote

Our Speech Pathology course is making a difference to people in rural and remote communities, with students able to complete 16-week work placements at either Geraldton or Mount Magnet.

As part of their placements, our students work in schools, aged care facilities, inter-professional and communication clinics in the EdSIM Centre.

At Mount Magnet they become fully-immersed in the local Aboriginal community, participating in local activities, as well as completing clinical work. They also complete simulation training in Basic Life Support and a tailor-made cultural awareness program called 'Understanding Yamatji', with access to cultural mentors.

As well as the rich experience of living in a remote community and a rural centre, students also gain vital clinical competencies.

Student stories

Callum May

Callum May

ECU Speech Pathology graduate

My course allowed me to undertake practical placements in every semester

I chose Speech Pathology at ECU because I was interested in the area of communication and I was warmly welcomed into a very supportive learning environment.

The course allowed me to undertake practicum placements in every semester since the very beginning.

Practical experience, in my opinion, is the gateway to gaining a proper insight into speech pathology and the best preparation for having a job after university.

Quick guide to uni-speak

    • The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national regulator of qualifications in the Australian education and training system. The AQF defines the essential characteristics, including the required learning outcomes, of the different types of qualifications issued across the higher education systems in Australia.

    • ATAR is the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, the primary criterion for entry into most undergraduate university courses in Australia. The ATAR is a percentile score which denotes a student's ranking relative to their state-wide peers upon completion of their secondary education.

    • CRICOS is the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. A CRICOS code is allocated to education institutions (like ECU) who are approved to recruit, enrol and deliver education to overseas students. Courses with a CRICOS code are available to international students who meet the entry requirements.

    • A major, or unit set, is your chosen area of in-depth study in an undergraduate course. It usually involves 8 units of study, or one-third of the units in a 3-year degree. Talk to your Student Information Office if you need help choosing a major subject.

    • Minors include between 4 and 6 study units in a specific discipline. Not all courses require you to complete a minor. Your minor subject doesn't appear on your printed degree (parchment), but is part of your academic transcript.

    • If you're enrolled in 3 or more units in a semester this is considered full-time study. To complete most 3-year degrees studying full-time you'll need to complete 4 units per semester, i.e. 24 units over 3 years.

    • If a course is available to study part-time you can generally expect it to take twice as long to complete as it would in full-time mode. Part-time students are enrolled in 1 or 2 units maximum per semester.

      Note: International students who hold a student visa can only choose the full-time study option for our courses. This is to ensure the course is completed within the duration of the student visa.

    • Most courses start in Semester 1 each year, usually in the last week of February. Some courses can be started in Semester 2 (we call this mid-year). There's a week of Orientation before each semester to help you get used to uni life.

    • A lot of our courses start in Semester 2 each year, usually in the last week of July. We call this mid-year. There's a week of Orientation beforehand to help you get used to uni life.

    • We use a points system to make it easier for you to understand your study progress. Most Bachelors degree study units are allocated 15 credit points. If you're studying a 3-year full-time degree you'll need to successfully complete 360 credit points - that's 24 units x 15 points per unit.

    • These are compulsory units you have to successfully complete as part of your course.

    • An elective is a unit you choose to study that counts towards your course requirements, but isn't compulsory. For some courses we recommend elective units. In some situations, a course coordinator may approve an elective unit as a replacement for a compulsory one.

Do you have any questions about the Bachelor of Speech Pathology Honours?

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Course Entry

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