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Develop highly specialised theoretical and practical knowledge alongside experienced healthcare professionals through this accredited speech pathology degree. Apply a holistic and interdisciplinary understanding of healthcare to assess, diagnose and manage communication and swallowing difficulties and differences that will improve peoples' quality of life. You’ll benefit from extensive placement opportunities, including in rural and remote areas.

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#1 in Australia

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5 Stars

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#1 in Queensland

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Townsville

Townsville: February

$41,200.00⁺

⁺estimated annual tuition fee for a full-time study load

Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Scholarships and financial aid available if eligible

4 years full-time

English (Units 3/4,C) plus one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology or Health (Units 3/4,C); or equivalent

If your native language is not English, you must meet the minimum English language requirements for this course

View the international entry requirements for this course

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What to expect

Become equipped to improve your future clients’ quality of life by assessing, diagnosing and managing communication and swallowing difficulties and differences. Learn about speech pathology theory and practice as well as anatomy, linguistics, psychology, medicine, education and communication.

Speech pathologists are autonomous professionals who support every individual’s right to optimal communication and swallowing. The broad scope of your speech pathology studies will prepare you to take a holistic approach to healthcare and make a difference to those who need it most. Areas that underpin speech pathology practice include communication sciences, health care and allied health, education, social justice, biomedical sciences, physical sciences and even performances such as sport and singing. All of these areas extend your career opportunities by allowing you to work in many different fields.

JCU’s Bachelor of Speech Pathology is accredited by Speech Pathology Australia, the federally recognised professional body representing speech pathologists in Australia. Completing JCU’s Bachelor of Speech Pathology is equivalent to registration and graduates are eligible for Practising Membership with Speech Pathology Australia. Your qualifications are recognised in many countries and a limited Mutual Recognition Agreement exists with the UK, USA, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand.

In the Bachelor of Speech Pathology, you’ll study an advanced body of theoretical knowledge and technical competencies that are applicable to diverse contexts. You will explore subjects including anatomy and physiology relevant to speech pathology, linguistics and phonology, psychology, lifespan development, and different types of speech and language impairments. You will develop an in-depth understanding of the speech chain at a linguistic, physiological and acoustic level as you study how communication develops through the ears, the lips, the teeth, the nasal cavity, the brain, the sensory and motor nerves and the vocal muscles.

Go behind-the-scenes of health care as you study the Australian healthcare system, the epidemiological patterns of the Australian population, and the factors and decisions that influence health service activity. Your combined knowledge of speech pathology practice and healthcare systems will equip you to make a difference to your future clients at both a personal and systemic level. JCU Speech Pathology emphasises health promotion, particularly in remote and Indigenous communities, and will train you to think and work holistically as you incorporate the ‘bigger picture’ of your client’s health and lifestyle into your professional practice.

You will have firsthand experience of what it’s like to be a speech pathologist as you undertake multiple professional placements across this speech pathology degree. You’ll complete practical placements in urban, regional and remote areas, giving you the experience to work in any setting. Your placement could be facilitated by public or private hospitals, health clinics, or disability services. You’ll discover the variety inherent to the speech pathologist’s role as you encounter clients who need assistance with communicating, possibly after a stroke, due to stuttering, voice problems, autism, literacy difficulties, hearing problems or difficulties learning to speak. Clients may also need assistance to eat — chewing and swallowing can be difficult for some babies born with conditions like cleft palate or Down Syndrome; adults who have a stroke or cancer in the throat might also need help to improve their ability to eat or drink.

Upon graduation, you will have all the essential skills of a speech pathologist including the ability to provide responsive, sensitive and effective speech pathology practice to all clients, specifically including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other culturally and linguistically diverse populations. You will be equipped with highly applicable skills such as professional communication, ability to plan, learn and reason as well as having the ability to conduct yourself successfully in a professional work environment. You will be prepared to deliver, facilitate, and evaluate safe, sustainable and effective client-centred speech pathology services including preventative, educational and promotional programs in collaboration with client groups and other professionals.

Honours

An Honours degree supports entry into a Higher Degree by Research. An Honours component is embedded in JCU’s Bachelor of Speech Pathology; students further develop their research skills as they complete the Honours component in the fourth year of the degree.

The Honours component has two streams available — a professional stream and a research stream. In the professional stream, small groups of students work collaboratively to conduct a research project within the field of speech pathology. They present their findings and prepare a thesis related to their work. In the research stream, students will work independently to conduct a research study in an area of interest within speech pathology. These students also present their findings and submit a thesis. This work may be submitted and accepted for publication in professional journals or presented at national or international conferences. Recent topics include the effectiveness of rugby players' voices and experiences of police working with offenders who have language disorders.

The professional stream supports students to continue their postgraduate study with a Master’s degree while the research stream can act as a potential pathway for students to pursue a PhD or similar research qualification.

Refer to the Course Handbook for eligibility information.

Additional information

About JCU's Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) in Queensland

You understand just how crucial communication is to human development and individual success. Your Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) degree (similar to Bachelor of Speech Therapy) from JCU will qualify you to assess, diagnose and manage significant speech and swallowing impairments.

A Speech Pathology Degree That Gains You Experience

Develop high-level skills necessary to merge theory with real-world situations throughout your speech pathologist degree. Work with real clients in professional placements under the supervision of caring professionals dedicated to your success. Experience a diverse range of scenarios during your placements when you assess, diagnose, treat and manage people with communication and swallowing difficulties.

You will have the opportunity to help a child who cannot be understood, or assist an adult in overcoming a swallowing disorder. You could help patients restore their voice after cancer surgery or work with those who find it difficult to swallow because of neurological disorders. Your Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) in Queensland will equip you to work with people from diverse backgrounds and from socioeconomic statuses.

Study Speech Pathology and Learn Transferable Skills

Build a highly adaptable skillset and find employment in a variety of work contexts throughout Australia and overseas with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours). Learn adept skills in researching and evaluating data and use these skills to solve medical problems. Reach out to children and adults from various cultures and economic conditions.

Become an accomplished communicator with the ability to express your thoughts, and empower others to express theirs. You will learn how to assess a client’s needs and apply your expert knowledge to provide a solution.

A Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) That Leads to a Bright Future

Be ready to use speech therapy degree level skills to help people overcome their limitations and challenges. In addition, build specific skills working with rural, remote and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

As a JCU graduate, you will be career-ready with strong analytical and clinical skills. Small class sizes and personalised support prepare you to be ready today, for tomorrow. Your extensive practical experience combined with a thorough understanding of the theoretical aspects of speech pathology will put you at the forefront of your field.

Learn how to connect with others in an empathetic and effective way as you study your speech pathology degree. Advance your own communication skills so you can work with clients, colleagues, and the community as a facilitator and leader.

Study Speech Pathology (Honours) and Make a Difference

A speech therapy degree from JCU will help you build a bright future for yourself and for others. With your accredited degree, you are qualified to work in early intervention, in community or mental health services, and in hospitals, nursing homes, schools and universities.

See where a degree from JCU can take you and follow your passion to make a positive change.
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Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please review the inherent requirements for the Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours).

Career Opportunities

Begin a life-changing career helping patients overcome communication and swallowing difficulties. Through this accredited course, JCU Speech Pathology graduates are equipped with job-ready skills to meet the unique needs of tropical, rural and Indigenous communities.

As a JCU Speech Pathology graduate, you’ll have the knowledge and expertise to enable you to work with children and adults and promote speech and swallowing improvement, literacy development and auditory development appropriate to you clients’ needs.

Once you’re a qualified speech pathologist, you may want to pursue a career in education, hospital support, community health or aged care. Alternatively, you could find work in childcare, mental health services, disability services or private practice.

This course is accredited by Speech Pathology Australia. Upon graduation, you will be eligible for Practising Membership with Speech Pathology Australia.

Handbook

Handbook year	Information valid for students commencing in 2023
Course code	71409
Course type	Bachelor Honours Degree (AQF Level 8)
Professional accreditation status	This course is accredited by Speech Pathology Australia (Provisional Accreditation of 2 years).
Owner	Academy
College	Healthcare Sciences

Award Requirements

Admission Requirements

Course pre-requisites	English (Units 3/4,C), plus one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology or Health (Units 3/4,C).
Minimum English language proficiency requirements	Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy. An overall IELTS of 7.0 with a minimum writing score of 6.0; speaking score of 7.0; reading and listening score of 7.0.
Additional selection requirements	Students will be eligible to be offered a position in the Research Honours major by the Academic Head if they have achieved a GPA of 5.0 all level 1 and level 2 subjects listed in the course structure. Students who are not offered a position in the Research Honours major, or are offered a position in the Research Honours major but decline this offer, will continue in the Professional Honours major for levels 3 and 4. Information published by JCU or otherwise made available to students when applying, may specify additional criteria to be considered in ranking applicants in order of merit if the number of applications exceeds a quota or other limit on the places made available for the course. Information provided by applicants during the application process and any other information obtained by JCU in the application process may be used by JCU to rank applicants in order of merit by reference to those additional criteria.
Special admission requirements	A quota on entry into the Research Major may be applied depending on the availability of supervisors.
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s)	Clinical placement/professional practice: This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements. Students may be required to undertake such placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled, at their own expense (Note: health professional courses generally involve extensive professional or clinical placements). Further information about placements can be found at Coursework Enrolment Procedure.
Post admission requirements	This course may have specific admission requirements such as immunisation, a Suitability to Work with Children card, a federal police check and/or other conditions that students must comply with. Students must complete all professional experience placement requirements by the prescribed deadlines and maintain currency of these requirements in order to stay admitted in the course. You will find your course requirements here: https://www.jcu.edu.au/professional-experience-placement/preparation-checklists

Academic Requirements for Course Completion

Credit points

96 credit points as per course structure

Course learning outcomes

The James Cook University Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) will prepare graduates to meet the Entry Level standards as specified in the Competency-Based Occupational Standards – Speech Pathology (CBOS: 2011, revised 2017), as required to be eligible for membership of Speech Pathology Australia.

On successful completion of the Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours), graduates will be able to:

Integrate and adapt a coherent and advanced body of theoretical knowledge and technical competencies in diverse contexts as an entry level speech pathologist
Apply professional and ethical frameworks, standards, and underlying principles and concepts, to inform responsible and accountable professional behaviours; such frameworks and standards include the current Speech Pathology Australia Code of Ethics, the Competency-based Occupational Standards – Speech Pathology and the Professional Standards
Retrieve, critically evaluate and apply established and evolving evidence and concepts to advanced speech pathology and inter-professional practice
Demonstrate advanced oral and written English language and numerical skills that enable clear, coherent, and appropriate communication of theoretical and therapy concepts, treatment options, and professional decisions, with clients, families, communities, and other professionals
Reflect on and apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy, well-developed judgement, adaptability, and responsibility in speech pathology practice
Provide responsive, sensitive, and effective speech pathology practice to all clients, specifically including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, other culturally and linguistically diverse populations, and people residing in tropical, rural, and remote locations
Deliver, facilitate, and evaluate safe, sustainable, and effective client-centred speech pathology practice including preventative, educational, and promotional programs in collaboration with client groups and other professionals
Formulate, implement, and evaluate speech pathology management for people with communication and swallowing needs across the lifespan
Apply knowledge of research principles and methods to plan, execute, and disseminate project work and/or a piece of research and scholarship with some independence

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements	Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University's learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please visit: Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) .
Reasonable adjustments	All JCU students have the opportunity to demonstrate, with reasonable adjustments where applicable, the inherent requirements for their course. For more information please visit: Student Disability Policy and Procedure.

Course Structure

CORE SUBJECTS

Level 1

Teaching Period 1

BM1051:03 Anatomy and Physiology for Speech Pathology 1

SL1001:03 Foundations of Speech Pathology

SL1002:03 Foundations of Linguistics and Phonology

PY1101:03 Exploring Psychology: from Brain to Practice

Teaching Period 2

BM1052:03 Anatomy and Physiology for Speech Pathology 2

HS1003:03 Lifespan Development for Health A

HS1401:03 Health and Health Care in Australia

SL1004:03 Linguistic Development

Level 2

Teaching Period 1

HS2402:03 Health Professional Research 1

HS2403:03 Health Promotion for Health Professionals

SL2006:03 Speech Development and Impairment

SL2011:03 Speech Pathology Clinical Processes A

Teaching Period 2

SL2002:03 Language Development and Impairment

SL2003:03 Acquired Speech Impairments

SL2012:03 Speech Pathology Clinical Processes B

SL2013:03 Topics in Focus in Speech Pathology 1

OPTIONS

Select a Major from Table A

TABLE A (Majors)

Type of major	Single
Credit points in major	48 credit points

MAJOR	AVAILABLE AT	NOTES
Professional Honours	JCU Townsville	Only available full time
Research Honours	JCU Townsville	Only available full time Students must have obtained a GPA of not less than 5.0, calculated across all level 1 and level 2 subjects listed in the course structure.

Location

COURSE AVAILABLE AT	NOTES
JCU Townsville

Candidature

Expected time to complete	4 years full-time or 6 years part-time (levels 1 and 2 may be completed part-time however levels 3 and 4 must be completed full-time)
Maximum time to complete	7 years
Maximum leave of absence	1 year

Progression

Course progression requisites	Must successfully complete all level 1 and level 2 subjects before attempting any level 3 subject. Must successfully complete all level 3 subjects before attempting any level 4 subject.
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s)	Clinical placement/professional practice: This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements. Students may be required to undertake such placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled, at their own expense (Note: health professional courses generally involve extensive professional or clinical placements). Further information about placements can be found at Coursework Enrolment Procedure.
Special assessment requirements	At the discretion of the College Dean, students may be required to undertake a prescribed English language test to ensure that they have an acceptable level of English language proficiency, including at least at the level required to be admitted to the course, to safely participate in professional experience placements. Refer to Review of a Student’s Suitability to Continue a Course Involving Placement policy.
Professional accreditation requirements	Nil
Supplementary exam for final subject	Not applicable

Credit

Eligibility	Students may apply for credit transfer for previous tertiary study in accordance with the Credit Transfer Procedure.
Maximum allowed	63 credit points
Currency	Credit will be granted only for studies completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course.
Expiry	Credit gained for any subject shall be cancelled 18 years after the date of the examination upon which the credit is based if, by then, the student has not completed this course.
Other restrictions	A maximum of 15 credit points of credit may be granted at level 3 or 4.

Award Details

Award title	BACHELOR OF SPEECH PATHOLOGY (HONOURS)
Approved abbreviation	BSpPath(Hons)
Inclusion of majors on testamur	Not applicable - this course does not have majors
Exit with lesser award	Students who have completed 24 credit points of their course award requirements, and withdraw from or fail to meet the requirements for progression in the later years, may be eligible for the award of Diploma of Tertiary Studies. Students who have completed 48 credit points of their professional course award requirements, and withdraw from or fail to meet the requirements for progression in the later years, may be eligible for the award of Associate Degree of Health Sciences
Course articulation	Not applicable
Special awards	Students may receive an Award of Recognition in accordance with the Recognition of Academic Excellence Procedure

Fees and scholarships

Estimated annual tuition fee: $AUD41,200.00

Courses are charged per year of full-time study. International course fees are reviewed annually and subject to change.

A Student Services and Amenities Fee is payable per subject up to a maximum amount per year.

Student Visa holders must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their Student Visa (except Norwegian, Swedish and Belgian citizens). Costs depend on the length of study and the number of dependants accompanying the student. For more information see Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

Scholarships and financial aid are also available for international students.

Pathways to JCU

How to apply

Application dates vary between courses, whether they're delivered in semester, trimester or carousel study modes. View our Application due dates page for more information.

Gather the documents you need to apply and submit an application via JCU's online application portal.

Student

Nicole Dunn

Bachelor of Speech Pathology

Speech Pathologists go through the human lifespan. You can get jobs in paediatrics – right from when babies are born, all the way through to palliative care. There’s so many different places we can work, and we’re in really high demand, especially in rural areas.
Alumni

Tamara Bosnjak

Bachelor of Speech Pathology

One of the best things about studying speech pathology at JCU is the smaller class sizes, which means you get to know your classmates well and not only make friends but work colleagues when you graduate. You also get to know the lecturers, who were super supportive and helpful on my journey.
Lecturer

Jacqueline Lim

Speech Pathology

We have a unique focus on preparing graduates to work in rural and remote locations. Many of our graduates thoroughly enjoy the opportunities the course provides to experiencing the complexities and joys of rural and remote practice, and many choose to work in regional Australia after graduation.
Employer

Jenna Mottin

A Director of Talk HQ

It was an honour to have studied and graduated with a JCU Bachelor of Speech Pathology and now being an employer to many JCU Speech Pathology graduates in my private practices. It is such a rewarding career and it excites me seeing new graduates with the same passion and zest for the profession.