Course Catalogue

There are inherent requirements for this course. Students must read and understand the requirements for this course.

The Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Speech and Language Therapy 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 clinical placements 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 assist people to achieve their highest quality of life at work, home and socially; irrespective of age, disability or illness.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island 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 a dedicated international student support academic.

Practical Experience

To complete the Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Speech and Language Therapy, students are required to complete on-campus residential schools in Darwin (NT), and community-based practice education placements in the Master component of the program. 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.

During the first year of the Master component, students are required to attend five consecutive days of residential school each semester. In the final year of the program, 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 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. Options to apply for funding to assist with covering these costs are available through CDU Scholarships 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 and Language Therapy is accredited by Speech Pathology Australia. Graduates of this course are eligible to apply for membership with Speech Pathology Australia.

Graduating from this course may lead to career opportunities in areas such as hospitals, community health centres, residential and age care facilities, disability services, paediatric facilities, mental health facilities, education facilities, universities and research facilities, juvenile justice centres, and private clinics.