301592 v.6 Master of Speech Pathology

MSpeechPath(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 033868G
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 2 Years

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Course Overview

Master degrees (coursework) prepare students to apply advanced knowledge for professional practice, scholarship and further learning corresponding to AQF level 9 qualifications.

This graduate entry master (GEM) qualification for speech pathologists is an alternative to the Bachelor of Science (Speech Pathology) for those with a bachelor degree in another discipline. The academic coursework and clinical practice integrate contemporary theory and research in human communication science, cognitive neuroscience, speech science, rehabilitation science, behavioural science and clinical practice. Throughout the course, students will participate in supervised clinical education in a variety of contexts. This course in speech pathology develops an integrated understanding of the science of human communication as well as the professional competencies for providing speech pathology services to people with communication and swallowing disorders. Speech pathologists provide specialist services for people with communication and / or swallowing problems. Communication and / or swallowing may be impaired by neurological damage, hearing impairment, physical dysfunction, psychological disturbance and intellectual impairment. Some causes of disturbances in normal development may be unidentified.

Professional Recognition

The course is accredited by Speech Pathology Australia. Graduates are eligible for membership of Speech Pathology Australia.

Career Opportunities

Graduates readily find employment in a range of public, not-for-profit and private services throughout Australia.

Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials.

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Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au. Subject to the duration of the course applicants usually require a bachelor degree or equivalent (and may require relevant work experience), bachelor honours degree, graduate certificate or graduate diploma.

Specifically, applicants require an honours degree or a bachelor degree with a course weighted average of 65 or greater. Evidence of successful tertiary level study of human biology is required. Applicants who have not studied human biology at a tertiary level will be required to undertake studies in this area before commencing the course.

Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.

Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to doctoral degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.

Course Entry/Completion Note

Students are required to complete a Senior First Aid Certificate as soon as possible upon entering the course. Applicants for this course should refer to the Communicable Diseases and Criminal Record Screening and Clearance section of the Faculty website.

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Course Organisation

Master degrees (coursework) contain a series of units in a specialised area of study which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may also contain a range of majors/streams for students to choose from.

This graduate entry masters degree provides an entry level qualification in speech pathology. It enables students to develop an understanding of normal communication development, developmental and acquired communication disorders, swallowing disorders, speech pathology clinical practice, clinical measurement and research. Students primarily focus on the areas of: language, speech, voice, stuttering, swallowing and multi-communication sciences, cognitive neuroscience, rehabilitation science and speech science. Studies are supported by extensive clinical practice. Participation is required in clinical practice during vacation periods of both years of the course, including a country placement.

Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. apply knowledge of human communication science to the delivery of speech pathology services and research in diverse and changing settings

2. critically analyse information to plan, implement and evaluate speech pathology services and research

3. locate, extract and critically appraise evidence and information from a range of resources to solve theoretical and applied problems in human communication science with a high level of independence

4. demonstrate excellence in written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills appropriate to the discipline within a legal and ethical framework

5. use technologies relevant to the human communication sciences to inform clinical practice and research

6. understand and implement a wide variety of learning strategies, and take responsibility for ongoing professional and personal development

7. incorporate and demonstrate awareness of global or international perspectives in health care to clinical practice and research in speech pathology

8. demonstrate awareness of and respect for individual human rights and cultural diversity

9. independently and collaboratively apply professional skills in an ethical manner across a range of professional settings

Duration and Availability

This fee-paying course is two years' full-time study

Location and delivery Mode

Year	Location	Period	All*	Internal	Partially Online Internal^	External	Fully Online#
2014	Bentley Campus	Semester 1		Y

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.

Course Structure				Hrs/Wk	Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
301594	v.2		Cognitive Neuroscience 571	5.0	25.0
309428	v.1		Language Analysis and Communication Science 571	5.0	25.0
309434	v.4		Research Data and Analysis 571	4.0	25.0
311578	v.2		Clinical Science in Speech Pathology 571	9.5	25.0
					100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
313052	v.2		Dysphagia 572	3.0	25.0
314950	v.1		Phonetics and Phonology 572	4.0	25.0
301699	v.3		Clinical Science in Speech Pathology 572	6.0	25.0
311818	v.2		Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology 572	38.5	25.0
					100.0
Year 2 Semester 1
314951	v.1		Hearing and Multimodal Communication 671	3.0	12.5
314952	v.1		Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology 671	9.5	12.5
309430	v.3		Research to Practice in Speech Pathology 671	3.0	25.0
313053	v.2		Motor Speech and Voice Disorders 671	15.0	25.0
311822	v.2		Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology 673	15.0	25.0
					100.0
Year 2 Semester 2
314953	v.1		Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology 674	26.0	25.0
314956	v.1		Research to Practice in Speech Pathology 674	2.0	50.0
311579	v.2		Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology 672	10.5	25.0
					100.0

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Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Health Sciences on telephone (08) 9266 1000, email futurestudents@health.curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://healthsciences.curtin.edu.au

Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.

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