MG-SPEECH v.1 Master of Speech Pathology
MSpeechPath(Curtin)
Course CRICOS Code: 033868G
Registered full-time Duration:
2 Years
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.
Course Entry and Completion Details
Applicants for a Master Degree (Coursework) 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. Any specific course entry and completion requirements must also be met.
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.
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# |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 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 | |||||
| REHT5003 | v.1 | Fundamentals of Language Analysis and Communication Science | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
| REHT5000 | v.1 | Fundamentals of Cognitive Neuroscience in Speech Pathology | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
| REHT5001 | v.1 | Fundamentals of Clinical Science in Speech Pathology 1 | 9.5 | 25.0 | |
| REHT5004 | v.1 | Fundamentals of Research Data Analysis in Speech Pathology | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 100.0 | |||||
| Year 1 Semester 2 | |||||
| SPPA5002 | v.1 | Fundamentals of Phonetics and Phonology | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| SPPA5001 | v.1 | Fundamentals of Dysphagia Management | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| SPPA5000 | v.1 | Fundamentals of Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology 1 | 38.5 | 25.0 | |
| REHT5002 | v.1 | Fundamentals of Clinical Science in Speech Pathology 2 | 6.0 | 25.0 | |
| 100.0 | |||||
| Year 2 Semester 1 | |||||
| SPPA6005 | v.1 | Fundamentals of Hearing and Multimodal Communication | 3.0 | 12.5 | |
| REHT6001 | v.1 | Fundamentals of Research to Practice in Speech Pathology | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| SPPA6004 | v.1 | Fundamentals of Motor Speech and Voice Disorders | 15.0 | 25.0 | |
| SPPA6001 | v.1 | Fundamentals of Collaborative Practice in Speech Pathology | 9.5 | 12.5 | |
| SPPA6002 | v.1 | Fundamentals of Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology 2 | 15.0 | 25.0 | |
| 100.0 | |||||
| Year 2 Semester 2 | |||||
| SPPA6006 | v.1 | Research Project in Speech Pathology | 2.0 | 50.0 | |
| SPPA6000 | v.1 | Fundamentals of Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology 3 | 10.5 | 25.0 | |
| SPPA6003 | v.1 | Fundamentals of Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology 4 | 26.0 | 25.0 | |
| 100.0 | |||||
Further Information
If you need more course information, you may contact the relevant areas:
For Current Students: Student Services Office, please click here for further details:
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.
Handbook
The Courses Handbook is the repository of Curtin University ("Curtin") course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavours to keep this handbook up to date, information on this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the: course structure and contents, student assessment, tuition fees and to: withdraw any course or its components which it offers, impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or vary arrangements for any course without notification via the website.
For course and enrolment information please visit our Future Students website.
