Objectives
The course trains professional speech pathologists. It is designed to provide graduates with the knowledge and skills to: * assess, diagnose, remediate or alleviate those disabilities specified as human communication or swallowing disorders; * provide or arrange for a range of adjunctive services whenever the need arises; * evaluate current research and apply the relevant findings to clinical practice; * meet the Competency Based Occupational Standards set by the professional association. Learning outcomes Graduates of the course are expected to demonstrate the following knowledge: * an understanding of the content, context and processes of communication and swallowing and their breakdown and to engage critically with this knowledge to make informed professional judgements in diverse situations; * ability to access and interpret current resources pertinent to the field; * recognise their own strengths, weaknesses and learning style. Graduates of the course are expected to demonstrate the following skills: * the Competency Based Occupations Standards (CBOS) set by Speech Pathology Australia for professional practice; * effectively communicate in both work place and university contexts; * locate, evaluate, manage and effectively present information in a variety of forms; * reflect critically on their own learning and practice in order to strive for excellence and creativity in their professional role; * demonstrate creativity and innovation in transferring knowledge to practice; * frame researchable questions pertinent to the field; * integrate health promotion approaches within all their activities from clinical interventions with individuals through to populatiion based activities; * work effectively with others in teams for learning and professional practice; * engage in responsible, ethical decision-making within the framework of Speech Pathology Australia's Code of Ethics. Graduates of the course are expected to demonstrate the following attitudes: * relate to others, displaying trust, concern, and openness; * advocate for and empower others, both at an individual and a community level; * examine and cultivate their own value system in order to take initiative as a responsible self in the world.
Course description
The Bachelor of Speech Pathology was developed in conjunction with the profession to provide the comprehensive training needed to work successfully as a professional speech pathologist.
Academic components combine professional topics (speech pathology and audiology) with the basic sciences of linguistics, psychology, phonetics and aspects of medical science (anatomy/physiology and neuroanatomy/physiology).
You will undertake extensive clinical experience, allowing you to integrate theory with practice. This will include 2 block placements of 6-8 weeks each in Adelaide, country areas of South Australia, Victoria and the Northern Territory, and in some circumstances, overseas.
This course will equip you to:
* assess, diagnose, remediate or alleviate those disabilities specified as human communication or swallowing disorders
* provide or arrange for a range of adjunctive services whenever the need arises
* evaluate current research and apply the relevant findings to clinical practice
* meet the Competency Based Occupational Standards set by the professional association.
What will I study?
Refer to the program of study.
What is Speech Pathology?
Speech Pathology is one of the sciences of human communication, primarily focussed on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of people having difficulty communicating or swallowing effectively.
Why study Speech Pathology at Flinders?
* We are the only university in South Australia teaching speech pathology and audiology and our Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology has joined with that of the Flinders Medical Centre to jointly provide clinical services, teaching and research. This is unique in Australia and allows students to visit patients in the medical wards and participate in many of the outpatient services offered by the hospital.
* We operate speech pathology and audiology clinics for the community. Our vision is to be a major force within the area of communication disorders through the achievement of the highest standards in, and providing an optimal balance between, teaching, research and clinical services combined with flexibility in our response to the needs of students, clients and the community.
* Our facilities include 2 group-therapy rooms and 3 state-of-the-art soundproof audiology rooms, all with facilities for direct student observation, and 9 individual clinical rooms, all linked by closed circuit video to a central monitoring facility.
Professional recognition
Graduates will be eligible for membership of Speech Pathology Australia.
Career opportunities
What can I do with my Bachelor of Speech Pathology degree?
Study a language
Flinders also offers all students the opportunity to major in a language in conjunction with any undergraduate course. The Diploma in Language is designed to provide students with competence in a chosen language that adds greater portability to their qualifications. You will complete a total of one extra year of study and graduate with both your chosen degree and the Diploma in Language. You can apply for this at time of enrolment.
The Bachelor of Speech Pathology requires four years of full-time study and is not offered on a part-time basis. An honours degree can be completed in four years by undertaking additional units, including a research project at honours level, in Year 4 [see below].
Graduates are eligible for membership of the Speech Pathology Association of Australia.
The course is offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences.
PROGRAM OF STUDY [November, 2008]
To qualify for the Bachelor of Speech Pathology a student must complete 144 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below.
Normally at least 30 units must be completed at a given level before proceeding to any higher level topics.
Except with the permission of the Faculty Board:
* the course must be completed within seven consecutive years or, where credit has been granted for previous work, a period determined by the Board;
* a student may not undertake more than 42 units in any year, unless enrolled in the fourth year honours program;
* no topic may be attempted more than twice.
The award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion or failure to complete the course within seven consecutive years may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University's Policy on Student Progress.
First Year
SPTH1201
Psychosocial Aspects of Speech Pathology
4.5
SPTH1202
Research Methods in Speech Pathology
4.5
SPTH1102
Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
4.5
SPTH1103
Anatomy and Physiology of Speech
4.5
SPTH1401
Issues in Professional Practice 1
4.5
SPTH1402
Speech Development and Disorders 1
4.5
SPTH1506
Linguistics and Phonetics 1
4.5
SPTH1507
Linguistics and Phonetics 2
4.5
Second Year
SPTH2101
Neuroscience of Speech
3
SPTH2201
Hearing Disorders and Measurement
3
SPTH2302A
Issues in Professional Practice 2A
3
SPTH2302B
Issues in Professional Practice 2B
3
SPTH2402
Speech Development and Disorders 2
3
SPTH2403A
Language Development and Disorders 1
3
SPTH2403B
Language Development and Disorders 2
3
SPTH2404
Acquired Speech Disorders
3
SPTH2501
Linguistics 2
3
SPTH2503
Acoustic Phonetics
3
SPTH2601
Child Development and Learning
6
Third Year
SPTH3201
Aural Rehabilitation
3
SPTH3302
Speech Pathology Practicum 1
3
SPTH3303
Speech Pathology Practicum 2
3
SPTH3304A
Issues in Professional Practice 3A
3
SPTH3304B
Issues in Professional Practice 3B
3
SPTH3403A
Acquired Language Disorders 1
3
SPTH3403B
Acquired Language Disorders 2
3
SPTH3407
Voice Disorders
3
SPTH3409
Swallowing and Dysphagia
3
SPTH3410
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
3
SPTH3411
Fluency and Stuttering
3
SPTH3501
Psycholinguistics
3
Fourth Year
SPTH4302
Issues in Professional Practice 4
3
SPTH4303
Speech Pathology Practicum 3
12
SPTH4304
Speech Pathology Practicum 4
15
SPTH4600
Psychology 3
3
SPTH4701
Scientific Mode 2
3
HONOURS DEGREE
Students who achieve a grade point average of 5.5 or better in the first two years of the Bachelor of Speech Pathology may enrol in the Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) program in Year 3. Other students may be admitted at the discretion of the Faculty Board, subject to specific conditions.
To progress to Year 4 of the Honours program, a student must have attained at least a credit average across all Third Year topics including a credit grade in SPTH3304A/B Issues in Professional Practice 3A/B which has specified honours assessment requirements.
Year 4 of the honours program comprises 42 units of study in the following topics:
SPTH4303
Speech Pathology Practicum 3
12
SPTH7002
Honours Clinical Practicum
12
SPTH7000A
Honours Thesis A
9
SPTH7000B
Honours Thesis B
9
