Transform lives through the power of communication

Speech pathologists help us make use of arguably our most precious capability— communication. As humans, we are innately social, our lives revolve around connecting with others through eating, drinking, work and play. Speech pathologists help people of all ages to participate in their life and connect with others.

Talented speech pathologists are already highly sought-after, and demand is growing fast.

What will you study during a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours)?

Our Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) equips you to diagnose and treat conditions across the full scope of speech pathology practice; speech and language, swallowing, fluency, voice and multimodal communication. Our courses have an emphasis on inter-professional and culturally responsive practice and the degree facilitates the development of transferrable skills through real-world learning experiences.

In over 800 hours of clinical based training, you’ll have the opportunity to work with children and adults of all ages in public and private health, community, disability, education and aged-care settings. With many of the courses taught by certified practicing speech pathologists, the degree places an emphasis on real-world experience. 

You’ll gain high-level knowledge and skills in:

• head and neck anatomy and neurophysiology
• speech and language development, linguistics and phonetics, motor speech, aphasia, cognition and swallowing
• current public health and justice system topics
• working with culturally and linguistically diverse populations, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities
• evidence-based, person-centred care.

You’ll regularly access our purpose-built training facilities and state-of-the-art simulation suites—among Australasia’s most advanced. In addition, you’ll benefit from collaborative learning with key complementary disciplines: physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

From late third year, you’ll choose one of two streams—research^* or industry—and undertake a major project. Research will hone your skills in developing new knowledge; industry focuses on integrating research into practice.

Where could a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) take you?

You’ll graduate eligible to pursue a wide range of career opportunities. You could help children with disabilities or developmental delays connect with their peers by overcoming social communication challenges. You might help a person who has had a stroke regain their ability to eat and communicate, or support a patient in end of life care. Perhaps you’ll enable adults with acquired or traumatic brain injuries to communicate with others, or you may work as part of a therapeutic team working towards achieving the person’s goal of gaining employment.

The Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) is undertaking the Qualifying Accreditation process in accordance with the accreditation procedures of the national professional body, Speech Pathology Australia.

^*Entry into the research stream will be based on academic merit.

Note: This degree is only available in blended mode and on-campus attendance is required.  If you are a continuing student in the degree and are unable to attend campus, please contact your program coordinator for program advice. 

The Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) requires four years of full-time study or students can choose to study part time over a longer period.

In the first year of study, you will be introduced to anatomy, physiology, public health and health research courses, with a focus on Speech Pathology principles.

From the second year onwards, study is specific to the profession and will focus on establishing knowledge relating to typical communication development, linguistics, general psychology and advanced anatomical structures of the head and neck, while being introduced to the importance of client-centred care.

The final two years of the program include the analysis of words, impact of swallowing difficulties, cultural diversity, consideration of clients who speak a language other than English, and the role of a speech pathologist. You will learn how to diagnose and treat speech and language problems, including stuttering, voice and swallowing difficulties caused by developmental delays or brain injuries.

Clinical placement courses within the third and fourth year of the program provide you with an opportunity to apply learning in professional practice settings, under the supervision of qualified and registered clinical professionals.

From late third year, you’ll choose one of two streams—research* or industry— and undertake a major project. Research will hone your skills in developing new knowledge; industry focuses on integrating research into practice.

* Eligibility for entry to the Research Stream will be determined by a student’s cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) for the courses which comprise the first and second years of the program, and the availability of a suitable research project and supervisor within the School. Students with a cumulative GPA of 5 or greater will be notified of their eligibility for entry to the “Research Stream” at the commencement of the third year of the program. Eligible students who wish to undertake the Research Stream will be required to contact the School of Allied Health Science and Practice Honours Coordinator to discuss their area of interest and project the availability of a suitable research project and supervisor.

Career Readiness

Qualified speech pathologists have a wide range of career options in metropolitan and rural settings. They work in public and private hospitals, schools, community health care centres, aged care, rehabilitation centres, paediatrics, private practice, education and research.

Please see the inherent requirements for speech pathology programs for further information.

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Industry Placement

Students will be introduced to clinical placement in the third year of study and will be required to complete 800+ hours of clinical placement in a range of metropolitan and rural settings throughout the program.

Professional Accreditation

The Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) is undertaking the Qualifying Accreditation process in accordance with the accreditation procedures of the national professional body, Speech Pathology Australia.

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Speech Therapist

Successful completion of an Australian year 12 qualification with a minimum pass in an accepted English language subject

IELTS: Overall band score of 7.0 and Band score of 7.0 in all bands; TOEFL total score of 94 with a minimum of 27 in Writing, 23 in Speaking and 24 in Reading and Listening; Pearson Test of English (Academic) overall score of 65 and Skills profile of 65 in Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening; and Cambridge English-Advanced (CAE): Overall score of 185 and Individual score of 185 in Writing and Speaking, Reading and Listening.