Charles Darwin University
4 years full-time, 8 years part-time
Become a qualified speech pathologist through this four-year combined degree featuring online study with intensive clinical residentials and placements. Ideal for students passionate about helping people optimise communication and swallowing across all life stages in diverse healthcare settings.
Applicants must meet one of the following: successful completion of Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training with an ATAR of at least 70, a national qualification at Certificate IV level or higher, at least 0.5 year of full-time higher education study with GPA of 5.0 or above, equivalent overseas qualifications, STAT Multiple Choice score of 147, or completion of a recognised enabling course. International applicants must complete CDU Foundation Studies Program with minimum 65% in Foundation English units. All applicants must meet English language proficiency requirements (IELTS 8.0 minimum for international students), obtain a national and international police check, and current Working with Children check. Most health facilities require complete immunisation schedule and First Aid certificate.
The course comprises 320 credit points across three main components. Bachelor of Health Science Core Units (140 cp) cover foundational health knowledge including Anatomy and Physiology, Ethics in Healthcare, Australia's Healthcare System and Policies, Health Promotion, First Nations Health Perspectives, Psychology, Communication Skills, Chronic Conditions Management, Sociology, Epidemiology and Statistics, Research and Evidence-Based Practice, Rural and Remote Health, and Public Health. Specialist Elective Units (40 cp) include Communication Culture and Context, Communication Across the Lifespan, and electives such as Mental Health and Wellbeing, Health Informatics, Project Management, Global and Environmental Health. Master of Speech Pathology Core Units (140 cp) focus on professional speech pathology practice including Research Ethics and Impact, Foundations of Communication Analysis, Swallowing and Mealtime Management, Working as a Speech Pathologist, Early Childhood Speech Language and Hearing Disorders, Acquired Language Disorders, Fluency and Voice, Motor Speech for Children and Adults, Diversity in Communication, School-Aged Children and Complex Needs, and three levels of Speech Pathology in Professional Practice with integrated clinical placements.
Charles Darwin University is uniquely positioned to deliver speech pathology education with five-star ratings for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024). The university offers distinctive placement opportunities in the Northern Territory's local, rural, and remote areas, providing students with exposure to tropical medicine and Indigenous health issues of regional and national importance. CDU's flexible study options allow students to balance online learning with intensive on-campus residentials, while dedicated support services for First Nations and international students ensure inclusive education. The program's accreditation by Speech Pathology Australia and emphasis on practical, community-based learning prepare graduates for immediate professional practice.
Graduates of this program are eligible to apply for membership with Speech Pathology Australia and can pursue careers in diverse healthcare settings including hospitals, rehabilitation centres, aged care facilities, community health clinics, schools, disability organisations, paediatric facilities, mental health facilities, universities and research facilities, juvenile justice centres, and private clinics. Speech pathologists work with clients across the lifespan to optimise communication and swallowing function, making this qualification suitable for those passionate about healthcare, communication sciences, and improving quality of life in communities across Australia and internationally.
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