Undergraduate
Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Speech and Language Therapy
2021
The Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Speech and Language Therapy is a four-year program that will qualify you to work as a speech pathologist within the Australian healthcare system. The course is undertaken online, with intensive on-campus residentials and placements providing the clinical learning. Upon graduating from the course you will be equipped to work in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, aged care facilities, community health clinics schools or disability organisations assisting people to achieve their highest quality of life at work, home and socially; irrespective of age, disability or illness.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island students are encouraged to apply. CDU's Indigenous Student Support services are on hand to support you through your degree.
This course offers international study opportunities and welcomes international students with a dedicated international student support academic.
Career opportunities
Graduating from this course may lead to career opportunities in areas such as hospitals, community health centres, residential and age care facilities, disability services, paediatric facilities, mental health facilities, education facilities, universities and research facilities, juvenile justice centres, private clinics.
Professional recognition
Graduates will be able to apply for membership with Speech Pathology Australia once the course is successfully accredited. The course will seek accreditation from Speech Pathology Australia prior to the first cohort graduating.
Credit transfers and pathways
Pathways for VET to Higher Education
Guaranteed credit transfer arrangements are available to students commencing a bachelor degree at Charles Darwin University with completed Certificate IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree qualifications in the same field or discipline. Students who hold completed qualifications should refer to the additional information provided about Advanced Standing and Credit Transfer and Pathways using the links below:
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
International applications
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There are no statistics available for this course. It may be that the course is new or the profile data is unavailable.
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This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
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Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
Admission criteria
Admission requirements are met by one of the following:
- Successful completion of the Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (or equivalent) and the awarding of an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of at least 70*.
- Successful completion of a national qualification at Diploma level or higher.
- Successful completion of at least 0.5 year of full-time study (or equivalent) of a higher education degree/diploma with a GPA of at least 5.
- Overseas secondary or tertiary qualifications considered equivalent to the above Australian qualifications.
- Attainment of a STAT Multiple Choice score of 162 (or a score of 168 if prior to May 2010).
- Successful completion of the Tertiary Enabling Program or the Preparation for Tertiary Success courses or a recognised enabling course of at least twelve months duration.
* After any applicable adjustment factors have been applied.
Additional admission requirements
English language requirements
All HE applicants are required to demonstrate the minimum English language proficiency requirements for their chosen course of study. These entry requirements will normally be met by undertaking previous education in an English-speaking country or obtaining a minimum International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score. To be eligible you must have an overall IELTS Academic score (or equivalent) of 7.0, with no band score below 7.0.
Essential requirements
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. International applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
| IELTS Academic Module | A minimum overall score of 7.0 with no score below a 6.5 in reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | Test not accepted for this course. |
| Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | Test not accepted for this course. |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall score of 65 with no score less than 65 in reading, writing, speaking and listening. |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 94 with no score less than 25 in writing and 23 in reading, speaking and listening. |
* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
If you are undertaking a course with clinical or fieldwork placements you must demonstrate compliance with the following checks and requirements. It is your responsibility to ensure that the correct documentation is obtained prior to commencing clinical/fieldwork placements. A national and/or international police check and a current Working with Children check is required regarding suitability to undertake clinical/fieldwork placements.
The majority of health facilities will require you to present a complete immunisation schedule, and First Aid certificate as you progress to placements in your Master of Speech and Language Therapy.
ATAR profile
There are no statistics available for this course. It may be that the course is new or the profile data is unavailable.
Course structure
This course incorporates health practicum supported by CDU academics and registered speech pathology professionals. There are unique placement opportunities in the Northern Territory's local, rural and remote areas.
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 320 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Bachelor of Health Science Core Units (15 units) |
150cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 150 credit points as detailed below.
SBI171 Anatomy and Physiology 1 |
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Bachelor of Health Science Specialist Elective Units |
10cp | Specialist Elective units totalling 10 credit points selected from the list of available units detailed below.
HSC211 Mental Health and Wellbeing |
| Master of Speech and Language Therapy Core Units (15 units) |
160cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 160 credit points as detailed below.
PHM526 Research Design |
| 320cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Changes - 2021
Please note the following course structure changes:
- HSC210 Health Sociology has been replaced by HSC111 Ethics in Health Care. Students who have already completed HSC210 do not need to completed HSC111.
- HSC230 Cultural Safety in Health has been replaced by HSC220 Society, Culture and Health: A Sociological Introduction. Students who have already completed HSC230 do not need to complete HSC220.
- SLT509 Anatomy and Physiology for Speech Pathology has been removed and is no longer required.
- SLT603 has increased from a 10 credit point to a 20 credit point unit due to the significant placement requirements for this unit.
Study plan
Students commencing in Semester 1
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- ensure Common Units are completed in the first year of study;
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some 200 and 300 level units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level. 200 level units have the unit code which includes a number starting with 200.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE= Specialist Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 | |||
| Year 1 | |||||
| SBI171 Anatomy and Physiology 1 | CO | SBI172 Anatomy and Physiology 2 | CO | ||
| HSC132 Introduction to Health Promotion | CO | SWK102 Communication Skills | CO | ||
| PSY140 Introduction to Psychology A | CO | HSC112 Basics of Epidemiology | CO | ||
| HSC121 Australia's Healthcare System and Policies | CO | HSC203 Perspectives of Indigenous Health (External only) | CO | ||
| Year 2 | |||||
| MAN204 Project Management | CO | HSC204 Chronic Conditions Management | CO | ||
| PHM301 Exploring Public Health | CO | HSC220 Society, Culture and Health: A Sociological Introduction (replaces HSC230 from 2021) | CO | ||
| SWK312 Social Research Methods | CO | HSC318 Rural and Remote Health | CO | ||
| HSC312 Global and Environmental Health | CO | Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Year 3 | |||||
| SLT501 Foundations of Communication Analysis | CO | SLT504 Early Childhood Speech, Language and Hearing Disorders | CO | ||
| SLT503 Working as a Speech Pathologist | CO | SLT505 Acquired Language Disorders | CO | ||
| SLT511 Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Language Development and Use | CO | SLT506 Fluency and Voice | CO | ||
| SLT512 Rural, Remote and Indigenous Health Perspectives | CO | SLT601 Speech Pathology in Professional Practice 1 (WIL) (includes intensive and external placement) | CO | ||
| Year 4 | |||||
| SLT502 Principles of Dysphagia | CO | SLT508 Diversity in Communication | CO | SLT603 Speech Pathology in Professional Practice 3 (20 credit points) (WIL) (includes external placement) | CO |
| SLT507 Motor Speech for Children and Adults | CO | SLT602 Speech Pathology in Professional Practice 2 (WIL) (includes external placement) | CO | ||
| SLT510 Working with School Aged Children and Special Needs | CO | ||||
| PHM526 Research Design | CO | ||||
Top of Page
Students commencing in Semester 2
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 2 and enrolling in a standard load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- ensure Common Units are completed in the first year of study;
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some 200 and 300 level units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level. 200 level units have the unit code which includes a number starting with 200.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE= Specialist Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 | |||
| Year 1 | |||||
| SBI172 Anatomy and Physiology 2 | CO | ||||
| SWK102 Communication Skills | CO | ||||
| HSC112 Basics of Epidemiology | CO | ||||
| HSC132 Introduction to Health Promotion | CO | ||||
| Year 2 | |||||
| SBI171 Anatomy and Physiology 1 | CO | HSC203 Perspectives of Indigenous Health (External only) | CO | ||
| PSY140 Introduction to Psychology A | CO | HSC204 Chronic Conditions Management | CO | ||
| HSC121 Australia's Healthcare System and Policies | CO | HSC220 Society, Culture and Health: A Sociological Introduction (replaces HSC230 from 2021) | CO | ||
| MAN204 Project Management | CO | HSC318 Rural and Remote Health | SE | ||
| Year 3 | |||||
| PHM301 Exploring Public Health | CO | SLT504 Early Childhood Speech, Language and Hearing Disorders | CO | ||
| SWK312 Social Research Methods | CO | SLT505 Acquired Language Disorders | CO | ||
| SLT501 Foundations of Communication Analysis (includes intensive) | CO | SLT506 Fluency and Voice | CO | ||
| SLT503 Working as a Speech Pathologist (includes intensive) | CO | SLT601 Speech Pathology in Professional Practice 1 (WIL) (includes intensive and external placement) | CO | ||
| Year 4 | |||||
| SLT502 Principles of Dysphagia | CO | SLT508 Diversity in Communication | CO | ||
| SLT507 Motor Speech for Children and Adults | CO | SLT512 Rural, Remote and Indigenous Health Perspectives | CO | ||
| SLT510 Working with School Aged Children and Special Needs | CO | SLT602 Speech Pathology in Professional Practice 2 (WIL) (includes external placement) | CO | ||
| SLT511 Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Language Development and Use | CO | Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Year 5 | |||||
| HSC312 Global and Environmental Health | CO | ||||
| PHM526 Research Design | CO | ||||
| SLT603 Speech Pathology in Professional Practice 3 (20 credit points) (WIL) (includes external placement) | CO | ||||
Course fees
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:
(a) Australian Citizenship; or
(b) a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident visa holder who will be resident within Australia for the duration of the unit.
2021: Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
International tuition fees
The annual tuition fee for full time study of 80 credit points (1.0 EFTSL) for commencing students in 2021 is AUD $30,240.00.
These fees are subject to annual increases each year of your study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.
CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.
Domestic students - undergraduate studies
SATAC
UAC
If you do not meet any of the criteria above please visit Pathways to study to view the options available to you.