Key details
Duration
Intake
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
320Course code
Overview
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.
You'll study mostly online but you need to complete intensive on-campus residentials which provides you with the opportunity to develop and practise your clinical skills under the guidance of your lecturers, before attending external clinical placements. Students will also complete three clinical placements during the last three semesters of their study.
On graduating, you will be equipped to work in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, aged care facilities, community health clinics, schools or disability organisations. You'll be ready to assist 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.
Professional recognition
As a graduate of our Health Science/Speech and Language Therapy degree you 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 in 2023.
Credit transfers and advanced standing
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
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Fees
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:
(a) be an Australian citizen, who will complete some of your course of study while resident in Australia; or
(b) a New Zealand citizen; or an Australian permanent visa holder; or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder; who studies the entire course while living in Australia.
Further information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
International tuition fees
The annual tuition fee for full time study is AUD $30,240.00. This equates to $3,780.00 per 10 credit point unit (0.125 EFTSL).
These fees are subject to increases annually, 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.
Why study a health course at CDU?
As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to find a career in healthcare. Become a qualified health professional with CDU's wide range of courses and gain the skills and knowledge to make an impact on the wellbeing of your community.
- #4 Australian uni for undergraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2023)
- Study online, on campus, full-time or part-time as it suits you
- Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
- Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous health, tropical medicine and other issues of regional and national importance
Why study a health course at CDU?
As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to find a career in healthcare. Become a qualified health professional with CDU's wide range of courses and gain the skills and knowledge to make an impact on the wellbeing of your community.
- #4 Australian university for undergraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2023)
- Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
- Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous and Asia-Pacific health, tropical medicine and other issues of international importance
Why study a health course at CDU?
As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to find a career in healthcare. Become a qualified health professional with CDU's wide range of courses and gain the skills and knowledge to make an impact on the wellbeing of your community.
- #4 Australian uni for undergraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2023)
- Study online, on campus, full-time or part-time as it suits you
- Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
- Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous health, tropical medicine and other issues of regional and national importance
Why study a health course at CDU?
As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to find a career in healthcare. Become a qualified health professional with CDU's wide range of courses and gain the skills and knowledge to make an impact on the wellbeing of your community.
- #4 Australian university for undergraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2023)
- Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
- Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous and Asia-Pacific health, tropical medicine and other issues of international importance
What will I study?
This degree comprises 320 credit points and incorporates health practicum supported by our academics and registered speech pathology professionals. There are unique placement opportunities in the Northern Territory's local, rural and remote areas.
Course structure
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 |
Bachelor of Health Science Specialist Elective Units | 20cp | Specialist Elective units totalling 20 credit points selected from the list of units below. HSC202 Social Media in Health Promotion |
| Master of Speech and Language Therapy Core Units (14 units) | 150cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 160 credit points as detailed below. PHM527^ Research, Ethics and Impact ^ students completing a double degree (Bachelor/Master) and who need to undertake level 5 (500 level) or level 6 (600 level) units must do so via manual enrolment. See Special Enrolment, accessed via the eForms tile through the CDU Portal. |
| 320cp | Total Credit Points |
COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2022
From 2022, the course structure has changed as follows:
- Increase in Bachelor of Health Specialist Elective units from 1 unit (10cp) to 2 units (20cp)
- Increase in choice of Bachelor of Health Specialist Elective units with the addition of HSC202, HSC213, PSY208 and SPE320
- Decrease in Master of Speech and Language Therapy units from 15 (160cp) to 14 units (150cp)
Unit Changes:
- PSY140 has been replaced by PSY150 Introduction to Psychology A
- Students who have already completed PSY140 are not required to complete PSY150
- Students who have not completed PSY140 are required to complete PSY150
- PHM526 Research Design has been removed and replaced with PHM527 Research, Ethics and Impact in the Master of Speech and Language Therapy
- SLT511 title has been changed to Communication Across the Lifespan, previously Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in language Development and Use
- SLT512 Rural, Remote and Indigenous Health Perspectives has been removed from the Master of Speech and Language Therapy
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 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| SBI171 Anatomy and Physiology 1 | CO | SBI172 Anatomy and Physiology 2 | CO |
| HSC132 Introduction to Health Promotion | CO | SWK102 Communication Skills | CO |
| PSY150 Introduction to Psychology A (replaces PSY140) | CO | HSC112 Basics of Epidemiology | CO |
| HSC121 Australia's Healthcare System and Policies | CO | HSC203 Perspectives of Indigenous Health (External only) | CO |
| Year 2 | |||
| HSC312 Global and Environmental Health | CO | HSC204 Chronic Conditions Management | CO |
| MAN204 Project Management | CO | HSC318 Rural and Remote Health | CO |
| SWK312 Social Research Methods | CO | HSC220 Society, Culture and Health: A Sociological Introduction (replaces HSC230 from 2021) | CO |
| PHM301 Exploring Public Health | CO | Specialist Elective | SE |
| Year 3 | |||
| SLT506 Fluency and Voice | CO | SLT502 Principles of Dysphagia | CO |
| SLT511 Communication Across the Lifespan | CO | SLT504 Early Childhood Speech, Language and Hearing Disorders | CO |
| SLT501 Foundations of Communication Analysis | CO | SLT505 Acquired Language Disorders | CO |
| SLT503 Working as a Speech Pathologist | CO | SLT601 Speech Pathology in Professional Practice 1 (WIL)(includes intensive and external placement) | CO |
| Year 4 | |||
| SLT508 Diversity in Communication | CO | PHM527 Research, Ethics and Impact | CO |
| SLT507 Motor Speech for Children and Adults | CO | Specialist Elective | SE |
| SLT602 Speech Pathology in Professional Practice 2 (WIL)(includes external placement) | CO | SLT603 Speech Pathology in Professional Practice 3 (20cp) | CO |
| SLT510 Working with School Aged Children and Special Needs | CO | ||
Students commencing in Semester 2 - Not available
From 2022 this course is only available for entry in Semester 1
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 | ||
| 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 |
| PSY150 Introduction to Psychology A (replaces PSY140) | 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 | |||
| SLT511 Communication Across the Lifespan | CO | SLT502 Principles of Dysphagia | CO |
| SLT506 Fluency and Voice | CO | SLT505 Acquired Language Disorders | CO |
| SLT503 Working as a Speech Pathologist | CO | SLT504 Early Childhood Speech, Language and Hearing Disorders | CO |
| SLT501 Foundations of Communication Analysis | CO | SLT601 Speech Pathology in Professional Practice 1 (WIL)(includes intensive and external placement) | CO |
| Year 4 | |||
| SLT508 Diversity in Communication | CO | PHM527 Health Research Skills | CO |
| SLT510 Working with School Aged Children and Special Needs | CO | SLT603 Speech Pathology in Professional Practice 3 (20 credit points) (WIL)(includes external placement) | CO |
| SLT602 Speech Pathology in Professional Practice 2 (WIL)(includes external placement) | CO | Specialist Elective | SE |
| SLT507 Motor Speech for Children and Adults | CO | ||
| Year 5 | |||
| SWK312 Social Research Methods | CO | ||
| PHM301 Exploring Public Health | CO | ||
| HSC312 Global and Environmental Health | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
Entry requirements
Quota
This is a quota course, meaning there are more applicants than places available. Whilst you may meet the advertised minimum entry, this does not guarantee you a place in the course, instead offers will be made based on merit commencing in the main offer round.
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 Certificate IV 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 147.
- Successful completion of the Tertiary Enabling Program or the Preparation for Tertiary Success courses or a recognised enabling course of at least 12 months duration.
* After any applicable adjustment factors have been applied.
Essential requirements
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.
English language 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 58 in reading, writing, speaking and listening. |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 94 with no score less than 22 in reading, writing, 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.
ATAR profile
The following table represents the ATAR and selection rank profile for applicants offered a place on the basis of their ATAR in semester 1, 2022
| ATAR based offers only | ATAR (excluding adjustment factors) | Selection Rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors) |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest rank to receive an offer | 79.75 | 82.45 |
| Median rank to receive an offer | 90.15 | 99.20 |
| Highest rank to receive an offer | 98.10 | 93.40 |
Notes
"<5" indicates less than 5 ATAR-based offers were made.
I've had the unique opportunity to explore tropical and rural health, which I may not have had the exposure to had I studied elsewhere.
Katie
CDU student
My advice for anyone who is considering studying a health or science degree at CDU is if you are thinking about it, just do it.
Nishat
CDU student
I've had the unique opportunity to explore tropical and rural health, which I may not have had the exposure to had I studied elsewhere.
Katie
CDU student
My advice for anyone who is considering studying a health or science degree at CDU is if you are thinking about it, just do it.
Nishat
CDU student
Course details
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
Inherent Requirements
There are inherent requirements for this course. Students must read and understand the requirements for this course.
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.
Student profile
The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this course. It provides data on students that commenced this course and passed the census date in Semester 1, 2022.
| Applicant background (Semester one intake 2022) | No. of Students | % of all Students |
|---|---|---|
| A. Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course) | 15 | .0 |
| B. Vocational education and training (VET) study | 8 | .0 |
| C. Work and life experience (Admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories) | <5 | N/P |
D. Recent secondary education
(regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points) | <5 | N/P |
(e.g. portfolio, audition, extra offer conditional on minimum ATAR) | <5 | N/P |
(e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement) | <5 | N/P |
| International students | <5 | N/P |
| All students | 23 | .0 |
Notes
"<5" - the number of students is less than 5
N/A - Students not accepted in this category
N/P - Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
You make CDU
Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
You make CDU
Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.
How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.
International applications
Applications must be submitted online through our application portal, Studylink. You'll need a valid email address to create your online account. Once you have started your application, you will be able to save it and resume it later. There is no application fee when you apply online.
You may be able to lodge a direct application; however, there may be restrictions on your geographic location. If you cannot submit a direct application via the application portal, please apply through one of our registered agents.
Apply through StudyLink or through an Agent.
International applicants currently studying year 12 in Australia should apply via SATAC or UAC.
If you do not meet any of the criteria above please visit Pathways to study to view the options available to you.
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