Key details
Duration
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 can study online but will need to complete intensive on-campus residentials which provide 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 two semesters of their study.
On graduating, you will be equipped to work in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, aged care facilities, community health clinics, schools and/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 highly encouraged to apply. CDU's Indigenous Student Support services are on hand to support you through your degree.
This course 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, and private clinics.
Practical experience
To complete the Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Speech and Language Therapy, students are required to complete on-campus residential schools in Darwin (NT), and community-based practice education placements in the Master component of the program. Together these contribute to a developmental trajectory of practical learning and practice education experiences across the course, including approximately 640 placement hours. Residential school and placement experiences support students to develop the skills, knowledge, attributes, and competencies required to reach readiness to enter the profession of speech pathology.
During the first year of the Master component, students are required to attend five consecutive days of residential school each semester. In the final year of the program, students attend two consecutive five-day residential schools (10-days total), and a practice education placement (20 days). Students will go on to complete two community-based practice education placements (a total of 60 days) in their final semester of study. Students with a part time study plan should discuss how these requirements fit into their program of study.
Students are required to self-fund attendance at residential schools and practice education placements, including covering any costs associated with travel and accommodation. Reasonable travel for community-based practice education placements is an expectation within the speech pathology course. Options to apply for funding to assist with covering these costs are available through CDU Scholarships and Faculty of Health Placements Central. First Nations students are able to access the away from base funding through CDU if their attendance at the residential school or placement meets the eligibility requirements.
Professional recognition
The Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Speech and Language Therapy is accredited by Speech Pathology Australia. Graduates of this course are eligible to apply for membership with Speech Pathology Australia.
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Pathways
Pathways for VET to Higher Education
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, subject to meeting criteria. 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 in 2025 is AUD $32,352.00. This equates to $ $4,044.00 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.
- Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-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.
- Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- 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.
- Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-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.
- Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- 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 course incorporates health practicums supported by CDU 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 otherwise indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Bachelor of Health Science Core Units (14 units) | 140cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 140 credit points as detailed below. SBI161* Anatomy and Physiology 1 (replaces SBI171 and SBI172 from 2025 - see additional information below) *Students who have completed either SBI171 or SBI172 prior to 2025 should read the course changes and transitional arrangements provided below. |
| Bachelor of Health Science Specialist Elective Units (4 units) | 40cp | Specialist Elective units totalling 40 credit points selected from the list of units below. Must complete 2 units (20 credit points) |
| Master of Speech and Language Therapy Core Units (13 units) | 140cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 140 credit points as detailed below. PHM527^ Research, Ethics and Impact |
| 320cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure) (320cp)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2025
SBI171 Anatomy and Physiology 1 and SBI172 Anatomy and Physiology 2 have been replaced by SBI161 and SBI162 from Semester 1 2025.
- Students who have completed BOTH SBI171 and SBI172 prior to 2025 do not need to complete SBI161 or SBI162.
- Students who have NOT completed either SBI171 or SBI172 prior to 2025 should complete the two new units SBI161 and SBI162.
- Students who have completed SBI171 only (and not SBI172) should complete SBI172 in 2025. Students should NOT complete the new unit SBI162.
- Students who have completed SBI172 only (and not SBI171) should complete SBI171 in 2025. Students should NOT complete the new unit SBI161.
SBI171 and SBI172 will be offered for a final time in 2025 but will only be available to students who have completed either SBI171 or SBI172 prior to 2025.
COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2024
From 2024, the course structure has changed as follows:
- Decrease in Bachelor of Health Science core units from 15 units (150cp) to 14 units (140cp)
- NUR256 added as a core unit replacing SWK312.
- MAN204 and HSC312 have been removed as core units and included as Specialist Elective units
- Increase in Bachelor Health Specialist Elective units from 2 units (20cp) to 4 units (40cp)
- SLT300 and SLT311 have been included as required Specialist Elective units
- MAN204, HSC312 have been moved from core to Specialist Elective unit choices
- HSC202, PSY228, SPE261, SPE320 have been removed as Specialist Elective unit choices. Students that have already completed 20 credit points from these specialist units do not need to complete 20cp of the new specialist elective unit requirements.
- Decrease in Master of Speech and Language Therapy units from 14 units (150cp) to 13 units (140cp)
- SLT511 has been removed as a core unit but replaced by SLT311 as a required Specialist Elective unit in the Bachelor of Health Science.
Additional transitional arrangements
- Students who have completed SWK312 do not complete NUR256
- Students who have completed HSC203 do not complete HSC133
- Students who have completed SLT511 do not complete SLT311
- Students who have completed SLT601 do not complete SLT521
- Students who have completed SLT602 do not complete SLT522
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 AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 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 enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to 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:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| SBI161 Anatomy and Physiology 1 (replaces SBI171 from 2025) | CO | SBI162 Anatomy and Physiology 2 (replaces SBI172 from 2025) | CO |
| HSC132 Introduction to Health Promotion | CO | SWK102 Communication Skills | CO |
| PSY150 Introduction to Psychology A (replaces PSY140) | CO | HSC233 Epidemiology and Statistics (replaces HSC112 from 2025) | CO |
| HSC121 Australia's Healthcare System and Policies | CO | HSC133 Perspectives of Indigenous Health (replaces HSC203 from 2024) | CO |
| Year 2 | |||
| HSC111 Ethics in Health Care (replaces HSC210 from 2021) | CO | HSC204 Chronic Conditions Management | CO |
| PHM301 Exploring Public Health | CO | HSC318 Rural and Remote Health | CO |
| Specialist Elective | SE | HSC220 Society, Culture and Health: A Sociological Introduction (replaces HSC230 from 2021) | CO |
| Specialist Elective | SE | NUR256 Research and Evidence Based practice (replaces SWK312 from 2024) | SE |
| Year 3 | |||
| SLT501 Foundations of Communication Analysis | CO | SLT502 Swallowing and Mealtime Management Across the Lifespan (title changed 2024) | CO |
| SLT503 Working as a Speech Pathologist | CO | SLT505 Acquired Language Disorders | CO |
| SLT504 Early Childhood Speech, Language and Hearing Disorders | CO | SLT506 Fluency and Voice | CO |
| SLT311 Communication Across the Lifespan I (replaces SLT511 from 2024) | SE | SLT300 Communication, Culture and Context | SE |
| Year 4 | |||
| SLT508 Diversity in Communication | CO | PHM527 Research, Ethics and Impact | CO |
| SLT507 Motor Speech for Children and Adults | CO | SLT522 Speech Pathology in Professional Practice 2 (replaces SLT602 from 2024) | SE |
| SLT521 Speech Pathology in Professional Practice 1 (replaces SLT601 from 2024) | CO | SLT603 Speech Pathology in Professional Practice 3 (20cp) | CO |
| SLT510 Working with School Aged Children and Children with Complex Needs (unit title changed 2025) | CO | ||
Students commencing in Semester 2 - Not available
From 2022 this course is only available for entry in Semester 1
Entry requirements
Quota
The Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Speech and Language Therapy is a highly competitive course with a limited number of places. This means that although you may meet the minimum entry requirement for the course, you may not be ranked high enough to receive an offer. Subquotas are in place for First Nations and NT Resident applicants.
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 of at least 12 months duration.
* After any applicable adjustment factors have been applied.
International entry pathway
International applicants who have completed the CDU Foundation Studies Program and achieved a minimum mark of 65% in the Foundation English units A and B are eligible to apply.
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
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
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. From 2025 all applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.
The minimum English language requirement for this course can be met by evidencing of one of the following:
| Year 12 | Successful completion of Year 12 within Australia, or an equivalent qualification from an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). |
| 0.5 FTE Higher Education Study | Successful completion of at least 0.5FTE of higher education study from Australia or an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). If studies were completed from a country on the extended list, they must have been completed within the past five (5) years. |
| CDU Enabling Course | Successful completion of a Charles Darwin University enabling program of at least 0.5FTE (40 credit points). |
| TAFE Qualification | Successful completion of a recognised TAFE qualification at a Certificate III level or higher from Australia. |
| AHPRA Registration | Current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 or Division 2 nurse. Registration must be current at the time of course commencement. |
| English Test^ | Completion of an approved English test within two years of commencement, meeting the minimum scores outlined in the table below. |
^ Minimum Requirements for English Tests:
| Postgraduate requirements | Undergraduate requirements | |
| CDU ELICOS - English for Academic Purposes | Successful completion of EAP004 | Successful completion of EAP003 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test | Overall minimum: 6.5 No band below: 6.0 | Overall minimum: 6.0 No band below 6.0 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Overall minimum: 176 No skill below: 169 | Overall minimum: 169 No skill below 169 |
| Pearson Tests of English (PTE) Academic | Overall minimum: 58 No score below 50 | Overall minimum: 50 No score below: 50 |
| Test of English as a Foreign language | Overall minimum: 79 Minimum writing score: 21 | Overall minimum: 60 Minimum writing score: 21 |
IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted, allowing candidates to retake a single skill within 60 days of sitting their initial test. One Skill Retake results are valid for two years from the date of the first test (not from the date of the Retake test) to the date of commencement at CDU.
CDU accepts combined results from two test sittings of IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, or TOEFL, taken within a six-month period, if:
- Both tests were under the same testing system; and
- The overall score in both tests meets the overall minimum; and
- The applicant achieved the section minimum for each section in at least one test.
Recognised English-speaking countries:
| Standard List | Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America. |
| Extended List | Bermuda, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Ethiopia, Fiji, Kenya, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Seychelles, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe. |
For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to the CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
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.
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 8.0 with no score below a 8.0 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 82 with no score less than 82 in reading, writing, speaking and listening. |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 110 with no score less than 29 in reading, a minimum score of 28 in listening, a minimum score of 30 in writing and a minimum score of 26 in speaking. |
* 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, 2024
| ATAR based offers only | ATAR (excluding adjustment factors) | Selection Rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors) |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest rank to receive an offer | 68.30 | 73.30 |
| Median rank to receive an offer | 75.70 | 78.40 |
| Highest rank to receive an offer | 93.30 | 98.50 |
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, 2024.
| Applicant background (Semester one intake 2024) | No. of Students | % of all Students |
|---|---|---|
| A. Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course) | 14 | .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 | 22 | .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.
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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