Key details
Duration
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
160Course code
Overview
The Master of Speech and Language Therapy is a two-year graduate entry program that will provide you with the skills necessary for the delivery of quality speech pathology services and equip you to respond to the changing demands of the Australian health system.
The Master of Speech and Language Therapy is designed for students who are seeking a diverse and rewarding health career with a focus on communication rights and improving the lives of individuals with communication disability and/or swallowing disorders.
The course offers flexibility in learning with in-person or online delivery, supported by mandatory on-campus residential schools, and clinical placements in a variety of work settings. Clinical placements are supported by CDU academics and registered Speech Pathology professionals. There are unique placement opportunities in the Northern Territory local, rural and remote areas.
CDU welcomes First Nations students and has dedicated support on hand to help support you through your degree.
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 Master of Speech and Language Therapy students are required to complete on-campus residential schools in Darwin (NT), and community-based practice education placements. 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.
In the first year of the program students are required to attend five consecutive days of residential school each semester. In second year, 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 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 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
Non-Commonwealth supported places
Full fee paying places are available in this course.
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 $31,584.00. This equates to $ $3,948.00 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 postgraduate degree at CDU?
Study a postgraduate course at Charles Darwin University to upskill at work, fast-track your career, increase your job prospects or explore a new interest. We offer flexible study options so you don't have to put your life on hold while you learn.
- #2 Australian uni for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Top 100 university globally for quality education
- Our graduates enjoy higher than average employment rates and starting salaries
Why study a postgraduate degree at CDU?
Study a postgraduate course at Charles Darwin University, the #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024).
- Top 100 university globally for quality education (THE Impact Rankings 2021)
- Our graduates enjoy higher than average employment rates and starting salaries
Why study a postgraduate degree at CDU?
Study a postgraduate course at Charles Darwin University to upskill at work, fast-track your career, increase your job prospects or explore a new interest. We offer flexible study options so you don't have to put your life on hold while you learn.
- #2 Australian uni for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Top 100 university globally for quality education
- Our graduates enjoy higher than average employment rates and starting salaries
Why study a postgraduate degree at CDU?
Study a postgraduate course at Charles Darwin University, the #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024).
- Top 100 university globally for quality education (THE Impact Rankings 2021)
- Our graduates enjoy higher than average employment rates and starting salaries
What will I study?
The course is undertaken online, with intensive on-campus residential schools and placements to support clinical learning.
Course structure
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 160 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core Units (15 units) | 160cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 160 credit points as detailed below. SLT300 Communication, Culture and Context (replaces HSC203 from 2024) |
| 160cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2024
The following changes have been made to the course structure from 2024:
- SLT300 replaces HSC203. Students who have completed HSC203 do not complete SLT300.
- SLT311 replaces SLT511. Students who have completed SLT511 do not complete SLT311.
- SLT521 replaces SLT601. Students who have completed SLT601 do not complete SLT521.
- STL522 replaces SLT602. Students who have completed SLT602 do not complete SLT522.
Study plan
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1
The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for students enrolling in a full-time or part-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 | P = Professional Practice |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| SLT311 Communication across the lifespan (replaces SLT511 from 2024) | CO | SLT300 Communication, Culture and Context (replaces HSC203 from 2024) | CO |
| 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 |
| Year 2 | |||
| SLT507 Motor Speech for Children and Adults | CO | PHM527 Research, Ethics and Impact | CO |
| SLT508 Diversity in Communication | CO | SLT522 Speech Pathology in Professional Practice 2 (replaces SLT602 from 2024) | P |
| SLT510 Working with School Aged Children and Children with Complex Needs (unit title changed 2025) | CO | SLT603 Speech Pathology in Professional Practice 3 (20cp) | P |
| SLT521 Speech Pathology in Professional Practice 1 (replaces SLT601 from 2024) | P | ||
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | P = Professional Practice |
Part-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| SLT311 Communication across the lifespan (replaces SLT511 from 2024) | CO | SLT300 Communication, Culture and Context (replaces HSC203 from 2024) | CO |
| SLT501 Foundations of Communication Analysis | CO | SLT506 Fluency and Voice | CO |
| Year 2 | |||
| SLT503 Working as a Speech Pathologist | CO | SLT502 Swallowing and Mealtime Management Across the Lifespan (title changed 2024) | CO |
| SLT504 Early Childhood Speech, Language and Hearing Disorders | CO | SLT505 Acquired Language Disorders | CO |
| Year 3 | |||
| SLT510 Working with School Aged Children and Children with Complex Needs (unit title changed 2025) | CO | PHM527 Research, Ethics and Impact | CO |
| SLT507 Motor Speech for Children and Adults | CO | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| SLT508 Diversity in Communication | CO | SLT522 Speech Pathology in Professional Practice 2 (replaces SLT602 from 2024) | P |
| SLT521 Speech Pathology in Professional Practice 1 (replaces SLT601 from 2024) | P | SLT603 Speech Pathology in Professional Practice 3 (20 CP) | P |
Entry requirements
Quota
The 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
Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree or equivalent international qualification with at least a credit average (GPA of 5.00).
Short-listed applicants may be required to undertake an interview.
Whilst you may meet the advertised minimum entry requirements, this does not guarantee you a place in the course, instead offers will be made on merit.
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.
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 a minimum score of 29 in reading, a minimum 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.
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student
What intrigued me about studying at CDU was its excellent graduate employment and salary outcomes.
Heather
CDU student
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student
What intrigued me about studying at CDU was its excellent graduate employment and salary outcomes.
Heather
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.
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.
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