About The Discipline of Speech Pathology

Speech Pathology is a health profession that provides services to members of the community experiencing difficulty with communication and/or swallowing. Speech pathologists provide expert advice, prevention education and treatment in a broad range of areas including language, speech, stuttering, voice, augmentative and alternative communication and swallowing.

The size and maturity of our discipline means we have an internationally reputed and published academic staff who are actively researching in a range of specialist areas in communication sciences and disorders. This provides students with the distinct benefit of studying with experts in the field who are researching in the areas in which they teach. Our staffing profile also includes Discipline Specialists and Clinical Specialist who work with students in class and in clinics to translate theory to practice. Together our expert academic staff, Discipline Specialists and Clinical Specialists offer a dynamic and stimulating learning environment as well as research experience and opportunities at the honours, masters and PhD level.

In common with other Departments at the University Of Sydney, the Discipline promotes students' development of generic (i.e communication and teamwork skills) as well as discipline-specific knowledge and skills. The course is designed to promote self-direction and encourages the graduates to have a sense of their own individuality and creativity.

Graduates of the undergraduate and postgraduate programs in speech pathology will be prepared for a range of career opportunities. These include speech pathology positions in government departments, non-government organisations and private practice and administration, research, clinical education and consultancy within the public and private health care sectors. Our PhD program prepares graduates for research and academic careers in communication sciences and disorders.