Coursework Degree Programs
Coursework programs consist of units of study rather than research work. They usually require attendance at lectures and tutorials. Master’s degrees can all be obtained by coursework.
Postgraduate coursework qualifications provide you with specialised knowledge which leads to advantages in furthering your career. Study at this level enables you to upgrade your qualifications, enrol in professional development courses, change careers or explore one subject at a time.
The Discipline of Speech Pathology now offers the following postgraduate coursework degrees:
- Master of Speech Language Pathology (Pass) - Course Code SC112. The MSLP course allows people who already have a degree, to qualify to work as a speech pathologist
- Master of Speech Language Pathology (Honours) - Course Code SC113. The MSLP Honours program is undertaken by coursework and a research dissertation
Master of Speech Language Pathology (Pass) - Course Code SC112
The Discipline of Speech Pathology offers a full-time or part-time Graduate Entry, Master of Speech Language Pathology (MSLP) program that is of two (2) years duration full-time and four (4) years part-time.
This program provides a professional pathway to becoming a Speech Pathologist for students who already hold a Bachelors degree in a related area.
This program is accredited by Speech Pathology Australia. Graduates are eligible for practising membership of the Association which is a requirement to work as a speech pathologist in Australia.
Students must attend on-campus as well as undertake clinical education in on-campus and off-campus clinics.
| Award: | Master of Speech Language Pathology |
| Location: | Discipline of Speech Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Cumberland Campus |
| Course Duration: | 4 Semesters full-time; 8 Semesters part-time |
| Note: | Applicants should note that each year of the academic program is offered within 2 fourteen week semesters (Orientation week and 13 teaching weeks, followed by Study Vacation and 2 weeks of examinations) |
| The clinical program will involve students on placements across the entire year | |
| Students enrolling full time should note that the workload is heavy and it is strongly recommended that students not engage in paid work outside their studies for more than 4 hours per week | |
| Applicants from other countries, who wish to use this degree to return home to work in their country, should check with their local professional registration board or licensing authority for details on requirements for getting their degree locally recognised | |
| Total Credit Points: | 96 (24 per semester for full time enrolment) |
| Course Coordinator: | David Trembath |
Admission Requirements
Applicants for the MSLP program must have:
- Completed the award of Bachelor of Health Science (Hearing and Speech) (Course Code SH068) or Bachelor of Health Science (Hearing and Speech Major) (Course Code SH130) from The University of Sydney. You must have achieved a credit average or higher to be competitive.
OR - Completed an undergraduate degree in linguistics, health, education, speech and hearing or the social, physical or biological sciences. Applicants without prior study in linguistics and phonetics must complete the prescribed units in Summer School before commencement.
NOTE: Applications for summer school close 11 December 2009 and lectures commence on 4 January 2010. Applicants who need to complete linguistics and/or phonetics at Summer School must apply for the Master of Speech Language Pathology by 31 October 2009
Assumed Knowledge
Linguistics and Phonetics
All applicants from programs other than the B. Health Science (Hearing and Speech) will be required to show proof of having completed prior academic study in Linguistics and Phonetics. Successful applicants who have not completed study in these units may enrol in Summer School, which begins in early January and ends in mid February.
Expected Knowledge
The following domains of knowledge are not pre-requisites for enrolment in the program. Nevertheless, it will be expected during classes that participants will have completed prior study in these domains, either through an academic program or independent study.
Psychology / Research Methods / Statistics
- Students are expected to have an understanding of the principles of psychology, normal child development, learning, and cognition as covered in most introductory psychology courses
- The MSLP involves critical reading of research and requires an understanding of its implications for practice. Therefore a knowledge of the principles of research design and basic statistics is expected
Anatomy and Physiology
- Students without a background in anatomy and physiology are strongly encouraged to do some study in these areas before enrolment
- Semester 1 includes a unit [CSCD5018 Core Studies] which covers these areas but assumes some background knowledge
- Students without this background knowledge will need to be prepared to undertake a significant amount of additional self directed study in this area during the semester
Sociology
- It is desirable for students to have completed introductory sociology
- Applicants are required to have at least a credit grade average in their undergraduate degree to be competitive
- Submit an application to the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) (for local applicants) or to the International Office (for international applicants) by the 31st October 2009. The selection process will involve a review of transcripts and other evidence to confirm applicants meet the background knowledge requirements. For applicants who do not have the pre-requisite background knowledge, you may be asked to complete a qualifier year or complete Summer School if you do not have Linguistics and Phonetics
- Where more applicants exist than number of places available, applicants will be short listed on the basis of merit, including grade point average and will be required to take part in an interview. Interview with international applicants are via telephone
- After the interview, applicants will receive notice about an offer of a place. Applicants may receive:
| 1 | A firm offer of a place in the MSLP. This means that they will commence their course in Orientation week | |||
| 2 | A conditional offer is subject to completing additional studies in the required knowledge fields in either Summer School or other academic institution | |||
|
Students who have not studied phonetics or linguistics may receive an offer of a place conditional on them enrolling in Summer School in both Linguistics and Phonetics. If you pass these units in Summer School you will receive a firm offer (see above) |
||||
| CSP (HECS) places may be offered till 31st March, based on academic merit and availability of places |
Course Requirements
Criminal Record Check; Prohilited Employment Declaration; Adult Vacination Card
All students must undertake clinical placements with children in their degree. Therefore all students are required to fill out a Criminal Records check, Prohibited Employment Declaration form and an Adult Vaccination Record card. Forms are to be completed on enrolment. Some placements will require students to be vaccinated against tuberculosis, hepatitis C and other infectious diseases and to provide proof of immunity. Prospective students should seek information about Vaccination requirements from Student Services.
Any prospective student who thinks that he/she may have a consideration, condition or disability, which may interfere with the development or practice of speech pathology skills, or with participation in clinical education should consult the Course Coordinator before commencing the program.
MSLP Course Structure
The curriculum is designed around the competency requirements for Speech Pathology professional practice. The curriculum incorporates 17 compulsory units of study, totaling 96 credit points.
These units will provide students with the competencies expected of a beginning practitioner in speech pathology. Students with the requisite academic standard based on their results in Year 1 of the MSLP or the Graduate Diploma in Communication Disorders may apply to transfer into the Honours program in Year 2.
The MSLP is structured around 4 academic blocks and 4 clinical blocks. The clinical blocks occur during semester and during the breaks. The academic program will require all students (including part time students) to attend in orientation week and for 13 teaching weeks in each semester.
Students must be prepared and available for clinical placements and some lectures that are delivered outside set semester dates.
Application Procedures 2010
Local applications for the 2010 program must be lodged with the University Admissions Centre (UAC). Applicants can Apply-by-web on the UAC site usually in early September of the preceding year. The closing date for applications for 2010 is 31st October 2009. Late applications may be accepted by UAC - a late fee is involved.
International applicants can obtain application information from the International Office
Eligible applicants - local and international - may be contacted to participate in a short telephone interview.
- The MSLP is a full fee paying course. Click here for fee details
- This program meets the requirements for Centrelink support, as it is a "Right-of-Practice" course
Units of Study
This is a list of units of study in the MSLP program as delivered to full-time students.
Mode of Delivery:
. On-campus, full-time - 4 Semesters
. On-campus, part-time - 8 Semesters
Brief unit of study outlines can be found in Chapter 32 of the Faculty of Health Sciences Handbook
|
|
UNITS of STUDY (UOS) |
|
|---|---|---|
|
YEAR 1 |
SEMESTER 1 |
CP |
|
CSCD5018 |
Core Studies |
3 |
|
CSCD5019 |
Speech Pathology Practice |
3 |
|
CSCD5020 |
Articulation and Phonology |
6 |
|
CSCD5021 |
Language 1 |
6 |
|
CSCD5022 |
Specilaist Studies 1 - Stuttering and Disability |
6 |
|
YEAR 1 |
SEMESTER 2 |
|
|
CSCD5023 |
Swallowing and Neurogenics 1 |
6 |
|
CSCD5024 |
Language 2 |
6 |
|
CSCD5025 |
Specialist Studies 2 -Voice |
3 |
|
CSCD5026 |
Professional Development 1 |
3 |
|
CSCD5027 |
Clinical Practice 1 |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
YEAR 2 |
SEMESTER 1 |
|
|
CSCD5028 |
Specilaist Studies 3 |
6 |
|
CSCD5029 |
Neurogenics 2 |
6 |
|
CSCD5030 |
Professional Development 2 |
6 |
|
CSCD5031 |
Clinical Practice 2 |
6 |
|
YEAR 2 |
SEMESTER 2 |
|
|
CSCD5032 |
Research Led Practice |
6 |
|
CSCD5033 |
Applied Clinical Research |
6 |
|
CSCD5053 |
Clinical Practice 3 - Paediatric |
6 |
|
CSCD5054 |
Clinical Practice 3 - Adult |
6 |
|
|
Total Credit Points |
96 |
Timetabling
All lectures are held during the day. In first and second semester full-time students should expect to be on-campus for 4-5 days per week and part time students for 2 to 3 days per week. Intensives, block teaching and clinic can occur outside the semester dates.
See the complete MSLP course outline in the Faculty of Health Sciences Handbook, Chapter 29 or on the University’s Course Search database.
The Graduate Diploma in Communication Disorders
Students enrolled in the MSLP (Course Code SC112) who would like to graduate after Year 1, will be able to do so with the award Graduate Diploma in Communication Disorders. It will not qualify graduates to work as speech pathologists.
Master of Speech Language Pathology (Honours) - Course Code SC113
At the end of Year 1 (48 credit points) of the MSLP course (code SC112) students with academic performance that meets the criteria, are able to transfer to Masters Honours degree.
The Honours program is undertaken by coursework and a research dissertation.
To be eligible for admission to honours, students must already be enrolled in the Master of Speech Language Pathology or Graduate Diploma in Communication Disorders and have achieved at least a weighted average mark of 70% in Year 1 coursework. Students who have achieved this level of performance may apply to have their enrolment transferred to the Honours program.
In the Honours program the research dissertation replaces 15 credit points of coursework.
To be awarded Honours, students must achieve at least a weighted average grade of 70% or above in all coursework, and must successfully complete a research dissertation of equivalent standard.
Should a student fail to achieve the overall weighted average mark of 70% for coursework units of study, s/he may complete the dissertation but will not be awarded an Honours degree. There is a single grade of honours.
Enrolment for the honours dissertation is a minimum of two semesters. Re-enrolment will be necessary if the dissertation cannot be submitted within that time frame.
This is a list of units of study for the MSLP Honours program as delivered to full-time students. Year 1 is the same as the PASS program.
| UNITS of STUDY (UOS) | ||
|---|---|---|
| YEAR 2 | SEMESTER 1 | CP |
| CSCD5028 | Specilialist Studies 3 | 6 |
| CSCD5029 | Neurogenics 2 | 6 |
| CSCD5031 | Clinical Practice 2 | 6 |
| CSCD5035 | Professional Development 2H | 3 |
| CSCD5036 | Research in Clinical Practice 1 | 3 |
| YEAR 2 | SEMESTER 2 | |
| CSCD5037 | Research in Clinical Practice 2 | 12 |
| CSCD5053 | Clinical Practice 3 - Paediatric | 6 |
| CSCD5054 | Clinical Practice 3 - Adult | 6 |
| Year 2 Credit Points Total | 48 |
See the complete MSLP Honours course outline in the Faculty of Health Sciences Handbook, Chapter 29. Brief unit of study outlines can be found in Chapter 32.