Master of Speech Pathology

2025 Deakin University Handbook

Year	2025 course information
Award granted	Master of Speech Pathology
Deakin course code	H765
Faculty	Faculty of Health
Campus	Offered at Waterfront (Geelong)
Duration	2 years of full-time study or 4 years of part-time study
Course Map - enrolment planning tool	These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2025: Full-time option Part-time option Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Learn to work in partnership with people living with communication or swallowing difficulties, and their carers, families and communities, to support them to achieve their goals and to reduce the inequalities they face. With Deakin’s Master of Speech Pathology you will gain the knowledge, skills and practical experience to confidently and collaboratively work with people of any age experiencing communication or swallowing difficulties, including people with developmental or acquired speech, language or communication disorders, people with complex communication needs, people who are deaf or hard of hearing, and people with swallowing difficulties resulting from age, impairment or disability.

Co-designed with people with disability, as well as parents, carers and advocates, and informed by local services, our Master of Speech Pathology provides a unique focus on understanding and working with people with disability, which means you will bring in-demand specialised perspective and skills to the workforce, setting you apart from other graduates.

Are you passionate about working with individuals and communities to facilitate accessible and effective communication and safe, enjoyable eating and drinking?

Perfect for those seeking a career change or articulating from an undergraduate degree in a related discipline, this professional entry-to-practice degree will provide you with the skills and competencies to work as a speech pathologist in Australia.

You do not have to have a background in allied health – many successful speech pathologists come from fields such as communications, education and biological sciences. While undergraduate knowledge of human anatomy and physiology is a prerequisite for the course, we offer HBS109 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology as a single unit prior to commencement for those who do not meet this requirement.^*

Our hands-on, collaborative approach to learning throughout the course ensures that you will graduate ready to practice. Coursework includes carefully constructed learning experiences to prepare you to work meaningfully and effectively with clients in speech pathology practice. Realistic cases help you to develop and apply your understanding of communication and swallowing development and disorders, and the assessment and intervention processes that speech pathologists use. You will learn to work effectively with people with complex communication needs, including those who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), and to practice competently in deaf communities, including using Auslan (Australian sign language). You will also undertake critical learning around Australian Aboriginal health and wellbeing so that you can provide culturally appropriate support, and will work alongside students from other courses to develop strong interprofessional practice and teamwork skills. The course also provides you with a solid foundation in research literacy, which is essential to effective practice.

Our practical experiences take you on a scaffolded journey from novice learner through to competent, independent practice. Developed in partnership with local services, these experiences are designed to allow you to experience, understand and demonstrate speech pathology practice in a range of settings and services. In-practice observations in your first trimester support the foundational knowledge you develop during this time. As you progress through the course you will complete a further four credit points of supervised placements in various services and settings, as well as specialised simulation-based placements in our dedicated on-campus learning facility.

In addition to graduating with work-ready skills, you will also be able to leverage Deakin’s strong partnerships, opening the door to future career opportunities.

In line with Deakin’s commitment to redressing the health disparities faced by those living in regional and rural areas compared to those in major cities, our placements have been designed alongside speech pathology services in the Barwon South West region. This provides you with an opportunity to work with people from diverse populations, and the potential to establish local career connections that will allow you to support people in the Barwon South West community.

The Master of Speech Pathology at Deakin offers you the unique opportunity to dive further into an area that interests you by selecting either a research project or a combination of an elective in public health, disability or inclusive education, and a community-based project.

As a graduate of Deakin’s Master of Speech Pathology you will be ready to address the health and wellbeing of people who have communication or swallowing difficulties. Hands-on experience, an extensive network of partners, and a unique understanding of working with people with disability ensure that you will be entering into the growing disability, health and community services and education sectors with in-demand knowledge and skills. For those wishing to further a career in research, our research pathway supports access to higher degree by research training (PhD).

^*Please note: completion of this unit does not guarantee entry into the Master of Speech Pathology.

Indicative student workload

You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, on-site professional experience (placement), simulated placement and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information.

This course requires a high level of engagement with learning in all units, and students are expected to undertake self-directed learning and complete assessment tasks in addition to scheduled learning activities.

Professional recognition

This course has been designed to meet the accreditation standards of Speech Pathology Australia. It is currently in the qualifying phase of accreditation with the next review commencing in 2025. Once accredited, graduates will be eligible for membership of Speech Pathology Australia. Graduates will be qualified to practice professionally throughout Australia.

Career opportunities

Ageing populations are driving a global demand for speech pathologists, while in Australia we are seeing a particular demand for specialised services for people living with disability. Not only will you be making a meaningful difference to the lives of those experiencing communication or swallowing difficulties, you can also be confident you are securing your future in a growing field – with a 34.7% increase in job opportunities expected over the next 5 years.^*

As a speech pathologist you will work with people across all ages who experience a range of communication difficulties including speaking, using and understanding language, voice difficulties, people who stutter, people with cognitive difficulties that impact on communication, as well as those who have difficulty swallowing, eating and drinking.

You may find work across a number of settings, including:

Community settings, including community health centres
disability services
education settings (kindergartens, primary and secondary schools and special developmental schools)
hospitals
mental health services
private practices/clinics
rehabilitation services
residential aged care facilities.

With Deakin’s Master of Speech Pathology unique and specific focus on disability, you will be well-placed to secure work within the NDIS including private, not-for-profit, and public service providers.

^*seek.com.au/career-advice/role/speech-pathologist

Participation requirements

Students are expected to attend lectures, seminars and classes, and/or participate in online learning activities. In person attendance for some activities, including placement, is compulsory for all students.

Refer to the individual unit details in the University Handbook for more information about in-person attendance requirements for specific units.

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Adjustments need to reflect the expectations of speech pathology practice as outlined in the Professional Standards for Speech Pathologists in Australia. More information available at Disability support services.

Mandatory student checks

Students are required to undertake the checks outlined below prior to their first practice-based learning opportunity (placement). Details and required dates for completion of these checks can be found on the course page on Cloud Deakin. Students are encouraged to organise these checks as soon as possible, in order to ensure that they are completed in time.

Police Check

In accordance with the policies of health and human services organisations, all students are required to undertake a Police Record Check prior to undertaking external practice-based learning experiences. Students who fail to obtain or renew a Police Record Check prior to the date indicated on the course page will not be able to undertake their mandatory practice-based learning experiences, and this will impede progress in the course.

Working with Children Check

In accordance with the Worker Screening Act 2020, all students are required to undertake a Working with Children Check at the commencement of their course. The check lasts for five years and only needs to be undertaken once at the start of the course. Students who fail to obtain a Working with Children Check prior to the date indicated on the course page will not be able to undertake their mandatory practice-based learning experiences, and this will impede progress in the course.

NDIS Worker Screening Check

Students are required to undertake a NDIS Worker Screening Check to comply with requirements of organisations that include NDIS participants. This is an assessment of whether a person poses risk to NDIS participants. Students who fail to obtain a NDIS Worker Screening Check prior to the date indicated on the course page will not be able to undertake their mandatory practice-based learning experience, and this will impede progression in the course.

Immunisation Status

Students are a potential source of infection for service users and colleagues and are required to provide evidence of immunisation status. This includes immunisation for hepatitis B, measles, mumps and rubella, varicella (chicken pox), pertussis (whooping cough), tuberculosis, influenza and COVID-19. Details of the requirements are outlined on the course page. Students who do not provide required evidence prior to the date indicated on the course page will not be able to undertake their mandatory practice-based learning experiences, and this will impede progression in the course.

Other requirements

Students may also be required to undertake mask fit testing, hand hygiene, infection control or other certification, and to provide evidence of this, prior to undertaking placements in some settings. Further information about other requirements can be found on the course page on Cloud Deakin.

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are those skills, values and behaviours that students must demonstrate in order to complete the Master of Speech Pathology.

Pathways

H765 Master of Speech Pathology is a qualifying degree and does not have a formal pathway to further study. Students who complete the research pathway, including two credit points of research, may consider applying to enrol in a higher degree by research (PhD).

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Apply theory and evidence-based knowledge and skills to identify needs and provide safe and effective services that support optimal communication and swallowing and facilitate access to human rights.
Communication	Use verbal and nonverbal communication skills flexibly and responsively to develop strong professional relationships with clients, families, communities, peers and others; identify, describe and advocate for communication and swallowing needs; and use inclusive and accessible communication to provide effective speech pathology services to clients and communities.
Digital literacy	Select, use and critically evaluate digital technologies to promote client participation and effective speech pathology practice, recognising limitations, affordances and future possibilities.
Critical thinking	Critically integrate evidence and contextualise decision-making within the broader picture of people's lives, in order to provide relevant and effective speech pathology services.
Problem solving	Work with clients, families and communities to creatively and flexibly problem-solve approaches to support effective communication and swallowing, bringing a future-focussed lens; and plan and conduct ethical and inclusive projects, such as research, quality improvement and advocacy initiatives.
Self-management	Actively identify and transfer skills and knowledge across practice contexts and clinical areas, and continuously reflect on practice, identifying learning needs and sources of support and advice. Reflect on and implement strategies that make this profession personally sustainable.
Teamwork	Build relationships and trust with clients, families, communities, other professionals and team members, and contribute as an active member of teams and professional communities.
Global citizenship	Work safely, ethically, and effectively with diverse communities and cultures, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, within a framework of human rights advocacy; and critically reflect on global trends, challenges and environments as they relate to speech pathology.

Course rules

To complete the Master of Speech Pathology students must pass 16 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
14 credit points of core units
2 credit points of course electives units

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.

Note:

When choosing course electives, students who meet the prerequisite requirements for pursuing a minor thesis can choose a research pathway by enrolling in the two thesis course electives (HSH731 Minor Project A and HSH732 Minor Project B) which support applying to enrol in a higher degree by research.
Students who don’t meet the prerequisites or who don’t want to undertake the thesis units must undertake the coursework pathway which includes HSP740 Community-based Speech Pathology and one further course elective from a given list.

Course structure

Core units

Students must complete 14 credit points of core units and 2 credit points of course electives.

DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)

HSP731

Communication and Swallowing Across the Lifespan (2 credit points)

HSP732

Professional Practice in Speech Pathology

IND734

Australian Aboriginal Holistic Health and Healing

HSP733

Identifying Needs and Providing Speech Pathology Services

HSP734

Communication Disorder and Difference

HSH725

Research Literacy

HSP735

Speech Pathology Practice A

HSP736

Complex Communication Needs and Augmentative and Alternative Communication

HSP737

Supporting Swallowing and Mealtimes

HSP738

Speech Pathology Practice B

HSP739

Speech Pathology Practice with Deaf Communities

HSP741

Integrating and Transferring Practice in Speech Pathology (2 credit points)

Course elective units

Plus either 2 credit points of research units:

HSH731

Minor Project A

HSH732

Minor Project B

2 credit points of course electives, comprising

HSP740

Community-Based Speech Pathology Project

And 1 credit point selected from the following list:

EIE702

Teaching and Learning in the Inclusive Classroom

EIE704

Supporting Communication in Inclusive Classrooms

EXE732

Social Justice and Difference

HDS730

Disability and Inclusion: Contemporary Theory and Lived Experience

HDS733

Community Capacity Building - Theory and Practice for Inclusion

HDS734

Inclusive Design and Technology

HSH701

Principles and Practice of Public Health

HSH703

Health Promotion

Work experience

This course includes practice-based learning (placement). Students will undertake two days of observation and four placements of 18 to 20 days each in external services. They will also undertake two on-campus simulated placements. Placement provides students with an opportunity to practice skills, gain experience and apply their learning, under the supervision of a qualified speech pathologist. Attendance and demonstration of competency within placement is a mandatory requirement for successful progression in and completion of this course. Further information about the timing of placements throughout the course can be found on the Course page on Cloud Deakin.

Pre-placement seminars are considered part of the placement experience and attendance at these is also mandatory. Requirements for mandatory seminars are outlined in individual unit descriptions.

Students will be allocated to placements by the University. Students should be aware of the requirement for travel to placement sites. Travel time up to 2 hours each way is considered acceptable. It is also likely that students will have to attend at least one rural placement during the course.

Deakin University does not require any student to have a driver’s licence and access to a car, but encourages students to organise this if possible. Many placements are not accessible without this, which may limit the opportunities available to students. We also encourage students to carpool to placements where possible.

Course duration

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Contact Student Central

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, and their study discipline or your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Estimate your fees

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.