Why study speech pathology at Sydney
5 reasons why speech pathology could be the right career for you, and how the University of Sydney can get you there
The Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) has been designed to equip students with the practical learning and clinical experience required for professional practice as a speech pathologist.
The curriculum covers a broad spectrum of topics in the fields of communication sciences and disorders including speech science, linguistics, phonetics, as well as counselling and behaviour management.
This course can be undertaken in four years (full-time), with a part-time option also available (domestic students only).
The Master of Speech Language Pathology degree is one of our Graduate Entry Masters courses (GEM) and accepts graduates from all backgrounds. This means you can enrol if you have completed any bachelor’s degree.
The Master of Speech Language Pathology is an accelerated pathway to a professional qualification and can be completed in two years full-time, or four years part-time (domestic students only).
Both our Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) and the Master of Speech Language Pathology are accredited by Speech Pathology Australia. This means that upon graduation, you are qualified to work with children and adults as a speech pathologist in Australia.
As part of the pre-registration nursing programs at the University of Sydney, students are required to undertake over 800 hours of clinical placement experience.
Placements occur in a range of settings across each year of your studies at private and public hospitals, mental health services, community health centres, in community health care and at schools.
There are also unique opportunities to pursue placements in rural and remote areas, including an extended rural placement in Broken Hill and far west NSW, as well as with the NSW Air Ambulance and in Justice Health.
A fundamental part of putting your knowledge into practice is through your work-based placements.
Whether you’re a bachelor’s or a master’s student, you’ll learn through hands-on experience, working on campus and off-site at hospitals, community health centres, disability services, schools, private practice and not-for-profit organisations.
Off-site placements can be in metropolitan and country areas, and sometimes interstate and overseas.
Work-based placements enable you to apply your academic knowledge in real-world environments.
You’ll have the chance to showcase and enhance the skills acquired in the classroom while also developing essential abilities such as self-confidence, critical thinking and communication skills.
As a speech pathologist, you’ll play a crucial role in improving the quality of life for individuals with communication and swallowing disorders. This can be incredibly rewarding.
It is a career that is focused on enhancing the quality of life of others and can be undertaken in various environments including schools, hospitals, private practices, rehabilitation centres, and research institutions.
There is an increasing need for speech pathologists due to an aging population, a growing awareness of speech and language disorders, and advances in healthcare.
This translates into strong job security and opportunities for advancement as well as providing opportunities for ongoing education and professional development.
