The University of Sydney is one of Australia’s largest and most prestigious universities. Established in 1850, it is Australia’s first university, and a member of the ‘Group of Eight’, Australia’s premier research intensive universities.

University of Sydney Master of Speech Language Pathology Overview

The curriculum for the Speech Pathology program at University of Sydney has been designed to enable students to learn in a way that resembles the clinical practice of speech pathology. Case-based learning and clinical placements at University of Sydney help students acquire the skills necessary to qualify and practice as speech pathologists in Australia.

University of Sydney’s Speech Pathology program is a graduate-entry program (students are required to have completed an undergraduate degree prior to entry), however the Master of Speech Language Pathology is designed to accommodate all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their previous discipline.

As the Speech Pathology course leads to eligibility to practice, University of Sydney students will be assisted in achieving prescribed professional competencies through practical and theoretical skill acquisition and clinical fieldwork placements. Clinical placements are undertaken in both the public and private sectors. Speech Pathology students at University of Sydney will have the opportunity to develop an understanding of the career path they have chosen, and its place in the contemporary health system.

The pace of work in the Speech Pathology program at University of Sydney is commensurate with the expectations of postgraduate study, as is the level and complexity of the issues dealt with in the degree, including research project design.

Student will Enjoy at The University of Sydney

• A green campus surrounded by park lands, with close proximity to Sydney’s central business district and sandy beaches
• The lifestyle of Australia’s most exciting and culturally diverse city
• A cosmopolitan lifestyle in a multicultural environment
• Largest university library in the southern hemisphere
• Outstanding sporting and recreational amenities
• Excellent employment and career prospects upon completion of studies

Clinical Work Experience

A number of clinical and professional fieldwork opportunities are scheduled as part of Speech Pathology course at University of Sydney. Fieldwork provides hands on experience with real clients in a supervised environment allowing students to combine academic study with the practical abilities required of the rehabilitation counselling profession.

As part of University of Sydney’s Speech Pathology program, eligible students also have the opportunity to take part in the ‘FHS Abroad’ program which involves academic study and a 4-6 week placement with non-government organizations and other development agencies in one of a small number of countries in South and South East Asia. This experience (valued at 6 credit points) enables Speech Pathology students to gain a real understanding of global health and make a lasting difference to communities worldwide.

Entry Requirements

To be eligible to apply you will need to fulfill the following criteria:

1. Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree or PhD from an Australian institution or equivalent.
2. Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.5 over 7 (credit average).

Successful applicants who do not have prior studies in Linguistics and Phonetics must complete the prescribed unit CSCD1034 Linguistics, Phonetics and Articulation at summer school during January & February (6 weeks), prior to commencing the course in Semester 1. You need to attain a pass grade prior to enrolment. You will be responsible for all costs associated with studies in this unit.

Clinical Practicum Hours

The Master of Speech Language Pathology at University of Sydney provides 180-190 clinical practicum hours. In order to meet the 350 clinical practicum hours required by Speech-language Audiology Canada, students wishing to obtain Canadian accreditation must arrange for the completion of the additional hours.

Ways that extra clinical hours can be undertaken by Canadian students:

• During the duration of the course the faculty will advise students of voluntary opportunities to undertake extra clinical hours with an external clinical provider; and / or
• Upon completion of the course by completing the appropriate extra clinical hours (usually 6 months) of paid Speech Pathology employment in Australia; and / or
• Upon completion of the course the student can organize a clinical placement of 6 months in Canada and is responsible for organizing the employment / placement and necessary visas.

Note that new Australian immigration laws allow international students undertaking any 2 year postgraduate coursework degree (which includes MSLP) to work for up to 2 years in Australia. Visit the Department of Immigration for current information about the new immigration laws.

Audiology units for Canadian Students in the MSLP and Additional Audiology Unit available that meets Speech-language Audiology Canada requirements

As part of the MSLP, students will undertake studies in audiology and hearing rehabilitation.

Year 1

• Students complete lectures on hearing testing and complete a number of hearing screenings of adults in Articulation and Phonology. These audiology lectures are provided by audiologists.

Year 2

• Specialist Studies 3 unit (directly related to hearing impairment), the following learning activities will be completed by students so that by the end of the unit students will be able to;
  • Analyze and explain audiological reports for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children for professional practice.
  • Contrast different hearing device options.
  • Compare different services and communications choices available for children with hearing impairment.
  • Hypothesise possible communication impairment as a result of different types and degrees of hearing impairment.
  • Hypothesise possible communication impairment as a result of different types and degrees of hearing impairment for Aboriginal children.
  • Compare and select using EBP principles appropriate objective and perceptual tools and protocols to fully evaluate communication ability in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children with hearing impairment for professional practice.
  • Compare and select using EBP principles appropriate management plans to improve communication ability in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children with hearing impairment for professional practice.
  • Conduct hearing screening and threshold testing

Additional Audiology Units to meet Speech-language Audiology Canada requirements

An Additional Audiology unit is available to Canadian students who do not have sufficient audiology prior learning from their bachelor degree;

• This audiology unit is taken from the University of Sydney Bachelor of Health Science Hearing and Speech major. This unit is normally undertaken during the MSLP degree, not after.
• Students elect to take this additional unit
• The unit is only offered in semester 2 and can only be taken during Year 2 of their course. The student will need to manage their final off-campus clinical placements so that they can attend lectures and tutorials on-campus.
• The student must enroll in this unit as “undergraduate non-award” and pay an additional up-front fee, as it is not part of their postgraduate MSLP program.

Professional Recognition in Canada

The Master of Speech Language Pathology program at University of Sydney is accredited by Speech Pathology Australia. University of Sydney graduates are eligible for practising membership of the association, which is a requirement to work as a speech pathologist in Australia.

Graduates applying to licensing in Canada, UK or the USA will be required to provide details of their program of studies to the relevant bodies and sit a licensing examination.

KOM Consultants understand the process and requirements needed to enter the profession in Canada. Contact KOM Consultants for more information

All students applying directly through KOM Consultants will be supported with the latest information on the accreditation process.

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