Course Curriculum

The Master of Speech Pathology at Flinders University is a 72-unit program designed to develop competent, reflective, and innovative practitioners. The program prepares graduates to provide professional services to individuals across the lifespan whose communication and swallowing abilities are impaired due to developmental difficulties, illness, accident, or social disadvantage, with the aim of improving health, participation, and quality of life.The program is highly integrated and comprises three streams of study: professional studies and communication sciences, speech pathology skills and practice, and research methods. The professional studies and communication sciences stream uses problem-based learning tutorials supported by lectures and learning resources. Students work in small groups on weekly case studies covering areas such as speech, language, voice, fluency, swallowing, and multimodal communication, while considering lifespan development and socio-cultural context.The speech pathology skills and practice stream focuses on developing clinical competencies through work-integrated learning placements under the supervision of placement educators, supported by clinical skills tutorials on campus. Placements commence early in the program and continue throughout, providing students with extensive practical experience. Placements may occur in Adelaide, regional South Australia, the Northern Territory, or occasionally overseas.The research methods stream ensures students are familiar with evidence-based practice, understand and apply research methodology, and develop the skills to critically evaluate and use research to inform clinical practice. This stream also supports the development of the practitioner-researcher mindset.Assessments are authentic and varied, including peer and self-assessment, performance in practical tasks, and competency-based evaluation of clinical work. Students are required to complete pre-placement requirements such as criminal history screening, health checks, and immunisations to ensure safe participation in practical placements.By combining rigorous theoretical learning with extensive hands-on clinical experience, the Master of Speech Pathology equips graduates to enter the workforce as competent, professional, and reflective practitioners capable of delivering high-quality services and contributing meaningfully to the well-being of individuals and communities across diverse settings.