Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) prepares you for professional practice as a speech pathologist. You will be involved in the study and treatment of communication and speech disorders in children and adults, including problems with speaking, comprehension, reading, writing, voice problems and stuttering. As a speech pathology student, you will learn from leading experts researching in a range of specialist areas in communication sciences and disorders. Through hands-on learning and clinical practice you will develop the ability to work with children and adults with communication difficulties caused by congenital or developmental problems, illness, and emotional or physical trauma. During this four year degree you will study a wide-range of areas in speech pathology, including speech science, linguistics and phonetics, neuroscience, motor speech and dysphagia, and counselling and behaviour management for communication disorders. The Faculty of Health Sciences is home to the renowned Australian Stuttering Research Centre which has been responsible for numerous breakthroughs in stuttering treatment. Researchers from the Centre contribute significantly to the course, and students have access to the on-site teaching clinic. You will observe clients in your first year before commencing clinical practice from your second year, practicing under supervision in the on-campus clinic, hospitals, community health centres, developmental disability services, schools and specialist clinics. A career in speech pathology gives you the rewarding opportunity to work across hospitals, private practice, schools and early childhood services to assess and treat individuals with a wide variety of communication disorders. Career outcomes Graduate opportunities Graduates of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) are qualified to work as speech pathologists. A career in speech pathology gives you the opportunity to work in diverse settings (hospitals, private practice, schools and early childhood services) to assess and treat individuals who may present with a wide variety of communication disorders. Examples include work in hospitals, schools, community health centres, rehabilitation centres, universities, senior citizen residences, and centres for physically or developmentally disabled individuals, business and industry. Private practice is an employment avenue for many speech pathologists. Course opportunities Candidates in the Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) course participate in a wide variety of practicum experiences throughout their degree. Practicum experiences occur on-campus and off-campus in metropolitan and country areas, and sometimes interstate and overseas.