The Bachelor of Speech Pathology prepares students for entry into professional speech pathology practice. Speech pathologists assess and treat adults and children exhibiting acquired or congenital disorders of speech, fluency, voice, language and swallowing. This distinctive course aims to educate students to become knowledgeable, skilled, empathetic, ethical and innovative professionals who are able to provide effective speech pathology assessment and intervention for people of different ages. The course contains industry-specific and inter-professional units of study. A mix of theory units are combined with simulated learning and clinical practicum opportunities across the four-year course. Major areas of study The Bachelor of Speech Pathology enables students to develop an understanding of the theoretical and practical components of speech pathology, with a focus on both general and specialist knowledge and skills. The course shares components with other SCU degrees such as the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, Bachelor of Podiatry and the Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (Osteopathic Studies). Arts and science-based units are included in the course, for example phonetics and linguistics, audiology and neurology for speech pathology. Embedded throughout the course are principals of evidence-based practice, cultural competency, multi-modal communication and holistic perspectives of functioning. Career opportunities Speech pathologists work in diverse settings including private practice, the corporate sector, schools, community health centres, nursing homes, mental health services, acute and rehabilitation hospitals, and in research centres. They work independently and also with other health and education specialists in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary teams.