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Charles Sturt University

  • 24% international / 76% domestic

Master of Speech Pathology

  • Masters (Coursework)

The Master of Speech Pathology at Charles Sturt University is an accredited program designed for individuals with an undergraduate degree in another discipline, offering qualifications for professional practice as a speech pathologist. The course combines online study with compulsory on-campus intensive schools and work-integrated learning opportunities across Australia.

Key details

Degree Type
Masters (Coursework)
Duration
3 - 7 years full-time
Study Mode
Online
Intake Months
Mar
Domestic Fees
$9,536 per year

About this course

Overview

Steer your career in a new direction with the accredited Master of Speech Pathology from Charles Sturt University. Offered to those with an undergraduate degree in another discipline, this course provides the qualifications and experience required for professional practice as a speech pathologist.

This course is predominantly completed online - complemented by compulsory on-campus intensive schools and work-integrated learning opportunities across Australia. Learn how to support people with difficulties communicating and trouble eating or drinking. Enter a rewarding profession focused on helping people improve their ability to interact with others.

This course has a limited number of Commonwealth supported places (CSP) available. If you secure a CSP your fees are lower than a full fee-paying place. It also means you can apply for a HECS-HELP loan to pay for your studies and defer repayment until you earn above a certain amount.

This course is part of an articulated program of study. Articulated programs allow you to build on your study to achieve the right level of qualification for you.

  • Graduate Diploma of Speech and Language [Exit point only]

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Grade Point Average of 4.5

Prospective students must have completed a three-year undergraduate degree or Postgraduate studies in any discipline, with a GPA above 4.5 demonstrating a good level of academic ability through previous studies.

Required pre-requisite study

Prospective students are required to have successfully completed study in linguistics and head and neck anatomy, prior to admission to the Master of Speech Pathology.

  • Linguistics knowledge and skills must include knowledge of phonetics, phonology, morphology and syntax, and language analysis, equivalent to SPH101: Speech, Language and Culture
  • Head and neck anatomy knowledge must include knowledge of functional anatomy related to communication and swallowing, equivalent to BMS224: Head and Neck Anatomy.

Applicants who have not met the requirements can complete both SPH101 and BMS224 as Single Subject Studies or enrol in the Undergraduate Certificate in Health Studies in Session 3 through Charles Sturt. Alternatively, applicants can choose to undertake equivalent subjects at another university. Applicants will need to provide transcript and subject outlines detailing the pre-requisite subjects undertaken at another university.

All pre-requisite study must be satisfactorily completed prior to a student being enrolled in the Masters of Speech Pathology. Completion of these subjects at Charles Sturt or similar subjects at another institution does not provide any guarantee of success in gaining admission to the course.

Written Assessment

Applicants, with a GPA above 4.5, will need to provide answers to the below questions. Responses will be assessed in accordance with a rubric designed by the Speech Pathology Team.

  • Influence: Explain how your degree from Charles Sturt University will enable you to be a positive influence in your community and make a unique contribution to the speech pathology profession (this could include diversification of the workforce, rural and remote practice, etc.). (150 words)
  • Resilience: Resilience, supported by good self and time management skills, is an important trait to have in today's workforce, particularly when balancing social, occupational, study, and/or family commitments. Tell us about a time where you balanced competing demands for your time and showed resilience. (150 words)
  • Interpersonal and communication skills: Speech pathology is a profession in which excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential. Describe an example of when you have demonstrated these skills in your life to support a positive outcome, and why you took the actions you did? (150 words)

A minimum overall Academic IELTS score of 7.0 with no score below a 6.5 in each of the individual skill areas or a qualification deemed equivalent.

Inherent requirements are the academic and other requirements of a course that all students must meet to achieve the course learning outcomes, and the knowledge, abilities, skills and qualities students will need to have in order to achieve them. Please visit our inherent requirements page for more general information about them.

  • Inherent requirements - Master of Speech Pathology

Study locations

Online

What you will learn

What you will study

For each 8-point subject you are enrolled in, you should expect to spend 10 to 12 hours per week working on assignments and assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, and attending lectures, intensive schools, or examinations. If you are studying four subjects per session, this is equivalent to a full-time job. The workload for some subjects may vary as a result of approved course design.

Intensive school

You may need to attend an online or on-campus intensive school for certain subjects in this course. These schools usually involve lectures, tutorials and practicals that will give you a deeper understanding of your subject.

Career pathways

Our Master of Speech Pathology prepares you to work professionally as a speech pathologist in a variety of settings. Depending on your interests, you could work with children, older people, or people with disabilities or speech and language impairments. You could also work with actors or singers as a voice coach. Employment opportunities exist in private practice, community health centres, schools, hospitals, rehabilitation units, nursing homes and specialist disability services in Australia and overseas. It's also possible to take on academic and research roles. Speech pathologists are in short supply in rural and regional areas, and there is a growing need for speech pathology services in Australia as a result of the nation's ageing population, increased incidence of chronic disease, introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and a growing awareness of the importance of early intervention. The Australian Government's Job Outlook forecasts very strong employment growth in speech pathology.

Course structure

Course information

The course consists of 17 core subjects, 8 within the Graduate Diploma and a further 9 for the Masters. The course must be completed within 7 years from the date of commencement.

Essential set (144 pts)Core subjects144 Credit PointsCodeTitleCredit PointsSPH510Communication Development Across The Lifespan8 credit ptsSPH511Foundations of Speech Pathology8 credit ptsSPH512Assessment and Analysis of Sensory-Motor Skills in Speech Pathology8 credit ptsSPH513Assessment and Analysis of Language and Cognition in Speech Pathology8 credit ptsSPH514Introduction to Reflective Practice and Clinical Reasoning in Speech Pathology8 credit ptsSPH524Issues of Ethics, Access and Equity in Speech Pathology Practice8 credit ptsSPH530Intervention for Sensory-Motor Impairments in Speech Pathology12 credit ptsSPH531Intervention for Language and Cognitive Impairments in Speech Pathology12 credit ptsSPH505Speech Pathology Practice 18 credit ptsSPH515Speech Pathology Practice 28 credit ptsSPH516Planning Practice-Based Research Projects in Speech Pathology8 credit ptsSPH525Speech Pathology Practice 38 credit ptsSPH526Practice-Based Research Projects in Speech Pathology8 credit ptsSPH532Clinical Reasoning for Integrated Client Care in Speech Pathology 18 credit ptsSPH533Clinical Reasoning for Integrated Client Care in Speech Pathology 28 credit ptsSPH534Cultural Competency and Community Development as Speech Pathology Practice8 credit ptsSPH544Transition to Professional Practice in Speech Pathology8 credit pts

Credit for prior study or work

If you've completed relevant tertiary study, or work experience related to your course, you could receive credit towards your degree. Which would mean completing your qualification quicker. Find out how to apply for credit and see our credit policy.

How to apply

Applying to Charles Sturt University is easy. Choose how you want to apply below, or get in touch with Charles Sturt University and we can help you with your application.

Apply via UAC
Important dates
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Apply via VTAC
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Apply directly to Charles Sturt
Important dates
29 September 2025Master of Speech Pathology - 2026 Applications Closing Date

Please note
This course does not accept late or extended applications. Only on-time applications will be considered for admission.

Important dates
29 September 2025Master of Speech Pathology - 2026 Applications Closing Date
This course does not accept late or extended applications. Only on-time applications will be considered for admission.

Check out our direct application closing dates
Apply direct