This course has been Accredited by TEQSA as an AQF Level 5 – Diploma course.
Speech Pathologists provide diagnostic assessment and management of disorders of communication and swallowing for people of all ages, from babies to the elderly. They work with a wide range of problems like stuttering, voice problems, language disorders and physical and intellectual disabilities.
If you are passionate about communicating, have an interest in helping people across the lifespan, this might be a career for you. Speech Pathology includes science, communication and being creative in planning therapy.
One of the best things about studying Speech Pathology at ECC is starting your practical experience in your first year. With our smaller student cohort and greater personal attention, you’ll receive from our experienced lecturers, it’s the best way to start your new career.
Your Diploma of Health Science can lead into ECU second year of this degree:
Available to international students only. Limited places in Diploma for this course stream.
Students will need to graduate from this degree to be eligible to register with the Speech Pathology Australia (SPA). Registration with the Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) is required to practice in the profession.
Domestic students must enrol minimum 2 units (30 credit points) per study period.
Career Opportunities
Speech pathologists are employed in child development centres, schools, hospitals, private practice, disability organisations, in the performing arts, or in universities.
Stage 1 of this course consists of 8 units of study and can be completed over 2 or 3 trimesters. It provides opportunities for scaffolded learning and the development of core academic and employability skills.
This unit introduces the foundations of academic writing – from library research using databases, selection of approved academic resources, to writing paragraphs and essays, using the APA referencing system and delivering oral presentations using multi-media. The unit also includes essential study skills to assist with time management, note-taking and the use of memory aids for study purposes.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class
Credits: 15
This unit develops knowledge and skills in computing systems – software, hardware, digital security, communication networks, internet, information and data management. Students will develop their digital literacy and gain practical skills in specific computing applications from the Microsoft Office Suite. Students will also be introduced to some basic hands-on skills in program design using Pseudocode.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class
Credits: 15
This unit is designed for students who require a general mathematics background suitable for studies in business, health sciences and computing/IT courses. Students will learn to use a scientific calculator and develop critical thinking skills to identify, analyse, synthesize and solve mathematical calculations in arithmetic, statistics, algebra, functions and their graphs, optimisation, sequences, series, growth and decay, trigonometry, geometric sequences, series, set theory and interest.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class
Credits: 15
Students will identify, analyse and apply communication, social and intercultural skills for effective interpersonal and workplace relationships. This unit develops written skills, oral presentation skills and research skills, to prepare students for academic or professional environments. Students will make connections between learning and future employability through topics such as effective workplace relationships, negotiation, managing conflict, and skills for teamwork and leadership.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class
Credits: 15
This unit introduces concepts and skills used by managers to propose, plan, secure resources, budget and lead project teams to successful project completion. Students will examine and apply fundamental principles, strategies and approaches for project management in a variety of contexts that are universally applicable across organisations and project types.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class
Credits: 15
ICS100 Intercultural Studies
The unit introduces students to intercultural interaction in the contemporary world, focusing on multiple and diverse audiences, modalities, globalisation, cultural symbols and values, language, and interpretations of intercultural sites. Accounting for the international students' experiences, they are given a practical introduction to relevant processes leading to expanding their cultural knowledge. Global citizenship, including intercultural communication skills, is introduced and enhanced, focusing on cultural diversity and contemporary implications for professional practice. Students will explore, report and present on their intercultural communication journey, and its' relevance to their discipline / professional interests.
SCN110 Foundation Science
This integrated Science unit enables students to investigate science issues in the context of the world around them. It incorporates aspects of biology, chemistry, and physics, and is suited to students wishing to pursue a range of future career and study options. Integrated Science encourages students to be questioning, reflective and critical thinkers about scientific issues. Students develop a range of practical skills and techniques through investigations and fieldwork in context, and use scientific evidence to make informed decisions about scientific issues.
CHE100 – Introductory Chemistry
This Chemistry unit is designed for students who wish to study engineering, physical sciences or health sciences at a tertiary level. It covers the study of matter and its interactions (chemical quantities, atoms, states, chemical bonding, chemical calculations, electronic and molecular structures, organic and inorganic chemistry). Students will develop skills in organising, analysing and interpreting information and use simulated activities to prepare for future laboratory work.
BUS129 – Introductory Marketing
This unit explains theoretical principles/practices for marketing in changing environments. It introduces fundamental marketing concepts across many institutions (government, manufacturing, services and not-for-profit sectors) and how marketing concepts are applied in the real world. Students identify, analyse and combine key marketing tools to develop a marketing mix for specific markets and market segments; identify, collect and evaluate data for different marketing requirements and apply them in simulated contexts. Students will also investigate social media and develop communication skills as part of a marketing campaign pitch.
Stage 2 of this course consists of 8 units of study and can be completed over 2 semesters.
Semester 1 units
This unit provides a comprehensive introduction to foundational concepts in human anatomy and physiology. The unit investigates core concepts in the cellular, chemical and biochemical structure and functions of the body. It then examines the developmental, anatomical and physiological features of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems.
Students evaluate and submit a written response to a case scenario involving a range of anatomical and physiological deviations from normal. Students will be assessed on their ability to analyse relationships in order to solve problems, communicate ideas through written discussion, apply appropriate scientific terminology, and demonstrate academic integrity.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Laboratory
Credits: 15
This unit introduces students to the nature of language and how it develops across the lifespan. Students will learn about the core components of language within the context of culture and everyday usage. Students will examine how and when children acquire language components and how they develop for social and academic purposes in monolingual and bilingual environments. Changes in language skills and processes associated with ageing will be explored.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class
Credits: 15
This unit introduces psychology and the role of the scientific method. It equips students with a basic understanding of psychology by examining the biological basis of behaviour as well as psychological health and disorders.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class
Credits: 15
This unit introduces students to the concept of evidence-based practice in the health sciences. An emphasis will be placed on the skills and knowledge required to locate and evaluate examples of evidence-based practice from the domains of human communication science and swallowing across the lifespan. Students will collect and analyse speech pathology data and learn to be active observers. English language skills development is a feature of this unit.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3 hr Lecture
Credits: 15
Semester 2 units
This unit examines the anatomy and physiology of the major organ systems within the body. The systems will be investigated both with respect to their individual structure and function, as well as their roles as part of an integrated whole. Students undertake basic research and submit a written report on a clinical case scenario that requires anatomical and physiological knowledge. Students will be assessed on their ability to analyse relationships in order to solve problems, communicate ideas through written discussion, use scientific terminology correctly and demonstrate academic integrity.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Laboratory
Credits: 15
This unit explores what is universal to human language, how language evolves over time and in different societies, how language is learnt and processed by the brain and how language is used for human communication. Students will examine the structure and function of speech and language in depth, including the role of socio-cultural context and formal and functional linguistic analyses of language. Typical language users and people with language disorders will be considered.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class
Credits: 15
This units deals with the methods and skills or organising, summarising and presenting numerical data. The concepts of estimation and hypothesis testing are studied, with the emphasis on analysing real data. Students will learn to use statistical software packages and be expected to work through the tutorial worksheets.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Laboratory
Credits: 15
Students will develop an understanding of the frameworks and industry standards that will guide their professional practice (Speech Pathology Australia’s Competency-Based Occupational Standards, the Competency Assessment in Speech Pathology, and the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health). Students will develop a portfolio to facilitate clinical competency development and reflective practice. Students will be introduced to culturally secure practice and working with different populations. Students will also observe speech pathologists in the field to understand the knowledge, skills and attributes required of a speech pathologist.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Lecture
Credits: 15
*This unit is service taught on the ECU Joondalup campus.