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 will provide you with a core understanding of the fundamentals of chemistry. It has been specifically designed for science students pursuing a career in health or engineering. This unit will prepare you for the chemistry component of core discipline units at tertiary level studies, where a basic understanding of chemistry is required.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Science Lab
Credits: 15
This unit teaches the foundations of academic writing, from library research using databases and approved resources, to writing paragraphs and essays, and using the approved referencing system. In addition, the unit covers essential study skills to assist with time management, note-taking, and use of memory aids for study purposes.
This unit will enable you to improve the ability to communicate in English to participate effectively in academic and professional environments and will also provide language awareness tools to enable self-directed and ongoing learning.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class
Credits: 15
This unit will introduce you to the basic concepts and skills required by a project manager. Project Management is applicable in almost all industries as projects and project teams are normally a key part in any organisation’s efforts to achieve their goals. Whether you are planning to work in business, IT, engineering, tourism or health, some principles of project management are relevant to your field. This unit will provide you with an understanding of what project management is, as well as some of the key skills such as project planning, organizing, leading, communicating, managing issues and risk, as well as the use of project management tools and technology.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class
Credits: 15
This unit is designed for students who require a general mathematics background. The general mathematics taught will enable students to then apply some of these techniques to studies in different fields. This includes but is not limited to fields like business, health sciences and computing/IT courses. In this unit you, as a developing professional, will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and implement appropriate mathematical procedures in different contexts.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class
Credits: 15
This unit offers a science background for entry into science-based courses at university level. Students are introduced to general scientific concepts in chemistry, physics and maths. It includes various levels of chemical and biochemical organisation (important to living systems); physics concepts (kinetic theory, thermodynamics, optics, motion, and radiation), experimentation, measurement, and mathematical techniques relevant to the science professions.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Science Lab
Credits: 15
This unit covers three key areas of employability: how to work effectively within teams; how to communicate effectively in the workplace and how to develop awareness of your soft skills.
To be effective in the workplace we need technical skills and knowledge, but just as important are the employability skills we develop during our studies. In addition to job-related skills, individuals now need skills such as communication, problem solving, teamwork and personal attributes such as adaptability, resilience, enthusiasm, and openness to new ideas.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class
Credits: 15
This unit is an introduction to computing and you will develop theoretical knowledge and practical skills in computer systems. Theoretical knowledge including a broad range of essential topics such as software, hardware, digital security, privacy, ethics, communication networks, Internet and the management of information and data. During this course you will develop practical skills in MS Word, MS Excel and MS Power Point applications and some basic hands-on skills in program design using Pseudocode.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class
Credits: 15
An additional elective unit will be taken to complete stage 1 of Diploma. This unit may vary each study period. For more information contact the health science program coordinator.
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.