Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours

Admission to UC with University Entrance (or equivalent) is required to enrol.

International students with English as a second language must provide evidence of IELTS (Academic) 7.0, with no score lower than 6.5, before admission to the First Professional Year (second year of study).

For information on the enrolment process, please see how to apply for undergraduate qualifications.

Recommended background

The Intermediate Year (first year) is open to all students, however a background in science is recommended.

It is possible to take five of the Intermediate Year courses at other universities. Please note that no other university offers the equivalent of CMDS 161 Anatomy & Physiology of the Speech, Hearing and Swallowing Mechanism and CMDS 162 Neuroscience of Swallowing & Communication.

If you intend to do this you should seek approval of your course of study from UC's College of Science | Te Rāngai Pūtaiao Student Advisor in advance.

Entry into the Professional Years

The first year is followed by the Professional Years. Entry into the Professional Years is limited and is based on completion of the Intermediate Year, academic merit (normally a B+ or better Grade Point Average), an interview, and fluency in English. Relevant work experience may also be considered.

Applications for entry for the First Professional Year close on 1 October. Application forms are required and intending applicants should contact the BSLP(Hons) Programme Coordinator at least a month before the closing date. Late enrolments will be considered if places are still available.

If you are unsuccessful in gaining a place in the first Professional Year, your completed courses can usually be credited to a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Health Sciences, or Bachelor of Arts.

The Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours requires a total of 480 points:

• At least 405 points of compulsory and fieldwork courses
• 15 points from a prescribed list of courses
• 75 points of courses in Science or from other degrees.

The degree takes 4 years of full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to 8 years.

For study planning help, contact the UC Liaison Office | Te Rōpū Takawaenga o UC (new students) or a College of Science | Te Rāngai Pūtaiao Student Advisor (advancing students).

The Intermediate Year

Your first year, known as the Intermediate Year, comprises a minimum of 120 points or eight 15-point courses. The Intermediate courses may be taken in one full-time year of study or accumulated over more than one year.

Limited entry into second year

Entry to the second year of the Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours is limited to students who have successfully completed their Intermediate Year with a B+ or better Grade Point Average, and have fluency in spoken and written English. Relevant work experience with people who have communication disorders may also be considered when selection decisions are made.

Applications for entry to the First Professional Year close on 1 October of the preceding year. Late enrolments will be considered if places are still available.

If you are unsuccessful in gaining a place in the first Professional Year, your completed courses can usually be credited to a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Health Sciences, or Bachelor of Arts.

The Professional Years

• First Professional Year courses focus on speech and language development and disorders, evidence-based practice, and audiology. You will gain practical experience working with a range of clients (which represents up to 25% of the year's work).
• In the Second Professional Year, you will continue studying different types of communication disorders, work with practising therapists, and complete coursework in a hospital setting. This year your fieldwork increases to 30%.
• In the Third Professional Year, you will take more advanced courses and also complete research work. About half of your year will be based in the field, and you will spend more time taking responsibility for the assessment of clients and the planning, management, and evaluation of therapy programmes.

The compulsory courses in your first year (Intermediate Year) cover introductory anatomy, physiology, and statistics. The advancing years (Professional Years) involve advanced assessment, planning, and evaluation of therapy programmes for a variety of communication disorders, put into practice through clinical fieldwork working with a range of clients.

See ‘How do I plan my degree?’ above for an example degree structure diagram.

Compulsory courses

Year 1

• CMDS 161 Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech, Hearing and Swallowing Mechanism
• STAT 101 Statistics 1

And one of the following:

• HLTH 106 Ngā Take, te Whero: Māori Health Issues and Opportunities
• TREO 110 Conversational Māori for Absolute Beginners
• TREO 111 Te Reo: Te Kakāno – Introductory Language 1
• MAOR 165 He Tīmatanga: Engaging with Māori
• MAOR 172 Science, Māori and Indigenous Knowledge or SCIM 101 Science, Māori and Indigenous Knowledge

Students also need to complete another five 100-level courses from any degree at UC. The following courses are highly recommended:

• EDUC 102 Child and Adolescent Development
• CMDS 113 Introduction to Communication Disorders
• CMDS 114 The Science of Human Communication
• LING 101 The English Language
• PSYC 105 Introductory Psychology – Brain, Behaviour and Cognition
• PSYC 106 Introductory Psychology – Social, Personality and Developmental

Year 2

In the First Professional Year (second year of study), students take courses in speech and language development and disorders, evidence-based practice, clinical linguistics, and audiology. They are also introduced to the observation and assessment of individuals with communication difficulties and the distinguishing characteristics of the major types of communication disorders. 25% of the coursework includes clinical practice.

• CMDS 222 Language Disorders in Children
• CMDS 223 Clinical Linguistics and Phonetics
• CMDS 232 Speech Sound Disorders
• CMDS 243 Introduction to Audiologic Assessment and Management
• CMDS 262 Neuroscience of Swallowing and Communication
• CMDS 263 Evaluating Research for Clinical Practice
• CMDS 281 Observation and Clinical Practice 1
• CMDS 282 Clinical Practice 2

Year 3

In the Second Professional Year (third year of study), students continue studying different types of communication disorders, predominantly those of neurogenic origin, conduct applied research in clinical settings, and gain practical experience with clients. They work with practising therapists, and complete coursework in education and medical settings. 30% of the coursework includes clinical practice.

• CMDS 320 Spoken and Written Language Disorders in Education
• CMDS 363 Motor Speech Disorders
• CMDS 365 Dysphagia and Related Disorders – Diagnosis
• CMDS 366 Dysphagia and Related Disorders – Management
• CMDS 367 Voice Science and Disorders
• CMDS 369 Aphasia and Related Disorders
• CMDS 381 Applied Research and Clinical Practice 3
• CMDS 382 Clinical Practice 4

Year 4

In the Third Professional Year (fourth year of study), more time is spent on research and taking responsibility for the assessment of clients and the planning, management, and evaluation of therapy programmes. 50% of the coursework includes clinical practice.

• CMDS 420 Professional Studies 1
• CMDS 451 Fluency Disorders
• CMDS 461 Complex Communication Disorders
• CMDS 468 Professional Studies 2
• CMDS 482 Clinical Practice 5
• CMDS 484 Clinical Practice 6

Plus one of either:

• CMDS 490 Research Project
• CMDS 491 Capstone Project