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.

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), and fluency in English. Relevant work experience may also be considered.

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

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 Te Rōpū Takawaenga o UC | UC Liaison Office (new students) or a Te Rāngai Pūtaiao | College of Science 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

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

And one of the following:

• HLTH 106 Te Whero: Māori Health Issues and Opportunities
• TREO 110 Te Ngao Tū: Conversational Māori for Absolute Beginners
• TREO 111 Te Ngao Pae 1: Introductory Reo 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
• SPSC 113 Introduction to Communication Disorders
• SPSC 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.

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

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.

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

• SPSC 421 Advanced Topics in Speech-language Pathology
• SPSC 451 Fluency Disorders
• SPSC 461 Complex Communication Disorders
• SPSC 468 Professional Studies 2
• SPSC 482 Clinical Practice 5
• SPSC 484 Clinical Practice 6

Plus one of either:

• SPSC 490 Research Project
• SPSC 491 Capstone Project