Master of Speech Pathology

Name: Master of Speech Pathology
Price: <p>Fee type for this course: <a href='#fees-and-scholarships'> Full fee </a></p> AUD

VU course code: HMST | Level of study: Postgraduate

Duration

2 years full time

Delivery mode

In Person

Fees

Fee type for this course: Full fee

Location

Footscray Park

Next start date

28 July 2025

Application closes

20 July 2025

Master of Speech pathology students help community members

Overview

Become a speech pathologist and begin a rewarding career helping people learn to communicate more effectively, with the Master of Speech Pathology from Victoria University.

Speech pathologists – also known as speech therapists – work with people who have language, communication or swallowing difficulties. They play a crucial role in society, treating physical and social conditions related to speech, language and swallowing, and providing advice and support to carers, educators, families and communities.

By studying our masters degree, you will graduate well prepared for real-world speech pathology practice.

You will gain expertise in assessing and treating communication and swallowing disorders. Through supervised professional practice in education, health or community settings, you will acquire practical work-based experience needed to confidently begin your career.

The course has been designed to meet the accreditation standards of Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) and is currently in the qualifying phase of accreditation. VU will seek accreditation of the award prior to the first cohort of students graduating in line with the SPA accreditation process for new courses. Subject to its accreditation, successful graduates will be eligible for membership of Speech Pathology Australia, enabling them to practise in Australia.

: On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Exemplify readiness to enter the profession for speech pathology practice in Australia;

Conceptually map a comprehensive, multidimensional understanding of the reciprocal impact of communication and swallowing difficulties for individuals and their families, friends, colleagues, and communities; as well as institutions and society at large, in terms of day-to-day activities; and participation in educational, vocational and recreational pursuits;

Elucidate a complex and multifaceted understanding of the interaction between communication and swallowing skills and the various determinants such as physical, linguistic, social, culture, spiritual, emotional and psychological factors; the physical and built environment and economic conditions;

Advocate for the learning needs of individuals across the speech pathology domains with respect to facilitating their goals;

Demonstrate a complex and multifaceted understanding of professionalism including ethics, adherence to regulatory and professional standards, the need to reflect on performance and lifelong learning as evidenced in the delivery of a range of speech pathology practices;

Verify the cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and apply established theories to different contexts in evidence-based practice;

Substantiate cultural responsive and safe practices, value diversity among peoples and engage in decolonising practices that acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as Traditional Owners of Australian lands; and

Adapt and contextualise communication conventions for diverse contexts.
: During your degree you will have the opportunity to complete supervised professional practice in a range of real workplace settings including education, health and community contexts.
Work-based placements are required by Speech Pathology Australia in order to meet the minimum skills, knowledge base and professional standards required for entry-level practice in Australia.
Our on-campus health science simulation labs will also offer you the ability to develop your skills in treating patients in realistic clinical scenarios.

Entry requirements

When assessing your application, we consider your education, work experience, current skills and personal attributes (where relevant).

Applicants for this course will need to meet the entry criteria outlined below. If you don’t meet the entry criteria, you may be able to gain entry by first completing a different course. We call this a ‘pathway’.

For PhD applicants, we offer a related ‘Integrated PhD’ which allows you to establish relevant skills before beginning your research.

You may also be eligible for course ‘credits’, where you are granted a unit or units towards your qualification for equivalent previous study or work experience, so you can graduate sooner.

Entry criteria

To be considered for postgraduate study, you will need to have specific academic qualifications, as outlined below. We also consider non-academic research and work experience for our research candidates.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Bachelor's degree, or equivalent in a language and communication, education, health or bioscience-related discipline. Examples of related discipline areas include, but are not limited to; medical science, biomedical science, health science, rehabilitation science, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nursing, primary education, early childhood education, psychology, linguistics. PLUS A minimum GPA of 4.5 out of 7.0, or a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 60 percent. This course has assumed knowledge requirements.

Additional information

The Master of Speech Pathology assumes requisite knowledge in linguistics, anatomy and physiology and lifespan development. Prior to commencement of the Master of Speech Pathology, students will be required to successfully complete the JQFS Foundations for Speech Pathology enabling course. This online self-paced course is 36 hours long and consists of three units (JQU0066 Linguistics for Speech Pathology; JQU0067 Anatomy and Physiology for Speech Pathology and JQU0068 Lifespan Development for Speech Pathology). Completion of the Foundations for Speech Pathology course will provide students with requisite foundational knowledge in the functional anatomy and physiology of the head and neck, linguistics and lifespan developmental changes relevant to speech pathology practice. This knowledge will help prepare students for undertaking the Master of Speech Pathology. Students with relevant prior study may be eligible to apply for advanced standing for the JQFS Foundations for Speech Pathology enabling course. Students are notified at enrolment of professional practice requirements including: appropriate uniform/attire, equipment, travel, Police Check, Working with Children Check, First Aid certificate, record of immunisation, and a signed agreement to nominate oneself as fit for practice. For students to be eligible to undertake clinical placements, they must pass essential prerequisite units before undertaking the clinical placements.

Special entry programs

If you are from a disadvantaged or underrepresented social, economic or cultural background, you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. These programs are designed to help you access education more easily.

Learn more about special admission programs

Credit & Entry pathways into this course

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Course structure

To be eligible for the Master of Speech Pathology, students are required to complete:

192 credit points of Speech Pathology Core studies

Units

Fees & scholarships

University fees vary, depending on how much the government contributes towards course costs (if anything).

Read below to find out about the fee ‘type’, the estimated yearly tuition costs for this course, and the financial support on offer (including our generous scholarship program).

While studying this course, you may be eligible for student payments offered by the Australian government. Find out about payments and loans you could qualify for while studying at university.

Fees

Scholarships

Careers

With a masters qualification, you’ll be prepared for work in the rapidly growing speech pathology field.

Speech pathologists are in increasing demand for work in the following fields:

government and non-government organisations
education
health
disability
welfare
community-based organisations
health promotion
policy development
academic teaching and research
private practice in speech pathology (also known as speech therapy).

Speech pathologists can also work with professional voice users such as auctioneers, teachers, actors and singers, coaching them on how to use their voices safely.