Speech Language Pathology

The course resolutions detailed in this page apply to all courses included in the table below under section 1 (course codes).

These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2014 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Coursework Policy 2021 (the 'Coursework Policy'), the Learning and Teaching Policy 2019, the Resolutions of the Faculty, University of Sydney (Student Academic Appeals) Rule 2021, the Academic Integrity Policy 2022 and the Academic Integrity Procedures 2022. Current versions of all policies are available from the Policy Register: http://www.sydney.edu.au/policies

1  Course codes

2  Attendance pattern

The attendance pattern for this course is full time or part time, according to candidate choice.

3  Masters type

The masters degree in these resolutions is a professional masters course, as defined by the Coursework Policy.

4  Admission to candidature

(1) Available places in the Master of Speech Language Pathology will be offered to qualified applicants based on academic merit. Admission to the Graduate Diploma in Communications Disorders is only by transfer from the Master of Speech Language Pathology.

(2) Admission to candidature for the Master of Speech Language Pathology requires:

(a) A minimum of a bachelors degree from an Australian institution or equivalent; and 

(b) Evidence of any other minimum standards specified by the Faculty of Medicine and Health.

(3) Applicants for admission under the Indigenous Facilitated Entry Scheme must be able to demonstrate that they are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders as required by the current Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity Policy

(4) Applicants for admission under the Indigenous Facilitated Entry Scheme may be admitted on the basis of a demonstrated sustained academic performance to a standard considered satisfactory by the Executive Dean or Deputy Executive Dean with a minimum average mark of 60 out of 100 or equivalent, in either:

(a) a bachelor's degree approved by the Executive Dean or Deputy Executive Dean, or

(b) a postgraduate degree approved by the Executive Dean or Deputy Executive Dean.

(5) If an applicant is admitted through the Indigenous Facilitated Entry Scheme on the basis of a postgraduate degree, that degree must:

(a) have been completed within ten years before 1 January of the year in which the applicant is seeking admission; and

(b) be either:

(i) a postgraduate degree accredited at level 8, 9, or 10 under the Australian Qualifications Framework, from an Australian university or self-accrediting higher education institution; or

(ii) a postgraduate degree at an overseas university listed in Australia's National Information Centre for qualifications recognition in the Department of Education, Skills and Employment', equivalent to an Australian postgraduate degree accredited at Level 8, 9, or 10.

(6) Applicants for admission under the Rural Applicants Facilitated Entry Scheme must be able to demonstrate that they are of Australian regional and remote area origin as specified in the current Coursework Policy.

(7) Applicants for admission under the Rural Applicants Facilitated Entry Scheme may be admitted on the basis of a demonstrated sustained academic performance to a standard considered satisfactory by the Executive Dean or Deputy Executive Dean with a minimum average mark of 60 out of 100 or equivalent, in either:

(a) a bachelor's degree approved by the Executive Dean or Deputy Executive Dean, or

(b) a postgraduate degree approved by the Executive Dean or Deputy Executive Dean. 

5 Requirements for award

(1) The units of study that may be taken for this course are set out in the Table of Units of Study for the Master of Speech Language Pathology.

(2) To qualify for the award of the Master of Speech Language Pathology a candidate must complete 96 credit points of core units of study.

(3) To qualify for the award of the Graduate Diploma in Communication Disorders a candidate must complete 48 credit points of core units of study prescribed for the Master of Speech Language Pathology.

6 Course transfer

A candidate for the masters degree may elect to discontinue study and graduate with the graduate diploma, with the approval of the Faculty, and provided the requirements of the graduate diploma have been met.

7 Credit for previous study

(1) The Coursework Policy specifies the general conditions for the granting of credit for previous study for this course, except that credit will not be granted for recognised prior learning older than 5 years at the time of first enrolment.

8 Requirements for students undertaking clinical placements

(1) Certificate of competency in CPR: Students must provide proof they hold an Australian current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certificate prior to attending their placement and that it is valid for the duration of the placement. Please refer to our University Placements web site for further information: https://sydney.edu.au/students/clinicalplacement- checks/first-aid.html

(2) Student clearance for clinical placements: The NSW Ministry of Health requires that all students obtain clearance in order to undertake clinical placements. This involves a criminal record check. Please refer to the University's Placements web site for further information: https://sydney.edu.au/students/clinical-placement-checks/criminal-record- check.html

(3) Immunisation: Students must have evidence of vaccinations and immunisations against certain infectious diseases prior to undertaking clinical placements. The requirements are consistent with Australian public health policy and NHMRC guidelines. Please refer to the University's Placements web site for further information: https://sydney.edu.au/students/clinical-placement-checks/vaccinations.html

(4) Working with Children check: Students undertaking 'child-related' placements as part of their course are subject to the requirements of the NSW Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012 and the Working with Children Procedures 2014. For further information: https://sydney.edu.au/students/working-with-children.html

(5) NSW Health Records and Information Privacy Act (2002): Students must familiarise themselves with the content of the NSW Health Privacy Management Plan and comply with the NSW Ministry of Health Code of Conduct, NSW Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 and Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998. Please refer to the University's Placements web site for further information: https://sydney.edu.au/students/clinical-placement- checks/privacy.html

9 Satisfactory progress

(1) The Faculty will monitor students for satisfactory progress towards the completion of their award course. In addition to the common triggers used to identify students not meeting academic progression requirements (as set out in the provisions relating to progression in the Coursework Policy), students must pass the following clinical education fieldwork/professional experience units of study which are critical to progression through the course:

(a) CSCD5063 Clinical Practice 1

(b) CSCD5067 Clinical Practice 2

(c)  CSCD5070 Clinical Practice 3

(d) CSCD5072 Clinical Practice 4 - Adult

(e) CSCD5073 Clinical Practice 4 - Child

(2) Students must meet all requirements of clinical placement components of any unit of study undertaken. Performance in clinical placements will be monitored in accordance with the requirements specified in the unit of study outline, and any relevant University policy or provision.

(3) Students who have failed two units of study specified in Coursework Policy or twice failed the same unit of study identified in Coursework Policy will result in a student being asked to Show Good Cause as to why they should be allowed to re-enrol in their award course.

(4) Students must complete at least one core unit per semester where core units are available for study in their normal progression pattern. Students who fail a core unit of study must repeat the failed unit at the first opportunity.

(5) Students whose conduct or work towards their award is unsatisfactory, may, on the recommendation of the highest relevant delegate, be refused permission by the Faculty to undertake or continue the clinical educational fieldwork/professional experience component of their award. The Faculty reserves the right not to place a student in any clinical placement or other professional experience setting in any instance where the performance, personal or professional conduct of the student does not meet the required standard of the professional organisation, regardless of the fact that the student may be enrolled in the unit of study.

10 Transitional provisions

(1) These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January 2024 and students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January 2024 who elect to proceed under these resolutions.