Speech Pathologist

Linguistics provides an excellent background for the study of speech pathology, a practice which seeks to diagnose and treat verbal communication disorders along with swallowing and eating problems. To work as a speech pathologist in Australia a Speech Pathology Australia accredited specialist degree is usually required, however postgraduate options are also available. Masters level courses are available at a variety of universities to graduates who have completed a bachelor degree or major in psychology, health sciences or linguistics. Entry into these courses is often competitive and while individual university requirements will vary, an honours year and strong academic history is usually necessary.

Once academic qualifications have been attained, graduates are eligible for (optional) registration with the sectors professional body and may find employment in the education, disability and community sectors as well as in private practice.