Speech pathology

Why study speech pathology?

Speech pathologists assess, diagnose, treat and provide management and advocacy services to people with communication or swallowing disorders. People with communication disorders may have difficulties in speech, language, voice, fluency, and reading and spelling. Speech pathologists also work in the community in prevention. We are the longest standing provider of speech pathology education programs in Victoria.

Career opportunities

Graduates are prepared to practise in hospitals, community health centres, private practice, schools, rehabilitation centres and aged care centres. You may also work in health promotion, teaching and consultancy, and in specialised centres helping people with hearing impairment, cerebral palsy and intellectual disability. La Trobe designs its courses with your future career in mind and partners with a range of professional organisations for accreditation and registration. Refer to the detail for each course below to see what professional registration and membership options exist.

Your study experience

Speech pathology placements

Clinical experience is a major component of our program. You will get practical experience in external agencies such as hospitals, community health centres, schools, early childhood centres and private practice. Students enrolled at the Bendigo campus will carry out most of their placements in the Bendigo area and regional Victoria, however some opportunities exist for these students to be able to carry out placements in metropolitan Melbourne. There are some opportunities for all students to carry out interstate placements subject to availability.

Students enrolled at the Bundoora (Melbourne) Campus will carry out a number of their placements in metropolitan health services and other non-health agencies and in The La Trobe Communication Clinic, which offers extensive speech pathology services including:

  • a preschool language and phonology program funded by Community Health
  • a preschool and school-age child fluency (stuttering) program funded by Community Health
  • an adolescent and adult fluency (stuttering) assessment and treatment program
  • a Phonological Awareness for Literacy program for school-aged children
  • voice clinics for children and adults at the Bundoora campus and the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.

Student Projects

La Trobe's Speech Pathology students have developed a number of speech related resources for young people, families and speech pathologists.

Overseas study opportunities

You may be eligible for our student exchange program.

Regional campus transfer

Students at Albury-Wodonga, Mildura and Shepparton campuses must transfer to the Bendigo campus for the last three years of the course.

Fee assistance

Limited Commonwealth Supported places are available. Contact the course co-ordinator for more information and see fees and scholarships.

Find out about the experiences of one of our students.

The lecturers were all very approachable, supportive and experts in their field.

Ms Meryl Kirsty Raissa Lai Kong Ling, Health Sciences