Overview

NFQ Level 8, Major Award

First Year - Speech and Language Therapy

To be admitted to the First University Examination in Speech and Language Therapy, a student must have satisfactorily attended modules to the value of 60 credits.

Second Year - Speech and Language Therapy

No student may register for the Second Year programme of study until the First University Examination has been passed. To be admitted to the Second University Examination in Speech and Language Therapy, a student must have satisfactorily attended modules to the value of 60 credits.

Non-Clinical Exit Pathways for Students not proceeding to Third Year Speech and Language Therapy

1. The Diploma in Speech and Hearing Sciences, NFQ Level 6, is an alternative diploma pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the practice placement module SL2008. For students who do not pass SL2008 in Year 2 of the BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy at either the Summer Examinations or the Autumn Supplemental Examinations or at the first attempt in a Repeat year, the student will re-register for the alternative pathway. Such students may opt to register instead for the non-clinical Diploma in Speech and Hearing Sciences. To complete the Diploma in Speech and Hearing Sciences, a student must pass all modules (except SL2008) for the second BSc Speech and Language Therapy Examinations and achieve a pass in the independent study module SL2002 (10 credits). The Diploma in Speech and Hearing Sciences does not confer eligibility to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist.
2. The BSc (Ordinary) (Speech and Hearing Sciences), NFQ Level 7, is a non-clinical exit pathway for students who satisfy the pass and progression standards of Second Year Speech and Language Therapy, but who, following consultation with the Programme Leader, do not continue with their clinical education. Such students may register instead for the non-clinical BSc (Speech and Hearing Sciences) in their Third Year for one further year. Programme requirements are outlined on the corresponding page. The BSc (Ordinary) (Speech and Hearing Sciences) does not confer eligibility to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist.
3. The BSc (Hons) (Speech and Hearing Sciences), NFQ Level 8, is a non-clinical exit pathway for students who satisfy the pass and progression standards of the Second Year Speech and Language Therapy Examination, but who, following consultation with the Programme Leader, do not continue with their clinical education leading to the qualification to practice in the BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy. Such students may register instead for the non-clinical BSc (Hons) (Speech and Hearing Sciences) for a further two years. Programme requirements are outlined on the corresponding page. The BSc (Hons) (Speech and Hearing Sciences) is a non-clinical degree and does not confer eligibility to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist.
   
   Students who satisfy the pass standard for Year 3 in the BSc (Ordinary) (Speech and Hearing Sciences) may opt not to be conferred with the Ordinary degree and may instead transfer to the Fourth Year BSc (Hons) (Speech and Hearing Sciences) programme.

Third Year - Speech and Language Therapy

No student may register for the Third Year programme of study until the Second University Examination has been passed. To be admitted to the Third University Examination in Speech and Language Therapy, a student must have satisfactorily attended modules to the value of 60 credits.

Non-Clinical Exit Pathway for students not completing Third Year Speech and Language Therapy

The BSc (Ordinary) (Speech and Hearing Sciences), NFQ Level 7, is a non-clinical Ordinary degree pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the placement module (SL3007) in Year 3 of the BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy in the Summer Examinations and/or the Autumn Supplemental Examinations, or who do not continue with their clinical education. Such students may, following consultation with the Programme Leader, register instead for the non-clinical BSc (Speech and Hearing Sciences) ordinary degree. Programme requirements are outlined on the corresponding page. The BSc (Ordinary) (Speech and Hearing Sciences) does not confer eligibility to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist.

Students who pass the replacement module SL3008 (in place of SL3007), at the first or the second attempt, and have passed all other modules in Third Year Speech and Hearing Sciences may, following consultation with the Programme Leader, progress to the Fourth Year BSc (Hons) Speech and Hearing Sciences degree, NFQ Level 8. Students continue with their registration on the non-clinical pathway, taking module SL4005 (in place of SL4004) and all other fourth year modules. The BSc (Hons) Speech and Hearing Sciences does not confer eligibility to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist.

Non-Clinical Exit Pathway for Students not proceeding to Fourth Year Speech and Language Therapy

The BSc (Hons) Speech and Hearing Sciences, NFQ Level 8 is a non-clinical Honours degree pathway for students who satisfy the pass and progression standards of Third Year Speech and Language Therapy, but who, following consultation with the Programme Leader, do not continue with their clinical education. Such students may register instead for the non-clinical BSc (Hons) Speech and Hearing Sciences, commencing in Fourth Year. Programme requirements are outlined on the corresponding page. The BSc (Hons) (Speech and Hearing Sciences) does not confer eligibility to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist.

Fourth Year - Speech and Language Therapy

Only students who have passed the Third University Examination in Speech and Language Therapy, and satisfied all other requirements specified for the Third Year, will be permitted to register for the Fourth Year of the programme. In order to be admitted to the BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy Examination, a student must have satisfactorily attended the prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits.

Non-Clinical Exit Pathway for Students not Completing Fourth Year Speech and Language Therapy

The BSc (Hons) Speech and Hearing Sciences is a non-clinical Honours degree pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the placement module (SL4004) in Year 4 of the BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy in the Summer Examinations and/or the Autumn Supplemental Examinations, or who, following consultation with the Programme Leader, do not continue with their clinical education. Such students may register instead for the non-clinical BSc (Hons) Speech and Hearing Sciences degree and complete Year 4 of the programme. Programme requirements are outlined on the corresponding page. The BSc (Hons) Speech and Hearing Sciences does not confer eligibility to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist.

Programme Requirements

For information about modules, module choice, options and credit weightings, please go to Programme Requirements. 

Programme Requirements

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Year 1
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
AN1061	Anatomy of Speech and Hearing	5
PL1025	Fundamentals of Physiology	5
SL1004	Communication, Learning and Behaviour across the Lifespan	5
SL1005	Preparation for Academic and Professional Learning	5
SL1006	Language Acquisition	5
SL1007	Speech, Hearing and Swallowing Sciences I	10
SL1008	Introduction to Language Studies	5
SL1009	Introduction to Communication Disorders I	10
SL1010	Introduction to Communication Disorders II	10
Year 2
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
AN2061	Neuroanatomy and Embryology for Speech and Language Therapy	5
CT2001	Introduction to Research Methods	5
SL2003	Speech, Hearing and Swallowing Sciences II	5
SL2007	Language Sciences II	5
SL2008	Practice Education I	10
SL2009	Communication Disorders in Children I	15
SL2010	Communication Disorders in Children II	15
Year 3
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
AN3061	Applied Neuroanatomy for Speech and Language Therapy	5
CT3002	Advanced Research Methods	5
SL3001	Language Sciences III	5
SL3002	Communication Disorders in Adults I	15
SL3003	Speech, Hearing and Swallowing Sciences III	5
SL3006	Communication Disorders in Adults II	15
SL3007	Practice Education II	10
Year 4
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
SL4003	Research-Based Dissertation	20
SL4004	Practice Education III	20
SL4007	Mental Health and Communication Disorders	5
SL4008	Dysphagia	10
SL4009	Advanced Research and Practice in Speech and Language Therapy	5
Total Credits		240

Examinations

Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards Book and for each module in the Book of Modules.

Programme Learning Outcomes

Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Apply knowledge of the relevant areas of physics, linguistics, psychology, anatomy, physiology and health sciences to the assessment, treatment, management and prevention of disorders of communication and swallowing;
  
• Elicit relevant information about a patient's communication or swallowing difficulties by means of sensitive interviewing and information gathering, and appropriate test and assessment procedures;
  
• Practice ethical behaviour, which reflects ancient and modern values to do good and no harm to clients; accords them maximum autonomy, privacy and dignity; respects therapist-client confidentiality; and includes performance of the legal and moral duties of accurately recording, organising and storing client information in traditional and electronic forms;
  
• Apply tested methods of clinical intervention and design treatment plans that take into account the particular social, cultural and personal needs of the client with a communication or swallowing disorder;
  
• Care for individuals with a communication or swallowing disorder in a manner which respects the organisation of health and educational services in Ireland, as these relate to the delivery of speech and language therapy services;
  
• Develop therapeutic relationships that promote the general health and wellbeing of clients with communication or swallowing disorders;
  
• Operate supportively within health and education teams to highlight the impact of a communication or swallowing disorder on a client’s overall health and well-being and to provide leadership in the team when appropriate;
  
• Recognise the importance of updating professional knowledge within a community of scholars of speech, language, hearing and swallowing science, and make rational and sensitive decisions based on the best available evidence;
  
• Apply principles from qualitative and/or quantitative research paradigms to review and conduct relevant research in the fields of communication and swallowing disorders.