ObjectivesTo produce students who are competent speech and language practitioners with sound reasoning skills able to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team To provide a challenging learning environment including practice placements for students to build on their critical enquiry and independent learning skills in the passage to becoming speech and language therapy practitioners who are responsive to current and future education, health and social care needs To enable the students to construct personal theoretical frameworks for speech and language therapy practice drawing on the evolving evidence base To draw on students' high level of motivation, their confidence to challenge and pursue learning needs to master complex areas of knowledge To enable students to become autonomous professionals committed to their own and the speech and language therapy professions development To develop students' capacity to lead and initiate change within, and on behalf of the speech and language therapy profession To provide opportunities for shared learning with other pre-registration health care professionals and language and linguistic students
Entry requirementsEntry Qualifications A lower second class degree or above in psychology or language and linguistics or social science or biological sciences or medical sciences or equivalent An interest in people, knowledge and awareness of speech and language therapy English language qualification IELTS score 8 with no element below 7.5
Academic titleMSc Speech and Language Therapy
Course description
Course Description
The MSc in Speech and Language Therapy is an accelerated programme for graduate entrants. It runs for two-years on a full-time basis leading to eligibility to apply for registration with the Health Professions Council as a speech and language therapist. It is client focused and uses PBL or problem-based learning methods to integrate theory and clinical practice.
Modules and Options
The lists of modules below represent the range of options available for each year of study. This may not be a complete list of the options you will study, and may be subject to change, so please contact the department for further details.
Stage 1
Compulsory: FOUNDATION STUDIES 1 - SCIENCE FOR SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY
Compulsory: RESEARCH
Core: REFLECTIVE PRACTICE
Core: SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY - PAEDIATRICS 1
Core: SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY - PAEDIATRICS 2
Core: SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY - PAEDIATRICS 3
Core: STRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT OF LANGUAGE
Stage 2
Core: FOUNDATION STUDIES 2 - PATHOLOGY FOR SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY
Core: INTERPROFESSIONAL WORKING AND PRACTICE
Core: SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY - ADULTS 1
Core: SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY - ADULTS 2
Core: SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY - ADULTS 3
Core: SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY - ADULTS 4
Teaching and Assessment Methods
A: Knowledge and Understanding
Learning Outcomes
A1 : Critical understanding of the knowledge base of speech and language therapy practice, including its gaps, uncertainties, defining features, contexts and the evolving nature of speech and language therapy
A2 : Significant understanding of the theories, principles and concepts underpinning current professional activity
A3 : A highly developed understanding of the political, cultural and professional issues that hinder and facilitate team working A
A4 : Critical understanding of psychological processes and the role of self in the therapeutic process of speech and language therapy
A5 : Advanced understanding of the theories and practice of reflective learning and its role in personal and professional development
A6 : Extensive, detailed knowledge and understanding of one or more aspects of speech and language therapy practice, informed by current research and scholarly activity
A7 : A critical understanding of speech and language therapy research
Teaching Methods
A1-A5 are achieved through:
Lectures and seminars, which introduce material in a structured manner with opportunity for class discussion. Individual assignment and group work, utilising inquiry based approaches
A5 is further supported by directed personal reflection of critical incidents and through tutorial support and supervision.
A6 & 7 are achieved through group work, course assignment, literature review and research proposal, case studies, placement experience and tutorials.
Assessment Methods
A1, 2, 3,4 & 5 are assessed by course work, examinations and portfolio
A6 & 7 are assessed by an extended literature review, a detailed research proposal and case studies.
B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
Learning Outcomes
B1 : Critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise speech and language therapy practice/education/health care issues, informed by current and innovative developments, with recognition of the need to promote equality for all speech and language therapy service users
B2 : Use critically a range of speech and language therapy skills, techniques and approaches thus being able to respond to the individual needs of speech and language therapy service users
B3 : Deal with complex ethical and professional issues, making informed judgements on matters that may not explicitly be addressed within existing codes, standards and protocols
B4 : Begin to develop original and creative responses to problems and issues
B5 : Practice in ways that draw heavily on critical reflection of practice and evidence
B6 : Pose research questions and develop a research plan
B7 : Reflect and learn in order to identify personal and professional goals for life long learning within a framework of continuing professional development
Teaching Methods
B1-B5 are achieved through a combination of group and individual activities. Lectures and seminars are used to introduce new material and explore within a group setting. Practical skills classes and workshops are used to integrate the theory and practice of speech and language therapy.
Directed personal study time enables the student to deepen and strengthen this learning through enquiry based learning.
Assessment Methods
B1 - B7 are assessed by course work, vivas, portfolio and research including a substantive literature review, detailed research proposal and case study
C: Practical Skills
Learning Outcomes
C1 : Demonstrate competence in the core areas of speech and language therapy practice
C2 : Demonstrate autonomy and initiative in professional activity
C3 : Act autonomously in planning, implementing and evaluating the outcomes of professional activity, inviting and using feedback from others to inform this process
C4 : Identify and discuss the management of clinical risk in a range of speech and language therapy practice settings
C5 : Demonstrate originality and creativity in applying knowledge, understanding and approaches in speech and language therapy practice/education/management
C6 : Practice in a range of contexts, including those within which there is uncertainty or unpredictability
Teaching Methods
C1 - C6 are placement based learning supported by clinically based tutorials and portfolio development.
C6 is achieved through reflective learning using portfolio and supported by personal tutorials
Assessment Methods
C1 - 6 are assessed by clinical assessment forms and portfolio
D: Key Skills
Learning Outcomes
D1 : Use a range of advanced communication skills that are appropriate to speech and language therapy and multidisciplinary team working; Demonstrate effective and confident communication with a range of different audiences
D2 : Use the Internet; Access data via library, professional bodies etc; Use audiovisual presentation tools and techniques
D3 : Interpret statistical information; Use statistics to analyse data; Use software packages to support data analysis
D4 : Identify and analyse problems emerging from theory and practice
D5 : Motivate and engender partnership working; Demonstrate a strong awareness of personal limitations and scope of practice; Take responsibility for ones own work and significant responsibility for the work of others
D6 : Demonstrate an aptitude for continuing to advance knowledge, understanding and skills in line with identified learning needs; Identify, conceptualise and define new and abstract ideas within professional practice/education/management
Teaching Methods
D1 is supported in small group discussion and seminars. Tutorial time is allocated for individual discussion.
D2 commences on the pre-registration induction day and through seminar presentations
D3 is supported in seminars where students present and analyse work. Tutorial time is allocated for individual discussion and problem solving.
D4 is practised throughout the course. Students work through given problems or derived from the students' practice
D5 is facilitated by the use of collaborative group work and during seminars
D6 is achieved through feedback on coursework and individual tutorial time.
Assessment Methods
D1 is assessed by course work, essay, portfolio, presentation, literature review, research proposal and case study
D2 is assessed through use of word-processing and ability to cite references from internet sources. Practical assessments are also included which test students skills. The use of information technology during presentations is encouraged
D3 is assessed through course work, essay, portfolio and dissertation
D4 is assessed through course work, essay, portfolio and dissertation
D5 & D6 are assessed through course work, oral presentations and clinical assessment forms.