University of Limerick - Speech and Language Therapy

Course Overview/Contact:

Application Deadline:  7 February 2017 (this programme begins in August 2017)

Programme Specific FAQ’s       

The MSc in Speech and Language Therapy (Professional Qualification) is offered over two years full-time as a route to qualification for professional practice for applicants who have already attained a degree. The programme has approval from the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists. It has also been recommended for approval by the review board reporting to the newly established CORU Speech and Language Therapists’ Registration Board with expected sign-off by end October 2015.

The Master of Science degree is undertaken through an intensive programme of full-time study involving academic and placement modules over two years including summer study periods. Placement components form a cornerstone of studies in Speech and Language Therapy.

Programme Aims

• Provide graduate entry studies (NFQ level 9) in the clinical health science specialty of Speech & Language Therapy to suitable applicants, resulting in the degree of Masters in Speech & Language Therapy (Professional Qualification)
• Prepare scientifically qualified practitioners who are ready to enter the challenging professional field of Speech & Language Therapy.
• Develop and maintain high quality clinical science research and teaching in the specialist field of Speech & Language Therapy at the University of Limerick.
• Provide graduates of the programme with the necessary academic qualification required to apply to register with the Speech & Language Therapy Registration Board.

On completion of the course, graduates will have the necessary skills to undertake:

• Effective and competent Speech & Language Therapy practice
• Assessment and diagnosis of human communication and swallowing disorders
• Treatment plans for the remediation of human communication and swallowing disorders
• Critical evaluation and application of the scientific evidence base in Speech & Language Therapy
• Ethically based professional actions
• Effective clinical reasoning & decision making with reference to evidence-based practice
• Effective change management
• Actions that support self-determination of all clients
• Actions that demonstrate the application of principles of reflective practice
• Collaborative and co-operative work with other practitioners within the multi-disciplinary teamwork environment
• Critical evaluation of the health and welfare legislation and service delivery in Ireland, Europe and internationally

Contact

Course Director:   Professor Sue Franklin
Clinical Therapies Department
Tel : 353-61-234232 
Website : www.ul.ie/clinicaltherapies
Email : clinicaltherapies@ul.ie

Graduate Profile:

Graduates will be eligible to practice in Ireland and for registration in other parts of the world. You will be able to work in a diverse range of environments including schools, hospitals and community settings and with a diverse rangd of clinical populations.

Programme Content:

Year 1	Year 2
Semester 1 Foundations for Speech & Language Therapy Practice Linguistic Foundations Foundations of Phonetics & Phonology Anatomy & Physiology for Speech & Language Therapists Speech, Language & Communication Needs in the Preschool Child Practice Education 1 Preparation for Practice Education Enquiry in Healthcare 1	Semester 4 Psychology for Speech & Language Therapists Acquired Communication Disorders: Cognition & Context Audiology for Speech & Language Therapists Therapies & Technologies Research Project 2 Practice Education 3
Semester 2 Linguistic Contexts Phonetics & Phonology for Speech & Language Therapy Practice Feeding, Eating, Drinking & Swallowing Disorders Speech, Language & Communication Needs in School Age & Adolescence Developmental Disabilities Introduction to Acquired Communication Disorders: Stroke Clinical Reasoning Enquiry in Healthcare 2	Semester 5 Fluency Speech, Language & Communication in Special Populations & the Community Engaging through Complexity Innovation in Management for Health & Social Care Practice Education 4 Research Project 3
Semester 3 - Summer Motor Speech Disorders and Voice Research Project 1 Practice Education 2.
Practice Education modules will take place at sites around the country

Content of modules can be found by using the search option on the book of modules.

Entry Requirements:

Applicants must have obtained an award of with a minimum classification of 2.2 honours in an undergraduate degree equivalent to Level 8 (National Qualifications Authority of Ireland) or a postgraduate degree (Level 9 National Qualifications Authority of Ireland). The type of previous undergraduate degree is not a limiting factor in terms of eligibility.

Please note that official confirmation of undergraduate degree results must be available at the time of applying.

For candidates who meet this requirement, the HPAT (Health Professions Admission Test-Ireland) will be used as the sole instrument to select students for this programme.

Candidates applying to the MSc (Professional Qualification) In Speech and Language Therapy in UL must register for HPAT-Ireland + Written Component (Registration fee €145).  This exam will take place on one date only in a number of different centres around Ireland.

HPAT Ireland exam date is 25th February 2017 and 24th February 2018.   For more information, see http://hpat-ireland.acer.edu.au/register

Applicants must also satisfy the English Language Requirements* of the University. The University reserves the right to shortlist applicants as deemed necessary.

Applicants should note that the Spelling and Grammar Waiver for students registered with the Disability Office is not applicable to the MSc Speech and Language Therapy (Professional Qualification) programme.

Garda Vetting

Successful completion of the Garda Vetting process, Health Screening & Vaccinations Certification and CPR certification are programme requirements for this degree programme. Health Screening/Vaccination Certificates will incur costs to the student. Click here for information on Garda Clearance.

*English Language Requirements
Where an applicant's first language is not English or they have not obtained their degree through English, applicants must satisfy the English Language Requirements of the University by completing the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam (with an overall grade level of at least 8 and no score below 7 in any individual part).

Applications must include:

• A completed postgraduate studies application form (online)
• Qualification transcripts and certificates with official stamps where required
• Certified English translations of transcripts/certificates where the originals are in a language other than English.
• English language qualification if English is not the applicant’s first language
• A copy of the applicant’s birth certificate (long document)
• Completed consent to travel form
• Applications which do not provide all of the above will not be considered.

For international candidates the International Student Admissions Test; ISAT will be used to select candidates.  ISAT exam dates:  there are many exam dates from March to January each year.  Applicants must have sat the exam by 31st January in year of which they wish to apply.

http://isat.acer.edu.au/universities
http://isat.acer.edu.au/universities/university-admission-deadline