Clinical Speech and Language Studies

Do you have excellent people skills? Do you want to make a difference to other people’s lives? Are you compassionate, caring, helpful and have excellent communication skills? If so, this course in Clinical Speech and Language Therapy could be the right choice for you.

What is Clinical Speech and Language?

This course leads to a qualification in speech and language therapy and will equip you to provide assessment, diagnosis and therapy for people with a wide range of communication difficulties.

What third level courses are available?

Universities and colleges in Ireland are offering courses in the following subject areas:

Clinical Speech and Language – TCD

Speech and Language
Drama
Music with Drama
Languages

Studying Clinical Speech and Language in college

There are a number of courses available in speech and language therapy in universities and colleges around Ireland, however, this is the only course under the heading of Clinical Speech and Language which is offered by Trinity College Dubin. This is a Level 8 course that is 4 years in length.

Your first year of any undergraduate course will act as a foundation year. You will become familiar with the basic principles of Clinical Speech and Language. You will also become familiar with what is to come throughout your course and develop your skills and interest in different areas.

Modules you will cover in your first year will include Foundation Clinical Studies, Speech, Hearing and Swallowing, Social Psychology and Lifespan Development, Phonetics 1, Phonetics, Introduction to Language Acquisition, Language, The Individual and Society, Introduction to Syntax, Anatomy and Physiology.

Your second year will introduce you to more in-depth and complex areas and build on the foundation you created in your first year. You will cover modules from Phonetics and Phonology, Cognitive and Neuropsychology and Nature of Disorders of Speech, Voice, Fluency and Swallowing to Assessment of Disorders of Speech, Voice, Fluency and Swallowing, Nature of Disorders of Language and Communication and Assessment of Disorders of Disorders of Language and Communication. Other modules covered in second year include Linguistics and Ethics and Professional Studies.

In third year you will build further on your knowledge and develop your skills further. You will do so by studying areas including Discourse Analysis, Dynamics of Discourse, Evidence Based Practice, Intervention for Disorders of Speech, Voice, Fluency and Swallowing and Intervention For Disorders of Language and Communication among many others.

Your final year will see you focus largely on practical placement to develop your skills and knowledge in the area and become familiar with the working world of Speech and Language and all that is done in the role. Aside from this you will also cover modules such as Advanced Studies in Communication and Swallowing, Advanced Studies in Communication, Disability and Society, Counselling Principles and Practice and Reflective Studies while also working on your research project.

Throughout your course you will do a lot of practical placement to gain experience in the field and give you an idea of what is to come in your future career.

Career options

Your career path could lead you down the route of Speech and Language Therapy where you will work with adults and children with a range of communication difficulties who may need diagnosis and therapy.

There are also opportunities to continue your studies at postgraduate level to specialise in a particular area of your interest.

Skills and qualities that are important in this area include excellent communication skills, compassion, understanding, an open mind, caring, patient, a critical mind, an analytical mind, time management skills, organization skills, the ability to work well with others and the ability to spot disorders and think rationally to make a diagnosis.

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FAQ

Different courses and different colleges will have different entry requirements. It’s always safest to check with the individual higher education institution which is available on their websites. As a general rule. Leaving Cert students should have a minimum of six subjects which should include: Two H5 (Higher Level) grades and Four O6 (Ordinary Level) grades or four H7 (Higher Level) grades. Subjects must include Mathematics, Irish or another language, and English.

Specific courses may have their own requirements.Certain QQI courses may be accepted.

The points needed to study Clinical Speech and Language Therapy in Trinity College Dublin were 529 points in 2020.

Where can I study?

For other courses in the area you would like to explore, you can do so here.

Did you know?

1) One of the most common speech disorders is a stutter.

2) There are over 2,700 languages worldwide with 7,000 different dialects.

3) The IASLT is a national association for Speech and Language Therapists