爱尔兰国立高威大学

Speech and language therapists enable people with communication disorders and swallowing disorders to achieve their maximum potential. They are involved in assessing their clients’ communication and swallowing difficulties, and developing treatment programmes to meet their needs. They work closely with other members of the team, such as nurses, doctors, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, teachers, etc, and work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, primary care health centres and schools.

The Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT) require that those in training have a minimum of 450 hours clinical education, 300 of which must be with a speech and language therapist and 150 clinically-related. In their first year, students visit preschools and centres for people with disabilities, and throughout the course, qualified speech and language therapists supervise the students in training during their work-placement.

Further Education

Graduates can go on to higher degrees in the field of science and health.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the degree course will have a professional qualification and may work in a variety of settings such as:

• Community Clinics/Health Centres
• Day Centres
• Rehabilitation Centres
• Individuals' Homes
• Child Development Centres
• Hospitals
• Mainstream and Special Schools
• Language Classes

Work Placement

Practice education begins in first year, when students visit pre-schools and centres for people with disabilities. Throughout the course, there is a combination of one-day weekly placements in the on-site clinic and block placements in the community where students are given the opportunity to learn under the supervision of a qualified speech and language therapist. The Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT) requires that speech and language therapists in training undertake a minimum of 450 hours clinical education, 300 of which must be with a speech and language therapist and 150 of which can be clinically related.