Why Study / Key Benefits

The Master of Speech and Language Pathology is a graduate-entry professional qualification for students who already hold a bachelor's or master's degree and want to become speech-language pathologists/therapists.

Key benefits include:

• Provides a professional pathway into speech-language pathology without requiring students to complete UC's four-year undergraduate speech-language pathology degree.
• Combines academic study with substantial hands-on clinical practice.
• Covers communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan.
• Provides training in clinical linguistics, speech and language development, evidence-based practice, neuroscience, hearing, swallowing, fluency and voice.
• Students gain experience working with real clients in clinical environments.
• UC has its own speech-language clinics, allowing students to gain clinical experience on campus.
• Clinical experiences can include schools, hospitals, retirement homes, preschools and speech-language clinics throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
• The programme is professionally accredited by Te K?hui Kaiwhakatikatika Reo K?rero o Aotearoa | New Zealand Speech-language Therapists’ Association (NZSTA).

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The MSLP comprises 240 points divided into Part I and Part II.

Part I includes:

• HEAR663 Audiologic Assessment and Management
• SPSC621 Speech Sound Disorders
• SPSC623 Language Disorders in Children
• SPSC661 Clinical Linguistics and Phonetics
• SPSC662 Fluency Disorders
• SPSC664 Professional Studies and Clinical Practice I
• SPSC667 Neuroscience of Communication and Swallowing
• SPSC668 Evidence-Based Clinical Practice 2

Part II includes:

• SPSC622 Motor Speech and Voice Disorders
• SPSC669 Dysphagia and Related Disorders – Diagnosis
• SPSC670 Aphasia and Related Disorders
• SPSC671 Applied Research and Clinical Practice 3
• SPSC672 Spoken and Written Language Disorders in Educational Settings
• SPSC674 Dysphagia and Related Disorders: Management
• SPSC675 Evidence-based Practice for Complex Communication Disorders
• SPSC676 Professional Studies and Clinical Practice 4. 

Main Academic Topics

The programme covers:

• Clinical linguistics
• Phonetics
• Speech sound disorders
• Child language disorders
• Language development
• Fluency disorders
• Motor speech disorders
• Voice disorders
• Aphasia
• Neurogenic communication disorders
• Dysphagia and swallowing
• Audiologic assessment
• Neuroscience of communication and swallowing
• Evidence-based clinical practice
• Communication disorders in educational settings
• Professional practice
• Clinical research
• Aotearoa New Zealand clinical context.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The MSLP does not currently list separate formal majors, endorsements or specialisations.

The overall discipline is:

• Speech and Language Pathology

Areas of professional expertise developed through the curriculum include:

• Speech disorders
• Language disorders
• Child language
• Fluency
• Voice
• Motor speech
• Aphasia
• Neurogenic communication disorders
• Dysphagia
• Audiology/hearing
• Clinical linguistics
• Clinical research
• Professional practice.

Programme Highlights

• Graduate-entry professional master's
• 240 points
• Two years full-time
• February intake
• Limited-entry programme
• Minimum B GPA
• Statistics prerequisite
• IELTS 7.0 overall with no band below 6.5
• Interview and statement of interest
• Extensive clinical practice
• Real-client experience
• Clinical linguistics and neuroscience
• Speech, language, hearing and swallowing education
• Child and adult communication disorders
• Accredited by NZSTA
• Preparation for professional speech-language pathology practice
• Clinical opportunities in schools, hospitals, clinics and community environments
• Potential overseas clinical opportunities
• Further postgraduate pathway to PhD study.

Career Outcomes

The principal career outcome is employment as a speech-language therapist/pathologist.

UC states that graduates are highly employable as clinicians in Aotearoa New Zealand and overseas.

Potential employment environments include:

• Hospitals
• Schools
• Preschools
• Retirement homes
• Community health services
• Speech-language clinics
• Private practice
• Rehabilitation services
• Disability services
• Health organisations
• Education-sector services
• Research organisations.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current programme has several important special requirements for applicants:

• Entry is limited.
• A separate MSLP application must be submitted to the School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing.
• Application deadline is 1 October.
• Late applications are considered only where places remain.
• A previous bachelor's or master's degree is required.
• Minimum B GPA is required.
• At least one Statistics course at 100-level or higher is required.
• Selection includes academic merit, statement of interest and interview.
• IELTS is significantly higher than UC's ordinary postgraduate minimum: 7.0 overall and at least 6.5 in every component for applicants whose first language is not English.
• Part I must be completed before progression to Part II.
• Clinical practice is compulsory.
• The programme is not an ordinary online academic master's; students must participate in hands-on clinical education.
• NZSTA accreditation is currently full, with re-accreditation scheduled for 2028.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student physically studying this programme in New Zealand, the usual visa is the Fee Paying Student Visa.

Current Immigration New Zealand information states:

• Cost: from NZD $850
• Maximum duration: up to 4 years
• 80% processing time: within 8 weeks
• Offer of place from an approved education provider
• Evidence of tuition-fee payment or ability to pay
• Evidence of sufficient living funds
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance
• Good health and character
• Genuine intention to study
• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.