18 UC/11-BSLT/1
UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
Template 2: Qualification Name Change Template 2011
Proposal Description
R
Purpose of the proposal
The purpose of this proposal is to (1) rename the existing Bachelor of Speech and Language Therapy (BSLT) degree to
the degree of Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours- “BSLP(Hons)”, and (2) award a Bachelor of
Speech and Language Pathology to students who do not attain honours standard during the course of professional study –
“BSLP”.
Justification
History
In 1942, the Christchurch Teachers’ College established a diploma course designed to prepare speech-language therapists
for practice in New Zealand. At that time (approximately 70-years ago), the scope of practice for a speech-language
therapists was confined to educational settings. By 1989, the roles and responsibilities of a speech-language therapist had
significantly changed. As such, the diploma course was changed to a four-year honours degree granted by the University
of Canterbury. An international panel of academics reviewed the Department of Speech and Language Therapy in 1995.
The panel, recognising the breadth and continued growth of the discipline, recommended that the Faculty of Science
provide oversight of the degree programme. In addition, the Department was encouraged to develop postgraduate degree
programmes and a research orientation. The Department currently offers a 4-year Bachelor of Speech and Language
Therapy (BSLT), a one-year MSc in Speech and Language Sciences, a two-year Master of Audiology, and a PhD degree
in either speech and language sciences or audiology. The Department was subsequently renamed as the Department of
Communication Disorders in 2004 to acknowledge degree offerings in both speech and hearing.
Current Issues
The decision to rename the Bachelor of Speech and Language Therapy degree to the degree of Bachelor of Speech and
Language Pathology with Honours is motivated by two issues, (1) the 4-year structure of the degree, and (2) the
terminology used to describe the degree major. Each of these issues is presented below.
(1) Honours Degree
Under the New Zealand university system, many undergraduate degrees require three years of fulltime study. The degrees
are deliberately broad-based such as BA, BCom, and BSc. To meet the requirements of an honours degree, a student
must complete a fourth year of study (120 points) with a research component of at least 30 points at that level. This is a
separate qualification and recognises outstanding achievement, meritorious achievement, or a pass in courses. The
qualification may be termed first class honours, second class honours (first and second division), and third class honours.
This type of degree is denoted by the appearance of "(Hons)" after the degree abbreviation, resulting in a BA(Hons) etc.
Another type of honours degree is a 480-point (4 EFTS) programme that provides an exit point at the end of study that
meets the requirements for a bachelor’s degree. These degrees must have a research component of at least 30 points. This
type of degree is found for professional qualifications such as Engineering, Law, Social Work, and Speech and Language
Therapy (Pathology). The Bachelor of Speech and Language Therapy degree requires four years of fulltime study (480points) and the degree may be awarded with or without honours. The class of honours is determined by the student’s
performance in the final two years of the degree programme. There is limited entry to the Professional Years of study.
Admission to the degree is competitive and selection is based on grades of B+ or better during the Intermediate Year of
study. At present, there is no specific “Hons” designation for the degree. In comparison, the 4-year degree offered in
Engineering is a designated honours degree - BE(Hons). The two degree programmes are comparable in regard to degree
structure. Both degrees include an Intermediate Year of study followed by three Professional Years of study. As per the
study requirements for the BE(Hons), the programme of study shall not be for less than four years (one intermediate and
three Professional Years) (pg 179 2011 UC Calendar). Both degrees include a research component as part of the Third
Professional Year.
1
18 UC/11-BSLT/1
A research component is offered in three course offerings in the final year of the Bachelor of Speech and Language
Therapy programme. Two of these courses are required of all students. The first of these required courses is CMDS462Evaluating Research for Clinical Practice (15 points/0.1250 efts). This course involves advanced study of current topics in
communication disorders, including critically appraising the research literature and generating an original research report
on a clinical topic of interest to the student. The second required course is CMDS 484- Clinical Practice 6 (30
points/0.2500 efts). This course involves supervised practicum that fosters independent practice, sharpens the student’s
analytical and communication skills, and provides a supported introduction to translating theory and empirical research
into practice in an educational or health setting. A major requirement of the course is the completion of a research project
that includes results of single-subject (case-based) treatment studies. These case studies involve data collection, analysis,
and interpretation. The third course is CMDS490-Research Project (30 points/0.2500 efts). The course has limited
enrolment and is not a requirement for completion of the Bachelor of Speech and Language Therapy degree. The course
is offered to those students of exceptional ability, who wish to undertake an additional (and concentrated) research
experience in a specific area of communication sciences and disorders. The research experience generally goes beyond
single-subject design and involves group sampling methodologies. Collectively, CMDS 462 and CMDS 484 provide the
minimum research component to satisfy the requirements for a 480-point professional qualification. The inclusion of
CMDS490 allows for some students to well exceed this minimum requirement.
Inclusion of an Honours notation as part of renaming the Bachelor of Speech and Language Therapy degree would serve
to recognize distinguished research study at an advanced level. Where a student does not attain honours standard during
the course of professional study, the degree would be awarded without honours. This default degree would be a Bachelor
of Speech and Language Pathology.
(2) Speech and Language Therapy versus Speech and Language Pathology
The field of communication sciences and disorders has grown considerably in New Zealand since 1942. The profession
no longer deals only with the simple remediation (or therapy) of children and adults who demonstrate speech and
language difficulties. The science behind the profession has grown and now encompasses a wide range of competencies
and skills. In addition to the traditional roles, today’s graduates are trained in the assessment and treatment of individuals
across the lifespan who may present with autism, vocal pathology, stuttering, hearing impairment, brain injury, stroke,
degenerative nervous system disease, and swallowing difficulties. Clearly, the scope of practice of this profession has
evolved and is not one of simply treating speech and language disorders. While the course content and degree structure
are current and comparable to most programmes worldwide, the name (major) assigned to our Bachelors degree has
lagged behind. The degree name is somewhat outdated.
The issue is one of terminology. Which term (or terms) best reflect the education and training students now receive in the
field of communication sciences and disorders? The following definitions were obtained from Stedman’s Medical
Dictionary (2002) and the Dictionary of the English Language 4th Ed. (2004). These definitions are useful in
demonstrating the present-day understanding of what these various terms are understood to represent.






Therapy: The systematic application of remedies to affect a cure.
Therapist: A person skilled in a particular type of therapy.
Pathology: Any deviation from a healthy or normal condition. The scientific study of the nature of disease and its
causes, processes, development and consequences.
Pathologist: One who specialises in the diagnosis of health conditions.
Speech Therapy: The treatment of speech defects and disorders, especially through use of exercises and audiovisual aids that develop new speech habits.
Speech Pathology: The science concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of functional and organic speech
defects and disorders.
Appendix 1 provides a sampling of over 90 English-speaking universities from around the world that offer a BSc (or BS)
in speech and language therapy, as well as the professional association that students join upon graduation. The list is not
exhaustive. It is useful to consider the name of the major assigned to BSc degrees in various universities around the
world. Three items of note are that (1) the word therapy is noticeably absent from the degree name offered from nearly all
of these universities worldwide, (2) the type of degree offered at most universities is a science degree in speech and
language pathology, and (3) there is a lack of uniformity between the name of the degree programmes and the
professional association.
The current designation of Bachelor of Speech and Language Therapy used at the University of Canterbury is far from the
norm used by universities worldwide. The term ‘pathology’ has been adopted by many university programmes in
2
18 UC/11-BSLT/1
Australia, United Kingdom, South Africa, India, Canada, America, and Singapore. By designating the degree major as
speech and language pathology, universities clearly acknowledge the scientific bases of the educational programme, while
also designating the specialised nature of the degree. This form of acknowledgement is absent from the current
designation of the Bachelor of Speech and Language Therapy degree.
It is also important to note that the name designation of university degrees does not necessary match with the name
designation of professional associations. This is not an insignificant matter nor is it surprising. The degree name is
designed to encompass the contemporary educational training and scope of practice acquired by the student. As the roles
and responsibilities required of a speech-language therapist have expanded over time, the educational requirements of the
degree have likewise expanded. On the other hand, the name of the professional association is one adopted to reflect its
professional identity (or brand) rather than the specific nature of educational training received by its membership.
In addition, the renaming of the degree is consistent with the UC Statement of Strategic Intent and the Strategic Plan
2011-2013, ‘Challenge’ and ‘Connect’, by ensuring that the name of the qualification reflects the scope of the programme
and that the name positions the qualification in an international context to promote the degree both nationally and
internationally.
Acceptability
The following groups were contacted during the development of this proposal.
Contacted:
University of Canterbury Student Association
UoC Dept of Communication Disorders Teaching & Learning Committee
New Zealand Speech-Language Therapists’ Association
University of Queensland (Australia)
University of Sydney (Australia)
Latrobe University (Australia)
University of Cork (Ireland)
University of Glasgow (Scotland)
University of Newcastle (England)
University of Sheffield (England)
Manchester Metropolitan University (England)
San Francisco State University (USA)
Western Michigan University (USA)
University of Hong Kong (China)
University of Pretoria (South Africa)
Dalhousie University (Canada)
University of Alberta (Canada)
Discipline of Speech Science, University of Auckland
Speech-Language Therapy Programme, Massey University
Responded (Responses are available on request)
University of Canterbury Student Association
UoC Dept of Communication Disorders Teaching & Learning Committee
New Zealand Speech-Language Therapists’ Association
University of Queensland (Australia)
University of Sydney (Australia)
University of Cork (Ireland)
University of Newcastle (England)
University of Sheffield (England)
Manchester Metropolitan University (England)
San Francisco State University (USA)
Western Michigan University (USA)
University of Hong Kong (China)
Dalhousie University (Canada)
A broad range of consultation was pursued regarding the academic merits of this proposal. A summary of the responses
3
18 UC/11-BSLT/1
included: (1) the name change was strongly supported and viewed more in line with current international terminology for
the profession, and (2) the name change appropriately shifts the emphasis of the degree name to accurately reflect the
scientific basis and breadth of the degree. The New Zealand Speech-Language Therapists’ Association was supportive of
the rationale for the proposed name change with particular reference to the ‘honours’ designation and was ambivalent
about the impact of the name change from ‘therapy’ to ‘pathology’ on the profession. As noted earlier, the proposed name
change was prompted by an expansion of the educational requirements of the degree. The proposal is not intended to
change the name of the professional association or one’s professional identity. The titles, ‘speech therapist’, ‘speech
correctionist’, ‘speech-language pathologist’, and ‘communication specialist’ are used worldwide to refer to one’s
professional identity (Robinson, 2010). This professional identity is clearly not dictated by the specific title of the
university qualification (as can be seen in Appendix 1).
Robinson, T. (2010). What’s in a name? The Asha Leader, November 23, 2010, Vol. 15, No. 14.
Goals of the Programme
Renaming of the degree will not affect the existing goals of the programme.
Graduate profile
The graduate profile will remain unchanged. Only the name of the degree will change.
Outcome statement
The outcome statement will remain unchanged. Only the name of the degree will change.
Programme overview
The programme overview will remain unchanged. Only the name of the degree will change.
Proposed new regulations and prescriptions (append to the Calendar Form at the end of Section A)
See attached Calendar form.
Proposed teaching/delivery methods
The teaching and delivery methods will remain unchanged. Only the name of the degree will change.
Assessment procedures
The assessment procedures will remain unchanged. Only the name of the degree will change.
Predicted student numbers/EFTS
The number of students/EFTS will remain unchanged. Only the name of the degree will change.
Resources
No additional resources will be necessary, aside from those related to notation of the degree name change.
Plans for monitoring programme quality
No change
Calendar Form
Degree Regulations
In the following locations replace:
2011 University Calendar
Please make the following amendments.
Page 8 Academic Awards Regulations
Replace – Bachelor of Speech and Language Therapy
With – Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours
Page 11 Colleges, Faculties and Board of Studies
4
18 UC/11-BSLT/1
5. Subjects of the Faculties
Faculty of Science
Replace – Communication Disorders (Speech and Language Therapy)
With - Communication Disorders (Audiology/Speech and Language Pathology/Speech and Language Sciences)
Page 12 Awards of the Faculty of Science
Replace – Communication Disorders: BSLT, MAud, MSLS
With – Communication Disorders: BSLP(Hons), MAud, MSLS
Page 66-68 UC Qualifications, Faculty of Science
Replace – 373 The Degree of Bachelor of Speech and Language Therapy (BSLT)
With – 373 The Degree of Speech and Language Pathology (BSLP(Hons))
Pp: 393-394 The Degree of Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology (BSLP(Hons)) ... or
Speech and Language Pathology
All references to be the degree name and subject to be amended to Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with
Honours … or Speech and Language Pathology
Page 395
Notes: Replace Speech and Language Therapist with Speech and Language Pathologist
Page 407 The Degree of Master of Audiology (MAud)
Reg 1 (a) i
Amend to read: qualified for the award of the Degree of Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours; or
Page 411 The Degree of Master of Science, Reg 2, (a) iv.
Replace – Bachelor of Speech and Language Therapy
With – Bachelor of Science Speech and Language Pathology with Honours
Page 419 Schedule A to the Regulations for the Degree of Master of Science
Speech and Language Science
P: Amend to read: Four year Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours degree or an approved
qualification.
APPENDIX 1
University
Undergraduate Degree Offered
New Zealand
University of Canterbury
Massey University
University of Auckland*
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION
Bachelor of Speech and Language Therapy (BSLT)
Bachelor of Speech and Language Therapy (BSLT)
Master of Speech-Language Therapy Practice (MSLTPrac)
NZ SPEECH-LANGUAGE THERAPISTS’ ASSOCIATION
Australia
La Trobe University
University of Sydney
University of Queensland
Flinders University
Charles Sturt University
Curtin University of Technology
University of Newcastle
Edith Cowan University
James Cook University
Macquarie University*
University of Melbourne*
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION
Bachelor of Speech-Language Pathology
Bachelor of Applied Science, Speech Pathology
Bachelor of Speech-Language Pathology
Bachelor of Speech-Language Pathology
BSc in Speech Pathology
BSc in Speech Pathology
Bachelor of Speech Pathology
Bachelor of Speech Pathology
Bachelor of Speech Pathology
Master of Speech-Language Pathology
Master of Speech Pathology
SPEECH PATHOLOGY AUSTRALIA
5
18 UC/11-BSLT/1
United Kingdom
University of Strathclyde
Birmingham City University
Leeds Metropolitan University
University of Wales Institute Cardiff
Manchester Metropolitan University
Queen Margaret University
City University London
University College London
University of Manchester
University of Newcastle
University of East Anglia
University College Plymouth
DeMontfort University
University of Reading
University of Sheffield
University of Ulster
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION
BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Pathology
BSc (Hons) in Speech and Language Therapy
BSc (Hons) Clinical Language Sciences
BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy
BSc (Hons) Speech Pathology
BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy
BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy
BSc (Hons) Speech Sciences
BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy
BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Sciences
BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy
BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy
BSc (Hons) Human Communication
BSc Speech and Language Therapy
BMedSci (Hons) in Speech Sciences
BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy
ROYAL COLLEGE OF SPEECH & LANGUAGE THERAPISTS
Hong Kong
University of Hong Kong
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION
BSc in Speech & Hearing Sciences
HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF SPEECH THERAPISTS
Ireland
Trinity College Dublin
University College Cork
NUI Galway
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION
BSc (Hons) in Clinical Speech & Language Studies
BSc (Hons) in Speech-Language Therapy
BSc in Speech-Language Therapy
IRISH ASSOCIATION OF SPEECH & LANGUAGE THERAPISTS
South Africa
University of Pretoria
University of Kwazulu-Natal (Durban)
University of Cape Town*
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION
Bachelor of Communication Pathology
BS in Communication Pathology
MSc in Speech and Language Pathology
SOUTH AFRICAN SPEECH-LANG-HEARING ASSOCIATION
India
Mysore University
Bangalore University
Mangalore University
Manipal University
Sri Ramachandra University
Maharastra University
Tamil Nadu Open University
Rajasthan University
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION
Bachelor of Audiology and Speech-Lang Pathology
Bachelor of Audiology and Speech-Lang Pathology
Bachelor of Audiology and Speech-Lang Pathology
Bachelor of Audiology and Speech-Lang Pathology
Bachelor of Audiology and Speech-Lang Pathology
Bachelor of Audiology and Speech-Lang Pathology
Bachelor of Audiology and Speech-Lang Pathology
Bachelor of Audiology and Speech-Lang Pathology
INDIAN SPEECH & HEARING ASSOCIATION
USA
University of Alabama
University of Montevello
University of South Alabama
Arizona State University
University of Arizona
University of Arkansas
Arkansas State University
University of Central Arkansas
University of Northern Colorado
BS in Communication Disorders
BS in Speech-Language Pathology
BS in Speech & Hearing Sciences
BS in Speech & Hearing Sciences
BS in Speech & Hearing Sciences
BS in Speech-Language Pathology
BS in Communication Disorders
BS in Speech-Language Pathology
BS in Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences
6
18 UC/11-BSLT/1
Southern Connecticut State University
Florida State University
University of South Florida
University of Hawaii
Idaho State University
Northern Illinois University
University of Illinois
Purdue University
University of the Pacific
Howard University
Western Kentucky University
Southeastern Louisiana University
Towson University
University of Maryland
University of Massachusetts
MGH Institute of Health Professions
Emerson College
Northern Michigan University
Western Michigan University
Minnesota State University
University of Mississippi
Truman State University
University of Nevada
University of New Hampshire
University of New Mexico
New Mexico State University
Eastern New Mexico University
Syracuse University
East Carolina University
West Carolina University
Ohio University
University of Cincinnati
University of Oklahoma
University of Tulsa
Pennsylvania State University
University of Rhode Island
Tennessee State University
University of Texas
University of Houston
University of Utah
University of Virginia
University of Washington
West Virginia University
University of Wisconsin
University of Wyoming
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION
Canada*
University of British Columbia
University of Alberta
University of Western Ontario
University of Toronto
McGill University
Dalhousie University
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION
BS in Communication Disorders
BS in Communication Disorders
BS in Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences
BS in Communication Disorders
BS in Communication Disorders
BS in Communication Disorders
BS in Speech-Language Pathology
BS in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences
BS in Speech-Language Pathology
BS in Speech Pathology & Audiology
BS in Speech-Language Pathology
BS in Communication Disorders
BS in Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology
BS in Communication Disorders
BS in Communication Disorders
BS in Speech-Language Pathology
BS in Communication Disorders
BS in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences
BS in Speech Pathology & Audiology
BS in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences
BS in Communication Disorders
BS in Communication Disorders
BS in Speech Pathology & Audiology
BS in Communication Disorders
BS in Speech & Hearing Sciences
BS in Communication Disorders
BS in Communication Disorders
BS in Communication Disorders
BS in Speech & Hearing Sciences
BS in Communication Disorders
BS in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences
BS in Communication Disorders
BS in Communication Disorders
BS in Speech-Language Pathology
BS in Communication Disorders
BS in Communication Disorders
BS in Speech-Language Pathology
BS in Communication Disorders
BS in Communication Disorders
BS in Speech & Hearing Sciences
BS in Communication Disorders
BS in Speech & Hearing Sciences
BS in Speech Pathology & Audiology
BS in Communication Disorders
BS in Speech & Hearing Sciences
AMERICAN SPEECH-LANGUAGE-HEARING ASSOCIATION
MSc in Speech and Language Pathology
MSc in Speech and Language Pathology
MSc in Communication Disorders
MHSc in Speech and Language Pathology
MSc in Speech and Language Pathology
MSc in Speech and Language Pathology
CANADIAN ASSOC OF SPEECH-LANG PATHOLOGISTS &
AUDIOLOGISTS
7
18 UC/11-BSLT/1
Singapore*
National University of Singapore
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION
MSc in Speech and Language Pathology
SPEECH-LANGUAGE AND HEARING ASSOC OF SINGAPORE
Malaysia
University of Kebangsaan
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION
BS in Speech Sciences
MALAYSIAN ASSOC OF SPEECH-LANG & HEARING
* Indicates there are no undergraduate programmes offered in speech-language pathology
8