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Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
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Theoretical component
Major subject areas include speech and language pathology,
linguistics, psychology, discourse analysis, anatomy, physiology,
neurology and audiology.
Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials and case-based
learning, as well as group work in small teams to address
problems set in the problem-based learning approach.
Clinical practice
During term time an average of one day per week is reserved
for student clinical work. You will also be required to undertake
clinical practice outside term time: a three-week block in the
Senior Freshman (second) year, a four-week block in the
Junior Sophister (third) year and a one-week block in the
Senior Sophister (fourth) year. A six- to eight-week block is
also organised within term time in the Senior Sophister year.
While you will generally attend clinics around Ireland, it may
be possible, by special arrangement, to attend clinics in other
countries.
PBL
Problem-based or problem-centred learning provides students
with structured problems for specified learning objectives.
Students work in groups (under supervision) to research how
to ‘solve’ the problem set. They share their information with
each other and develop important skills in teamwork. Many
of the problems are assessed through group oral presentations
and/or written assignments. Tutor feedback guides students
at every stage.
The Freshman years – theoretical
component:
In the Junior Freshman (first) year you will be introduced to the
area of language acquisition and speech. These courses will be
the foundation for later years of study.
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Clinical practice
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Pre-clinical skills
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Speech and hearing
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Linguistics – introduction to language study, syntax
and CHILDES
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Phonetics – the study of vocal sounds
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Psychology
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General and neuro-anatomy
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Physiology – the study of the functions of living organisms
In the Senior Freshman (second) year, theoretical courses move
to more specific areas and you will study:
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Disorders of speech, language and communication and
swallowing – You will learn about possible frameworks and
tools for assessing skills in each of these areas, as well as
how to ensure individuals with communication difficulties
can participate in society
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Clinical and experimental phonetics
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Linguistics
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Psychology
The Sophister years
In the Sophister (third and fourth) years the theoretical
component of the course focuses more specifically on therapy
approaches.
The clinical component takes on greater significance in
the final two years of the course. By the end of the Senior
Sophister (fourth) year you will be expected to participate fully
in assessment and diagnosis, as well as in therapy planning and
implementation. Such work is supervised, with students learning
self-evaluation and reflective skills during the process.
Assessment
Your theoretical knowledge is assessed by a combination of
continuous assessment and written end-of-year examinations.
Practical clinical examinations take place both in Trinity College
and in the clinics that you have been attending on placement.
Clinical placements are examined on a continuous basis by
practice educators who work with you. There are additional
assessment procedures where students are observed in
practice, and present their clinical work for examination to
College mentors.
The Trinity College degree and
professional practice
On graduation, your qualification from Trinity College Dublin is
recognised as a licence to practice as a Speech and Language
Therapist in Ireland. Those holding the degree are eligible to
apply for membership of the Irish Association of Speech and
Language Therapists (IASLT)
www.iaslt.com
. Graduates who
wish to work in the UK should contact the Health Professionals
Council,
www.hpc-uk.org
. Graduates of the course who wish
to work in another European country will have to apply for
government approval in that country. If you are considering
applying for professional recognition to work as a Speech-
Language Pathologist in the US or Canada, you should
contact the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
at:
www.asha.org
or the Canadian Association of Speech-
Language Pathologists and Audiologists at
www.caslpa.ca/
english
Career opportunities
For more detailed information on your career prospects, visit
the professional associations’ websites at
www.iaslt.com
and
www.rcslt.org
Further information
www.tcd.ie/slscs/clinical-speech-language/
Tel: +353 1 896 1496