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Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin

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School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences

What is Speech and Language Therapy?

What qualification must I hold in order to practise as a Speech and Language Therapist in Ireland?

In order to practise as a Speech & Language Therapist in Ireland you must hold the B.Sc. in Clinical Speech & Language Studies, or the equivalent qualification from UK or courses in other countries.

All Graduates who qualified from recognised degree courses outside of the Irish Republic are required to apply for validation of their qualification to the Dept of Health and Children, through the Validation Project, with a fee of approx €65 payable to IASLT. A considerable volume of documentation is required in order to submit a complete application.

In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, or whose training was not through English, there is an automatic requirement that they sit a Competence Examination in Clinical English, for which a separate fee is payable. This examination takes place 3 times a year, in the Department of Clinical Speech and Language Studies in Trinity College Dublin (contact jkallen@tcd.ie for details of dates and times).

US graduates need to hold an ASHA-recognised qualification at Masters level from a US university, along with the ASHA C.C.C.

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Is the qualification obtained in Trinity College recognised in other countries?

The qualification of B.Sc. in Clinical Speech & Language Studies from Trinity College is recognised as a licence to practise as a Speech & Language Therapist in Ireland, and in the UK. In a small number of instances, therapists have gained recognition to work in Australia. Those holding the Irish degree are eligible to apply for membership of the IASLT, and of the RCSLT (UK).

At present our undergraduate degree is not recognised in the USA by ASHA for practice of Speech-Language Pathology. If you are considering working as an SLP in the US or Canada, for information re. qualification to practise, you should contact
ASHA or CASPLA.

A speech and language therapist qualifying from a recognised college in the UK will be able to work in Ireland following validation of the course by IASLT and the Department of Health and Children.

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Is it possible to be exempted from part of the course if I already hold an undergraduate degree?

A person with a degree in a relevant area (e.g. Psychology or Linguistics) would more than likely be exempted from some or all of the psychology or linguistics part of the course (detailed transcripts would have to be submitted before any decision could be made). However it is not possible to reduce the length of the course for such applicants.

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Are there any shorter courses available?

The University of Limerick offer a two year post graduate degree course, details available directly from them.There are also some two year post graduate courses available in the UK for graduates with a relevant degree (e.g., in psychology or linguistics) who wish to become Speech & Language Therapists. You should contact the RCSLT, 2 White Hart Yard, London SE1 INX, or view their website.

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Is there a post graduate programme available at the School?

At present, we offer both Taught Masters and research degrees. Research Degrees lead to Masters degrees (M.Sc., M.Phil, M. Litt), or Ph.D. Candidates are interviewed here by the Graduate Committee in order to ensure that we have the expertise for supervision in the chosen area of research, and to assess the student's ability to undertake research. In general, people from other Universities who are registering for Ph.D. at the University here, register for a Masters degree for the first year in order to demonstrate the capacity to continue in Ph.D. research.

Details of Taught Masters are available here

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Will the M.Sc. degree qualify me to practise as a Speech and Language Therapist?

This degree does not lead to a qualification to practise as a speech and language therapist (pathologist).

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Are there places available on the course for Mature Students?

Two- four places ONLY are reserved annually for mature applicants (but these are not always filled). There is high competition for the places. On receipt of completed application forms which provide information of experience and interests, an interview panel will select a small number of candidates for interview (usually in March or April annually). Details re. closing dates and conditions for applications are available from the Admissions Office.

Mature Students don't have to have any particular qualifications - points apply to school leavers applying for a place through the CAO. While not compulsory it is recommended that candidates have covered science at some level. Having an undergraduate degree would certainly be an asset.

Those (few) selected for interview (from a possible 30-60 individuals who have SCSLS as a preference on the application form), will have indicated some special interest or aptitude for studying to become a speech and language therapist. The interviews are conducted by a panel of Staff Members (usually three members). The process of selection is that each person attending is given a score for their post-school education and experience in terms of relevance to the course requirements. In addition, the criteria considered important include: Knowledge of the course and the profession; and good interpersonal skills in face-to-face communication.

All work in a 'caring' area would be relevant, as well as direct interest in the realm of communication. It would be usual for candidates to have personal interaction/experience with practising therapists and/or knowledge/experience of service provision in the area or associated areas of care.

General information details on undergraduate and postgraduate courses offered at the School are available on the main Trinity College website.

You can apply for a prospectus online through the Admissions Office.

Application forms for mature students are available from the Admissions Office. You have to apply to the CAO directly for their application form, details of addresses will be included in the information from Admissions Office.

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Is there a suggested reading list for First Year (Junior Freshman) students?

The following is a list of suggested reading list for First Year (Junior Freshman) students:

  • Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT) (1997). More Than Just Words. Dublin: IASLT.
  • Leahy, M. (Ed.) (1998). Communication Disorders: The Science of Intervention. London: Whurr
  • Stengelhofen, J. (1996). Teaching Students in Clinical Settings. London: Chapman & Hall.
  • Bray, M., Ross, A. & Todd, C. (1998). Speech and Language: Clinical Process and Practice. London: Whurr.
  • Goldberg, S. A. (1997). Clinical skills for Speech-Language Pathologists. London: Singular.
  • Aitchison, Jean. (1998). The Articulate Mammal. 4th edition. London: Routledge.
  • Peccei, Jean Stilwell. (1999). Child Language. 2nd edition. London: Routledge.
  • Thomas, Linda. (1993). Beginning Syntax. Oxford: Blackwell.
  • Mathieson, L. (2001) The Voice and its Disorders. 6th edition. London: Whurr
  • Handbook of the International Phonetic Association. (1999). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Ladefoged, Peter. (1993). A Course in Phonetics. 4th ed. London: Harcourt Brace.
  • Ladefoged, Peter. (2001). Vowels and Consonants: An Introduction to the Sounds of Language. Oxford: Blackwell.
  • Introductory chapter in books on Introduction to Psychology and Developmental Psychology and Social Psychology
  • Helen Bee: The Developing Child or other up to date text (published with in the past 3 years)
  • Lifespan Development – any up-to-date text.
  • Also: general textbooks on Interpersonal Communication Skills

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