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Master of Clinical Audiology (305BB)
Masters (Coursework)Year: 2023 Delivered: On Campus (Parkville)
About this course
- Overview
- Entry and participation requirements
- Attributes, outcomes and skills
- Course structure
- Further study
- Notes
Principal Coordinator
Kelley Graydon
Contact
Melbourne School of Health Sciences (Audiology and Speech Pathology)
Currently Enrolled Students:
Future Student Enquiries:
- Further information: Clinical Audiology
- Email: Clinical Audiology Enquiry
Overview
Award title | Master of Clinical Audiology |
---|---|
Year & campus | 2023 — Parkville |
CRICOS code | 062905A |
Fees information | Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date |
Study level & type | Graduate Coursework |
AQF level | 9 |
Credit points | 200 credit points |
Duration | 24 months full-time |
The first year of the course provides basic scientific background for audiology and an introduction to clinical work. The second year provides comprehensive training in all aspects of clinical audiology along with an introduction to research methods in this field. The course is not available part time or via distance education.
Entry requirements
1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
- an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline (Science, Health Sciences, Biomedicine, Linguistics, Phonetics, Psychology, Music), or equivalent; and
- a pre-recorded interview (which will be restricted to shortlisted applicants)
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.
2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider equally:
- prior academic performance
- the interview
3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.
4. Applications are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 7+ is required.
Notes:
In considering students under special entry schemes the Selection Committee will consider aspects of disadvantage as set out from time to time in the University of Melbourne Graduate Access policy, evidence of rurality for rural applicants, and confirmation of aboriginality for indigenous applicants.
Guaranteed Pathways applicants will be required to achieve satisfactory performance in the interview to demonstrate adequate communication skills. Students who fail to achieve this will not be guaranteed entry to the course.
INDIGENOUS PATHWAY
Applicants of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent are given priority access to the Master of Clinical Audiology at the University of Melbourne under the Indigenous Pathway.
All eligible Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants must submit a Confirmation of Identity to mdhs-indigenous-admissions@unimelb.edu.au for verification.
How to Apply for the Indigenous Pathway
Eligible Indigenous applicants who wish to apply to the University of Melbourne under the Indigenous Pathway will be required to submit an application directly here
Prospective Indigenous applicants are strongly encouraged to make contact with the faculty Indigenous Student Support Officer via mdhs-indigenous-admissions@unimelb.edu.au to receive advice about the direct application process. Indigenous applicants who don’t meet the pre-requisites are also encouraged to get in touch with the Indigenous Student Support Officer.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
Students must comply with Fitness to Practice Rules, which are accessible from Schedule 1 of the Student Fitness to Practice Policy (MPF1345).
For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Course and Subject Descriptions, Course and Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Student Equity and Disability Support (SEDS) website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/
It is a requirement of the course that students will be expected to interact in all aspects of learning with their peers and educators in classroom settings and clients (individuals, families, groups and communities) in practice settings.
All students in the Master of Clinical Audiology (MClinAud) course must possess the intellectual, ethical, social and emotional capabilities required to participate in the full curriculum and to achieve the levels of competence at graduation required by the Melbourne School of Health Sciences, Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology (and as accredited in the curriculum by Audiology Australia, and in accordance with the Audiology Australia Practice Standards). Audiology education (and practice) is bound by the Audiology Australia Accreditation Standards defined by Audiology Australia. It is recommended that students read and understand the expected competencies of new graduates in Audiology, Professional practice standards and Code of Conduct: https://audiology.asn.au/Home
A student with a disability may be asked to provide independent medical or other clinical assessments of the disability and its possible impact on the ability of the student to successfully complete the course, before being accepted into the course. This statement would be treated in confidence with only those on the admissions committee and SEDS having access to the document. Deliberate misinformation about the student’s ability to successfully complete the course will be regarded as unprofessional practice and treated as such.
While the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology will make reasonable adjustments to minimise the impact of a disability, all students must be able to participate in the program in an independent manner. It is expected that all students will be able to participate fully in all classroom-based and online learning activities, and to successfully fulfil the field education requirements of the course.
A candidate for the MClinAud must have abilities and skills in the following six categories:
- Values and ethics: In all learning contexts, students must ‘uphold their ethical responsibilities’ and ‘act appropriately when faced with ethical problems, issues and dilemmas’ (http://audiology.asn.au/index.cfm/resources-publications/professional-resources/professional-practice-standards/#top). The student must be able to demonstrate professional integrity and respect, in the context of culturally responsive and inclusive practice.
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Observation:
Practical Classes: The student must be able to observe mandatory demonstrations and experiments in the designated subjects.
Clinical Work: The student must be able to observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand. Observation necessitates the functional use of the senses of vision, hearing and somatic sensation.
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Communication:
Practical Classes: The student must be able to hear and comprehend instructions in practical sessions and be able to clearly and independently communicate knowledge and application of the principles and practices of the subject during assessment tasks.
Clinical Work: A student must be able to hear, speak to, and observe patients in order to elicit information and perceive nonverbal communications. A student must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients in both oral and written forms. The student must also be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in both oral and written forms with all health care practitioners involved in patient management (including the use of telephones and computers).
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Motor:
Practical Classes: A student must be able to undertake the motor requirements for any mandatory practical sessions. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and functional use of the senses of touch and vision.
Clinical Work: Students should have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by clinical examination, which may include palpation of the patient’s body structures, active and passive movements of the patient, and other diagnostic manoeuvres. Audiology requires coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and functional use of the senses of touch and vision.
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Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities:
Practical Classes: The student is expected to have the ability to develop problem-solving skills and demonstrate this ability in practical sessions. These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem solving requires all of these intellectual abilities.
Clinical Work: The student is expected to have the ability to develop problem-solving skills and demonstrate the ability to establish management plans and priorities. These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem solving requires all of these intellectual abilities. -
Behavioural and Social Attributes:
Practical Classes: A student must possess the emotional and mental health required for full utilisation of his/her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgement, and the prompt completion of all required tasks.
Clinical Work: A student must possess the emotional health required for full utilisation of his/her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgement, the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients, and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients and colleagues.
The University of Melbourne welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University policy to take reasonable and proportionate measures to minimise the impact of a disability on academic study
Professional accreditation
Graduates can apply for membership of the Audiological Society of Australia (ASA).
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this course, graduates will be able to:
- Meet the core knowledge and skill competencies identified by Audiology Australia as necessary for practice as an audiologist;
- Identify and apply foundational sciences and theories that underpin and inform audiological practice;
- Apply appropriate best practice methods to assess and manage both the communication and balance needs of their patients;
- Construct appropriate differential diagnoses/hypotheses and acquire additional information to arrive at correct definitive diagnoses or solutions to clinical problems;
- Critically evaluate the audiological literature and apply this knowledge to the implementation of evidence-based practice;
- Demonstrate a highly developed sense of personal and professional integrity, utilising reflective practice and lifelong learning to adapt with the evolving demands of the audiology profession;
- Establish and maintain professional relationships with patients, professional colleagues and the general community by applying written and verbal interpersonal and communication skills; and
- Demonstrate a strongly developed commitment to moral, professional and ethical responsibility for patients, colleagues and the broader community.
Generic skills
The course provides comprehensive training in all aspects of clinical audiology along with an introduction to research methods in this field. On completion of this course the students should have:
- critical thinking, analytical and problem solving skills
- the ability to integrate theory and practice and to apply this in novel situations
- an openness to new ideas
- planning and time management skills
- the ability to communicate their knowledge in both oral and written form
- the ability to behave in a professionally appropriate manner
Graduate attributes
Audiology is the clinical science concerned with the assessment and management of hearing loss and balance disorders. It is a multi-disciplinary profession that will be of interest to those who like working with people. The Master of Clinical Audiology is the required degree for entry into the profession and provides complete training for the clinical practice of audiology.
Course structure
200-point program:
- Eighteen compulsory subjects (200 points)
- To progress from Year 1 to Year 2, students must complete all first year subjects
Subject options
First Year
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ANAT90004 | Anatomy and Physiology for Audiology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
6.25 |
AUDI90012 | Electrophysiological Assessment A | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
6.25 |
AUDI90021 | Clinical Audiology A | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AUDI90022 | Paediatric Audiology A | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AUDI90023 | Hearing Devices and Rehabilitation A | Semester 2 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AUDI90047 | Audiology in Professional Contexts | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
6.25 |
AUDI90048 | Principles of Clinical Audiology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AUDI90049 | Principles of Hearing Rehabilitation | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AUDI90050 | Acoustics and Perception of Speech | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
6.25 |
AUDI90051 | Principles of Paediatric Audiology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
6.25 |
AUDI90016 | Pathologies of the Auditory System | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
6.25 |
Second Year
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
AUDI90004 | Independent Studies in Audiology | Year Long (On Campus - Parkville) |
25 |
AUDI90024 | Hearing Devices and Rehabilitation B | Year Long (On Campus - Parkville) |
18.75 |
AUDI90006 | Paediatric Audiology B | Year Long (On Campus - Parkville) |
18.75 |
AUDI90007 | Clinical Audiology B | Year Long (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AUDI90005 | Cochlear Implants | Year Long (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AUDI90001 | Electrophysiological Assessment B | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
6.25 |
AUDI90002 | Research for Hearing and Speech Sciences | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
6.25 |
Further study
Students who demonstrate an aptitude for research may be considered for PhD studies within the Department.
Additional Costs:
All students undertaking a placement in a hospital, clinic or other health or community environment are required to satisfy a number of requirements, including:
- undergoing a recent National Police Record Check
- holding a valid Working with Children Check for the relevant state/territory, and
- being satisfactorily protected against infectious disease transmission.
Please refer to the Student Placements webpage for detailed information regarding compliance requirements.
Last updated: 10 November 2023