Master of Science - Clinical Speech and Language Studies

The aims of the course are to provide qualified Speech and Language Therapists with opportunities to advance their academic knowledge and professional practice skills within specific clinical specialisms: Dysphagia, Voice, or Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). The course provides additional specialist qualifications to already qualified Speech and Language Therapists and does not serve as initial qualification to practise as a Speech and Language Therapist. Those without an existing qualification in Speech and Language Therapy/Speech-Language Pathology should therefore not apply.

The full time course takes place during twelve 5-day weeks spread over one year. The two-year part time M.Sc. course takes place during twelve 5-day weeks spread over a 2-year period. Applicants wishing to pursue Dysphagia or Voice may do so on a part-time or full-time basis. Applicants wishing to pursue AAC may only apply on a part-time basis. Each specialist strand will only run if a minimum of five students registers for that strand. If applicants are interested in clinical specialisms other than those listed above, they are encouraged to contact the Department to enquire about completing an M.Sc. by Research.

All students must attend Trinity College for teaching weeks. Additional assignments and clinical work must be completed outside of these weeks. For the part time M.Sc. course, core and specialist modules are taught during Year 1; research project and dissertation are the main focus in Year 2. For full time students, core modules and a dissertation are completed in one year. Classes are timetabled to facilitate clinicians in employment and overseas students.

During the M.Sc. course, students must complete a minimum of 80 hours clinical work in their chosen specialist area. Students who take the Dysphagia specialist strand and who have not completed a qualifying course in dysphagia will have to complete additional preparatory work. These students must have at least 40 of the required 80 clinical hours supervised by Speech and Language Therapists recognised by the Department of Clinical Speech and Language Studies at Trinity College Dublin. Students may pre-arrange their own clinical work (e.g. if completing hours in your current workplace), but must ensure that where supervision is required, proposed supervisors have been agreed with the Department. Those who do not have an identified clinical location will be assigned one by the Department.