Our history
50 years of
Speech Pathology

The first cohort of Bachelor of Applied Science, Speech Pathology graduates alongside Kate Stratford (centre) 1978

The first 10 years
(1975–1984)

The first undergraduate speech pathology course, the Bachelor of Applied Science in Speech Pathology, commenced at the Sturt College of Advanced Education (SAE) in 1975. Kate Stratford was the inaugural Head of Department. The first cohort of 16 students graduated in 1978, their degrees were conferred on May 26th, 1978.

1982 heralded a number of important changes for speech pathology education at Flinders University.

In 1982, the Sturt CAE became part of the South Australian College of Advanced Education (SACAE). Furthermore, the Department of Human Communication Disorders became the School of Speech Pathology.

Continuing early growth (1985–1994)

In 1991, the School of Speech Pathology became part of Flinders University’s School of Medicine. The Honours program was introduced, offering a competitive four-year study option, now taken by 10–12 students annually.

In 1993, Professor Andy Butcher was appointed to the Foundation Chair of Communication Disorders. Known for his work in linguistics and Aboriginal languages, he remained in the Department until 2013. That year also saw the founding of the Flinders University Speech Pathology Association (FUSPA), and construction began on new clinical and teaching facilities shared with Flinders Medical Centre.

Graduating Class of 1986

Breaking new ground for the southern extension
to the School of Medicine

Expansion and Mergers
(1995–2014)

In 1995, the university and clinical speech pathology departments moved into the new building at Flinders Medical Centre. This co-location was the catalyst for the merger between the two departments which was finalised in 1997. The Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) degree moved from 3.5 to 4 years in keeping with the national standards set by the Australian Association of Speech and Hearing.

In 2002, FMC Audiology was also merged into the department. The amalgamated speech pathology department was unique in Australia at that time and provided students with a range of opportunities for the integration of theory and practice which has been developed over the years. Associate Professor Paul McCormack was the primary Head of Discipline from the early 2000s until his retirement in 2014.

The Master of Speech Pathology (MSPP), a graduate entry program, began in 2006. The Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology at Flinders University developed the Master of Speech Pathology as an alternate entry point for graduates of any first degree to a professional qualification in speech pathology at the postgraduate level.

Stephen Anderson is our most recent Indigenous graduate. He was part of the Class of 2024 Bachelor of Speech Pathology cohort, with Dr Jane Bickford (left) and Dr Joanne Murray (right).

The modern era (2015–2025)

In 2015, the discipline moved to School of Health Sciences within the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

2017 saw a university-wide restructure, and the discipline became part of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences along with 14 other health, disability and care disciplines. The Speech Pathology discipline now has a staff with range of academic profiles including Teaching Specialist (Clinical Practitioners) and Teaching Specialists (Academic) as well as Teaching Research academics.

The program pivoted during the global pandemic and shifted teaching online in 2020. The course enabled international students to commence and/or continue learning from their own country and developed innovative ways to maintain placement education opportunities.

The Flinders Speech Pathology courses based at Bedford Park were reaccredited by Speech Pathology Australia in 2022.

In 2024, Flinders commenced the Bachelor of Allied Health (Speech Pathology) in three rural locations – Pt Pirie, Renmark and Mt Gambier.

As of 2025, there remains a significant teaching commitment, with the delivery of 60 topics across four course offerings. The programs attract diverse student cohorts from South Australia and overseas. With over 380 students in pre-service degrees and a growing number of students doing research at PHD and Masters level, the discipline is going from strength to strength. Today as it has done over its 50 years, Speech Pathology at Flinders is continuing to provide high quality, innovative curricula with excellent student success, retention, employment rates and satisfaction. The future is bright.