Speech and Language Therapy

Job description

It is the aim of speech and language therapy to investigate, diagnose and treat disorders of comprehension, spoken and written language, speech, breathing, voice, mouth function, hearing, swallowing and perception, which can occur in all age groups. Speech and language therapists draw up a therapy target based on the examination and diagnosis and a suitable therapy plan. They apply all methods to suit the patients and target and advise the patients as well as those around them. The therapy thus takes into consideration methodical, social and inter-personal aspects and therefore helps to enable the optimum reintegration of the affected person into their daily routine and job.

Speech and language therapists have a wide spectrum of methods from various scientific disciplines, e.g. from medicine, linguistics, psychology and pedagogics.

How do you become a speech and language therapist?

Anyone who wants to start a career a speech and language therapist in Upper Austria starts with a bachelor programme in speech and language therapy at the University of Applied Sciences for Health Professions Upper Austria in Linz. The six-semester programme finishes with a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies (BSc). During their studies, students acquire specialist knowledge of language, speech, voice, hearing and swallowing disorders and also develop key communication and therapeutic competencies. They learn to respond to patients individually, to work together in an interdisciplinary team and to apply evidence-based speech and language therapy methods. During their internships, students expand their knowledge under professional supervision in various speech therapy settings, e.g. in the clinical field, in the curative field or in private practice, and prepare themselves specifically for their careers.

Possibilities of further education

The graduation of this Bachelor Programme entitles the graduate to participate in professional, but also in management or pedagogical Master Programmes in the field of the health professions. It is also possible to do further master and doctorate studies in Austria or abroad.