Englisch 
Deutsch Who is the distance learning course in Speech Therapy at DIPLOMA University suitable for?
The Bachelor’s advanced degree course in Speech Therapy is aimed at already qualified speech therapists who wish to deepen their professional skills scientifically and qualify for expanded tasks. If you work in speech therapy practice and have a state-recognised professional qualification, you will benefit from the recognition of your training. The course is specifically designed for working professionals and is also suitable for potential managers, people interested in research, teaching or management tasks, as well as those who want to develop academically and expand their career prospects in healthcare.
What do you need to provide for the Bachelor’s distance learning course in Speech Therapy?
- Completion of a 3-year state-recognised speech therapy training (with proof of the certificate to use the professional title speech therapist)
- General university entrance qualification (Abitur) or
- Advanced technical college entrance qualification or
- Passed master craftsman exam or
- Secondary school leaving certificate (at least Realschulabschluss) and at least 3 years of recognised vocational training with a final grade of 2.5 or better
- Alternatively: University entrance qualification after individual assessment (depending on previous education, e.g. through work experience or an aptitude test)
- For foreign qualifications: proof of equivalence
Personally, you should have a high level of self-organisation, motivation for scientific work and a willingness for continuous further education. Analytical thinking, communication skills and team spirit are also advantageous, as in the course and later profession not only specialist knowledge but also critical reflection and interdisciplinary exchange are required. Flexibility in handling digital teaching and communication formats supports your study success.
What content and skills will you acquire in the distance learning programme in Speech Therapy?
In the distance learning programme in Speech Therapy (Bachelor of Science) at DIPLOMA University, you will deepen your scientific, diagnostic and therapeutic skills in the area of speech, language, voice and swallowing disorders. Building on your completed vocational training in speech therapy, you will acquire advanced theoretical and practical knowledge qualifying you for expanded fields of work in healthcare.
- Scientific work and clinical reasoning: You will learn to make therapeutic decisions based on evidence and to integrate current research into everyday practice.
- Advanced diagnostics: Development, evaluation and application of speech therapy testing methods, including test quality criteria and diagnostics in multilingualism.
- Subject-specific health models: Comparison of current health models in national and international contexts, including ethical and cultural aspects.
- Reflective practice and coaching: Methods for professional reflection of your own therapeutic actions, supervision and collegial case work.
- Therapy and prevention for special target groups: Managing speech development disorders in complex disabilities as well as speech therapy support for learning disabilities.
- Specialisations through elective modules:
- Clinical and developmental orofacial motor and swallowing disorders
- State of the art speech therapy interventions
- Psycholinguistic perspectives on language processing
- Health education (including attendance components)
After completing the course, you will be able to confidently implement the theory-practice transfer, critically assess speech therapy methods and engage specifically with new demands of the healthcare system.
How is the programme organised and structured?
The distance learning programme Speech Therapy is designed as a part-time advanced degree. Thanks to recognition of your completed speech therapy training with 90 ECTS, the standard period of study is five semesters (a total of 210 ECTS). If you complete the course alongside your training, the duration of study extends to eight semesters.
- Start dates: You can begin each April (summer semester) and October (winter semester); after individual assessment, mid-year starts are also possible.
- Study format: 100 % online study via the DIPLOMA Online Campus with live online seminars. Examinations can be taken online or on-site at study centres.
- Learning materials: Multimedia study booklets and e-learning offerings, exchange and collaboration in fixed study groups.
- Seminars & examinations: Mostly online; selected elective areas (particularly health education) involve face-to-face events for practical deepening.
- Flexibility: You organise your learning independently and can extend the study period free of charge by up to four semesters.
The course progression consists of compulsory modules and an individually chosen focus (elective module). Assessment consists of written assignments and practice-oriented projects.
Which career paths are open to you after the Bachelor’s degree in Speech Therapy?
With the academic degree Bachelor of Science in Speech Therapy, you open up significantly expanded career prospects beyond traditional therapeutic practice. The degree entitles you to take on specialist and leadership roles in various fields of work:
- Leadership and management: Management positions in rehabilitation clinics, therapy centres and social facilities.
- Therapy and counselling: Application of current therapy methods in own practices, clinics, social paediatric centres, daycare centres and schools.
- Teaching and continuing education: Teaching at vocational schools or universities (regional qualification requirements apply), conducting professional development courses.
- Research: Participation in research projects in the health sector and at university institutes.
- Health education and prevention: Development and implementation of prevention and counselling services in corporate health management.
- Self-employment: Running your own speech therapy practice.
- Author and consultancy work: Contribution to specialist publications and consulting companies in the healthcare sector.
Salary prospects: Academically qualified speech therapists earn on average about 30 per cent more at entry level than solely vocationally trained specialists. Salaries in leadership, teaching or research can rise significantly further.
The bachelor’s degree also qualifies you for consecutive master’s programmes – for example in health management, therapy sciences or vocational education.
What costs are associated with the Speech Therapy distance learning programme and what financing options are available?
The tuition fees for the Speech Therapy distance learning programme at DIPLOMA University depend on the chosen instalment model. Several flexible payment options are available:
- Instalment model I: 30 monthly instalments of €267 (plus a one-off examination fee of €695)
- Instalment model II: 48 monthly instalments of €177 (plus a one-off examination fee of €695)
- Instalment model III: 60 monthly instalments of €147 (plus a one-off examination fee of €695)
- Total cost at maximum duration: €8,705 (with 60 monthly instalments)
Additional financial benefits:
- 4 weeks free trial at the start of studies
- Fee-free extension of study period by up to four semesters possible
- Discount for immediate payment
- For graduates of training at a school of the Bernd Blindow Group: waiver of the last two monthly instalments
- Tax deductibility as work-related expenses/business expenses possible
- Individual financing advice is offered
The overall package includes digital study materials, access to the e-library, an MS Office licence and personal support by the university team as well as the alumni network.
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