Doctor of Audiology

The Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) serves either as preparation for professional clinical audiology, including certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), or as preparation for graduate study leading to the Ph.D. degree. The Au.D. program provides a broad range of basic science courses and specialized offerings emphasizing assessment, intervention, and prevention techniques used with patients of all ages who have hearing or balance-related disorders. Students are prepared for careers as clinicians in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, private practice and community clinics. Clinical practicum opportunities occur at the on-campus Speech and Hearing Clinic and many affiliated ENT clinics, rehabilitation centers, schools, and hospitals. Within this framework, students must meet the academic and practicum requirements for national certification (the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology [CCC-A] awarded by ASHA) and Alabama State Licensure. The Au.D. program typically extends for 11 academic semesters including two semesters of clinical externship. Assistantships are available annually on a competitive basis. Applications for admission and assistantships are accepted after November 1 with enrollment beginning in the Fall Semester only. The deadline for receipt of all application materials is February 15. Specific information about the Au.D. Program is available from the department.

Download the Graduate Application Packet for the
Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION

1. Typically, a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent) in the field of communication sciences and disorders from an accredited college or university is required for admission. This includes all prerequisites for admission into the Au.D. program. Students who do not hold a baccalaureate degree in the field may be eligible for admission to the Au.D. program depending upon type of undergraduate degree held. Decisions regarding admission for these students are made on a case-by-case basis. Those who do not qualify for direct admission to the Au.D. program must complete a prerequisite program (see Prerequisite Program below).

2. A minimum 3.0 (A=4.0) overall undergraduate GPA to be considered for regular admission, a minimum of 2.5 overall undergraduate GPA for provisional admission.

3. A Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score. The GRE must have been taken within the last five years.

4. Three references from faculty at the undergraduate institution are required. Two of these references must be provided by Ph.D. faculty within the applicant's undergraduate department.

5. A Letter of Intent stating the applicant's reasons for pursuing the degree.

Because the number of applicants is greater than the number of vacancies in the program, applicants are admitted on a competitive basis, based on the criteria stated above. Because of limited course sequencing, applicants are admitted in the Fall Semester only. Applicants must submit complete applications by February 15 of the year they intend to matriculate.

In addition, students should have a course sequence in human anatomy and physiology, an adequate background in psychology, and one course each in basic mathematics and physics or chemistry. In order to meet ASHA certification requirements, students are strongly encouraged to complete course work in areas dealing with multicultural issues, aging/gerontology, and human development.

REQUIREMENTS FOR DEGREE

The Au.D. degree requires a minimum of 11 semesters of full-time academic study. The final two semesters are spent off campus completing externships.

TYPICAL COURSE SEQUENCE

YEAR 1

Fall

AUD 612

AUD 614

AUD 640

AUD 641

AUD 670

YEAR 2

Fall

AUD 615

AUD 631

AUD 645

AUD 671

YEAR 3

Fall

AUD 621

AUD 675

AUD 623

AUD 676

AUD 633

AUD 653

AUD 671

YEAR 4

Fall

AUD 675

AUD 675

AUD 676

AUD 676

A special course fee is assessed for the following courses:

AUD 631

AUD 670

AUD 671

AUD 672

DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL AUDIOLOGY (AUD) COURSES

PREREQUISITE PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS HOLDING A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN ANOTHER DISCIPLINE

The prerequisite program in the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology offers appropriate prerequisite undergraduate course work to individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree in an area other than speech and hearing science, speech language pathology, audiology, or communication disorders. Students apply directly to Au.D. program. Admission is limited and on a competitive basis. Those who meet admission requirements are admitted to the Au.D. program and, if they maintain appropriate grades, continue studies at the graduate level after completing the undergraduate curriculum. Students may need to successfully complete additional coursework outside of the department. This coursework may be completed prior to admission to the program or concurrently with the undergraduate SHS coursework. All out-of-department coursework must be completed during this initial year. This includes supporting course work in mathematics or statistics, an anatomy and physiology sequence, physics or chemistry, and 2 psychology courses. NOTE: Some Au.D. applicants may have the SHS course completion requirement waived.

Given the structured curriculum in this special track, students are admitted Fall Semester only. Students interested in this program should contact the department for advising prior to applying.