Audiology, Au.D.

General Program Information

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Bess Sirmon-Taylor, Ph.D., Chair
378 Lamb Hall
Box 70643
email: sirmontaylor@etsu.edu
(423) 439-4273

Marcy Hite, Ph.D., Graduate Coordinator
363 Lamb Hall
Box 70643
e-mail: hitemk@etsu.edu
(423) 439-4261

The primary goal of the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree program at ETSU is to provide clinical instruction and coursework that will prepare students to practice audiology with varied and diverse populations and individuals. To that end, the program will prepare students for roles as audiologists and clinic directors by providing advanced practical experiences in a variety of settings and by directing students to appropriate clinical training sites. The program is intended to prepare students as audiologists able to uphold the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Code of Ethics and provide the standard of care in a variety of diagnostic and rehabilitative areas. Although the Au.D. is a clinical doctorate, it will provide students with the analytical and substantive knowledge needed to assess and improve the effectiveness of practice, and the utilization of research. Two tracks are available for admission into and matriculation through the Au.D. program. Students who apply to the program while holding the bachelor’s degree take the Traditional Entry track. Students who apply to the program while holding a master’s degree in Audiology may take the Advanced Standing track.

Program Admission Requirements

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Applicants seeking admission to the Au.D. degree program must fulfill all the requirements for admission to both the School of Graduate Studies and the Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. The School of Graduate Studies requires that all students submit the following materials: a completed application form including payment of a nonrefundable application fee; transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate work; and a written essay.

Traditional Entry Track 

In addition to requirements of the Graduate School, the Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology requirements for admission to the Traditional Entry Track include:

1. Cumulative GPA of 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale) for the last two years of undergraduate study.
2. At least eight credits in the lab sciences (chemistry, biology, or physics).
3. At least six credits in college-level mathematics of which at least 3 credits must be in the study of statistics.
4. At least 6 credits in the behavioral and/or social sciences such as normal, abnormal, developmental, and/or experimental psychology, sociology, or anthropology.
5. Completion of an interview.
6. Three letters of recommendation.
7. Curriculum Vitae (CV).

Advanced Standing Track 

In addition to requirements of the School of Graduate Studies, the Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology requirements for admission to the Advanced Standing Track include:

1. Cumulative GPA of 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale) in graduate-level audiology courses. Students will be required to repeat a course in any audiology foundation area in which they received a “C” as a graduate or undergraduate.
2. Completion of an interview.
3. Three letters of recommendation from peers and/or employers that address the clinical activities performed by the applicant.
4. Successful completion of a master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders in a program accredited by ASHA and the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA). Applicants must provide evidence of audiology-related employment and continuing education since matriculation, including statements pertaining to scope of practice, areas of expertise, and perceived areas of weakness.
5. Applicants must meet the certification standards as specified by ASHA and must be current holders of the CCC-A.

Applications to the Advanced Standing Track will be screened for the following criteria:

1. Quality of scholarship at the graduate level.
2. Quality of coursework completed at the graduate level.
3. Amount and variety of clinical experience since acquiring the M.S. degree.
4. Professional activity other than clinical work (i.e., publications, research assistantships, affiliations with state and national organizations, professional activities, and presentations).

Applications cannot be evaluated until they are completed. The evaluation process considers elements from the admission requirements, relevant professional experience, and the applicant’s ability, during the required interview, to discuss goals and expectations related to doctoral study of audiology. Interview times will be scheduled by the Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. All admission requirements related to clinical practicum and progression standards are consistent with those of the department.

Requirements

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Students in the Au.D. program must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours (75 credits of coursework, 45 credits of clinic practicum) and meet the academic and practicum requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Coursework Requirements - Each Au.D. candidate must complete the required 75-credit-hour program of study. Any elective coursework completed by a student will be in addition to the 75-hour minimum. The fourth year of study consists of a clinic externship. Competency across the scope of didactic courses and clinical practice will be assessed throughout the program of study. Consistent with ASHA knowledge and skills acquisition requirements, students will display competence in all areas of audiologic practice prior to graduation.

Clinical Requirement - In addition to the department’s requirements for enrollment in and progression through clinical practicum, each degree candidate must complete a minimum of 45 credit-hours of clinic practicum including a fourth-year, full-time externship. Beginning January 1, 2020, The Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CFCC) will no longer prescribe a specific number of hours of supervised clinical practicum. Consequently, the Au.D. program provides necessary experiences needed to meet CAA standards for duration, and for depth and breadth of knowledge. The department’s guidelines regarding progression through the clinic pertain to the Au.D. degree with the exception of the sequence of clinical competency levels. Au.D. students and supervisors document clinical competence goals and track student progression as goals are exceeded, met, or not met. No levels of progression are completed; rather levels of competence are assessed across the clinical activities that comprise audiological practice.

Comprehensive and Qualifying Examinations - Written comprehensive examinations are required prior to completion of the first year of coursework to facilitate formative assessment of the student. Results may indicate the need to review or modify a student’s program of study. A set of written qualifying examinations is required prior to completion of the second year of study in which the student should demonstrate the breadth of knowledge (provided by the foundation courses) required for continued doctoral study in audiology. Students who fail any portion of the comprehensive or qualifying examination will complete an oral examination addressing that material related to the failing grade. Students who fail any portion of the oral examination will retake the relevant coursework, modify their programs of study appropriately, or may be dismissed from the program. At the end of the third year of coursework, students will complete an oral comprehensive examination designed to assess integration of course material and decision-making skills specifically related to clinical practice. The student cannot progress to the fourth-year externship without first passing the qualifying examination and the oral comprehensive examination sequence.

Research Project - A Capstone Research project is optional, but not required, for students in the AuD Program who are interested in research. The Capstone project must be mutually agreed upon by the student and a faculty mentor by the beginning of the 2nd year in the program.

Time Limit - The time limit for completion of the Au.D. degree program by a student is six years from the date of enrollment in the earliest course applied toward the degree.