Audiology
Audiologists are healthcare professionals who provide care in preventing, identifying, diagnosing, and treating auditory disorders of hearing and balance. The Doctor of Audiology program is four years after undergrad. There are 76 Au.D. programs in the U.S. These programs tend to be relatively small, with 4-8 seats per entering class.
Job Market: The projected percent change in employment from 2020 to 2030. The average growth rate 16% (Much faster than average).
Base Salary: $81,030 per year $38.95 per hour
Prerequisites
Prerequisites vary slightly from school to school; this list will cover the requirements at many schools. It is a good idea to make your own list of 5-6 schools and develop a spreadsheet.
- Chemistry 1-2 semesters
- General Biology 2 semesters
- May require Physiology with lab (lab is taken in a later semester than the lecture)
- May require Anatomy with lab
- Neurosciences
- Physics 2 semesters
- Calculus
- English 1-2 semesters
- Statistics
- Psychology and Sociology/Anthropology
- Additional audiology undergraduate courses not offered at Notre Dame may be required: contact the individual schools for information about online courses or the ability to take one of the courses after arriving.
Preparation Outside the Classroom
A knowledge of the field is helpful in the application process. Working or extensively volunteering with those with auditory disabilities can give you an edge. Audiology requires both technical expertise and compassionate counseling of patients; programs are also looking for a consistent interest in the well-being of others, particularly vulnerable groups like those with disabilities.
Applying
Applications for 30 of the schools are submitted through a central applications service, the CSDCAS. The optimal application timeline is generally from August to October.
Committee letters are not required, and for most schools, three individual letters are required. See individual school sites for details.
At this time the GRE is the standardized test required by most schools; you will need to have results sent to the individual schools.
You should apply to 5-7 programs.
Resources
- The American Academy of Audiology has information about practice issues and training. audiology.org
- SSLPs – Several of the SSLPs have a clinical slant and are technically paid internships. socialconcerns.nd.edu
- Irish Compass – Connect with an alumni mentor irishcompass.nd.edu
- Go Irish – Career Center Services can help with finding summer and short-term post-baccalaureate work to prepare for your application. undergradcareers.nd.edu
- Is health care right for you? Visit explorehealthcareers.org
- Occupational Outlook Handbook