Doctor of Audiology Program
FAQ
Can I earn a master’s degree?
No. The clinical doctorate degree is now the entry-level degree required for clinical practice in the field of audiology. As a result, we no longer offer a master’s degree leading to clinical certification in audiology.
What is the difference between the AuD and the PhD degree?
The Au.D. is a clinical doctorate degree focused on clinical education and preparing students for clinical practice and certification as audiologists. The Ph.D. degree is doctorate degree which prepares students for careers in research and/or teaching.
If I don’t have a background in speech and hearing sciences will I be at a disadvantage during admissions? Will preference be given to students with a speech and hearing background?
No. The admissions committee does not give preference to individuals with a background in speech and hearing. The presence or absence of speech and hearing coursework does not influence the admissions committee decision to offer or deny admission to the Doctor of Audiology program.
What coursework is required to apply to the AuD program?
There are no coursework requirements. Anyone with a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited College or University who meets the English language, GRE and minimum grade point average requirements is eligible to apply and be admitted to the Doctor of Audiology program. Applicants ARE NOT required to have a background or coursework in speech and hearing sciences or communication disorders in order to apply and be accepted.
However, because we are accredited by ASHA there are several undergraduate science, math and speech and hearing courses that are required by ASHA for clinical certification in audiology. Applicants are not required to complete these courses before entry into the graduate program, but we do strongly encourage individuals to do so if possible. All applicants should review the Prerequisite Coursework section for complete information about the ASHA coursework requirements and options for completing coursework.
If I don’t have a background in speech and hearing sciences, will I need to take any additional coursework while in the graduate program?
Yes. Because ASHA requires specific undergraduate knowledge in speech and hearing in order to be eligible for clinical certification, students without coursework in the normal development of speech and language and normal speech and language production and perception, will need to integrate coursework into the graduate program. At the UW, Doctor of Audiology students who did not major in speech and hearing will typically take SPHSC 250, 304, 305 or 425 to satisfy this requirement.
We also encourage (but do not require) students without a speech and hearing background to consider taking our SPHSC 371: Hearing Disorders course during Summer quarter (or a similar course at another school).
Do I have to take the ASHA required science and math courses prior to entering the Au.D. program?
No, but we do strongly encourage you to do so if possible. It can be challenging to take these courses while completing your graduate studies.
Will my program extend beyond four years if I have to take courses to meet the ASHA undergraduate requirements?
Possibly. It depends on how many courses you need to take. Typically individuals are able to address any undergraduate coursework deficiencies within the parameters of the 4-year program. If an individual had not completed any ASHA required courses (3 science courses, 1 math course, 1 speech and hearing course) there is a chance their program could be extended. However, most students are able to complete all requirements within 4 years.
Where can I take ASHA required courses if I want to complete them prior to starting the Au.D. program?
Individuals can take courses anywhere as long as they satisfy ASHA's requirements. Students are able to take courses at the University of Washington during Summer quarter as a Non-Matriculated (NM) student if desired.
I already have a master’s degree and am clinically certified. Can I upgrade to the AuD degree?
The department does not offer a program for practicing clinicians who already hold a master’s degree to complete the AuD.
What are the policies and procedures if I want to complete both an AuD and PhD degree?
- Enroll in the AuD program.
- Apply for the PhD program in autumn of your 2nd year.
- If accepted, you can begin taking electives to fulfill your PhD requirements in the spring quarter of your second year.
The AuD research project, with permission of the PhD mentor and advisory committee, serves as the predissertation project required for the PhD. For that reason, the AuD research project must follow the rules for a predissertation project: a committee must be formed, the committee must approve a written proposal, and the project completion criteria must be agreed upon by the committee.The funding for which PhD students are generally eligible would not begin until the student has completed the first 3 years of their AuD degree. AuD/PhD students generally complete the AuD 4th year externship after the completion of the PhD.
Can I take AuD classes via distance learning?
No. The Au.D. program does not incorporate a distance learning educational model. The Au.D. program is a full-time, day program and all courses must be completed while in residence.
I am not a Washington resident. What do I need to do to establish in-state residency?
Information on residency requirements are available at http://www.washington.edu/students/reg/residency.html
(see the section on “Graduate and professional nonresident students”)
Can I still work clinically if I complete a PhD instead of an AuD degree?
State licensure laws permit either a PhD or AuD provided clinical training requirements have been met. In our program, the AuD degree is the only degree that provides sufficient supervised clinical training to obtain state licensure to practice audiology. A student who wishes to obtain only a PhD degree in our program would not be eligible to practice clinically and should contact the Graduate Program Coordinator for additional information.
Is financial assistance available for AuD students?
Although there are a very limited number of full tuition appointments, most students in the program are supported by some type of financial assistance. This includes work study, research assistantships, or teaching assistantships. A list of possible funding sources is available.
In addition, Washington is a member of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) which is a 15-state commission working to improve access to higher education for students in the western region. The Au.D. program is part of WICHE’s Western Regional Graduate Program that allows out-of-state applicants who are legal residents of one of the WICHE states (AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, ND, OR, SD, UT, WY) to apply to receive for the resident tuition rate if accepted into the program. See the Tuition and Fees section of the web for more information on the WRGP resident tuition rate option.
If out-of-state applicants from the 14 WICHE/WRGP states receive priority during admissions , should I even apply if I am not from one of those states?
Yes! The admissions committee evaluates applications from all students. We strive for student diversity in our program, which includes geographic diversity. All out-of-state students are encouraged to apply.
If I previously lived in a non-WICHE state but now currently reside in one of the 14 eligible states for the purpose of attending college, can I apply for the WRGP resident tuition rate?
Not unless you have established legal residency in the state. If you are attending school and paying the non-resident tuition rate and/or still maintain a permanent legal residence in a non-WICHE state, you are ineligible to apply for the WRGP rate.
Are out-of-state students still eligible for the “Graduate Student Residency Tuition Waiver” at the University of Washington?
Unfortunately no. Between 2005 and 2011, the University of Washington Regents offered non-resident graduate and professional students who had lived in the state for at least one year, an annual waiver of the differential between resident and non-resident tuition. However, any student entering a graduate program as of July 21 2012 will no longer have access to this waiver.
Fortunately, out-of-state students who are applying to the Doctor of Audiology program and are residents of AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, ND, OR, SD, UT or WY can now apply to receive the WRGP resident tuition rate for the first 3 years of the program thanks to our partnership with WICHE.
How do UW graduates perform on the Praxis examination?
The Praxis exam in Audiology assesses beginning practitioners’ understanding of the essential content and current practices in the profession. Summary statistics for the last three years follow:
| Year | Median Score | Highest Score | Lowest Score |
| 2007-2008 | 620 | 670 | 620 |
| 2008-2009 | 665 | 680 | 630 |
| 2009-2010 | 660 | 680 | 640 |
Will I be able to get a job when I graduate?
Although no one can predict economic conditions, based on current demographics, employment opportunities for AuD graduates are expected to continue to be plentiful. Since 2007, 95% of all students completing the AuD degree from the University of Washington have been successful in securing a professional position in a medical, educational or private setting.
How many students who are accepted into the AuD program complete the degree?
Since 2006, more than 95% of students admitted to the Clinical Doctorate in Audiology have completed the program on time.
What is life in Seattle like?
The Pacific Northwest is often described as the best of all worlds. Our climate is mild. Because we are located on the beautiful Puget Sound, but close to the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, you can be sea kayaking on Saturday and cross-country skiing on Sunday. Year-round hiking and world famous ski resorts are within easy reach of Seattle. Miles of bike paths, incredible on-campus sports and workout facilities, and the vibrant, energetic Seattle culture make the University of Washington a perfect place to study and live. The greater metropolitan area offers the full range of cultural and recreational opportunities you would expect, from the world-class Seattle Symphony to professional sports. Seattle is the home of the Seahawks, the Mariners, the Storm, and the Sounders as well as a friendly culture of community sports leagues. Clean air, a pervasive international flavor, and the warmth of the Pacific Northwesterner are all big draws.