Program Overview

The audiology program is a three-year (nine consecutive semesters) postbaccalaureate program leading to a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree. This is the entry-level degree for the practice of audiology. Without the audiology degree, an individual cannot be licensed or certified to practice.

Why Study Audiology at Grand Valley?

• The program is an accelerated three-year curriculum, so students graduate faster and begin practicing sooner. There is no list of prerequisites, so applicants from any major can apply.
• The program will provide the knowledge base, clinical skills, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as nurture compassion for success as an audiologist. Specialized courses in pharmacology, tinnitus, and radiographic imaging distinguish our program from others.
• Students work every semester in clinical placements with diverse populations and practice settings.
• All students pay resident tuition rates (no out-of-state tuition).
• The U.S. Department of Labor projects audiologist employment will grow 29 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than average for all occupations. The median salary for certified audiologists with one to three years of experience is more than $65,000 per year. Doctorate or administrative positions typically earn more than $100,000 per year.

Career Insights

Accreditation

The doctoral (Au.D.) education program in audiology at Grand Valley State University is a Candidate for Accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700. Candidacy is a “preaccreditation” status with the CAA, awarded to developing or emerging programs for a maximum period of 5 years.

Location & Format

Classes for graduate students in this major meet on the GVSU Health Campus, near the Grand Rapids Medical Mile.

• Face To Face

Coursework

The program requires completion of 84 credit hours. The degree requirements are designed to offer a comprehensive and rigorous program of study, encouraging the synthesis of information across didactic coursework and clinical experience. A final 12-month internship is required. As students progress through the program, they will transition from

• primarily didactic to primarily clinical coursework;
• in-house learning laboratory to full-time external clinical experience;
• limited variety to greater variety of disordered patients; and
• focus on developing skills specific to treating hearing and balance disorders to preparing for independent practice.

There is no research requirement to this program.

Early admission application deadline is October 15; regular admission deadline January 15. The $30 nonrefundable application fee is waived if the applicant has previously applied to GVSU.

Admission Requirements

1. Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education. Generally, a 3.0 cumulative grade point average is the minimum required for admission. The Graduate School will allow programs to admit students who do not meet this requirement if they are exceptional in other ways (please see number six as follows).
2. Prerequisites: The program is designed as a self-contained program with very few prerequisites. Applicants with a background in communication sciences and disorders (speech and hearing) have an advantage in the program's coursework, but neither the major nor any speech and hearing coursework are required to apply. The program also encourages applicants from diverse majors to apply as they frequently bring perspectives and experiences that enrich the learning of all students. If applicants from other majors wish to take a few leveling courses prior to starting the program, they should contact the program director who can customize some suggestions. All applicants, regardless of major background, must have completed coursework in:
   • Basic Sciences (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics, statistics)
   • Basic Science Skills (e.g., scientific methods, critical thinking) Students at most institutions will have completed similar courses as part of their bachelor's degree programs.
3. Professional vitae/resume.
4. Essential Functions: Applicants must be able to perform all essential functions specified by the program.
5. English Proficiency: Test scores from the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), or IELTS (International English Language Testing System), or MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery), or PTE (Pearson Test of English Academic) for applicants whose native language is not English. The following minimum scores are expected: TOEFL = 80; IELTS = 6.5; MELAB = 77; PTE Academic = 53. Exceptions can be requested but are not usually granted.
6. Exceptional Qualifications: The program is providing students with the opportunity to demonstrate to the faculty why the applicant should be admitted. The Graduate Records Examination (GRE) is not required, but is one of many ways in which an individual with high scores could demonstrate that they are an exceptional candidate. Letters of Reference are not required, but a candidate with particularly strong references could submit letters of recommendation. (Note: CSDCAS requires that all applicants enter contact information for three references; those individuals can disregard the email request sent by CSDCAS if the applicant chooses not to use references as demonstration of exceptionality.) Candidates who have participated in research, particularly if it resulted in a product (manuscript, paper, poster) could submit this as evidence of exceptionality. Each applicant could use any one or more of those mentioned or anything of their choosing that would demonstrate to the faculty that they are an exceptional candidate for this degree program. In other words, it is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate to the program that they should be considered for admission.
7. Personal Interview: Interviews are scheduled for selected finalists upon invitation by the program, not the applicant, after the application deadline and review of applications by the faculty.

Helpful Links

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• The Graduate School
• Audiology Programs
• Health Professions Programs
• Health Science Programs
• FAQ

Dr. Jennifer Smart
Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, suite 204
[email protected]
(616) 331-5540

Jennifer Smart, Ph.D., CCC-A
(616) 331-5540