Audiology, Au.D.
Audiologists are health care professionals who provide patient-centered care in the prevention, identification, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment of hearing, balance, and other auditory disorders for people of all ages.
The audiology degree at Grand Valley is a clinically focused, professional degree, allowing students greater application of knowledge upon graduation than other research-based programs. Students will be prepared to sit for the national examination and to qualify for state licensure upon completion of the program.
Visit the program website for more information.
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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. Graduates are accepting offers between $80,000 to $90,000 to start; doctorate or administrative positions typically earn more than $100,000 per year.
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.
Career Options
- Private practice
- Hospitals
- Hearing conservation and noise abatement
- Research and development
- Schools
- Ear, nose, and throat practices
Admission Requirements
For general requirements for graduate admission, visit Grand Valley State University’s admission section of the online catalog.
Admission into the audiology program has additional requirements, which are available on this page.
If you have additional questions, please contact our graduate admissions office.
Helpful Links
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Audiology
Dr. Jennifer Smart
Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, suite 204
[email protected]
(616) 331-5540
Jennifer Smart, Ph.D., CCC-A
(616) 331-5540