OVERVIEW:

WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY TO GVSU’s Au.D. PROGRAM?

• The program has exceptional facilities and specialized equipment that most programs at other institutions are unable to provide, such as the virtual reality computerized dynamic posturography system and rotary chair.  These, along with all other equipment, are for exclusive student use so as to gain the requisite knowledge and skills for credentialing and practice.  Grand Valley State University is known for its outstanding programs in the health professions, with an enrollment of over 24,000 students across 4 campuses in west Michigan.  The department is located in a new building on the state-of-the-art health campus on The Medical Mile, where major medical and healthcare expansion is underway.
• The program was designed to accept students from any undergraduate major/emphasis.  This enables individuals with degrees in the sciences, engineering, health sciences, or the arts, who enjoy working with and helping people to improve their quality of life, to pursue a doctoral degree in audiology.
• At GVSU we are sensitive to the cost of graduate education.  To keep student cost down:
  • Program is a three-year/nine-semester intensive program while most programs at other institutions are four years.
  • The curriculum consists of 84 credits while programs at other institutions can be 120 or more credits.
  • All students pay resident tuition whether they are Michigan residents or not.
• The curriculum is very rigorous and educates our students to be expert practitioners.  Compare our curriculum with programs at other institutions.  What you will not find is a high number of credits for dissertation/thesis.  What you will find, in addition to traditional courses in hearing/balance diagnostics and rehabilitation, is dedicated coursework in radiographic imaging and pharmacology, tinnitus, mentoring and counseling, etc.

Admission to Program:

Grand Valley State University’s Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) program accepts applications through the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS).  Prospective students may apply as soon as the portal opens, which is typically mid-summer.

The Au.D. program accepts applications with the following admissions options:

• EARLY ADMISSIONS; PRIORITY CONSIDERATION (to fill up to 50% of available slots in cohort)
  • Deadline: October 15
  • Requirements:
    • Commit to audiology as the chosen profession and to GVSU as the chosen professional school. Applicants who are not interested in accepting an offer of admission, if selected, and plan to apply to other programs even if selected should only apply during Regular Admissions (see below).
    • On track to have completed bachelor’s degree prior to August of following year
    • Submit all required admissions materials prior to deadline
    • Participate in admissions interview during first 2 weeks of November (by invitation)
• REGULAR ADMISSIONS (applicants not selected during early admission can be considered during regular admissions)
  • Deadline:  January 15
    • Late applications for each Fall cohort are accepted if space allows
  • Requirements:
    • On track to have completed bachelor’s degree prior to August of current year
    • Submit all required admissions materials prior to deadline
    • Participate in admissions interview during first 2 weeks of February (by invitation)

Applications and all supporting materials must be submitted through CSDCAS by the deadlines posted above.  It is strongly recommended that applicants submit materials such as transcripts and GRE scores several weeks in advance of the deadline to allow CSDCAS time to process.

Requirements for Admission:

To be eligible for consideration, applicants must have:

• 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.
• Prerequisites:  The program is designed as a self-contained program with very few prerequisites.  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 degree programs.
• Major: Applicants with a background in Communication Sciences and Disorders (speech and hearing) have an advantage in the program’s coursework since these courses provide relevant background.  However, in terms of application, neither the major nor any speech and hearing coursework are required to apply.
  • The program encourages applicants from diverse majors to apply as they frequently bring perspectives and experiences that enrich the learning of all students.
  • When possible, applicants from other majors are encouraged to take leveling courses prior to starting the program. Contact the Program Director who can customize some suggestions.
• Essay: Applicants must also respond to this essay prompt: Please write a letter to the Director of Audiology at the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) about one important future direction for audiology. Please include a reference list at the end if you use them to write your letter. (maximum of 3000 characters)
• Professional vita/resume.
• Essential functions: Applicants must be able to perform all essential functions specified by the program. The essential functions document will be provided to all prospective applicants.
• English proficiency: Test scores from one of the following English language proficiency tests: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System), MET (Michigan English Test), PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic) or Duolingo for applicants whose native language is not English. The following minimum scores are required: TOEFL is 80, IELTS is 6.5, MET 52, PTE Academic is 53, and Duolingo is 105.  Scores must be received by the institution prior to the admission deadline. Exceptions can be requested but are not usually granted.
• Exceptional Qualifications: The program provides applicants with the opportunity to demonstrate why they should be admitted.  Examples are provided below, but 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.
  • 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 Recommendation are not required, but a candidate with particularly strong references could ask individuals to submit letters to support their application. (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 their exceptionality.
  • Candidates who have participated in research, particularly if it resulted in a product (manuscript, paper, poster) could submit this as evidence of exceptionality.
  • Special awards, honors, or recognitions that demonstrate the applicant met selective criteria of excellence.  Merit-based scholarships or other achievements could be used.
• Personal interview: Interviews are scheduled for selected finalists upon invitation by the program, not the applicant, after the application deadline and upon faculty review of applications.

All materials are submitted through the CSDCAS system (online application, official GRE scores, official transcripts, essential functions document, vita/resume, and references). The Supplemental Form cannot be submitted until your CSDCAS application is verified. Once verified, you will receive an email from Grand Valley State with instructions to submit the Supplemental Form.  The email will have the subject:  ‘GVSU Application:  accessing your account’. The $30 GVSU supplemental application fee is waived for previous applicants or alumni of Grand Valley.

If you have questions or require further guidance, please contact Dr. Jennifer Smart, Director of Audiology, at [email protected].

Graduate Assistantships:

Graduate Assistantships are available by application.  Additional information is provided at the time of the interview.