Program Objectives
The AuD Program is clinically oriented with primary emphasis on academic and practical experience with normal and disordered hearing. The program fosters development of individuals seeking professional careers in clinical practice in audiology and provides a well-rounded academic and clinical training experience. This program is designed for students to meet the academic and practicum requirements for clinical certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) upon graduation. Students must meet all Knowledge and Skills (KASA) competencies to be eligible for certification.
Accreditation
The Doctor of Audiology (AuD) education program in Audiology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, Maryland 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700. (Latest accreditation period: June 1, 2022 - May 31, 2030)
Admissions and Selection
The UTHSC program in Audiology utilizes the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS). Prospective applicants may apply by accessing the Audiology Applicant website at https://csdcas.liaisoncas.com.
Requirements for Admission
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the Bachelor’s degree
- Three letters of recommendation preferably completed by 3 professors who had the student in class.
- A personal statement of intent.
- Foreign applicants whose native language is not English must submit results of TOEFL with a minimum score of 550.
Applicants who accept an offer of admission will be required to complete the UTHSC Pre-Admissions Requirement System (PARS).
Transfer of Credit
A minimum of 38 of the 112 semester hours of direct contact instruction required in the Doctor of Audiology Program must be completed at UTHSC. Transfer credits will be evaluated by an Audiology Curriculum Committee. Such work must have been taken for graduate credit and passed with a grade of B or better and be part of an otherwise satisfactory graduate program. Official transcripts must be received from the appropriate institutions before any transfer of credit will be approved. All transfer hours must be approved by the Department and then entered into the transcript by the Registrar’s office.
Health Requirements
Audiology students are required to show proof of current health insurance prior to enrollment. Students are required to be immunized against the Hepatitis B virus and to have an annual skin test for Tuberculosis. Information about meeting these requirements is presented via email prior to the first day of class and, again, during orientation. Some clinical education sites require affiliating audiology students to have one or more of the following: rubella titer or vaccine, general physical examination. Students are responsible for these costs.
Clinical Externships and State Authorization
Full-time clinical externship sites are located in the Knoxville area, throughout Tennessee, and throughout the United States. Due to the limited number of clinical externship sites in Knoxville and other urban areas in Tennessee, students should anticipate the financial impact of traveling and living out of town for their clinical externship education experiences. As described in more detail in the UTHSC distance education portion of the bulletin , state authorization is mandated for any clinical experiences in a facility outside of the state of Tennessee. UTHSC is responsible for securing the necessary authorizations for any out of state experiences to be completed. Students are to work closely with their respective Directors of Clinical Education to ensure the necessary authorizations are in place prior to finalizing any out-of-state education experiences.
Criminal Background Check
A criminal background check is required after acceptance and prior to enrollment. Upon receipt of an adverse criminal background check, an explanation by the student will be required and a decision will be made by the Chair and Dean as to whether the incident(s) would be a problem for the student when seeking internship placements or licensure to practice. Students should be aware that additional criminal background checks along with drug screens and fingerprinting may be required by clinical sites, certification committees, and state licensure boards. Adverse findings on a criminal background check may lead to a withdrawal of the offer of admission or denial of access to a clinical training site. Students are responsible for these costs.
