Audiology Degree Programs

School Program Admissions
Emerson College Master's in Speech-Language Pathology
No GRE required, prepares you to pursue certification as an SLP generalist. As few as 20 months to complete. CAA-ASHA accredited.
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New York University Online MS Program in Speech-Language Pathology
Prepares students to pursue SLP licensure. Full-time and part-time plans of study. CAA-ASHA Accredited. No GRE Required.
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In order to become an Audiologist, you will need, at a minimum, a Bachelor's in SLP degree and a Doctorate degree in Audiology (Au.D.). A Bachelor's degree can be completed with a major in a related subject area (Communication Sciences and Disorders) or an unrelated subject area (for example, Business). Some in the field choose to also earn their MSLP Masters in Speech Language Pathology degree.

Students who enroll in Audiology degree programs can complete the required coursework to become an Audiologist. In addition to Audiologists being in high demand, professionals in this field have the opportunity to work in a wide variety of settings. Audiologists can work in private practice, hospitals, schools, and rehabilitation centers.

School Program Admissions
Emerson College Master's in Speech-Language Pathology
✓ ASHA Accredited
Website
New York University Online MS Program in Speech-Language Pathology
✓ CAA-ASHA Accredited
Website
Russell Sage College Online Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
✓ACOT Accredited
Website
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP)
✓ CAA-ASHA Accredited
Website
Our Lady of the Lake University Master of Arts - Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
CACREP Accredited
Website
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Click for more online speech therapy programs that are currently taking applications.

Professionals in the audiology and speech pathology field can work in a extremely wide variety of professional settings. Audiologists can work in private practice, hospitals, specialty clinics, and even rehabilitation centers.

Since hearing is such an important aspect of human life, professionals in this area of expertise may be highly sought after in different treatment areas. Audiology degrees are available at the undergraduate level, but the Masters degree and Doctorate degree are two of the more common programs within audiology.

Are There Online Audiology Degree Programs?

Currently, there are no Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree programs that are available to be completed entirely online for those with a Bachelor's degree only. This is related to the nature of the clinical experience required as part of the Au.D. education.

These online Bachelor's degree programs offer a major in Communication Sciences and Disorders prior to applying for a Doctoral degree program.

Finding the right audiology program for you

Before choosing a degree program in audiology, you should be aware of the practical requirements of audiologists in the field. If you are interested in becoming a practitioner of audiology, the minimum degree level required for licensing and practice is a doctorate.

In today's digital environment, you can find online Doctorate programs in Audiology at universities all over the country. Students can choose from Ph.d. programs that were designed for upcoming research and development specialists or even doctoral programs for those that wish to work one-on-one with clients in the field.

Each of these programs can provide you with thorough information about the structure of the ear and the anatomy of hearing. Both programs may also contain virtual research projects that allow you the opportunity of self-learning and exploration in the field of audiology.

A unique feature about online degree programs in audiology is that these programs can be completed virtually and on your own time. Some students balance these online programs with a full-time job, which can provide optimum financial benefits for those involved.

The structure of the online degree program can allow for students to take full advantage of the flexibility within, such as the ability to log in at different times of day and night, communication methods like class email and discussion boards, and even virtual drop boxes that allow students to turn in assignments with ease.

Online degree programs in audiology can also allow students to create their own time frame for completion based on their unique needs. Students that have the ability to engage in full-time classes could complete their degree in the quickest amount of time, which is generally 3-4 years for the entire doctoral program or 1-2 years after the completion of a related master's program.

What is Audiology?

Audiology is a specific degree field that focuses specifically on the science of hearing. This degree field can be beneficial for upcoming students that have an interest in increasing the overall quality of life for a wide variety of patients, including children at infancy and throughout adults in the geriatric population.

Audiology students may begin with an investigation in hearing biology and the anatomy of the ear. In order to properly comprehend the science of hearing, students should first familiarize themselves with the biological hearing process.

Example Courses Focused within an Audiology Degree

  • Psychoacoustics: Students enrolled in this course can take on a perspective that allows them to view hearing and acoustics from a psychological and cognitive standpoint. The theoretical foundation of sound and hearing may be explored in this course, in order to give students a more balanced perspective of how sound is delivered and absorbed during the hearing process. This course could be beneficial for upcoming practitioners in the field of audiology.
  • Advanced Audiology: This course is geared towards upcoming clinical audiologists. Students taking part in this class can learn more about the history and application of current diagnostic procedures in audiology, as well as received detailed information about administering diagnostic tests in the field. Students may also have the opportunity to practice interpretation skills of each diagnostic test available for use in this position.
  • Auditory Neurophysiology: In order to audiology professionals to fully comprehend the spectrum of hearing in their patients, they should have thorough information about the physiology of the ear and all hearing components. This course explores topics such as an investigation into the function of the cochlea and its pathophysiology, central auditory pathways, and general auditory neurophysiology.

Licensed Audiologist Career Outlook

As a licensed audiologist, you can work with clients that may be experiences difficulty hearing or with communication. These professionals are most commonly found in specialty offices providing services to a broad range of clients with diverse needs.

Upon completion of both a Bachelor's degree and Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree, graduates may choose to practice at a hospital or outpatient Rehabilitation center, both of which typically have a high demand for Audiologists. Some licensees in this field can also branch off into private practice or the school system.

Less common career opportunities for auditory professionals may include working with the military or in medical research. Your desires as a professional can lead you into unique and in-demand career opportunities throughout the life of your working experience.

Licensure and Certification for Audiologists

If you are interested in becoming a licensed audiologist, you should be prepared to engage in a set of expectations that can allow you to enter the workforce as a clinical professional. In most states, you are required to complete a doctoral program in this field before being considered for licensure and certification.

As a standard for licensure, the degree program that you choose must be doctoral level and accredited by the Council for Academic Accreditation (CAA) through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). ASHA is the leading accreditation agency for degree programs focusing on hearing and audiology.

During your doctoral program, you may have the opportunity to engage in field work under the supervision of licensed audiologists. These experiences can count towards your 300 supervised hours that may be required in your state, which can be completed during and after your degree program.

Graduates that have completed this short supervision period can participate in a national licensing exam that consists of topics related to auditory treatment of patients in the field. If you have chosen a specialization for your degree program, such as geriatrics or pediatrics, your exam could include topics related to treatment of these specific groups.

Finishing the steps above can then lead you into a 9 experience requirement that is recommended before becoming fully licensed. During this experience you can provide hands on services to clients in the field under the direction and supervision of a certified supervisor.

Once you have completed the steps above, you can apply for licensure within your state. While certification through the American Board of Audiology can add to your resume as an audiologist, it is not fully required in many states that license audiology professionals.