Top 15 Doctorates of Audiology

Assist people who have hearing loss and auditory impairments with an advanced degree in audiology. The following Top 15 Doctorates of Audiology offer the knowledge and experience for you to pursue a satisfying career in 2020.

A Doctorate of Audiology prepares graduates to identify, diagnose, prevent, and treat individuals who are challenged by hearing loss, balance, and communication disorders. Audiologists are health care professionals who work in a wide variety of settings. They may have their own private practice, practice in public and private schools, work for a community, state or federal agency, or in public clinics and hospitals.

As the population of the United States ages, audiologists will be in increasingly high demand. While the field of audiology is relatively new, the programs listed below represent the most advanced breadth of knowledge and research in studying, preventing, and treating hearing disorders. 

All of the programs prepare their students to gain clinical certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, as well as licensure in the state where the degree is offered. To be recommended for certification, students are required to engage in at least one year of full-time clinical experience. This is equivalent to 375 hours of supervised patient care and 2,000 hours of mentoring practice. The programs listed below provide ample opportunities in a variety of settings and locations to fulfill this requirement. While coursework is fulfilled on campus, each program does allow students to pursue their one-year externships in other locations around the country. 

The job outlook for audiologists is extremely positive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that career openings in this field will grow by 21% by the year 2026. This represents the creation of nearly 3,100 new jobs over the next ten years. Approximately 17,800 people will be employed in this profession by 2026. The average income for an audiologist in 2018 was $75,920 a year.

For more information on pursuing audiology as a career, data can be found on the American Board of Audiology’s website, as well as the American Academy of Audiology. If you decide during your research that the field of audiology is the right fit for you, we know you'll find a program that meets your needs in our Top 15 Doctorates of Audiology. 

Ranking the Top 15 Doctorates of Audiology

Each ranking published by Top Master’s in Healthcare requires a lot of research, fact-checking, and interest in the world of higher education and medical industries. The editors of TMHC utilize credible data resources from academic journals, government databases, job recruitment organizations, and, especially, degree alumni reviews. TMHC rankings are scored specifically on degree outcomes, alumni reviews, degree affordability, acceptance rates, MCAT and GRE scores, and degree completion rates.

To be considered for ranking by TMHC, degrees must be accredited by the National Science Foundation and, thus, provide appropriate doctorate certifications within the health care field and have institutional affiliations with scholarly peer-reviewed publications. For more information about how TMHC scores individual medical degrees, please visit our About Us page. 

Popular Online Programs in Audiology

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Here are the Top 15 Doctorates of Audiology

#15. Salus University

Elkins Park, PA

Doctor of Audiology

Website

Salus University's Doctor of Audiology program combines clinical experience, state of the art clinical facilities, and extensive coursework. The program collaborates with the Pennsylvania Ear Institute. Students will spend over 2500 directly with patients over the four-year program. Coursework includes topics in Molecular and Cellular Processes, Pharmacology and Systemic Organ Biology. The program aims to prepare graduates of the program for careers in diagnosing, treating and managing patients who live with hearing and balance issues. Between 2015 and 2018, 100% of all students who entered the program graduated.  Salus University is committed to graduate's success during and after they've completed their education at Salus. The Bennett Career Services Center offers job placement, workshops, networking, and mentoring to current students and alumni. 

To gain entrance to the Doctor of Audiology program at Salus University, applicants should have familiarity with the field of audiology. To demonstrate this familiarity, prospective students in the program should observe a practicing audiologist for at least one full workday. Three letters of recommendation are required materials for the application — it is highly recommended that one of these letters come from a practicing audiologist. GRE scores are also required. Prerequisite courses in the student’s undergraduate work should include at least six months of basic sciences, physics or hearing sciences, social sciences, and English or literature. While not required, additional coursework in audiology, anatomy, chemistry, calculus, and psychology will strengthen the candidate’s application. 

Graduate Tuition: $ 28,950

Score: 85.0

#14. Washington University in St. Louis 

St. Louis, MO

Doctor of Audiology

Website

The Doctor of Audiology at Washington University in St. Louis is a four-year program, with the first three years focused on curriculum and a capstone project. In the fourth year, students will solely focus on clinical training. Coursework will cover topics on the anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing, auditory neuroscience and auditory perception. Second-year coursework becomes more specific and delves into pediatric audiology, vestibular assessment, and pharmacology. Students may elect to focus specifically on pediatric audiology. These students receive a $6,00 grant from the U.S. Department of Education. PAE students must complete several additional service obligations. The department has over 50 clinical externships in the St. Louis area and another 150 sites around the country. 

Applications to the program are accepted only once per year with a deadline of February 15. To apply, prospective students should submit a personal statement, three letters of recommendation, GRE scores, and transcripts from all previous institutions. The program strongly encourages that applicants set up an interview after they have submitted their application. 

Graduate Tuition: $ 53,399

Score: 85.3

#13. University of Florida 

Gainesville, FL

Doctor of Audiology

Website

The University of Florida’s Doctor of Audiology program is a four-year degree preparing its graduates for certification and state licensure in audiology. The program is a total of 110 semester hours and combines 78 hours of coursework and 32 hours of clinical experiences on campus and then an audiology externship. Classes in the program include Anatomy and Physiology of Hearing and Balance, Basic Auditory Sciences and Amplification. As the program continues, students will take more advanced courses in tinnitus, auditory pharmacology, and communication and aging. For students interested in pursuing and Ph.D. in Audiology, the University of Florida offers a dual degree. 

The Au.D. program typically receives between 90 and 120 applications each year. The program limits new student enrollment to 15 students per year. Applicants to the program should complete the CSDCAS application, which will require three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a resume. The University of Florida’s graduate program school requires a separate application where applicants will send their official GRE score report and transcripts from all previous institutions. All materials are due by January 15 for enrollment in the following fall term. 

Graduate Tuition: $ 6,381/ Out-of-State: $28,659

Score: 85.9

#12. University of Memphis

Memphis, TN

Doctor of Audiology

Website

The Doctor of Audiology program at the University of Memphis is a total of 99 credit hours. Eighteen hours will be in basic science coursework, 48 hours will be in the student's selected major, and students will engage in 30 hours of practicum work. Some students may need to take additional coursework in statistics. Initial coursework in the program will cover topics on communicative interaction, acoustic and perceptual phonetics, and anatomy and physiology of the auditory system. As the student progresses in the program, they'll take classes in diagnostic and medical audiology, cochlear implants, and hearing conservation. In their clinical experience, students will work with patients in the Memphis Speech and Hearing Center and clinics throughout Memphis. 

The School of Communication Sciences and Disorders encourages students who do not have a background in audiology to apply to the program. Any missing prerequisite coursework can be taken as part of the AuD program. Applicants to the program complete the CSDCAS application, which requires transcripts, GRE scores, three letters of recommendation, and two personal essays. Applications for the program must be verified as complete by CSDCAS by February 1. 

Graduate Tuition: $ 9,317/ Out-of-State: $21,029

Score: 86.0

#11. University of Louisville 

Louisville, KY

Doctor of Audiology

Website

At the University of Louisville, the Doctor of Audiology program utilizes the patient care setting of the Louisville Medical Center. The program typically takes four years to complete and is a total of 82 credit hours. In their first year, students will take classes on essential techniques in audiometry, acoustics, and electrophysiologic methods in audiology. In their second year of coursework, students will take courses such as audiologic counseling, pathologies, and professional issues in audiology. Clinical practicums and externships may take place at the Novak Center for Children's Health, Norton Children's Hospital, and the ULP Audiology at the Louisville Center for Voice Care. Students also have the opportunity to participate in research. Current projects at the U of L School of Medicine include a qualitative study on adult children of parents with hearing loss, prosody detection thresholds, and the emotional ratings of nonemotional speech. 

The program recommends that students in their undergraduate studies who are interested in studying audiology and becoming an audiologist take specific classes. The life sciences, physical sciences, behavioral sciences, and mathematics are particularly crucial to this field. For those ready to apply to the program, a minimum GPA of 3.0 in undergraduate coursework is required. The program considers undergraduate degree holders in any discipline. GRE test scores, three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and an interview are also required components of the application. 

Graduate Tuition: $ 11,656/Out-of-State: $27,278

Score: 86.4

#10. University of Colorado - Boulder

Boulder, CO

Doctorate of Audiology

Website

The Doctorate of Audiology program at the University of Colorado-Boulder combines clinical practice and laboratory work with academic coursework and a final capstone project. They participate in the faculty's research, delving into projects on assistive technologies, physiological acoustics, diagnostic evaluation, and rehabilitation for people with hearing loss. There are three levels to the clinical experience in the program. In their first year, students will mostly observe at the University of Colorado Hospital's outpatient clinic. For the next six semesters, students will take part in part-time clinical rotations at sites in Boulder such as the Children's Hospital and public school districts. In the last year of the program, students will engage in a full-time, 40 hour per week externship. 

The program reviews applicants to assess their preparedness for the program. Prerequisite coursework in hearing science, speech science, phonetics, and audiological rehabilitation, as well as pre-calculus, will strengthen the applicant's admissions application. A minimum GPA of 3.25, GRE scores, a personal statement, resume, and a Bachelor's degree are required for admission to the program. 

Graduate Tuition: $ 12,532/ Out-of-State: $37,286

Score: 87.4

#9. University of Arizona 

Tucson, AZ

Doctor of Audiology

Website

At the University of Arizona, the Doctor of Audiology is a total of 80 credits and completed in four years. The UA Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences designed the curriculum for students to take coursework in treating hearing and balance problems. The curriculum is also designed to meet the requirements for certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association in Audiology. Coursework in the program will give students a strong foundation in psychophysical acoustics, the anatomy, and physiology of auditory and vestibular systems, pediatric audiology, tinnitus and disorders of hearing and balance. Clinical practicum work will take place at the UA Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic or a variety of clinical sites in and around the Tucson metropolitan area. The program has an active and engaged student body, with a local chapter of the Student Academy of Audiology and the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association. 

For prospective students, the UA strongly recommends foundational coursework but does not require a degree in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. At least one course in the biological sciences, social sciences, physical science, math, and statistics is required. Recommended coursework includes hearing science, principles of audiology, and auditory rehabilitation across the life span. Application materials to the program should consist of GRE test scores, a 3.0 GPA, personal statement, and letters of recommendation. 

Graduate Tuition: $ 12,467/Out-of-State: $36,366

Score: 89.3

#8. University of Cincinnati

Cincinnati, OH

Doctor of Audiology

Website

The Doctor of Audiology program at the University of Cincinnati is a four-year program where students complete a total of 106 credit hours. Coursework in the first year gives students a strong foundation in the neurological basis of communication disorders, diagnostic audiology, and research design. In the second year, students take classes such as pharmacology in audiology practice, vestibular assessment and rehabilitation, and pediatric audiology. The student’s fourth year is spent in an internship. The College of Allied Health Sciences at the University of Cincinnati has over 300 affiliations and sites in which students may complete their practicum work. These include Cincinnati Children’s, the VA, UC Health and TriHealth. 

Competitive applicants to the program will have a strong undergraduate background in communication disorder coursework. UC Cincinnati's College of Allied Health Sciences utilizes the CSDCAS application service. Through this service, applicants will submit an essay, transcripts, GRE scores, and three letters of reference. The application is due December 15. Most applicants will receive a response as to their admission status within six to twelve weeks. 

Graduate Tuition: $ 11,000/Out-of-State: $27,334

Score: 90.5

#7. University of Maryland – College Park

College Park, MD

Doctor of Audiology

Website

The University of Maryland’s Doctor of Audiology program is a 93-credit, four-year program. Students will complete a total of 61 credits of coursework and 32-credits of clinical practice and an internship residency. Classes in the program cover topics such as Instrumentation in Hearing and Speech Sciences, Psychoacoustics, Medical Audiology, and Geriatric Audiology. In addition to classes, students will also complete a capstone research project. The program has the option of a dual degree where students can pursue a Ph.D. in Audiology. Practicum training takes place at the Department of Hearing and Speech Science’s clinic. Externship placement sites are selected based on the student's interests. Both Baltimore and Washington, D.C. offer many opportunities for externships. The department is home to several research projects on assistive technology-rehab for speech, language, and hearing; cognitive neuroscience and communication disorders; and communication and communication disorders across the life span.

Admission to the program is highly competitive. Admission materials should include high GRE scores, an undergraduate GPA of 3.2, letters of intent, and letters of recommendation. Applicants who do not have a degree in the speech and hearing sciences will need to take courses in anatomy and physiology, speech and language development in children, and introduction to audiology. 

Graduate Tuition: $ 10,595 /Out-of-State: $35,216

Score: 91.7

#6. University of Iowa 

Iowa City, IA

Doctor of Audiology

Website

The Doctor of Audiology program at the University of Iowa is a 95-credit program. The Au.D. was designed for those who hold a Bachelor's degree in speech and hearing sciences. Some courses in the program may be waived if the student has taken the equivalent in their undergraduate work. Core coursework will cover topics on hearing loss and audiometry, counseling in communication disorders, hearing aids, and anatomy and physiology of hearing. Clinical rotations will take place in sites such as the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, the Center for Disabilities and Development, and the Veterans Administration Medical Center. Between 2015 and 2018, 95% of Au.D. students completed the program in four years, and 87% were employed. The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders assists students in finding employment via faculty networking, as well as employers who consistently reach out to the University of Iowa for recently graduated audiology students. 

The University of Iowa utilizes the CSDCAS centralized application service. Submission of an essay and letters of recommendation should be submitted via this application. GRE test scores are sent separately to the university via the institutional code. Applications are due January 1 for the following fall term. Students are typically notified of their admission status by March 1. 

Graduate Tuition: $ 9,267 /Out-of-State: $31,233

Score: 93.2

5. University of Arkansas

Little Rock, AK

Doctor of Audiology

Website

At the University of Arkansas, the Doctor of Audiology degree is a total of 118 credit hours. Seventy-two credits will be comprised of classroom coursework, eleven hours of clinical lab work, 13 hours of a practicum, and 16 hours of a clinical externship. In addition, students must pass exams at the end of each academic year, as well as written exams at the end of year one and year two to proceed in the program. Initial coursework will cover topics on basic diagnostic audiology, instrumentation in audiology and speech pathology, and amplification. Graduates of the program are prepared to apply for audiology licensure in Arkansas. They may also apply for certification through the American Language-Hearing Association and the American Board of Audiology. Over the last three years, all students in the program graduated. The program has an active chapter of the Student Academy of Audiology. 

Prerequisite coursework includes phonetics and language acquisition, which can be completed in the first year of the Au.D. program. Required admission materials include three letters of recommendation, GRE scores, as well as a letter describing the applicant's interest in audiology and career goals. The program is competitive, and the admissions committee is looking for applicants who demonstrate academic promise, excellent communication skills, maturity, and leadership. The average number of application to the program is 53. For the Fall of 2018, eleven applicants were accepted into the program. 

Graduate Tuition: $ 9,130 /Out-of-State: $25,168

Score: 93.4

4. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN

Doctor of Audiology

Website

The Doctor of Audiology program at Vanderbilt University is currently ranked #1 in the country by U.S. News and World Report. Vanderbilt prepares its audiology students to prevent, identify, and rehabilitate hearing disorders. Through coursework and clinical education placements, students learn to work with patients in a variety of settings. The program offers its graduates opportunities to work in hearing centers and audiology clinics through the Vanderbilt Medical Center. Coursework in the program will cover topics such as Acoustics, Calibration and Instrumentation, anatomy and physiology of hearing mechanisms, and vestibular sciences. 

The Au.D. program may be a good fit for students from academic backgrounds in biomedical sciences, psychology, and psycholinguistics. The Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences recommends that students take a class in Normal Language Development before enrollment. Applications to the program are due January 15. Required application materials include a personal statement, 3-5 letters of recommendation, GRE test scores, a resume or CV, and transcripts. Admission applications are automatically considered for tuition scholarships — no separate application is needed. 

Graduate Tuition: $ 49,816

Score: 94.3

3. Indiana University

Bloomington, IN

Doctor of Audiology

Website

The Doctor of Audiology program at Indiana University is a three-year program requiring the completion of 90 credits. The curriculum combines coursework with at least 2,000 hours of supervised clinical practicum work. In their first year, students will take classes on middle ear assessment, rehabilitative audiology, and psychoacoustics. Practicum opportunities in the program can be found at Indiana University’s many clinics, as well as the Indiana School for the Deaf. In their third year, students may complete their externship at sites around the country. Over the last three years, 100% of the program’s students have graduated on time, and 100% have been employed in the field within one year of graduating. 

Admission application materials require three letters of recommendation, a 300-500 word statement of purpose, GRE test scores, and transcripts from all previous institutions. A Bachelor’s degree in the biological sciences, behavioral sciences, speech, and hearing, or physics with a minimum GPA of 3.0 is also required. Applications to the program will also be considered for assistant instructorships. Application materials are due January 15, and applicants will find out their admission decision by early March. 

Graduate Tuition: $ 10,681/Out-of-State: $35,456

Score: 94.7

2. University at Buffalo

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