Best Online Doctorate of Audiology Programs of 2023
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- Audiologists help people experiencing hearing and balance disorders.
- An online audiology doctorate can prepare you for a rewarding career helping the client population you care about the most.
- Audiologists make high salaries and are projected to see steady job growth over the next decade.
Audiologists are some of the best gift-givers in the world. They give the most priceless things, like the sound of a dog snoring. A baby's first giggle. Rain on a tin roof.
It's a career, yes — but also a calling, says audiologist Dr. Ruth Reisman. She heard the call for the first time on a New York City subway.
"I sat next to a mother on her way to a cochlear implant evaluation for her one-year-old daughter. She told me all about her fears for her child who was growing up with hearing loss, and how worried she was that the implants wouldn't help," said Dr. Reisman. "It was then that I understood the importance of what this technology can do."
Today, she spends her time treating similar little girls — and countless other patients — who have hearing and balance disorders. "I get to change lives every day," she said.
If that sounds like the kind of career you want, you should think about earning an online doctorate in audiology.
Popular Doctorate of Audiology Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Is a Doctorate in Audiology Worth It?
"I love everything about my job. Audiology is a dynamic field with so many avenues. It is so exciting to see how many tools are available to us as professionals to help the population we serve; hearing implants are a miracle. I'm grateful for my career. The path was challenging but definitely worth it. Anyone considering the field should go for it."
— Dr. Ruth Resiman, Au.D, MBA, CCC-A
"I love the variety of what I do. I spend part of my week doing hearing evaluations for the veteran population. The other part of the week, I write and consult for various publications on hearing healthcare. I'm always learning something."
— Dr. Amy Sarow, Au.D
"This is a healthcare profession where you truly have a deep connection with your patients. To be able to make immediate and life-changing improvements to someone's life is rewarding. There are so many tears of joy that happen in the audiology office! Every day I know I will impact a family's life for the better. Hearing makes life worth living."
— Dr. Alexi Silance, Au.D, DNM
Best Online Doctorate of Audiology Programs
Rankings compiled by the BestColleges Ranking Team
How We Rank Schools
To create our directory list of doctorate in audiology programs, the BestColleges Rankings Team sourced the most recent data available from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Navigator, both of which are hosted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). We identified five schools that qualify for our alphabetical list based on the following criteria:
- Each school must be an accredited public or private nonprofit institution.
- Each school must offer a doctoral degree program in the given subject.
- Each school must submit an annual report to NCES.
Review our Editorial Policy and Standards to learn more about the standards we uphold.
These rankings were compiled by our
BestColleges Ranking Team
and include
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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A T Still University of Health Sciences
Kirksville, MO - 4 years
- Online + Campus
100% Online | Self-Paced Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $136-$217
Out of State |$136-$217
Credits to Graduate
38-57
Program Information
Program Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission
ATSU's doctorate of audiology is customized for working audiology practitioners with two- or three-year plans, depending on your clinical experience.
The 12-18 courses cover neuroscience and neuroimaging, pathologies of the auditory and vestibular systems, and culminating case experiences. ATSU's asynchronous program requires about 12-14 hours of work per week, but you can complete those hours on your schedule.
You need a master's or doctoral degree in audiology to get admitted and a minimum 2.7 GPA.
Salus University
Elkins Park, PA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
100% Online | Self-Paced Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $450
Out of State | $450
Credits to Graduate
45
Program Information
Program Accreditation | Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
Salus offers an online bridge doctorate in audiology program for practicing audiologists that takes two years to complete. Salus' doctorate of audiology curriculum spans medical audiology, auditory processing disorders, and advanced electrophysiology. Keep in mind that you must attend practicum courses in person at the Elkins Park, Pennsylvania campus.
Salus accepts applications on a rolling basis, and new cohorts begin every fall. You need a master's degree or medical degree in audiology, as well as work experience.
What Can You Do With a Doctorate in Audiology?
Audiology is a new and rapidly developing field. Earning an Au.D. will prepare you to find your own niche within it.
"If you're creative and entrepreneurial, there is so much opportunity for exciting job prospects in this field," said Dr. Sarow.
Popular Audiology Jobs:
- Clinical Audiologist: Work directly with patients to evaluate, diagnose, and treat hearing and balance disorders.
- Research Audiologist: Conduct research studies to advance the understanding and treatment of hearing and balance disorders.
- Educational Audiologist: Work in schools or educational institutions to evaluate and treat hearing disorders in students, as well as provide support and accommodations to facilitate learning.
- Cochlear Implant Audiologist: Specialize in the evaluation, programming, and maintenance of cochlear implant devices.
- Industrial Audiologist: Work in occupational health and safety to prevent and manage hearing loss in the workplace.
- Teleaudiologist: Provide remote audiology care to patients who may not have easy access to services.
How Much Will You Make With a Doctorate in Audiology?
Median Annual Wage, Audiologists
$78,950
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS))
How Much Does a Doctorate in Audiology Cost?
According to 2016 data from NCES, tuition for a Ph.D. program costs $16,526 per year on average.
"If you're considering an Au.D. I would highly recommend looking for a graduate assistantship or some other way to offset the cost," advised Dr. Sarow.
While you're at it, check out audiology-specific scholarships and grants, as well. The American Academy of Audiology offers several.
How Long Does a Doctorate in Audiology Take?
Most Au.D. programs take four years to complete, including three years of coursework and a full year of supervised clinical training.
Average Length of Time*
4 years
Required Course Credits*
100-120
*Varies depending on your school/program
"I found the process of getting my doctorate pretty manageable," said Dr. Silance. "When you are passionate about what you're learning, it doesn't seem like work. The most interesting part was conducting tests on myself and other students, which really enhanced our classroom learning."
Everything Else You Need to Know About a Doctorate in Audiology
What is audiology?
Audiology is a branch of healthcare that deals with hearing and balance disorders. Audiologists evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients of all ages, from newborns to adults.
Are audiologists in demand?
Yes, they are. The BLS projects jobs for audiologists to grow by 10% from 2021-2031. This growth rate is much faster than the average growth rate of 5% for all occupations.
Is an audiologist a doctor?
Audiologists with an Au.D. have doctoral degrees in audiology. So, yes, they are doctors in that sense. But they are not physicians.