A doctor of audiology (AuD) degree will prepare you for a fulfilling career helping people of all ages deal with issues relating to hearing and balance.
This degree is a four-year residential program that accommodates those entering with a bachelor’s degree. If you already have earned a master’s in audiology, you’re welcome to apply, too.
The program features a broad curriculum in audiology and related sciences, extensive clinical experience, and the necessary background for pursuing the required licensure and certification.
What You Will Learn
Through 100 credits of study, you’ll master knowledge and skills in audiology as well as such related areas as:
- psychology
- electronics
- neuroanatomy
- pharmacology
Your studies will include extensive clinical practicum experiences, capped by a one-year clinical externship.
What It’s Like to Pursue a Doctoral Degree in Audiology at Ball State?
The Ball State University Audiology Clinic strives to be an evolving clinical resource for the people of east central Indiana and is charged with providing the highest level of healthcare within our profession. The clinic offers the following comprehensive audiology services, usually conducted by audiology students under faculty supervision:
Diagnostic Services
- newborn hearing evaluations
- child hearing evaluations
- adult hearing evaluations
- tinnitus evaluations
- auditory processing disorder evaluations
- evaluation of dizziness and balance
- fall risk assessment
Rehabilitative Services
- hearing aid evaluations/fittings
- cochlear implant evaluations/fittings
- ear wax removal
- assistive listing devices: amplified telephones, alerting devices, and classroom amplification (FM/DM systems)
- hearing aid/cochlear implant repairs
- balance rehabilitation program
- swim molds
- hearing protection (for musicians, hunters, or anyone exposed to loud sounds)
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At Ball State, you’ll be part of a student community that is as diverse as it is committed to excellence.
Students in both our undergraduate and graduate programs work alongside one another to achieve their academic and career goals.
Our program has teaching-focused faculty who are experienced professionals in the field of audiology and speech pathology.
Our student-to-teacher ratio is low, and all courses are taught by faculty, not graduate or teaching assistants.
Read Faculty Bios
Students in the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology gain valuable real world, hands-on experience during their time at Ball State.
Our graduates go on to become teachers, clinicians, researchers, managers, and a variety of other critical occupations in the exciting field of health care.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation, students will demonstrate the program learning outcomes listed in the ASHA Audiology Standards: Standard II-A – II-F (knowledge and skills outcomes).
Program Requirements
The doctoral degree requirements also include a variety of pre-audiology preparation, in such core areas as science, mathematics, social science, business, computer science, and communication disorders. You’ll complete a series of required courses and supplement them with 12 to 15 credits of electives.
Our programs are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.
Learn more.
Credits
Total: 100
- academic coursework: 73
- clinical practicum experience: 18
- one-year clinical externship: 9
Courses
- SPAA 562 - Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology of Speech, Language, and Hearing
- SPAA 648 - Hearing Anatomy, Physiology, and Disorders
- SPAA 655 - Diagnostic Audiology
- SPAA 656 - Speech Perception and Hearing Aids
- SPAA 657 - Advanced Diagnostic Audiology
- SPAA 660 - Otoacoustic Emissions
- SPAA 650 - Pediatric Audiology
- SPAA 651 - Auditory Problems and Management in Adults
- SPAA 601 - Introduction to Research in Speech Pathology and Audiology
- SPAA 654 - Evoked Potential Testing
- SPAA 691 - Seminar in Audiology
- SPAA 766 - Hearing Aids 2
- SNLNG 651 - American Sign Language 1
- SPAA 653 - Balance Function and Assessment
- SPAA 658 - Private Practice and Related Professional Issues
- SPAA 661 - Cochlear Implants
- SPAA 663 - Counseling Issues in Audiologic Practice
- SPAA 664 - History and Issues of the Profession of Audiology
- SPAA 652 - Psychoacoustics, Instrumentation, and Calibration
- SPAA 659 - Industrial and Other Audiologic Settings
- SPAA 771 - Clinical Project in Audiology
- SPAA 680: Genetics of Communication Disorders
- SPAA 662 - Pharmacology for Audiologists
- SPAA 793 - Audiology Externship
- SPAA 770 - Grand Rounds in Audiology
- SPAA 749 - Audiology Practicum
- SPAA 692 - Directed Study in SLP and Audiology
For course descriptions, please see our Graduate Catalog.
View Catalog
Required Clinical Observation
Twenty-five observation hours in audiology or speech-language pathology are required prior to seeking certification in audiology. You can obtain sufficient observation hours throughout the academic program, but if you are applying, we encourage you to observe an audiologist as part of the career decision-making process.
Paying for Your Education
A graduate assistantship is an excellent opportunity for students to gain meaningful professional experience while helping cover the cost of your degree. Learn more.
Licensing Requirements
To practice audiology in Indiana and most other states, you must obtain a license and meet certain requirements.
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency
A license from the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency License (IPLA) (formerly the Health Professions Bureau) is required for all speech-language pathologists and audiologists wishing to work in any health care setting in this state.
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Certificate of Clinical Competence
A Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) is awarded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
This certification is a nationally recognized symbol of competency for speech-language pathology and audiology professionals.
This credential provides public assurance that the professional has met rigorous, peer-developed, and reviewed standards endorsed by a national professional body.
Although this certification is not required to practice, professionals are strongly encouraged to hold this certification.
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What Can You Do with a Doctor of Audiology Degree?
Audiologists are specialists in hearing health care who provide diagnostic and rehabilitative services to individuals with hearing and balance problems. Specifically, audiologists specialize in the prevention, detection, assessment, and rehabilitation of hearing and balance disorders.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that demand for speech-language pathologists is much higher than the national average, and 25,900 new jobs are expected to be added between 2016 and 2026.
Job duties may include:
- fitting and dispensing hearing aids
- giving instructions on the use and care of hearing aids
- monitoring and helping prevent noise-induced hearing loss
- participation in industrial hearing conservation programs
- serving as government consultants in areas such as noise abatement
- newborn baby hearing screening programs
Ready to Apply?
Review our admission requirements, dates and deadlines, and instructions. Then complete our online application.
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More Information
If you would like to learn more about this program or about Ball State Graduate School in general, please complete our online form to request more information. Or, if you’d like to speak with someone in our department directly by phone or email, please contact us.