Doctor of Audiology

The Doctor of Audiology (AuD) program is a four-year, post-baccalaureate course of study designed to prepare students as clinical audiologists. The program at the University of Northern Colorado emphasizes a clinician-scholar model and is designed to prepare students as independent clinicians, utilizing evidence based-practice along with the latest advances in evaluation and treatment of hearing and balance disorders. The curriculum is based upon a foundation of didactic courses including science and research methods in addition to clinically based classes which allow students to grow as clinicians by providing hands-on experiences. A unique aspect of our program is the opportunity to do some student teaching.  We feel this additional opportunity broadens career choices for our students.

• The Field of Audiology

  Audiology is the science of hearing and the study of auditory and vestibular processes. Students study the development, anatomy, physiology and pathology of the auditory and vestibular systems, as well as the prevention, evaluation, rehabilitation and psychological aspects of hearing and balance disorders. Audiologists work with all age populations, from infants to the elderly, in clinical settings, such as hospitals, schools, clinics, and industry. They measure hearing ability, identify hearing and balance disorders, provide rehabilitative services, provide auditory training, assist in differential diagnosis of sensory and neurological disorders, assess the need for amplification devices such as hearing aids and cochlear implants, and instruct clients in the care of hearing devices. Many audiologists also serve as providers and/or consultants to industry and government on issues related to environmental, noise-induced hearing loss.

• Coursework and Clinical Experiences

  Students in the AuD program learn from both classroom-based instruction, simulation and hands-on experiences. Beginning with introductory coursework in the first semester and gradually progressing to advanced coursework in later semesters, students gain knowledge in the basic and applied sciences, evaluation and diagnosis practices, prevention, and intervention strategies.

  Students are also given many opportunities to put into practice what they have studied in the classroom, with observation and simulation experiences beginning in the first semester. The University of Northern Colorado has a full service Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology clinic which services individuals across the lifespan (infants through geriatrics).  Practical experiences available at the UNC clinic include basic hearing evaluations, school hearing screenings, cognitive screening and auditory processing disorders evaluations, cochlear implant candidacy evaluations, hearing aid selection and fitting, aural rehabilitation, auditory evoked potentials testing, cochlear implant mapping/programming, hearing protector selection, fitting and verification, and vestibular (ENG/VNG) assessments.

  Time spent in academic courses and clinical practicum experiences remains relatively constant for the first two and a half years on the program.  During the spring semester of the third year, students are placed in two full time 8 week internships, one in the schools, and one in a medical setting.  This unique model allows our students to focus completely on clinical practices and hone their skills with a solid foundation of coursework behind them.   In the fourth year, students engage in a full time 9-month externship, with opportunities for students to find sites that match their professional interests.  Some of our students have been accepted to extern at locations with a highly competitive application process. UNC AuD students have completed externships at sites across the country including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin.

  The AuD program curriculum was developed in accordance with the recommendations and guidelines of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education (ACAE) and the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CAPCSD).

• Outlook

  Audiology is ranked at #23 in Best Healthcare Jobs by U.S News. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of audiologists is expected to continue to grow 10% (faster than average) from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all other occupations.  This is not surprising as nearly 100% of our students secure employment before graduation.  Factors such as a significant growth in U.S. population, improved survival rates of premature infants, mandatory newborn hearing screenings, an expanding network of early intervention programs, an aging population, and an increased demand for services from individuals in medical and private practice settings and the high retirement rate of audiologists have all contributed to the rapid changes in the field and unprecedented demand for highly trained professionals to serve individuals with hearing and balance disorders. It is an exciting time to enter the field of audiology.

In-Person Open House The AuD program at the University of Northern Colorado invites you to attend an IN-PERSON open house for prospective applicants on December 11th 2023 from 1-2:30 PM MDT. We will meet our guests in the Communication Sciences and Disorders office area in Gunter Hall 1400. Gunter Hall is located at 1828 10th Avenue, Greeley, CO. Questions? Contact Deanna Meinke

Audiology Virtual Open House The AuD program at the University of Northern Colorado invites you to attend a virtual information session(via Zoom) for prospective applicants at one of the following times: M 10/30 7-8pm MST https://unco.zoom.us/j/93883857343  M 11/27 7-8pm MST https://unco.zoom.us/j/95468804362 M 12/20 10-11am MST https://unco.zoom.us/j/91953927522 Th 1/11/24 5-6pm MST(online - Zoom) https://unco.zoom.us/i/92762613534 We look forward to meeting you and answering any questions you may have about applications, UNC, our Clinic, or how wonderful it is to study in Colorado.

Prospective applicants to the Au.D. Program are encouraged to contact Deanna Meinke, Ph.D. (graduate coordinator) prior to applying to the program to learn more about it.

EXCITING NEWS for Potential Au.D. Applicants: We are in the process of requesting some proposed changes to our current AuD program that will enhance our ability to teach clinical skills and potentially shorten the timeline towards degree completion while maintaining the depth and breadth of the content needed for clinical practice. This change will be beneficial for students both in terms of time and expense. This Draft Curriculum is shared with the understanding that revisions are still underway and pending approval. We are striving for approval by May 2024. Please attend an open house or contact Dr. Meinke if you have any questions.