Already have a degree and want to become an Audiologist?
If you already have a degree and are interested in audiology, we have created a tool to help you plan. If you have additional questions please contact our director or advisors.
Leveling Program
We strongly encourage students with undergraduate degrees in fields of study other than Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) to apply for our Doctor of Audiology (AuD) program. There are 6 pre-requisite undergraduate CSD courses (plus two co-requisite labs if taken at the University of Utah) and 4 required allied health classes. While all courses must be completed before beginning the program, you may apply to the program before completing it.
The course names shown below are what they are called at the U. If you have taken or plan to take leveling coursework elsewhere, contact Director of Graduate Studies – Audiology, Dr. Sarah Hargus Ferguson, to confirm course equivalence. U of U course descriptions appear below.
Leveling students are also strongly encouraged to shadow one or more clinical audiologists for one or more full days prior to applying to the program. You can find an audiologist in your area using ASHA ProFind.
Please note that successful completion of the Leveling Program does NOT guarantee acceptance into the AuD Program.
Coursework Requirements
Foundational Coursework Requirements for the Au.D. Program
- CSD 2200 The Physics of Speech and Hearing (3 credits): An introduction to the nature of sound, and acoustic characteristics of speech. (The U has a 1-credit co-requisite lab; this is not required if taken elsewhere).
- CSD 3100 Phonetics (3 credits): The analysis of speech through the application of phonetic theory and the introduction to applied phonetic transcription.
- CSD 3120 Anatomy & Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanisms (3 credits): Anatomical, physiological, and neurological principles fundamental to the understanding of speech production and hearing.
- CSD 4200 Hearing Science (3 credits): Fundamental topics in acoustics and auditory physiology are reviewed to provide a foundation for the study of audiology and hearing research. The first few classes cover basic concepts in mathematics and physics. Several weeks are then dedicated to studying topics in acoustics including simple harmonic motion, simple/complex sounds, time/frequency representations of sound, wave propagation, decibels, and digital sound processing. The remainder of the course covers auditory perception, and the anatomy and physiology of the outer ear, middle ear, inner ear, auditory nerve, auditory brainstem, and auditory cortex. Perceptual abilities to detect, discriminate, and identify sounds are discussed, and applications of hearing science to audio engineering and clinical audiology are covered.
- CSD 4500 Introduction to Audiology (3 credits): Introduction to theory and methods of audiological assessment, including pure tone and speech audiometry, masking, and immittance in children and adults as well as an introduction to physiologic procedures and hearing disorders.
- CSD 5380 Language Development (3 credits): Introduction to the sequence and processes of typical and atypical speech and language development, includes information about core issues surrounding the study of language acquisition and methodologies used to examine children’s linguistics competence.
Allied Health Coursework Requirements
- Biological Sciences (3 credits): At least a 100-level university course taught in a Biology department with a content area related to human or animal sciences: includes biology, human anatomy and physiology, neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, human genetics, and veterinary science.
- Physical Sciences (3 credits): At least a 100-level university course taught in a Physics (recommended) or Chemistry department.
- Statistics (3 credits): At least a 100-level university course that includes descriptive statistics, probability, inferential, correlation, regression, measures of central tendency, t-tests, ANOVA, and hypothesis testing for one and two parameters. May be taken in any department. If you’ve taken statistics more than ten years ago, it is highly recommended you retake it.
- Social/Behavioral Sciences (3 credits): At least a 100-level university course (other than statistics) taught in a Psychology, Sociology, or Anthropology department.
Suggested CSD Leveling Course Sequence (if taken at the U)
Students can begin coursework in the fall or spring semesters. After registration, students must email Leigh Ann Benevides (Leighann.benevides@utah.edu) to be added to the Leveling Program (Undergraduate) Canvas page.
- Please cc Dr Ferguson (sarah.ferguson@hsc.utah.edu).
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
|---|---|
| CSD 2200/CSD 2201: Physics of Speech & Hearing (and lab) | CSD 4200/CSD 4201: Hearing Science (and lab) |
| CSD 3100: Phonetics | CSD 4500: Introduction to Audiology |
| CSD 3120: Anatomy of Speech & Hearing | CSD 5380: Speech & Language Development |
Contact Dr. Ferguson with any questions about the Leveling Program.
Contact Us
Sarah Hargus Ferguson, PhD, CCC-A
Director of Graduate Studies-Audiology
sarah.ferguson@hsc.utah.edu
Leigh Ann Benevides
Graduate Information Coordinator
leighann.benevides@utah.edu
Communication Sciences & Disorders Links