The AuD is the entry-level degree in clinical audiology that emphasizes both clinical competency development and evidence-based practice. Students in the AuD program complete a four-year curriculum that includes academic coursework, clinical practicum and a capstone project. Students take advanced seminars in hearing science, clinical audiology and research methods.
Students have the opportunity to pursue clinical research in both laboratory and clinical settings, with faculty in a wide range of areas including electrophysiology, psychological acoustics, physiological acoustics, diagnostic evaluation and intervention procedures for newborns through geriatrics, advanced amplification, speech perception in noise, assistive technologies, cochlear implants, vestibular assessment techniques and aural habilitation and rehabilitation of individuals with hearing loss. Furthermore, students undertake clinical practica to develop competency across the scope of practice consistent with national clinical certification and/or licensure in audiology. Successful completion of the AuD at CU Boulder meets the requirements for certification in audiology by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Currently, the AuD meet the educational requirements for licensure as an audiologist in every state.
Students will have the opportunity to complete clinical rotations in several different settings including full use of laboratories and suites in the Department of Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences. Clinical rotations occur at sites such as University of Colorado Hospital (UCH) in Denver and the UCH outpatient Boulder clinic, Children’s Hospital Colorado, local school districts, and other clinical settings throughout the metro Boulder and Denver area. Students complete fourth-year externships in clinical settings both in Colorado as well as across the United States.
Requirements
Prerequisite Coursework
The AuD faculty recommends that students have undergraduate coursework in speech-language-hearing sciences including content knowledge in audiological evaluation and rehabilitation, hearing and speech science, language development, phonetics, and speech and language disorders. A strong foundation in college algebra and pre-calculus is also expected. A college-level course in statistics is required.
Students who matriculate in the AuD program are required to document their background content knowledge and to address any missing competencies. See the department's Doctorate of Audiology webpage for a list of prerequisites and a sample course schedule.
Course Requirements
The AuD program requires a total of 89 credits. Below is a list of sample courses that fulfill this requirement.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SLHS 5576 | Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology of Communication | 3 |
| SLHS 5674 | Signals, Systems, and Calibration in Audiology | 2 |
| SLHS 5918 | Audiology Clinical Practicum: Lab | 1-3 |
| SLHS 5928 | Audiology Clinical Practicum: Level 1 | 1-4 |
| SLHS 5938 | Audiology Clinic Practicum: Level 2 Educational | 1-4 |
| SLHS 5948 | Audiology Clinic Practicum: Level 2 Medical | 1-4 |
| SLHS 6006 | Advanced Hearing Science | 3 |
| SLHS 6544 | Auditory Processes: Adult Assessment | 3 |
| SLHS 6554 | Auditory Processes: Child Assessment | 3 |
| SLHS 6564 | Auditory Processes: Neurodiagnostics | 3 |
| SLHS 6614 | Fundamentals of Amplification | 3 |
| SLHS 6650 | Counseling and Multicultural Issues in SLHS | 3 |
| SLHS 6670 | Aging and Hearing Loss | 3 |
| SLHS 6938 | Audiology Clinic Externship Educational | 1-10 |
| SLHS 6948 | Audiology Clinic Externship: Medical | 1-10 |
| SLHS 7000 | Research Designs in Human Communication Sciences and Disorders | 3 |
| SLHS 7200 | Business, Management and Ethics in Audiology | 3 |
| SLHS 7450 | Audiology Capstone Project | 3 |
| SLHS 7520 | Auditory Processes: Medical and Genetic Bases | 3 |
| SLHS 7530 | Auditory Processes: Theory and Application in the School Environment | 3 |
| SLHS 7540 | Auditory Processes: Physiology, Assessment, and Management of the Vestibular System | 3 |
| SLHS 7550 | Prevention of Hearing Loss from a Public Health Perspective | 3 |
| SLHS 7614 | Implantable Devices: Technology and Clinical Application | 3 |
| SLHS 7640 | Communication Processes and Hearing Loss: Birth through Six | 3 |
| SLHS 7714 | Advanced Topics in Amplification | 3 |
Dual Degree Program
AuD/PhD in Audiology and Speech, Language and Hearing Science
The department offers students the opportunity to pursue an integrated program of study leading to dual doctorate degrees in the fields of audiology and hearing science. The PhD/AuD dual degree program trains students in both clinical research and clinical practice in audiology. Students in the program gain training that will prepare them to become independent scholars, teach in higher education, conduct research, become certified clinical audiologists and gain leadership skills. The dual degree program allows students to pursue both their clinical training and their research training in a rigorous, intensive and streamlined program.