How to Become an Audiologist: A 5-Step Guide
Able to diagnose and treat hearing and vestibular issues, audiologists have the opportunity to make an enormous difference in the lives of everyone from babies to senior citizens.
Secure a spot in Pacific’s acclaimed audiology program as early as your first year on campus! Guaranteed Graduate Admissions allows students to apply early, taking the stress out of planning for graduate school.
In-demand and skilled at providing empathetic, compassionate care, audiologists tangibly improve the lives of many by treating hearing loss and balance disorders.
For those who want to become audiologists, the prospect of audiology school might be intimidating, given its rigorous coursework and clinical focus on real-world training.
However, completing a doctor of audiology degree (AuD) is less complex than it seems, and audiology students in many programs are supported by compassionate instruction.
Paired with a competitive salary and endless opportunities for life-changing research, a career in audiology is the perfect way to put your passion for helping others into practice.
But how do you get started, and how long does it take to graduate from an accredited audiology program?
Let us show you how to become an audiologist and how you can kickstart your healthcare career as soon as possible.
Step 1. Complete Prerequisite Audiology Coursework
A specific undergraduate degree in healthcare or a related discipline is not required to apply to most graduate audiology programs. However, a completed bachelor's degree is required to begin Pacific's audiology program.
Instead, applicants should prioritize the prerequisite coursework suggested by their prospective programs, which will include a variety of required and recommended courses that prepare students for audiologist schooling.
This means that, regardless of what you choose to study in undergraduate, you can pursue AuD programs and begin a career that greatly improves the quality of life in the lives of others.
That said, it’s recommended that you keep track of your progress in fulfilling prerequisites for your audiology school application:
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Life and physical science. Classes in biology, physics, and chemistry are fundamental in understanding how the body works and how to address and rehab certain disorders.
Training in life and physical science can also lead to better cooperation with other healthcare workers through a broader range of scientific understanding.
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Human development. Because hearing and vestibular issues can occur at any stage of life, audiologists must be knowledgeable about not only how the body develops, but also the mind as well.
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Statistics. Knowing how to make sense of statistical data is paramount in being able to draw conclusions from research both during advanced programs and in your healthcare career.
Pre-audiology pathways — which culminate in a degree adaptable to audiology school applications — fulfill these prerequisites easily, making them a great option for those interested in getting their doctor of audiology degree.
In terms of timing, these courses can be in-progress at the time of submitting your application to audiology school, but must be completed before your first term starts. If you find that you are still missing some required courses, a post-baccalaureate program can help you fill in the gaps.
Pacific offers an online, non-degree speech-language pathology post-baccalaureate program for students to help them prepare for application to graduate programs in speech-language pathology and audiology.
For any questions about prerequisite course, contact your prospective program's admissions counselor and get your questions answered early on in the application process.
Step 2. Prepare Your Audiology School Application
At Pacific, there are no entrance exams required to submit your application to the doctorate in audiology program, and that includes the GRE and MCAT.
As a result, you can spend less time focused on studying for standardized tests, and more time refining your application so that it has the best chance of getting you into an audiology program you’re passionate about.
Audiology schools use more than just academic transcripts to decide whether or not a student is a good fit for their program.
Great emphasis is placed on why an applicant has chosen audiology as a desired profession and why a career in healthcare appeals to them.
This is first established by letters of recommendation from former professors and healthcare professionals who can speak to your passions and dedication to take on the rigors of audiology school.
These letters are supplemented with a personal essay that describes your interest in audiology and why you’ve decided to become an audiologist.
While not required at Pacific, demonstrated experience shadowing or volunteering in a healthcare capacity can also greatly strengthen an audiology school application.
Step 3. Research Audiology Programs and Apply through CSDCAS
Programs offering a doctor of audiology degree generally require similar application materials, so getting everything you need to apply early gives you ample time to find audiology programs that match the impact you want to make.
When researching audiology schools, you should look for:
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Robust clinical placements. Audiology is a hands-on profession where working directly with patients comprises the majority of your time.
Audiology students at Pacific spend all three years of the program honing their skills in real-world settings both in the Portland metro area and around the country, with full-time placements during the final year.
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On-campus resources. Accessible for those just starting audiology school, on-campus clinics can be an invaluable training resource.
Pacific’s EarClinic is a functioning treatment center directly on campus that gives prospective audiologists a space to train under expert supervision.
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Research opportunities. Whether alongside expert faculty or out in the field during your clinical practicum, performing research helps to expand your audiological practice.
Pacific audiology students are required to complete a research or community-based capstone during their program which can give them job experience and publication opportunities.
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Supportive curriculum. Classes that build upon one another to create a holistic audiological practice are key to creating knowledgeable healthcare professionals.
Pacific's unique coursework schedule of two-week classes allows you to learn more, more quickly, so that you can practice your passions with ease.
Once you have all your application materials together, there’s nothing left to do but submit through the Centralized Application Service for Communication Science & Disorders (CSDCAS).
Like the Common App, CSDCAS allows you to apply to multiple audiology schools using just one application. Simply upload what you have and hit submit.
Step 4. Attend Audiology School and Thrive
Once you’ve been admitted to audiology school, the next step — apart from attending class, of course — is to take full advantage of everything your school has to offer.
Audiology schools generally take four years to complete, but Pacific’s accelerated program takes only three years, meaning that you can reap the rewards of your schooling sooner and start your career.
Getting involved in your program’s Student Academy of Audiology (SAA) Chapter is not only a great way to get to know your cohort, but can help introduce you to practicing audiologists in your area.
Audiology programs are generally housed within a college of health professions, and studying alongside prospective optometrists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists and more can help expand your skill set.
Pursuing interdisciplinary opportunities can not only make you a more well-rounded healthcare professional, but provide networking opportunities with local health organizations.
Volunteering, especially early on in the duration of your audiology program, can not only allow you to explore potential locations for clinical practicum later in your degree program, but also help focus your specific interests as an audiologist.
While the AuD degree is often part of a generalist program in hearing and vestibular health, getting involved with the broader health professions community at your school can direct you toward rewarding future specializations in the field.
Step 5. Apply for Audiology Licensure and Start Your Career
You’ve taken all the classes, finished your capstone, and completed hundreds of practicum hours. Now all that’s left is to get licensed and step into a rewarding role in the complex field of audiology.
Taken during the last term of your audiology program, a passing score on the Praxis Examination in Audiology is required to become licensed.
Pacific audiology cohorts have had a 95% pass rate average on the Praxis Exam in recent years, leading to the licensure of over 230 new audiologists.
Continuing education opportunities exist for licensed audiologists through residencies and fellowships, and can turn your passions in everything from vestibular rehab to hearing aid assistance into rewarding specializations.
Students often find jobs prior to graduation, either at one of their practicum sites or through healthcare community networks established during their time in the program.
See what current students have to say about Pacific’s accelerated audiology program and learn why they chose to pursue a career helping others through compassionate healthcare.