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2024-2025 University Catalog
Audiology (AuD)
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 Return to: Degree and Certificate Programs
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Communication Disorders and Sciences: Admission Process
Application for admission to the Doctor of Audiology program is through a central application system. Refer to the program’s webpage for more information. The application deadline is Jan. 1 for matriculation the following fall.
Doctor of Audiology (AuD): Admission Requirements
At the time of application, individuals should have completed or be in the process of completing the baccalaureate degree at an accredited institution. The baccalaureate degree must be completed before commencing work at Rush University. Students entering the program must have transcript credit for at least one college-level math or statistics course, at least one course in the behavioral/social sciences, at least one course in the biological sciences, and at least one course in the physical sciences. Although not required, the following course work is strongly recommended: advanced college-level math, research methods, psychology, and physics. Applicants should check the program webpage for additional information about prerequisites.
Admission is granted for the fall semester of each year. The application file includes a completed application with essay, application fee, three letters of recommendation from individuals acquainted with the applicant’s academic background, official transcripts from all universities attended, and official scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not obtained a college degree from a U.S. institution must submit official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
The generally applied minimum standards for acceptance into the AuD program are a 3.0 undergraduate GPA overall (on a 4.0 scale). The program’s Admissions Committee reviews all applications and makes all admissions decisions. In accordance with the Rush I CARE values (innovation, collaboration, accountability, respect, excellence) and in an effort to support diversity and inclusion in our student body, the Rush Doctor of Audiology Program is taking all required application materials into consideration in the admissions process.
Technical Standards for the Audiology Program
Rush University is committed to diversity and to attracting and educating students who will serve diverse communities locally and nationally.
Our core values-innovation, collaboration, accountability, respect and excellence (I CARE) — translate into our work with all students, including those with disabilities. Rush actively collaborates with students to develop innovative ways to ensure accessibility and creates a respectful, accountable culture through our confidential and specialized disability support. Rush is committed to excellence in accessibility; we encourage students with disabilities to disclose and seek accommodations.
The following technical functions are required of all students enrolled in the Audiology program:
Acquire Information
- Acquire information from demonstrations and experiences in courses such as lecture, group and physical demonstrations
- Acquire information from written documents and computer systems (e.g., literature searches and data retrieval)
- Identify information presented in accessible images from paper, slides, videos with audio description and computer presentations
- Recognize and assess patient changes in mood, activity, cognition, and verbal and non-verbal communication
Use and Interpret
- Use and interpret information from assessment techniques/maneuvers
- Use and interpret information related to physiologic phenomena generated from diagnostic tools
Motor
- Possess psychomotor skills necessary to provide or assist in holistic audiology care and perform or assist with procedures and treatments
- Practice in a safe manner and appropriately provide audiology care and assessment in emergencies and life-support procedures and perform universal precautions against contamination
Communication
- Communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and families
- Communicate effectively with faculty, preceptors and all members of the health care team during practicum and other learning experiences
- Accurately elicit information, including a medical history and other information, to adequately and effectively evaluate a population’s, client’s or patient’s condition
Intellectual Ability
- Measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize data related to diagnosis and treatment of patients and populations
- Exercise proper judgment and complete responsibilities in a timely and accurate manner according to the audiology role
- Synthesize information, problem solve, and think critically to judge the most appropriate theory, assessment or treatment strategy
Behavioral
- Maintain mature, sensitive, effective relationships with clients/patients, families, students, faculty, staff, preceptors and other professionals under all circumstances
- Exercise skills of diplomacy to advocate for patients in need
- Possess emotional stability to function under stress and adapt to rapidly changing environments inherent to the classroom and practice settings
Character
- Demonstrate concern for others
- Demonstrate integrity, accountability, interest and motivation
- Demonstrate intent and desire to follow the Rush University and Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Code of Ethics
The technical standards delineated above must be met with or without accommodation. Students who, after review of the technical standards, determine that they require reasonable accommodation to fully engage in the program should contact the Office of Student Accessibility Services to confidentially discuss their accommodation needs.
Given the clinical nature of our programs, time may be needed to implement the accommodations. Accommodations are never retroactive; therefore, timely requests are essential and encouraged. Contact the Office of Student Accessibility Services to learn more about accommodations at Rush University:
Marie Lusk, MBA, MSW, LSW
Director, Office of Student Accessibility Services
600 S. Paulina St., Suite 901
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 942-5237
marie_lusk@rush.edu
Communication Disorders and Sciences: Academic Policies
The Academic Resources and Policies section of this catalog contains Rush University academic policies.
Academic Probation
Academic probation is assigned to a student who earns a single-term academic grade point average (GPA) between 2.5 and 2.99 (A = 4.0), and/or whose cumulative academic GPA falls between 2.5 and 2.99 at any time. The academic GPA is calculated for all non-clinical coursework. A remediation plan to address probation will be developed by the student’s academic adviser and the student and will be documented in the student’s program file. A student must earn a single-term academic GPA of 3.0 or greater at the end of the semester for which the student is on academic probation and a cumulative academic GPA of 3.0 or greater by the end of the first academic year to continue in the program. A student who incurs a semester academic GPA below 3.0 after being removed from academic probation will be dismissed from the program, even if the cumulative academic GPA is 3.0 or greater.
A student who earns a grade of D or less in a required course must repeat that course or an equivalent course that has been approved by the student’s program and transferred from an outside institution. In a repeated course, the new grade will replace the earlier grade in the cumulative academic GPA. Failure to receive a grade of C or greater in a repeated course will result in dismissal from the program.
A student must receive a grade of C or greater in an approved transfer course in order for it to be accepted as an equivalent for the course for which the student received a grade of D or less. Credit for a transferred course is not included in the calculation of the cumulative academic GPA. The course for which the student earned the grade of D or less will remain on the student’s transcript and will be used to calculate the academic GPA. This may impact the student’s minimum GPA requirement for graduation.
A student who earns a grade of D or less in two or more required courses, regardless of the grade earned in a repeated course and regardless of the cumulative academic GPA, will be dismissed from the program.
A student who earns a single-term academic GPA of less than 2.5 at any point during his/her course of study will be dismissed from the program.
A student who fails to meet the stated criteria for the comprehensive examination will be dismissed from the program.
A cumulative academic GPA of 3.0 or greater is required for graduation.
Clinical Probation
Clinical probation is assigned to a student who earns a grade of C or less in a clinical practicum, internship or externship. Although the clinical contact hours may be used to meet the ASHA Council for Clinical Certification (CFCC) requirements, the student may be required to repeat the clinical education course before progressing further in the clinical sequence.
A remediation plan to address clinical probation will be determined by the student, the student’s academic adviser, and the clinical education manager; this remediation plan will be documented. Failure to achieve a grade of B or higher in any subsequent clinical education course will result in dismissal from the program.
The faculty reserves the right to request the withdrawal of any student whose conduct or performance demonstrates lack of fitness for continuance in a health profession. Any such student not voluntarily withdrawing will be dismissed from the program.
Clinical Progression
In the AuD program, a grade of B or higher is required to pass a clinical course. Students receiving a grade of C or less in any AuD clinical course prior to the final externship semester will be placed on clinical probation and required to repeat and pass the practicum before progressing further in the clinical sequence. Any earned clinical contact hours may be used to meet the ASHA Council for Clinical Certification requirements.
Students receiving a grade of C in their final externship semester will be placed on probation and required to register for one credit of continuing enrollment in the following semester to complete remediation and achieve good standing before graduation. Students receiving a grade of D in their final externship semester will be placed on probation and required to repeat the course. Students receiving an F in the final externship semester will be dismissed from the program.
For students placed on clinical probation at any time during the AuD clinical sequence, a remediation plan to address clinical probation will be determined jointly by the student, the student’s academic adviser, and the clinical education manager; this remediation plan will be documented. Failure to achieve a grade of B or higher in any subsequent clinical education course will result in dismissal from the program.
The faculty reserves the right to request the withdrawal of any student whose conduct or performance demonstrates lack of fitness for continuance in a health profession. Any such student not voluntarily withdrawing will be dismissed from the program.
Interrupted Program
Students who wish or need to interrupt their program must fulfill the following requirements:
- Meet with their academic adviser and the program director to work out a plan of action before leaving the program
- Complete all degree requirements within eight years (doctoral program) of the beginning of the first term in which the full-time student is enrolled in the department
- Follow all appropriate leave of absence/withdrawal procedures and policies as defined by Rush University
Academic Appeal and Grievance
See the CDS Student Manual for the policy on academic appeal and grievance, and for other policies. The department follows procedures outlined in the College of Health Sciences Student Academic Appeal and Grievance Procedures. Students who wish to file a complaint related to compliance with an accreditation standard may contact the Council on Academic Accreditation:
Chair, Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
2200 Research Blvd, Suite 310
Rockville, MD 20850
(800) 498-2071 or (301) 296-5700
Clinical Education Experiences in Audiology
Clinical training occurs throughout the curriculum, including clinical methods course work, patient experiences, and alternative clinical experiences. Enrollment in each term of practicum, internship or externship is contingent upon satisfactory completion (grade of B or better) of the previous term’s clinical education course. Clinical experiences include direct and indirect patient care activities across the scope of practice with diverse populations from all age groups at both on- and off-campus facilities.
Graduation Requirements
The requirements for the Doctor of Audiology degree include a cumulative academic GPA of 3.0 or greater and successful completion of the comprehensive examination. Audiology students also must complete an investigative project. In addition, AuD students are required to pass the PRAXIS prior to receiving their degrees.
Requirements for the doctoral degree must be completed within eight years of the beginning of the first term in which a full-time student is enrolled. Students must complete the number of term hours required by the program. Refer to the Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences Student Manual for additional discussion about graduation and degree progression.
Educational Activities
The Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences provides professional education and training in speech-language pathology and audiology. Its programs are notable in that the education of speech-language pathologists and audiologists is enhanced by the opportunities, resources, and facilities provided by a world-class academic medical center.
In addition to didactic and clinical activities, students and faculty participate in journal clubs, rounds and student-faculty development sessions available within the department, as well as throughout the Rush University medical center. Students and faculty benefit from presentations by distinguished guests who share research and clinical expertise in audiology or speech-language pathology. Special seminars and presentations on various health care topics are available to students throughout the Medical Center.
Faculty members are involved in the education of residents and students in Rush Medical College. Faculty members participate in grand rounds for various medical specialties and provide in-service programs on campus for staff at Rush University Medical Center and at the Johnston R. Bowman Health Center.
Research Activities
Faculty members are involved in interprofessional and translational research in the areas of audiology, hearing science, and speech-language pathology. Projects include cochlear implant processing, working memory and communication, adult speech disorders, dysphagia, neurogenic communication disorders, language and literacy in children, quality of life and hearing aids, aging and hearing loss, language disorders and second language learning, and many other topics related to human communication and swallowing.
Faculty members publish in professional journals and present at international, national, and state meetings. Summaries of faculty research and professional activities are available on the department’s webpage. Students are encouraged to participate in the research process, including development of hypotheses, data collection, and presentation or publication of results.
Investigative Project
Students enrolled in the Doctor of Audiology program complete the investigative project during the third year of the curriculum. The objectives of the investigative project are to synthesize a body of literature related to a specific topic in audiology, cultivate professional writing skills, acquire didactic skills for dissemination of professional information, and develop organizational and verbal tools needed for professional presentations.
Ordinarily, the investigative project includes three options: systematic review, experimental project or professional/clinical project. A complete description of the investigative project is found in the Student Manual for the Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences. Students are expected to submit the completed project for presentation at a state or national professional meeting and/or for publication.
Service Activities
The faculty provides a full range of diagnostic and therapeutic services to a large clinical population that includes both inpatients and outpatients. In addition, faculty and students participate in community and professional activities on the local, national and international level. Students and faculty participate in health fairs, screenings, and other service activities throughout the year. Faculty provide leadership, editorial and committee service to state and national scientific and professional associations.
Audiology (AUD): Curriculum
Program Total: 108 Credit Hours
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