Nov 23, 2024

2017-2018 University Catalog

2017-2018 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Audiology Track FS17 AuD

Communication Disorders and Sciences: Admission Requirements

Application for admission to the Doctor of Audiology or the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program is through a central application system. Refer to the programs’ web pages for more information. The application deadline for both programs is January 1 for matriculation the following fall.

Doctor of Audiology

At the time of application, individuals should have completed or be in the process of completing the baccalaureate degree at accredited institutions. 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 andat least one course in the physical sciences. Although not required, the following coursework 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) or a 3.5 GPA in major courses. GRE scores (verbal and quantitative) above the 50th percentile are recommended. The department Admissions Committee makes all admissions decisions.

Technical Standards for the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Programs

Rush University is committed to diversity and to attracting and educating students who will make the population of health care professionals representative of the national population.

Our core values - ICARE - Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Excellence 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 and Speech-Language Pathology programs:

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 & data retrieval).
Identify information presented in accessible images from paper, slides, videos with audio description, and transparencies.
Identify information presented in images from paper, slides, videos, and transparencies.
Recognize and assess patient changes in mood, activity, cognition, 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 and Speech-Language Pathology care and perform or assist with procedures and treatments.
Practice in a safe manner and appropriately provide Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology 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 healthcare 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 and Speech-Language Pathology 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.
Integrity, accountability, interest, and motivation are necessary personal qualities.
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 Disability Services to confidentially discuss their accommodations 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. To learn more about accommodations at Rush University please contact:

Marie Ferro-Lusk, MBA, MSW, LSW
Manager, Office of Student Disability Services
Rush University
600 S. Paulina St. AAC 440
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 942-5237
Marie_S_Ferro-Lusk@rush.edu

Communication Disorders and Sciences: Academic Policies

Academic Probation

Academic probation is assigned to a student who earns a semester 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. A documented remediation plan to address probation will be determined by the student and the student’s academic advisor .. A student must earn a semester and cumulative academic GPA of 3.0 or greater at the end of the semester during which the student is on academic probation or be placed again on academic probation. A student who incurs academic probation for the third time 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 approved equivalent. 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 better in a repeated course will result in dismissal from the program. 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 semester academic GPA of less than 2.5 at any point during his or 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 below in a clinical practicum, internship, or externship. Although the clinical contact hours may be used to meet CFCC (ASHA) certification requirements, the student is required to repeat the clinical education course before progressing further in the clinical sequence. A documented remediation plan to address clinical probation will be determined by the student, the student’s academic advisor, and the clinical education manager.. 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

Any student who wishes or needs to interrupt their program must fulfill the following requirements:

Meet with his/her academic advisor and the Program Director to work out a plan of action before leaving the program.

Complete all degree requirements within four years (master’s program) and eight years (doctoral program) of the beginning of the first semester 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 Communications Disorders and Sciences 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 at:

Chair, Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology,

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association,

2200 Research Blvd, #310,

Rockville, MD 20850

(800-498- 2071 or 301-296-5700).

Clinical Education Experiences in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

Clinical training occurs throughout the curriculum, including clinical methods coursework, patient experiences, and alternative clinical experiences. Enrollment in each semester of practicum, internship, or externship is contingent upon satisfactory completion (grade “B” or better) of the previous semester’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 Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology and 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. Thesis students must successfully complete the thesis process in lieu of passing a comprehensive examination.

All master’s degree requirements must be completed within 48 months from the beginning of the first semester in which a full-time student is enrolled in the program. Requirements for the doctoral degree must be completed within eight years of the beginning of the first semester in which a full-time student is enrolled. Students must complete the number of semester 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 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 Rush University 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 online at the department’s Web site. Students are encouraged to participate in the research process, including development of hypotheses, data collection, and presentation or publication of results.

Thesis

The faculty’s commitment to research and the belief that an appreciation of scientific endeavors is critical to the clinical process provide the basis for an optional thesis. Many students in graduate school choose to do a thesis, thereby gaining valuable research experience. A thesis project is databased and may be an original or replication study. Often students present the results of their research at a professional meeting or publish results in a professional journal. The thesis project is optional in the speech-language pathology curriculum, and students are encouraged to consider choosing this option. The complete thesis policy is found in the Student Manual for the Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences.

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, to cultivate professional writing skills, to acquire didactic skills for dissemination of professional information, and to develop organizational and verbal tools needed for professional presentations. Ordinarily, the investigative project includes three options: 1) Evidence-based Practice Systematic Review; 2) Experimental Project; or 3) 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 or for publication.

Service Activities

The faculty provides a full range of diagnostic and therapeutic services to a large clinical population, 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.

Communication Disorders and Sciences: Audiology Curriculum

Audiology students who began their studies in Fall 2014 follow the Track I Curriculum. Audiology students who began their studies in Fall 2015 follow the Track FQ15 Curriculum. Audiology students who began their studies in Fall 2016 follow the FQ16 Curriculum, Students who begin their studies in Fall 2017 follow the FS17 Curriculum