Doctorate of Audiology (Au.D.)

The Au.D. is the entry level degree in clinical audiology and emphasizes both clinical competency development and evidence-based practice. Students in the Au.D. program complete a 4-year curriculum that includes academic coursework, clinical practicum, and a capstone project.

The Au.D. program at the University of Colorado at Boulder (UCB) is offered in collaboration with the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center (UCHSC) in Denver. Students pursue course work and clinical practica at the Boulder and Denver campuses.

 Students take advanced seminars in hearing science, clinical audiology and research methods as well as complete a capstone project.  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. 

Students undertake clinical practica to develop competency across the scope of practice consistent with national clinical certification and/or licensure in audiology.  Students will have the opportunity to complete clinical rotations in several different settings including the Speech Language and Hearing Center at the University of Colorado at Boulder campus, University Hospital Center in Denver, Children’s Hospital in Denver, the Marion Downs Hearing Center, local school districts, and other clinical settings throughout the metro Boulder and Denver area.

Curriculum

Clinical Practicum for the Au.D. Program

Clinical practica are required of all students in the Au.D. Program.  These clinical experiences are:

Clinical experience begins with 8 hours per week in the Speech, Language, and Hearing Center within the SLHS department.  Our Center sees clients of all ages for a range of services, including hearing evaluations, auditory processing evaluations, communication skill building, amplification fitting and service, and custom hearing protection.

After 4 semesters of coursework, students then progress to 16 hours per week at an off-campus clinic site, typically an E.N.T. office, hospital or public school. These sites rotate each semester and allow the student to gain in-depth experience in a wider range of services, including vestibular assessments, electrophysiologic procedures, and cochlear implants.  In addition, a more diverse client population is seen, representing a broader range of disorders, symptomologies, and treatments.

The 4th year of the program consists of a full-time (40 hours per week) externship at up to 3 different off-campus locations across a 52 week period.  Students are supervised by clinically certified and registered or licensed audiologists for all clinical experiences and do a wide variety of diagnostics and rehabilitation across the age span.

Students in the Au.D. program have access to a wide range of clinical sites within Boulder and the Denver-metro area.  Sample clinical practicum sites include:

• University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
• The Children’s Hospital
• public school districts, such as Boulder Valley School District, Jefferson County School District, Denver Public Schools, and Adams Schools
• Rocky Mountain Ear Center
• Denver Health Center
• Boulder Community Hospital.

Admissions

Advising

All Au.D. advising is done by the SLHS Audiology committee.  Students do not need to identify an advisor. 

Visiting the Au.D. Program