Department website: http://medicine.wvu.edu/communications-sciences-and-disorders/audiology-aud/
Degree Offered
- Doctor of Audiology
Nature of the Program
The Doctor of Audiology (AuD) program in Communication Sciences and Disorders uses approaches to pedagogy – the “how” of teaching and learning – that are based on current scholarship in higher education. These pedagogical approaches, influenced by constructivism, vary depending on the content and purpose of individual courses and may include:
- Team-based learning, in which students are strategically placed in small groups that work collectively to apply course content to rigorous structured activities and assignments
- Project-based learning, whereby students demonstrate the acquisition of knowledge and skills by investigating, evaluating, and solving authentic problems faced by clients, the field, or society, with less direction from instructors compared to team-based learning
- Experiential learning, in which a clinical or research experience is an opportunity to learn while the students’ analysis and reflection on the experience is where the learning occurs
- Research-based learning, where students use the latest knowledge and thinking, in dialogue with teaching, research, and clinical faculty, and each other, to engage in guided inquiry, knowledge seeking, and skill development
The purpose of the AuD program is to provide students with the academic and clinical preparation to diagnose and treat the full range of hearing and vestibular disorders in all age groups. It is the goal of the program to prepare audiologists who are competent to work effectively in a wide variety of clinical settings, including hospitals, clinics, special treatment centers, schools, industry, and private practice. The program consists of 98 credit hours of academic coursework and clinical practicum experiences, including a 12-month residency.
Administration
Chair
- Jayne Brandel - PhD, CCC-SLP (University of Kansas)
Associate Professor
Vice Chairs
- Nancy Aarts - PhD, CCC-A (Northwestern University)
Associate Professor and Vice Chair, Audiology
Faculty
Associate Professors
- Nancy Aarts - PhD, CCC-A (Northwestern University)
Vice Chair, Audiology - Jayne Brandel - PhD, CCC-SLP (University of Kansas)
Chair - Ashleigh Callahan - PhD, CCC-A (James Madison University)
- Alex Hollo - PhD, BCBA-D (Vanderbilt University)
- Kimberly Meigh - PhD, CCC-SLP (University of Pittsburgh)
Coordinator of Clinical Services
Assistant Professors
- Molly Abitbol - MS, CCC-SLP (Nova Southeastern University)
- Christa Babjack - MA, CCC-SLP (Western Michigan University)
- Christina Dastolfo-Hromack - MS, CCC-SLP (University of Pittsburgh)
- Heather Forbes - PhD, CCC-SLP, BCBA-D (University of Kansas)
- Anna Gravelin - PhD, CCC-SLP (Bowling Green State University)
- Marleah Herman-Umpleby - MS, CCC-SLP (Pennsylvania State)
- Almara Hutchinson - MA, CCC-SLP (Radford University)
- Megan Israelsen - PhD, CCC-SLP (Utah State University)
- Eric Johnson - PhD, AuD, CCC-A (Ohio State University, University of Utah)
- Kenneth Morse - PhD, AuD, CCC-A (Syracuse University)
- Tracy Toman - MS, CCC-SLP (West Virginia University)
- Leah Valensi - AuD, CCC-A (Syracuse University)
Professors Emeriti
- Mary Ellen Tekieli Koay - PhD
- Norman J. Lass - PhD
- Dennis M. Ruscello - PhD, ASHA Honors
- Kenneth O. St. Louis - PhD
- Charles M. Woodford - PhD
Associate Professors Emeriti
- Leslie Graebe - MS
- Conrad Lundeen - PhD
Teaching Associate Professors Emeriti
- Karen B. Haines - MS
- Gayle B. Neldon - EdD
Assistant Professors Emeriti
- Lynn R. Cartwright - EdD
- Cheryl L. Prichard - EdD
Admissions for 2025-2026
Graduate Admissions Philosophy
We commit to the mission and vision of the Division of Communication Sciences & Disorders by adopting a holistic review process that fosters a diverse and inclusive culture. We welcome students who are reflective critical thinkers and embody curiosity, compassion, collaboration, as well as an openness to feedback.
Admission Requirements
Applicants will be considered for our graduate programs if they have remarkable personal attributes that are predictive of academic and clinical success, high academic achievement, and English proficiency.
- Personal attributes. Applicants are expected to possess remarkable personal characteristics that are necessary for success in graduate study as well as in professional clinical practice:
- a desire for lifelong learning,
- critical thinking ability,
- strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, and
- an openness to receiving constructive feedback.
- Academic achievement. Applicants must have:
- Obtained a baccalaureate degree or equivalent from a properly recognized institution of higher learning prior to starting the program.
- Maintained an overall undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.8 (where ‘A’ = 4.0).
- Completed the prerequisite coursework listed below with a grade of ‘C’ or better.
- At least one course in each of the following CSD content areas:
- Phonetics
- Language Acquisition/Development
- Anatomy & Physiology of Speech and Hearing
- Speech & Hearing Science
- Introduction to Audiology
- At least one course in each related content area listed below:
- Physics or Chemistry
- Social/Behavioral Science
- Statistics
- Biological Science
- For more information on related academic courses, see the ASHA Coursework requirements related to certification standards.
- At least one course in each of the following CSD content areas:
- English proficiency. Applicants who did not complete their bachelor's degree in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, or New Zealand must meet the minimum score requirements for English proficiency. WVU’s minimum score requirements for English proficiency are: Academic IELTS score of 6.5, TOEFL iBT score of 79, PTE Academic score of 53, or Duolingo English Test score of 105.
For specific information about how to apply, including the current application timeline and tests/materials required, please visit the Communication Sciences & Disorders webpage.
Major Code: 8363
Doctor of Audiology
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required | ||
| A minimum grade of B- or higher is required in all graduate coursework | ||
| CSAD 618 | Evidence-Based Practice in Communication Sciences and Disorders | 3 |
| CSAD 664 | Principles of Diagnostics in Communication Sciences and Disorders | 2 |
| CSAD 665 | Culturally Responsive Practices in Communication Sciences and Disorders | 2 |
| CSAD 709 | Practical/Clinical Experience 1 | 1 |
| CSAD 710 | Psychoacoustics and Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| CSAD 711 | Adult Behavioral Assessments | 3 |
| CSAD 713 | Adult Audiologic Rehabilitation | 2 |
| CSAD 714 | Neurophysiological Bases of Hearing | 4 |
| CSAD 715 | Communication Technologies for Adults 1 | 3 |
| CSAD 717 | Ototoxicity, Genetics, & Pharmacology | 1 |
| CSAD 720 | Hearing Loss Prevention and Advocacy | 1 |
| CSAD 721 | Communication Technologies for Adults 2 | 3 |
| CSAD 723 | Developmental Audiology & Pediatric Assessment | 2 |
| CSAD 725 | Electrophysiologic Assessments | 3 |
| CSAD 729 | Practical/Clinical Experience 2 | 1 |
| CSAD 731 | Pediatric Audiologic Habilitation | 3 |
| CSAD 734 | Auditory Processing Disorders & Non-Organic Hearing Loss | 3 |
| CSAD 735 | Tinnitus & Hyperacusis | 1 |
| CSAD 736 | Vestibular Disorders: Assessment | 4 |
| CSAD 737 | Vestibular Disorders: Intervention | 2 |
| CSAD 738 | Approaches to Care in Audiology | 1 |
| CSAD 739 | Practical/Clinical Experience 3 | 2 |
| CSAD 741 | Business Practices & Supervision | 3 |
| CSAD 743 | Hearing Conservation | 2 |
| CSAD 747 | Cochlear Implants | 2 |
| CSAD 748 | Communication Technologies for Children | 2 |
| CSAD 749 | Practical/Clinical Experience 4 | 2 |
| CSAD 759 | Practical/Clinical Experience 5 | 2 |
| CSAD 769 | Practical/Clinical Experience 6 | 3 |
| Final Year Clinical Experience Enrollment | 25 | |
| Final Year Clinical Experience | ||
| Research | 7 | |
| Research | ||
| Take the Praxis Exam in Audiology | ||
| Successful Completion of Four Competency Based Assessments | ||
| Successful Completion of Culminating Project | ||
| Total Hours | 98 | |
Residency Requirements
All students in the Au.D. program must be full-time in residence during the program of study. The minimum duration for graduate study is eleven consecutive semesters (including summer sessions). Part-time students are not eligible for admission to the Au.D. degree program.
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Hours | ||||
| CSAD 665 | 2 | ||||
| CSAD 709 | 1 | ||||
| CSAD 710 | 3 | ||||
| CSAD 738 | 1 | ||||
| Orientation/Campus Immersion | |||||
| 7 | |||||
| Second Year | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
| CSAD 618 | 3 | CSAD 714 | 4 | CSAD 734 | 3 |
| CSAD 664 | 2 | CSAD 717 | 1 | CSAD 735 | 1 |
| CSAD 711 | 3 | CSAD 721 | 3 | CSAD 749 | 2 |
| CSAD 715 | 3 | CSAD 723 | 2 | CSAD 797 | 1 |
| CSAD 729 | 1 | CSAD 725 | 3 | Competency Assessment of Professional Skills #2 | |
| Competency Assessment of Professional Skills #1 | CSAD 739 | 2 | |||
| 12 | 15 | 7 | |||
| Third Year | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
| CSAD 731 | 3 | CSAD 713 | 2 | CSAD 789 | 7 |
| CSAD 736 | 4 | CSAD 737 | 2 | CSAD 797 | 1 |
| CSAD 747 | 2 | CSAD 741 | 3 | ||
| CSAD 748 | 2 | CSAD 743 | 2 | ||
| CSAD 759 | 2 | CSAD 769 | 3 | ||
| CSAD 797 | 1 | CSAD 797 | 2 | ||
| Competency Assessment of Professional Skills #3 | |||||
| 14 | 14 | 8 | |||
| Fourth Year | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | ||
| CSAD 720 | 1 | CSAD 789 | 9 | ||
| CSAD 789 | 9 | CSAD 797 | 1 | ||
| CSAD 797 | 1 | Competency Assessment of Professional Skills #4 | |||
| 11 | 10 | ||||
| Total credit hours: 98 | |||||
Note: Each cohort starts in the Summer Term, therefore, First Semester is a Summer Term.
Major Learning Outcomes
Audiology
This intentional, relevant, and comprehensive curriculum provides future audiologists the knowledge and skills needed to independently practice the full scope of audiology as caring and competent members of the profession.
Graduates of the Au.D. Program should be able to:
- Provide audiology services using evidence-based best practices and professional skills consistent with an entry-level clinician
- Collaborate with clients and families and colleagues and interprofessional team members in order to provide evidence-based individualized services that respect and meet the needs of diverse people
- Advocate for clients and clinical populations related to issues, sites, regions, and legislation using a variety of strategies and methods based upon best professional practice.
Accreditation
The Master of Science (M.S.) in speech-language pathology {residential, distance education} and the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) {residential} at West Virginia University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.