Hearing and Speech Sciences

You are here: /Home / Current Students / Doctoral Program in Clinical Audiology / Handbook

Doctoral Program in Clinical Audiology
Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences
University of Maryland, College Park
in collaboration with
University of Maryland Medical School, Baltimore

Table of Contents

Appendix I: American Board of Audiology Certification Requirements

Appendix II: Outside Placement Sites for HESP Graduate Students in Audiology

Program Overview

The doctoral program in Clinical Audiology is an academically based, clinically oriented program designed primarily to prepare professional Audiologists.  While information pertaining to hearing disorders comprises the central focus of the degree, education about the normal processes of communication, as well as about research design, is considered an integral part of the program.

The primary goal of the program in Audiology is to provide knowledge and promote advanced competencies in the assessment, prevention, and habilitation/rehabilitation of disorders of hearing and vestibular function.  The secondary goal is to provide students with basic competencies in the design of clinically oriented empirical studies of auditory and vestibular function.

The doctoral program comprises two tracks: one track leads to the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree and one track leads to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. The Au.D. track entails a comprehensive educational program with a focus on clinical practicum and coursework that trains individuals to become professional audiologists; the Ph.D. track provides similar clinical training and coursework, in addition to more extensive research training to students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. degree. Both tracks of the Doctoral Program in Clinical Audiology contribute substantially to the academic and clinical practicum requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) granted by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).  The graduate program at the University of Maryland is accredited by ASHA.  The track leading to the Au.D. degree also satisfies academic and clinical practicum requirements for Board Certification in Audiology granted by the American Board of Audiology (ABA).  Complete descriptions of the two tracks, and their respective requirements, can be found on pages under the academic requirements section.

Requirements for the practice of Audiology are presently in a state of transition.  ASHA requirements stipulate that as of January 1, 2007, individuals seeking certification in Audiology will be required to have 75 hours of graduate study in Audiology and related disciplines, a one-year, full-time clinical internship, and demonstration of acquisition of knowledge and mastery of skills in a number of specific substantive areas.  In the year 2012, a doctoral degree, which includes the one-year, full-time clinical experience, will be required by ASHA for the practice of Audiology. Both tracks of the Doctoral Program in Clinical Audiology exceed these requirements. Details of the requirements for ASHA certification are described here.  The American Academy of Audiology (AAA) specifies that an Au.D. is required for Board Certification in Audiology, beginning in the year 2007.  Further details of the American Board of Audiology Certification Program can be found in Appendix I.

The Doctoral Program in Clinical Audiology at the University of Maryland accepts students who hold a Bachelor's degree in Hearing and Speech Sciences, or who come from non-Hearing and Speech backgrounds.  The latter group of students is required to complete appropriate preparatory coursework prior to full participation in the graduate program.  Students are accepted into the post-BA program on a full-time basis.  Beginning in the Fall of 2003, the Doctoral Program in Clinical Audiology will be offered to students who have already earned a Master's degree in Audiology and who have practiced in the field for at least two years.  The Doctoral Program for post-MA students is available on a full-time or part-time basis.

back to top of page

Admission to the Doctoral Program in Clinical Audiology

Increasingly larger numbers of students are interested in pursuing careers in Audiology. Admission to the graduate programs in the Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences is on a very competitive basis. Successful applicants typically demonstrate a minimum GPA of 3.2 from a master's degree program or from a baccalaureate program in hearing and speech sciences or a related discipline, along with strong GRE scores, well-written letters of intent, and strong letters of recommendation. The Admissions Committee evaluates all applications carefully and considers the applicant's whole application, rather than simple scores in any single domain. Additionally, members of the Hearing and Speech Sciences faculty are available to answer questions which applicants might have regarding their potential qualifications for entry into our graduate programs. Potential applicants should call the Department office for further information at (301) 405-4214.

Please note that graduate students are admitted to a specific degree program (i.e., Au.D. in Clinical Audiology, Ph.D. in Hearing and Speech Sciences, M.A. degree in Speech-Language Pathology, etc.) in the Graduate School.  However, all students interested in the Doctoral Program in Clinical Audiology will be admitted by default into the Au.D. track with the understanding that during the second year, students may request to pursue the Ph.D. track.  Students who are interested in a traditional research Ph.D., without any clinical practicum training, should apply directly for admission to the Ph.D. program in Hearing and Speech Sciences.  Students should clearly indicate the degree program [i.e., Doctoral Program in Clinical Audiology (Program Code: CAUD) or traditional  Ph.D. in Hearing and Speech Sciences (Program Code: HESP)] for which they seek admission on the Graduate School application.  Students seeking to switch degree programs and disciplines (e.g., Audiology to Speech-Language Pathology; Speech-Language Pathology to Audiology) must submit a written petition to the Departmental Admissions Committee. This petition will be evaluated against usual departmental standards for admission, the cohort of pending applicants to the semester of intended admission, as well as space availability.  Applicants for program transfer must apply by the Graduate School deadline for application to graduate degree programs. The Departmental Admissions Committee will provide a written response to the applicant in a timely fashion.

Admission to all programs is primarily confined to fall matriculation, although students may enter the program in the summer session to complete undergraduate pre-requisites.  Prospective applicants should note that decisions on fall admissions are made in early March. Students should submit application materials for the fall semester by February 1 for best consideration.

Students pursuing the post-B.A. doctoral program in Clinical Audiology are admitted on a full-time basis only. The time required for completion of the doctoral program in Clinical Audiology for post-B.A. students is usually four years of full-time graduate study for the Au.D. track and five-six years of full-time graduate study for the Ph.D. track. Individuals without a background in the hearing and speech sciences typically require an additional two semesters to complete the degree requirements.

Beginning in Fall, 2003, the doctoral program in Clinical Audiology will be available to practicing audiologists. These applicants must have a graduate degree in audiology with a minimum grade point average of 3.2 in graduate work, and either the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) or a valid state license to practice audiology.  Admissions requirements further include a minimum of two years of recent, full time (32 hours/week) post-master's professional audiology experience preceding the application to the program, and three letters of recommendation supporting these experiences.  Credentials of these students will be evaluated on an individual basis, and requirements for the program will be adjusted accordingly, permitting students to graduate in a much shorter time period.  Students already holding an M.A. degree may enroll in the doctoral program on a part-time basis.

back to top of page

Academic Requirements and Length of Program

The track leading to the Au.D. degree requires 57 credit hours of graduate coursework, 6 credit hours for a doctoral dissertation, 14 credit hours of clinical practicum registration, and 18 credit hours of full-time clinical internship registration, for a total of 95 credit hours. Au.D. students must pass comprehensive examinations and write and defend a doctoral research study or dissertation. The expected time frame for completion of the full-time, post-BA Doctoral Program in Clinical Audiology is 4 years (including summers) for the Au.D. track. For students who enter the doctoral program without a background in the hearing or speech sciences, the expected time frame for completion of the doctoral degree is an additional one to two semesters of full-time enrollment. Professional audiologists (post-M.A.) who enter the Doctoral Program in Clinical Audiology will be evaluated on an individual basis to determine the minimum requirements to complete the course of study for an Au.D. or Ph.D. degree (see post-MA section for further details).  It is anticipated that in most cases, the time period required for completion of the degree is 2 years equivalent full-time study for the Au.D. degree.

The track leading to the Ph.D. degree in Clinical Audiology requires 60 credit hours of graduate coursework, 6 credit hours of pre-candidacy research, 12 credit hours of dissertation research, 12 credit hours of clinical practicum registration, and 18 credit hours of full-time clinical internship registration, for a total of 108 credit hours. Ph.D. students must develop an individual study plan with the approval of a faculty Program Planning Committee (PPC), pass comprehensive examinations, and complete a dissertation and oral defense.  Full-time students are expected to complete the Ph.D. track in approximately 5 - 6 years, including summers.  Professional audiologists who seek this track generally will require 3-4 years equivalent full-time study for the Ph.D. degree.

back to top of page

Registration Requirements

Individual Study Plan

Doctoral Program for post-MA Students

The Doctoral Program in Clinical Audiology for post-BA students is a full-time program; part-time students are not accepted. Graduate education in this discipline requires timely and concurrent registrations in both academic and clinical experiences. Full-time registration is formally defined by the Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences as enrollment for 8-12 credits per semester. In the first two years of study, this will typically consist of three graduate courses and two credits of clinical practicum per semester.  For Au.D. students, the third year registration will typically include two graduate courses and two or three credits of clinical practicum per semester, plus registration in dissertation research; the fourth year registration is primarily for the full-time clinical internship and completion of dissertation research.  For Ph.D. students, Years 3, 4, and 5 include additional coursework, Candidacy and Dissertation research, and the full-time clinical internship.   Full-time commitment and course sequence are critical because graduate courses are offered only once per academic year and course content is closely tied to clinical practicum assignments.  Moreover, full-time enrollment assures timely completion of the program.  Enrollment in clinical practicum places significant time demands on students during the work week.  Clinicians registered for clinical practica should be prepared to devote approximately 20-30 hours per week to the preparation, implementation, and analysis of clinical experiences. 

As noted above, post-MA students who are practicing audiologists may enroll in the Doctoral Program in Clinical Audiology on a part-time basis.  A typical part-time load is two courses per semester. 

All students seeking the Au.D. degree must accumulate a minimum of 95 hours of graduate level academic coursework and clinical practicum.  Students pursuing the Ph.D. degree in Clinical Audiology must successfully complete 108 hours of graduate level academic coursework and clinical practicum.  A minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) is required for all courses taken after matriculation as a graduate student. (See the post-MA section for adjustments in requirements for post-M.A. students).

The University automatically allows transfer of up to six credits (e.g., two courses) of eligible graduate coursework taken before matriculation, or at another institution, into a graduate program. A new Graduate School policy enables departments to exercise discretion in raising this number to 12 credits (four courses). Students wishing to transfer up to 12 credits must petition the HESP faculty for consideration of these additional credits.

Any student who has not taken a course in statistics at the undergraduate level must complete a course in their graduate program, prior to enrolling in graduate-level statistics courses required for the degree. Students should note that courses for which only a portion of the semester was devoted to statistics are not acceptable.  Additionally, students must have completed undergraduate coursework in the areas of life sciences, physical sciences, behavioral sciences, and mathematics beyond college algebra.  Pre-requisite courses in these areas must be completed for an applicant to be eligible for ASHA certification.  

Graduate school regulations specify that students must be enrolled for at least one credit, regardless of credits already accumulated, in the semester of graduation. Students may wish to consider this when enrolling in variable credit assignments (e.g., dissertation research) over more than one semester.

back to top of page

Individual Study Plan

Each student in the Clinical Audiology doctoral program will develop an Individual Study Plan with his/her graduate advisor during the first year of the program, and this will be reviewed annually.   The Study Plan for post-B.A. students pursuing the Au.D. track will include required and elective courses, potential sites for clinical internships, comprehensive exam areas, and the dissertation research project.  The Study Plan for post-M.A. students will be limited to required courses that have not been taken previously, elective courses, comprehensive exam areas, a research project/dissertation plan, and potential clinical rotations if they are deemed necessary.

For a student pursuing the Ph.D. track, the individual study plan similarly will be developed by the student in consultation with the advisor.  This plan must be approved annually by a Program Planning Committee (PPC) composed of the advisor and at least two additional members of the Department's faculty who are members of the Graduate Faculty of the University of Maryland.  The Study Plan for Ph.D. students will include required courses, elective courses, potential sites for a research internship, potential sites for clinical internships, comprehensive exam areas, and the Dissertation Plan.

Doctoral Program for post-MA students

Each student who has already earned an M.A. in Audiology will furnish a transcript of previous graduate coursework completed successfully, as well as a documented description of clinical experience.  An individual study plan will be developed by the academic advisor in consultation with the student with the goal of providing new coursework in core and elective areas.  It is generally expected that a minimum of 30 credits will be taken in the core and elective areas combined, comprehensive examinations will be completed, and a minimum of 6 credits will be taken for the dissertation, for satisfactory completion of the Au.D. degree.  Clinical practicum registrations will be available in advanced diagnostic and rehabilitative techniques.  A professional student who selects the Ph.D. track will similarly develop an individual study plan with their academic advisor, in consultation with the PPC, and will take coursework and research registrations commensurate with that degree.

back to top of page

Detailed Curricula for the Doctoral Program in Clinical Audiology

The following sections provide the curricular options for students pursuing the Au.D. degree and the Ph.D. degree in Audiology. These curricula do not reflect additional coursework that may be necessary to meet ASHA certification requirements for students coming to the graduate program from non-HESP backgrounds.

Au.D. Curriculum for Audiology Students
Undergraduate Preparatory Courses (12 credits)
HESP 311 Anatomy and Physiology of the Auditory System (3) undergraduate pre-req.
HESP 300 Psycholinguistics (3) undergraduate pre-req.
HESP 407 Bases of Hearing Science (3) undergraduate pre-req.
HESP 400 Speech and Language Development in Children (3) undergraduate pre-req.

Core Courses
a. Basic Science (9 credits)
HESP 600 Instrumentation (3) OR
HESP 604 Acoustic and Perceptual Phonetics (3)
HESP 724 Research Design (3)
HESP 722 Experimental Audiology (Psychoacoustics) (3)
 
b. Audiology (39 credits)
HESP 606 Basic Hearing Measurement (3)
HESP 700 Hearing Aids I (3)
HESP 701 Hearing Aids II (3)
HESP 645 Pediatric Audiology (3)
HESP 635 Rehabilitative Audiology (3)
HESP 630 Electrophysiologic Measurements I (3)
HESP 730 Vestibular-ocular Function and Assessment (Electrophys. Meas. II) (3)
HESP 632 Medical Audiology (3)
HESP 706 Advanced Clinical Audiology (3)
HESP 636 Geriatric Audiology (3)
HESP 710 Industrial and Environmental Noise (3)
HESP 646 Educational Audiology (3)
HESP 647A Ethics and Professional Issues in Clinical Audiology (2)
HESP 647B Supervision (1)
 
c. Additional Course Requirements (3 credits)
EDMS 645 Quantitative Research Methods I (3)
 
Electives (6 credits)
 
Dissertation Research (6 credits)
HESP 899 Doctoral Dissertation Research (6)

back to top of page

Ph.D. Curriculum for Audiology Students
Undergraduate Preparatory Courses (12 credits)
HESP 311 Anatomy and Physiology of the Auditory System (3) undergraduate pre-req.
HESP 300 Psycholinguistics (3) undergraduate pre-req.
HESP 407 Bases of Hearing Science (3) undergraduate pre-req.
HESP 400 Speech and Language Development in Children (3) undergraduate pre-req.

Core Courses
a. Basic Science (9 credits)
HESP 600 Instrumentation (3) OR
HESP 604 Acoustic and Perceptual Phonetics (3)
HESP 724 Research Design (3)
HESP 722 Experimental Audiology (Psychoacoustics) (3)
 
b. Audiology (36 credits)
HESP 606 Basic Hearing Measurement (3)
HESP 700 Hearing Aids I (3)
HESP 701 Hearing Aids II (3)
HESP 645 Pediatric Audiology (3)
HESP 635 Rehabilitative Audiology (3)
HESP 630 Electrophysiologic Measurements I (3)
HESP 730 Vestibular-ocular Function and Assessment (Electrophys. Meas. II) (3)
HESP 632 Medical Audiology (3)
HESP 706 Advanced Clinical Audiology (3)
HESP 636 Geriatric Audiology (3)
HESP 710 Industrial and Environmental Noise (3)
HESP 647B Supervision (1)
ZOOL 600 Scientific Ethics (2)
 
c. Additional Course Requirements (6 credits)
EDMS 645 Quantitative Research Methods I (3)
EDMS 646 Quantitative Research Methods II (3)
 
Electives (9 credits)
 
Pre-Dissertation and Dissertation Research (18 credits)
HESP 889 Doctoral Candidacy Research (6)
HESP 899 Doctoral Dissertation Research (12)

back to top of page

Coursework Requirements for Clinical Certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

In order to meet requirements for ASHA's Certificate of Clinical Competence (C.C.C.) in  Audiology, students must earn at least 75 semester credit hours of graduate work culminating in a doctoral or other recognized graduate degree. The course of study must address the knowledge and skills pertinent to the field of audiology. This transitional standard is in effect from January 1, 2007 through January 1, 2012, at which time applicants for certification must have a doctoral degree.

Applicants for certification must complete a program of graduate study (a minimum of 75 semester credit hours) that includes academic coursework and a minimum of 12 months' full-time equivalent of supervised clinical practicum sufficient in depth and breadth to achieve the knowledge and skills outcomes stipulated in the standard.  

Although specific coursework is not detailed in the standard, applicants for certification must have acquired knowledge and developed skills in four areas: foundations of practice, prevention and identification, evaluation, and treatment.  In addition, applicants must have prerequisite skills in oral and written or other forms of communication, as well as prerequisite skills and knowledge of life sciences, physical sciences, behavioral sciences, and mathematics.   Evidence of successful completion of the required knowledge and skills is through formative and summative assessments.  Each student will be required to maintain a portfolio of the formative and summative assessments conducted as part of coursework, clinical practicum, and the comprehensive examination process.  Further, it is crucial that students meet with advisors to assure that their curriculum plan will satisfy ASHA requirements for certification. 

Specific requirements for certification in Audiology may be found in the ASHA Membership Directory and the ASHA Certification handbook, which may be obtained from the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association, 10801 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD  20852 [(301) 897-5700]. The requirements are also posted on ASHA's website. A copy of the ASHA certification requirements is always included in the orientation packet and should be retained for future reference.

The American Board of Audiology (ABA) does not detail any specific coursework required for certification by ABA.  Please see Appendix I for further details of ABA certification.

back to top of page

Clinical Practicum

Enrollment

Departmental Policy

In order to be recommended to the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association for Clinical Certification in Audiology, and to comply with standards effective for applications made to the Association after January 1, 2007, a student must accumulate the equivalent of 12 months full-time clinical practicum. (Note that ABA certification does not detail specific clinical practicum requirements for ABA certification.) Practicum enrollment is concurrent with coursework registration and carries additional registration charges.

Students engage in practicum throughout their first three years to ensure breadth of clinical experience.  First and second year students complete their practicum training on campus at the Department's Speech and Hearing Clinic, under the supervision of program faculty.  Beginning with the second semester, second year, students will continue the training in at least two external placements throughout the Greater Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD areas. Externships are chosen to match program goals and student interest.  The clinical internship is the final clinical requirement necessary for the student's training.  The doctoral program in Clinical Audiology will make every effort to ensure that students obtain internships consistent with the goals of the training program.  The internship usually occurs during the fourth year for students in the Au.D. track and can occur during the fourth or fifth year for students in the Ph.D. track.

Clinical Practicum Enrollment

Students interested in obtaining certification/licensure shall participate in clinical practicum during all or most semesters of their graduate training, until the clinical skills and the minimum amount of clinical experience required for the ASHA C.C.C. have been obtained.  Prior to enrolling in clinical practicum, all students will be required to complete the undergraduate pre-requisite, HESP 417 (Principles and Methods/Observation in Audiology).  Initially, all students perform evaluation and treatment activities at the University of Maryland Speech and Hearing Clinic.  Registration in HESP 649A (Clinical Practice in Audiology:  Diagnostic Procedures) is for two credit hours per semester. Registration in HESP 649B (Clinical Practice in Audiology: Aural Rehabilitation) is for one credit hour.

Students who have (1) demonstrated adequate skills in the University of Maryland Clinic, (2) obtained a satisfactory number of hours of clinical experience in HESP 649, and (3) satisfactorily completed appropriate coursework may apply for outside placement (HESP  729) in one of the hospital/clinic/school facilities in the Washington, D.C. or Baltimore metropolitan areas.  These placements, which usually do not occur until the second or third year of graduate study, must be arranged and approved by the HESP faculty.  Registration for HESP 729 (Advanced Clinical Practice in Audiology) is always for two credit hours. A listing of current outside placement opportunities for HESP students is provided in Appendix II. This list should be considered representative of student opportunities, but is subject to change.

 Students in the fourth year of the program will participate in a full-time clinical internship. Registration for the clinical internship is HESP 829 (Clinical Internship Residency), which is for 9 credit hours/semester over the course of two semesters.  The Clinical Internship Residency typically will be arranged by HESP faculty.  The residency experience must receive prior approval by the HESP faculty and may take place in the Baltimore-Washington region or at a remote site.

Departmental Policy pertaining to Clinical Practicum Enrollments

Departmental permission is required for registration in clinical practicum and is granted only to matriculated students. Students must possess the communicative competencies requisite to satisfactory conduct of usual clinical procedures. Further, as the client population served by this program is predominantly English-speaking, participants in any clinical practicum must be fluent, intelligible speakers of English.

All students enrolled in clinical practicum are expected to abide by the ASHA Code of Ethics, the ABA Code of Ethics, and the AAA Code of Ethics, provided to each student upon admission to graduate study. Violations of the Code of Ethics may result in permanent dismissal from practicum placement opportunities and may additionally subject the student to dismissal from the academic degree program.

Clinical practicum students are expected to maintain professional dress and demeanor. Unprofessional conduct, or any conduct which compromises the quality of care to clinic patients, may result in dismissal from clinical practicum placements.

All clinical practicum students receiving grades of "C" or less will be reviewed by the faculty to determine eligibility for future practicum placement.

A student may not go on outside placement if he/she is on academic probation (GPA below 3.0). Students will receive credit for hours earned in clinic registrations which receive a grade of C or better; no hours will be credited for clinic registrations which receive a grade of less than C.

A student must complete a minimum of 30 hours of academic coursework prior to applying for outside placement. Students who receive a grade of C or less for an outside placement, or whose outside placements are terminated, must re-register for placement in the University of Maryland Speech and Hearing Clinic (through HESP 649A) and earn a final grade of B or better during the following semester before being permitted to re-register for outside placement.

back to top of page

Research and Comprehensive Examination Requirements

Au.D. Students

Ph.D. Students

Au.D. Students

Comprehensive Examinations.  University regulations state that all doctoral candidates are required to pass comprehensive examinations.  The comprehensive examinations will usually be taken during the third year of study for full-time, post-B.A. students.  The timing and sequence of comprehensive examinations for professional, post-M.A. students will be determined on an individual basis.  In all cases, comprehensive examinations must be taken within five years of admission to the program and at least 6 months prior to completion of the doctoral degree to meet Graduate School requirements. Students who pass the comprehensive examinations are admitted to doctoral candidacy.

Specific examination questions will be prepared by the program faculty and coordinated by the student's advisor. The content areas of the comprehensive examinations for Au.D. students will emphasize audiologic assessment and habilitation, but will also include fundamentals of auditory neuroscience and research methodology. Students are encouraged to contact program faculty for guidance in preparing for the comprehensive examinations.  A student may take this exam no more than twice, with at least three months between examinations.

Please note that comprehensive examinations are administered in the College Computer Laboratory. Students are expected to type responses to comprehensive examination questions using their choice of any of the word processing packages on the BSOS network. Students may wish to familiarize themselves with the Open Labs in Lefrak Hall prior to their comprehensive testing date.

Dissertation. Successful completion of a doctoral dissertation (research study) is a requirement for earning a doctoral degree at the University of Maryland at College Park.  Students who select the Au.D. track will be required to register for a minimum of six dissertation credits. Some of these credits may be taken before the student is formally admitted to candidacy. The dissertation research is expected to be an original, hypothesis-driven project of a theoretical, professional, or empirical nature. The dissertation project of Au.D. students is generally expected to be clinically oriented. Students will be required to obtain approval from the Department Human Subjects Review Committee (HSR) and the University Institutional Review Board for Human Research (IRB) at UMCP prior to initiating data collection with human subjects.  The dissertation will be prepared in accordance with the requirements outlined in the University's Style and Policy Manual for Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations and should be consistent with style requirements detailed in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.  The student will defend the dissertation to a Dissertation Examining Committee appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School and consistent with established policies at UMCP.  This committee will consist of at least three members of the graduate faculty of the Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences and one representative of the Graduate School.

back to top of page

Ph.D. Students

Candidacy Research. The Candidacy Paper research project is required for students in the Ph.D. track and is designed to enhance students' research skills and productivity at a relatively early stage of their doctoral program.  Students register for 6 credits of Doctoral Candidacy Research (HESP 889).  The candidacy research may consist of directed research on a project managed by a faculty member in the program, directed research by qualified auditory researchers at UMCP, UMB, or NIH, or an independent research project under faculty supervision.  The Candidacy Paper research will be submitted for presentation at a national, state, or regional conference. Students in the Ph.D. track will be encouraged to complete a scholarly article to be submitted for publication or a grant proposal, based on this research. The Candidacy Paper research must be approved by the student's Program Planning Committee. The Candidacy Paper research must be completed before the student is admitted to candidacy.

Comprehensive Examination.  Each doctoral student must pass a comprehensive qualifying examination. Students will normally take the exam during their third year.  Students passing the examination are admitted to candidacy for the doctorate, as long as all other requirements for doctoral candidacy are met.  As stipulated by the graduate school, a student must be admitted to candidacy for the doctorate within five years after admission to the doctoral program and at least six months before the date on which the degree will be conferred.

The exam will be prepared by the Program Planning Committee and will cover the majority of the required coursework on auditory neuroscience, audiologic assessment, audiologic habilitation, research methodology, and the student's elective area.  Students are encouraged to contact program faculty for guidance in preparing for the comprehensive examinations.  A student may take this exam no more than twice, with at least three months between examinations.

Dissertation.  Twelve credits of doctoral dissertation research (HESP 899) will be required of all students in the Ph.D. track. The dissertation will be prepared in accordance with the requirements outlined in the University's Style and Policy Manual for Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations.  Style requirements should also be consistent with the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.  Students must present a formal proposal to the Dissertation Committee for approval before work begins on the dissertation. This committee will consist of at least three members of the graduate faculty of the Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, one representative of the Graduate School, and one representative of the Division of Otolaryngology UMB. Other members will be determined by the student in conjunction with the dissertation advisor. The proposal must be submitted to members of the Dissertation Committee at least two weeks prior to a defense of the proposal.  The dissertation committee will meet with the student for an oral defense of the proposal.

After the oral proposal defense, the student will collect empirical data, analyze the data with appropriate statistics, write the dissertation, and orally defend the dissertation.  Students will be required to obtain approval from the Department Human Subjects Review Committee (HSR) and the University Institutional Review Board for Human Research (IRB) at UMCP prior to initiating data collection with human subjects. If data are collected at UMB or if study participants are obtained from UMB, the student must also obtain approval from the UMB IRB.  In accordance with Graduate School requirements, the student must complete the doctoral program within nine years of beginning the program, or within five years after being advanced to candidacy.

back to top of page

University Deadlines for Final Semester of Enrollment

The University has strict deadlines, which must be followed to ensure timely graduation. University paperwork that must be completed and filed in order for a student to graduate consist of the following forms:
  1. Diploma Application: due the second week of the semester during which graduation is expected
  2. Approved Program Form: due six weeks after the beginning of the semester during which graduation is expected
  3. Nomination of Dissertation Committee Form: due six weeks after the beginning of the semester during which graduation is expected
  4. Report of the Oral Examining Committee (for dissertations): due three weeks before the end of the semester during which graduation is expected
Specific dates for University paperwork deadlines are published each semester in the Schedule of Classes and can be viewed here.

Failure to meet University deadlines will typically result in delay of graduation for one full semester. During that semester, the student will be required to enroll for a minimum of one credit of registration.

PLEASE MEET ALL DEADLINES!

Students are responsible for delivering paperwork to the required campus offices. The department cannot deliver materials for students.

Reminder: Graduate school regulations require all students to carry at least one credit of enrollment during the semester in which graduation in anticipated, regardless of the number of credits already accumulated. Please plan accordingly. Failure to be enrolled for at least one credit during the semester of graduation may prevent timely receipt of your diploma.

back to top of page

Academic Integrity

"The University of Maryland is an academic community dedicated to teaching, learning and research. Like other communities, the University can function properly only if its members share an expectation of intellectual honesty. ...By enrolling at the University of Maryland, students acknowledge their obligation to adhere to the Code of Academic Integrity. As members of the University community, students are responsible for promoting academic integrity. This includes the responsibilities to report cases of academic dishonesty to the Student Honor Council and to cooperate with faculty and the Council in resolving such cases.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to: cheating (including use of unauthorized materials or study aids in any academic exercise), fabrication, and plagiarism. The Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences considers charges of academic dishonesty very seriously. Violations of the Code of Academic Integrity may result in expulsion of the student from the graduate program." (the Graduate Catalog, page 16)

back to top of page

Course Descriptions: Required and Elective Courses in the Doctoral Program in Clinical Audiology

Courses offered in the Department of Hearing & Speech Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park

HESP 300  Introduction to Psycholinguistics (3).  Prerequisite: HESP 202.  An introduction to current theories of language and an investigation of their relationship to human communication behavior.  Survey of the experimental literature relating to this question.

HESP 311  Anatomy, Pathology and Physiology of the Auditory System (3).  Prerequisite: HESP 202.  Gross anatomy of the ear and pathways for transmission of sound energy through the peripheral and central auditory system.  Causes, development and effects of pathological conditions contributing to temporary or chronic hearing impairments.

HESP 400  Speech and Language Development in Children (3).  Prerequisite: HESP 300.  Analysis of the normal processes of speech and language development in children.

HESP 403  Introduction to Phonetic Science (3).  Prerequisite: HESP 305.  An introduction to physiological, acoustic and perceptual phonetics:  broad and narrow phonetic transcription; current models of speech production and perception.

HESP 407  Bases of Hearing Science (3).  Prerequisite: HESP 311.  Fundamentals of hearing, including the physics of sound,  psychophysical procedures used in measurement of auditory sensation and perception, and topics in psychological acoustics.

HESP 411  Introduction to Audiology (3).  Prerequisite: HESP 311.  An introduction to the field of audiology.  Evaluation and remediation of hearing handicaps.

HESP 417  Principles and Methods in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (3).  Prerequisite: HESP 402, HESP 411. The principles underlying the treatment of speech, language and hearing disorders in children and adults; supervised observation of clinical activities.

HESP 418  Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (3).  Prerequisite: HESP 417.  Repeatable to 6 credits.  Supervised observation with some direct participation in clinical methods for the treatment of disorders of articulation, fluency, child and adult language; evaluation and habilitation/ rehabilitation of hearing impaired children and adults.

HESP 420 Deafness and Sign Language (3) (previously 498a).  Introduction to ASL and deaf culture.

HESP 498  Seminar (3).  Prerequisite: permission of department.  Repeatable to 6 credits if content differs.  Selected topics pertaining to human communication and its disorders.

HESP 499  Independent Study (1-3).  Prerequisite: permission of department.  Repeatable to 6 credits if content differs.  A directed study of selected topics pertaining to human communication and its disorders.

HESP 600  Instrumentation in Hearing and Speech Sciences (3).  Prerequisite: permission of department.  Types and principles of operation of electronic equipment used in the hearing and speech sciences.

HESP 602  Neurological Bases of Human Communication (3).  Prerequisite: permission of department.  Basic neurology as it pertains to anatomical and physiological substrates of speech and language.

HESP 604  Acoustical and Perceptual Phonetics (3).  Prerequisite: permission of department.  Principles and current laboratory techniques in analysis of the acoustical characteristics of the speech signal and discussion of models of speech perception.

HESP 606  Basic Hearing Measurements (3).  Prerequisite: HESP 411 or equivalent.  Theoretical principles, methodology, and interpretation of routine audiometric tests, including pure tone, speech and acoustic immittance measures.  Modification of procedures for special populations.  Equipment calibration and mass hearing screening programs.

HESP 610  Aphasia (3).  Language problems of adults associated with brain injury.

HESP 616  Language Disorders in Children (3).  Prerequisite: HESP 400 or equivalent or permission of department.  Theoretical, empirical and clinical perspectives on language disorders in children.

HESP 620  Phonological and Articulatory Disorders (3).  Assessment and treatment of disorders at the phonological and articulatory levels of language and speech.

HESP 630  Electrophysiological Measurements (3).  Prerequisite: HESP 606 or permission of department.  Principles and techniques of physiological and electrophysiological measures of the audio-vestibular mechanisms.

HESP 632  Medical Audiology (3). Overview of auditory pathologies, and their assessment and management in the medical setting.

HESP 635  Aural Rehabilitation/Habilitation (3).  Principles, methods and procedures for aural rehabilitation/habilitation in children and adults.

HESP 636  Geriatric Audiology (3).  Physical effects of aging on the auditory periphery and central nervous system, as well as the consequences of aging on behavioral and electrophysiologic measures of auditory function.

HESP 639  Special Topics in Hearing and Speech Sciences (1-3).  Prerequisite: permission of department.  Repeatable to 6 credits if content differs.  Intensive coverage of selected topics of current interest.

HESP 645  Pediatric Audiology (3).  Prerequisite: HESP 606 or permission of department.  Evaluation and treatment of hearing-impaired children.

HESP 646  Educational Audiology (3).  Examination of historical and current trends influencing educational programming for hearing-impaired children, communication options for severely and profound hearing-impaired children, and the role of the audiologist in the educational setting.

HESP 647A.  Ethical and Professional Issues in Clinical Audiology (2). A systematic review of ethical and legal issues governing the practice of clinical audiology.

HESP 647B.  Seminar in Supervision (1). Theoretical viewpoints on the supervisory process, with emphasis on effective communication skills and consideration of adult patterns of learning behavior.

HESP 649A and B.  Clinical Practice in Audiology (1-3).  Prerequisite: permission of instructor.  Repeatable to 15 credits.  Supervised training in the application of clinical methods in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing disorders.

HESP 700  Hearing Aids I (3).  Principles, methods and procedures for selection, fitting, calibration and management of amplification systems for hearing-impaired adults.

HESP 701  Hearing Aids II (3).  Advanced issues in amplification for hearing-impaired individuals, including hearing aid selection using digital signal processing algorithms, hearing aid selection for children, and implantable amplification devices.

HESP 706  Advanced Clinical Audiology (3).  Prerequisite: HESP 606 or equivalent.  Advanced clinical and experimental methods of evaluating the peripheral and central auditory system using acoustic stimuli.  Procedural consideration and interpretation of test results.

HESP 708  Independent Study (1-6).  Prerequisite: permission of instructor.  Repeatable to 6 credits.  Individual research projects under guidance of a faculty member.

HESP 710  Industrial and Environmental Noise Problems (3).  Prerequisite: permission of instructor.  Evaluation and control of noise hazards.  Effects of noise on man.  Medico-legal aspects of noise-induced hearing impairment.

HESP 722  Experimental Audiology (3).  Experimental techniques in the investigation of problems in audiology.

HESP 724  Research Design (3).  Prerequisite: a course in basic statistics.  Evaluations of research designs, critique of published articles and student involvement in designing experiments on assigned topics.

HESP 729  Advanced Clinical Practice in Audiology (1-8).  Prerequisite: HESP 649 and permission of instructor.  Repeatable to 8 credits.  Clinical internship in selected off-campus facilities.

HESP 730  Vestibular-ocular Function and Assessment (Electrophysiologic Measures II) (3). Advanced principles and methods of evaluating vestibular-ocular function using electrophysiologic measures. Includes rehabilitative issues pertaining to balance disorders and advanced electrophysiologic measures of auditory system function.

HESP 788 Research Externship (1-3). Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Repeatable to 6 credits.  Off-campus research experience with departmental affiliates at National Institutes of Health and other regional institutions.

HESP 808 Current Research in Hearing, Speech, and Language Services.

HESP 828 Seminar in Hearing Sciences.

HESP 829  Clinical Internship Residency (9). Prerequisite: permission of instructor.  Repeatable to 18 credits.  Off-campus, full-time research internship at regional and national institutions.

HESP 848 Seminar in Audiology (3).  Prerequisite: permission of instructor.  Repeatable to 6 credits.

HESP 889  Doctoral Candidacy Research (1-6).

HESP 899  Doctoral Dissertation Research (1-8).

back to top of page

Required and Elective Courses Offered at the University of Maryland, College Park
 
ZOOL 600 Scientific Ethics (2)
EDMS 645 Quantitative Research Methods I (3) (Au.D. and Ph.D. tracks)
EDMS 646 Quantitative Research Methods II (3) (Ph.D. track only)
NACS 618 The Classics in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science (3)
NACS 641 Introduction to Neuroscience (3)
NACS 651 The Neuroscience of Cognition (3)
PSYC 764 Comparative Neuroanatomy (3)
ZOOL 636 Hearing (3)
 
Electives Courses Offered at the University of Maryland, Baltimore
MANA 633 Pathways in Neuroscience (3)
PREV 600 Principles of Epidemiology (3)
PREV 620 Principles of Biostatistics (3)
PREV 648 Healthcare Administration and Evaluation (2)
PREV 650 Principles of Health Education and Promotion (3)
PREV 668 Environmental and Occupational Health (3)
HGEN 601 Basic Human Genetics (4)
MPET 603 Fundamentals of Pharmacology (2)
PTRS 706 Neuroscience (2)
PTRS 708 Rehabilitation Physiology (2-4)
MPHY 606 Physiology of the Central Nervous System (3)
MPHY 615 Biological Signal Analysis (3)
CIPP 909 Responsible Conduct of Research (2)
GERO XXX Biological and Health Perspectives in Aging (3)
GERO/PSYC 786 Psychology of Aging (3)
GERO/PREV 681 Epidemiology of Aging (3)

back to top of page

Appendix I: American Board of Audiology Certification Requirements

Eligibility Requirements for Board Certification

Applicant Categories:
Individuals seeking Board Certification in Audiology must demonstrate, through submission of appropriate documentation, evidence of initial mastery of core elements of audiologic practice. This evidence is presented through one of the following applicant categories: Board Certification, Board Certification through Reciprocal Eligibility, and Provisional Board Certification. All applicants must attest that they will abide by the ABA Code of Ethics. They must also attest that any licensure/registration that they hold is in good standing and that they will abide by the regulations applicable to such licensure/registration.
Board Certification:

For applicants who have completed all requirements for Board Certification but do not hold a current state license/registration in audiology.
A. Successful completion of a graduate program in audiology from a regionally accredited college or university, and the attainment of a Master's degree or a Doctoral degree in audiology (e.g., Au.D., Ph.D., Ed.D.). Beginning in the year 2007, all applicants must have an earned Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) from a regionally accredited college or university. ABA requires submission of an official transcript confirming an applicant's graduate degree in audiology as part of the application process. Transcripts must be submitted directly from the institution to ABA. The transcript must include the date that the graduate degree was posted.

B. Achievement of a score of 600 or higher on a national examination in Audiology as required by the ABA.

C. Completion of a minimum of 2000 hours of mentored professional practice within a 2-year time period. This requirement is waived for persons earning the Au.D. degree. Applicants applying in this category must document their professional practice experience. Their mentor must verify this experience and make a recommendation for the granting of Board Certification. The mentor must possess a current state license/registration to practice audiology or hold current ABA certification.

D. Submission of appropriate documentation, fees and signed affirmations regarding the truthfulness of information, adherence to the ABA Code of Ethics, and adherence to state licensure/registration regulations for the practice of audiology (where applicable) or other regulatory agency through which you are authorized to practice audiology.

back to top of page

Appendix II: Outside Placement Sites for HESP Graduate Students in Audiology

I.  Hospitals

Department of Otolaryngology - Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C.

Kennedy/Krieger Institute, Baltimore

National Institutes of Health, Bethesda

University of Maryland Hospital, Baltimore

VA Hospital, Washington D.C.

National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda

Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore

Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington D.C.

Washington Hospital Center, Washington D.C.

Fort Howard VA Hospital, Baltimore

St. Agnes Hospital, Baltimore

II. Community-based Public and Private Clinics

Hearing Center, Wheaton, MD

Rock Creek Developmental Center, Frederick, MD

Treatment and Learning Centers, Rockville

Washington Hearing and Speech Society, Washington, D.C.

Hearing Assessment Center, Baltimore

Anne Arundel County Health Department, Annapolis, MD

Howard County Diagnostic Center, Columbia, MD

Baltimore Hearing and Speech Agency, Baltimore, MD

Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD

III. Schools

Kendall Demonstration Elementary School - Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C.

P.G. County Parent Infant Program, MD

Anne Arundel County Public Schools, MD

Charles County Public Schools, MD

Fairfax County Public Schools, VA

River School, Washington, D.C.

back to top of page

Print This Page
Department of Hearing & Speech Sciences
0100 Lefrak Hall, College Park, MD 20742
Tel: 301-405-4214
Fax: 301-314-2023