Program Overview
The University of Kansas offers a comprehensive AUD degree designed to prepare future audiologists for clinical excellence in today’s complex health care environments. This rigorous clinical doctorate equips students with the advanced skills and knowledge required to diagnose, treat, and manage hearing and balance disorders across the lifespan. Through a blend of classroom instruction, laboratory experiences, and immersive clinical practice, students build a strong foundation in evidence-based care and professional practice.
KU provides access to state-of-the-art facilities, experienced faculty, and extensive supervised clinical training. The curriculum emphasizes both foundational science and applied clinical skills, ensuring graduates are prepared to serve as an audiology doctor in hospitals, private practices, educational settings, and specialty clinics. By integrating research, clinical reasoning, and patient-centered service, this AUD degree prepares students to deliver high-quality hearing health care in a variety of settings.
Students complete a structured sequence of didactic coursework and hands-on clinical experiences that progress in complexity throughout the program. From early observation to advanced full-time externship placements, the audiology education experience is intentionally designed to foster independence, professionalism, and clinical competence. Graduates are prepared to pursue professional licensure and national certification, positioning them for long-term success as a hearing health care provider.
Why Choose KU for Your AUD degree?
- Expert Faculty: Learn from experienced clinicians and researchers who are nationally recognized for their contributions to hearing science, balance disorders, and auditory rehabilitation. Faculty mentorship is central to the audiology education experience.
- Cutting-Edge Research Opportunities: Engage in innovative studies related to hearing loss, cochlear implants, vestibular assessment, auditory processing, and tinnitus management. Students benefit from an environment that blends clinical excellence with discovery, strengthening their preparation as a future audiology doctor.
- Extensive Clinical Training: Gain hands-on experience in a range of health care and community settings. Clinical placements may include hospitals, specialty clinics, private practices, schools, and Veterans Affairs facilities. This breadth of experience ensures graduates of the AUD medical degree are ready to serve diverse patient populations.
- Strong Career Outcomes: The AUD degree prepares graduates for dynamic roles as a hearing health care provider in clinical, educational, and research environments.
Learn more about KU
Graduate
For more information about the program, visit the program page below.
Audiology, AUD/Ph.D.KU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences/KU School of Health Professions
The Doctorate in Audiology is part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and School of Health Professions.Doctorate in Audiology Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the AUD degree program will:
- Demonstrate advanced expertise in hearing and balance diagnostics across the lifespan.
- Provide patient-centered care grounded in ethical decision-making and evidence-based practice.
- Develop and implement comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation plans for individuals with auditory and vestibular disorders.
- Collaborate effectively with physicians, educators, and other health care professionals as a hearing health care provider.
- Engage in ongoing professional development and lifelong learning.
- Contribute to advancements in hearing science through scholarly activity and clinical innovation.
What Careers are Possible with a Doctorate in Audiology?
Earning an AUD degree prepares graduates for a wide range of professional opportunities in hearing health care and related fields. Career pathways may include:
- Clinical audiologist in hospitals, medical centers, and private practices
- Hearing health care provider specializing in pediatric, geriatric, or vestibular services
- Specialist in cochlear implant and implantable hearing technology programs
- Clinical supervisor or faculty member in an audiologist school
- Research collaborator in hearing and balance science
According to Lightcast, employment for audiologists is projected to grow approximately 11% over the next decade, with median annual earnings near $92,000 nationally. These strong workforce trends reflect increasing demand for qualified professionals trained through a rigorous AUD medical degree program.
Tuition and Financial Aid
KU is committed to making higher education accessible. Tuition rates vary by residency status. Financial assistance is available through scholarships, assistantships, and federal aid programs. Learn more at the KU Financial Aid site.Admission Requirements
To be considered for the AUD degree, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, including official transcripts
- If the bachelor’s degree is not in the area of audiology or communication sciences and disorders, applicants should have 12 hours of basic sciences and mathematics in addition to courses in the following content areas (or their equivalents):
- Physics of Speech
- Speech Science
- Hearing Science
- Language Development
- Audiology Assessment and Rehab
- Speech-Language Pathology
- If the bachelor’s degree is not in the area of audiology or communication sciences and disorders, applicants should have 12 hours of basic sciences and mathematics in addition to courses in the following content areas (or their equivalents):
- Background check
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Resume/CV
For detailed admission policies, visit the KU Medical Center.
Student Life and Learning Experiences
Students pursuing the AUD degree benefit from a dynamic academic and clinical environment. The program integrates classroom learning with progressively advanced clinical experiences, culminating in a full-time externship designed to support transition into professional practice as a hearing specialist.
Clinical rotations may include exposure to complex diagnostic evaluations, amplification technology, cochlear implant programming, vestibular assessment, and interprofessional collaboration. Through these experiences, students refine their skills as a future hearing doctor while working under the supervision of licensed professionals.
Doctorate in Audiology Sample Courses
The AUD degree curriculum reflects comprehensive preparation in hearing and balance science, clinical assessment, and rehabilitation. Coursework may include:
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Hearing and Vestibular Mechanisms
- Diagnostic Audiology
- Psychoacoustics and Theories of Hearing
- Pediatric Audiology
- Central Auditory Processing
This structured curriculum ensures graduates complete a rigorous and well-rounded audiology education, preparing them for professional licensure and certification as a hearing health care provider. For a full list of courses, visit the KU Catalog.
Doctorate in Audiology Frequently Asked Questions
When should I apply?
Applications deadlines for the program are:
Priority deadline: Jan. 6
Final deadline: Aug. 4
How long will it take to complete the degree?
Students typically complete this degree in 3-4 years.