There are four items required to get an audiology degree: meet the application criteria, select the appropriate school, pay the tuition, and complete the coursework. An audiology degree is widely available from a broad range of universities, community and career colleges. This type of degree is required to work as an audiology technologist or a professional audiologist.
In order to gain acceptance to an audiology degree program, there are specific application criteria that must be met. High school courses in biology, chemistry, English, and technology are required. In addition, a personal interview or essay on your reasons for wanting to obtain an audiology degree may be required.
Most schools want to eliminate candidates whose interest in this field is based on an unrealistic image of the work and the rewards. While a personal family history of auditory problems may be a sound reason for the interest, experience shows that the motivation is not strong enough to sustain the student through the program. Audiology is a health care services function, and it is important for all applicants to understand that the core function is service.
When selecting a school for an audiology degree, it is important to review the school's reputation. Students with credentials from a well-respected school may find that they receive a positive response when looking for employment, based on the quality of education they received. Look at the qualifications of the professors, their areas of expertise, and research.
The most common way to pay the tuition fees is through student loans. These loans may be through the financial institution or part of a government student aid program. Other options include scholarships, bursaries, or grants. Most schools require the tuition to be paid in no more than two installments, one before the start of each term.
The coursework in this program is a combination of human physiology, biology, and technology. The depth of material covered depends on the level of institute you are attending. For example, at the college level, there may be one course on the diseases that affect hearing. At the university level, there may be up to three.
A community college program often has a job placement component. Students have the opportunity to gain valuable work experience through a cooperative or placement program. The work is completed under the supervision of an audiologist, and the evaluation is part of the student’s transcript.
At the university level, the audiologist completes a residency term as part of the program. This allows her to gain the hours necessary to start a practice as a professional audiologist. It is important to remember that an audiologist is a doctor, and has a very similar training program.