Program Highlights: Advanced Audiologic Assessment Techniques

Students receive in-person classroom instruction from faculty within the audiology doctorate program as well as experts from clinical, research, and academic institutions in the Boston area. Foundations of clinical practice are learned through hands-on instruction in our on-site clinic by full-time faculty in the program and by clinical audiologists from Mass Eye and Ear. Students also engage in interprofessional education courses and clinical experiences with students in the SLP, OT, PT, and other programs. Advanced clinical training is provided by local health-care professionals through our affiliations with the audiology clinics at Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston Children’s Hospital, and the Boston Veterans Administration.

AuD students at MGH IHP engaging in a practical clinical training session under faculty guidance

Unique Aspects of our AuD Program

Different From Other Audiology Doctorate Programs

Our program offers a rich environment for clinical training through our partnership with Massachusetts Eye and Ear (part of Mass General Brigham) and our other partners in the Boston area, including Boston Children’s Hospital and the VA Medical Center. These clinics are among the best and largest in the world. They are internationally recognized for their contribution to new innovations in audiologic care and advanced audiologic assessment techniques.  

We take advantage of the rich intellectual resources in the Boston area by inviting local experts into the classroom, clinic, and laboratory to share the latest advances in hearing science and clinical practice. These and other MGH and IHP resources are excellent opportunities for you to meet local professionals who have a national impact on hearing healthcare.      

Our curriculum fits all coursework and clinical training into nine continuous semesters. Starting in the first year, you will receive high-quality, high-impact clinic training with audiologists at Mass Eye and Ear. Training continues during the second year with audiologists at up to three of our local clinical partners. In this way, you will earn your doctoral degree in less time than traditional four-year programs while receiving the highest quality of education and training.  

In the first year, you will receive academic instruction in the hearing and balance systems, perception and psychoacoustics, and disorders of the auditory system. Clinical training in audiologic assessment techniques involves adult and pediatric diagnostics and the prescription of hearing technologies.

In the second year, academic training continues in hearing loss prevention, counseling, and rehabilitation as well as the multicultural and psychosocial issues surrounding hearing loss. You will choose to complete a mentored project with a faculty member and/or enroll in special-topics courses covering recent advances in the evaluation and treatment of hearing loss and balance disorders. 

View Curriculum

ASHA Certification and State Licensure

Students who complete the Audiology Doctorate Program will be eligible for audiology licensure in Massachusetts and most states in the US as well as ASHA certification in audiology (CCC-A).

Students in our Audiology Doctorate Program obtain hands-on clinical experiences in our onsite clinic and from partner clinics in the Boston area. During the first year, you will participate in a unique dual placement approach to optimize the transition between classroom and clinic. Year one students work closely with dedicated clinical audiologists from Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary to develop sixteen core clinical skills that are the foundation of every audiologist’s practice. Additionally, you will participate in interprofessional educational experiences and provision of audiologic services through the on-campus Audiology Collaborative for Better Hearing (ACBH)

In year two, you will continue your clinical preparation for independent professional practice through training with our clinical partners in the Boston area. During these three semesters, you will expand beyond the core clinical skills and explore specialty areas in audiology across the range of the audiologist’s scope of practice.   

In year three, you will complete your clinical education with a full-time externship in an audiology clinic within the US. Students continue to receive support and guidance from the IHP to maximize their evidence-based, patient-centered practice during their externship experience. 

MGH IHP AuD students observing a hearing test conducted in a soundproof booth as part of their hands-on training.

Scholarships are offered based on application strength. The scholarships cover varying amounts of the total cost of tuition and fees for the first two years of the program. Most students seek and receive financial aid of some kind, including loans.

The program also has Graduate Assistantship (GA) positions available. These are part-time on-campus jobs (about 6-10 hours/week). Some allow students to schedule their own work hours while others have more defined hours. Information about how to apply for these opportunities is provided throughout the year.

 

Tuition & Fees

Tuition Reduction

Financial Aid & Billing

Overview of the Application Process

We welcome applications from individuals holding a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders or Speech and Hearing Sciences. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in other majors will be considered with the completion of prerequisite coursework. Please see the “Transcripts” section for additional information. 

Our professional staff is here to provide information and answer questions you might have during the admission and financial aid process. The Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders at MGH Institute of Health Professions participates in the CSD Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS). All applicants are required to apply online through CSDCAS. 

For Program Starting: Summer (June 2025)
The CSDCAS 2024-2025 Application Cycle is now open.

  • Application Priority Deadline: November 15, 2024
  • Final Application Deadline: January 15, 2025
     

Process
Items to submit directly to CSDCAS:

  • CSDCAS application with application fee
  • Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
  • Three (3) recommendation letters
  • 500 word Statement of Interest
  • MGH Institute Custom Questions
  • CLEP College Mathematics Exam or Official GRE Scores (ETS Code for CSDCAS: 0737) or college-level advanced math course (e.g., calculus, trigonometry, linear algebra) 

MGH Institute of Health Professions does not require a supplemental application.

Review
Review of applications begins in January. Notification regarding the status of your application in the Admissions Process will be sent after all applications are reviewed by late-February. See right column for a full description of the process.

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Audiology Doctoral Program requirements

Degree

Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university or recognized international equivalent.

Courses

Completion of the following 9 prerequisite courses at a fully accredited institution. A grade of C or better is required for admission. 

Most of these courses are offered online by the MGH Institute. Learn more about our online prereqs. Please note that some of these courses were likely completed during your undergraduate education.

 
Prerequisite courses do not need to be completed before applying to the program. However, all prerequisite courses must be satisfactorily completed prior to starting the program.

To inquire whether specific courses will satisfy our prerequisite requirements, please complete our Audiology Prerequisite Inquiry Form. Please allow 10-15 business days for a reply.

Applicants who have not completed at least one college-level advanced math course may choose to take the Graduate records examination (GRE) or the CLEP College Mathematics Exam

CLEP
The College Mathematics Exam must have been taken within the last 12 months of the time of application.  An unofficial score should be submitted with the application.  IHP will request official scores directly from the College Board. 

GRE
The GRE General Test must have been taken within 5 years of the time of application. A copy of the GRE score report should be sent directly to CSDCAS.  (The ETS institution code for MGH Institute of Health Professions is 0737).

Score reports can be obtained by contacting Educational Testing Service.

In select circumstances, applicants may be eligible to waive the GRE. Waiver requests will be considered for applicants who provide documentation of having met one of the following criteria:

  • Earned master's degree or higher, or
  • Successful completion, with a grade of B or higher, for two or more graduate-level CSD courses from an accredited program. 

TOEFL/ IELTS
The language of instruction and clinical education at the MGH Institute is English and a high level of proficiency in both written and spoken English is required.  Applicants who have not completed either an undergraduate or graduate program where English is the language of instruction must demonstrate English Language proficiency as part of your application to the MGH Institute of Health Professions.  If you have questions about the language requirements, please contact the Office of Admissions.

  • Applicants who are citizens of Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Great Britain, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand, Guyana, an Anglophone country of Africa, or an English-speaking country of the Caribbean are not required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.
  • Applicants who are candidates for graduation from an accredited degree-granting program in the United States or at an English-speaking school in one of the countries listed above are also not required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. Acceptance to the IHP will be contingent upon successful completion of this degree prior to matriculation.

Please note that in some circumstances, demonstrating English language proficiency may be required by the academic program even if you are a citizen of a country in which the (or one of the) national language(s) is English. Decisions about the need for TOEFL or IELTS scores are at the discretion of the academic program to which you are applying in coordination with the department of OES.

The IHP accepts either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). The test must have been taken within two years of the application deadline and official score reports are required. The minimum TOEFL (internet-based) score accepted is 89 and the minimum IELTS score accepted is 6.5.  

  • To forward your TOEFL score please contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS).  The MGH Institute of Health Professions code is 3513.
  • For IELTS, a Test Report Form may be mailed to MGH Institute of Health Professions and score information will be verified by the IHP directly. You may designate up to 5 schools to receive Test Report Forms at the time you register for the test.  To request additional Test Report Forms, contact your test center.

Please refer to our program page in CSDCAS for information. All official transcripts should be sent directly to CSDCAS.

Applicants who have earned a degree from a non-US institution are required to submit a course-by-course credential evaluation from one of the following NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) members: Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc., SpanTran: The Evaluation Company, World Education Services (WES), or the Center for Educational Documentation. If you earned your bachelor's degree outside of the U.S. this credential evaluation must document minimum equivalency of a US baccalaureate degree or higher.

Statement of Interest

All applicants are asked to compose a short 500-word statement answering the following question: Why do you want to be an audiologist? Tell us what excites you about about becoming an audiologist, the areas in which you excel, and how the MGH Institute of Health Professions program can help you achieve your academic and professional goals. Please also describe any opportunities you’ve had to observe an audiologist in practice. The statement can be composed offline and uploaded to the CSDCAS application under the Questions tab.

Letters of Recommendation

All applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation. Letters should address the applicant’s potential for graduate education/scholarly study and the applicant’s potential for success within the profession of audiology. 

All recommendation letters should be submitted directly to CSDCAS.

Who do I contact for more information about the academic program, curriculum, or requirements? 

Program Director Andrea Pittman, PhD, CCC-A 

What is the accreditation status of the Doctor of Audiology program?

The Doctor of Audiology (AuD) education program in audiology (residential) at the MGH Institute of Health Professions is a Candidate for Accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700. Candidacy is a “pre-accreditation” status with the CAA, awarded to developing or emerging programs for a maximum period of 5 years. 

What is your mailing address? 

MGH Institute of Health Professions 
Office of Enrollment Services 
36 1st Ave. 
Charlestown Navy Yard 
Boston, MA  02129 

Can I defer my admission to a future term? 

Though generally not permitted, deferral requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis and are generally approved only in extreme circumstances or military deployment. To request a deferral, email the admission office

Are there other Conditions of Admission? 

Yes. If applicable, final transcripts and documents must be submitted to satisfy the conditions of admission

Can I receive Financial Aid for this program?

Yes, submit your FAFSA at fafsa.gov to apply for Federal loans. Eligible graduate students can borrow up to $20,500 for every two-semester loan period with the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan and can also apply for the Federal GradPLUS loan at studentaid.gov. To be eligible to borrow Federal loans you need to be enrolled at least half time which is 5 credits in the fall and spring and 3 credits in the summer. 

Admission into the AuD program at IHP is a competitive process. Academic background, motivation for pursuing a career in audiology, and evidence for academic and clinical success are all taken into consideration. All materials submitted are carefully reviewed but not necessarily considered to have equal weight. The most important elements are transcripts, evidence of math proficiency, and letters of recommendation - all weighted equally. Less emphasis is placed on the applicant’s statement and the expectation of hands-on experience in the field. Observation of audiology practice is expected. Students who successfully complete an AuD program typically have an undergraduate GPA greater than 3.00 with grades of A or B in their major coursework, total GRE scores of 300 or higher, and the support of faculty and professionals who recognize their potential for graduate-level work. 

Employment, Praxis Pass, and Program Student Outcomes

Enter a thriving job market - audiology employment is projected to grow 11% from 2022 to 2032, significantly faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.  

Number and percentage of AUD graduates who have been employed in the profession within one year of graduation, including graduates who are either employed or are pursuing further education in the profession, over the past three years.
Academic YearNumber of GraduatesPercent of Graduates
2025-2026  
2026-2027  
2027-2028  

 

Praxis examination pass rates for the previous three periods/testing cycles for graduates of the AUD program based on available ETS data.
Academic YearNumber of Students Taking ExamNumber of Students PassedPass Rate Percentage
2025-2026   
2026-2027   
2027-2028   
An average program completion rate for graduate students in the last 3 years in relation to program's published expectation for length of time for students to complete the degree, based on enrollment data.
Academic YearCompleted Within Expected Time FrameCompleted Later Than Expected TimeframeNot CompleteCompletion Rate
2025-2026    
2026-2027    
2027-2028    

 

Upcoming Admissions Events

07 Jan
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

High-Quality Residential Program

9

Months of continuous classroom and clinical training

a tan stone building with the words mass general brigham mass eye and ear on the side in blue letters

100% Student Clinical Placements at Mass Eye and Ear

ME&E was named #1 in Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology in New England by US News and World Report Best Hospitals. Benefit from hands-on experiences at a world-renowned institution. 

1

School, many partners

Andrea Pittman in black sweater

As a clinically trained audiologist and researcher, I am excited to lead the program at the IHP. The rich resources at the Institute and at our partner institutions in the area combine to create an excellent training environment for our students to enter the profession as certified audiologists in a variety of settings.

Andrea Pittman, PhD CCC-A
Department Program Director

Expert Faculty in Audiology and Hearing Health

View all AUD Faculty
Professional portrait of an MGH IHP Doctor of Audiology faculty member in her office

Professor Doctor of Audiology (AuD) Program Director Communication Sciences and Disorders

Portrait of a faculty member from the MGH IHP Doctor of Audiology program.

Term Lecturer Communication Sciences and Disorders

Headshot of a faculty member from the MGH IHP Doctor of Audiology program with a bright background.

Assistant Professor Director of Clinical Education, Audiology Communication Sciences and Disorders

Headshot of an MGH IHP faculty member for the Doctor of Audiology program, outdoors with a natural background.

Director of Clinical Audiology Research and Education, Mass Eye and Ear Associate Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, Harvard Medical School Adjunct Associate Professor

Frequently Asked Questions About the Audiology Doctorate

Audiologists are healthcare professionals who are trained to identify and evaluate hearing loss and balance disorders, provide intervention through the selection and personalization of hearing devices, communication strategies, and assist patients with the day-to-day management of hearing loss.  

15 students

There is no minimum GPA or GRE score required for admission.  Transcripts are reviewed thoroughly for evidence of success in math and sciences courses.  Students from undergraduate degrees in science and math often have lower GPAs but are excellent candidates for the AuD program.  Students who successfully complete the AuD program typically have a GPA >3.0 as well as verbal and quantitative scores on the GRE in the 50th percentile or higher.  

No. Although Audiology Doctorate Programs are typically designed for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders or in Speech and Hearing Science, students with degrees in other areas are also encouraged to apply.  Those students are eligible for admission after completing a series of prerequisite courses.  If you have questions about your eligibility, you may contact the Program Director to request a review of your transcripts and identify any courses you will be required to complete. Note that completing the prerequisite courses is not a guarantee of admission.  

The Doctor of Audiology (AuD) education program in audiology (residential) at the MGH Institute of Health Professions is a Candidate for Accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700. Candidacy is a “preaccreditation” status with the CAA, awarded to developing or emerging programs for a maximum period of 5 years.

AuD students collaborating on audiology equipment setup during a hands-on learning session.
King Chung, Audiology Professor

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