Doctoral Programs

The Doctor of Audiology

The Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree is offered to all graduate students in audiology. The Au.D. is a four-year post-baccalaureate degree that emphasizes the application of basic science and technology and provides advanced professional training for the diagnosis and habilitation/rehabilitation of hearing disorders and related communication and educational disorders as well as the scholarly study of professional practice-centered problems. The program involves didactic courses and clinical experiences that prepare students to work independently across the scope of practice in audiology. Students also learn about research methodology and are required to complete a research project. The Doctor of Audiology program at the University of Illinois is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, 10801 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852, 301-897-5700.

Doctor of Audiology Information

• Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Audiology Program
• More complete information on the Doctor of Audiology program is available here. 28k
• Example of a typical academic program for the Doctor of Audiology 16k

The Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy program is divided into three stages. Candidates must spend two of the three stages in residence, including at least two consecutive semesters. Continuous registration (summer sessions excluded) must be maintained during the third stage. (A student who qualifies for the degree in October need not register for the Fall semester in which the graduation date occurs.)

A candidate for the Ph.D. degree must complete all requirements for the degree within seven calendar years after first registration in the Graduate College or, if the master's degree was received elsewhere, within five years after registration in the Graduate College.

Under certain conditions, registration in absentia is permissible. In preparing a petition requesting permission to register in absentia, the student must indicate where he/she plans to be, the nature of the research proposed, and the facilities that will be available. Doctor of Philosophy students with specific interests, either research or clinical, have the opportunity to participate in unique intercampus and interdisciplinary training programs.

Registration in absentia during the third stage of a Ph.D. program rarely is advantageous for the student. The exception, of course, is a situation that enables the candidate to devote full time to his/her research in a laboratory or library elsewhere, or to a project in the field. (The request is frequently made because the student accepts a full-time position elsewhere. In these cases his/her new duties and lack of contact with his/her dissertation director undoubtedly will delay the completion of the research and often will adversely affect the quality of the thesis. Therefore, the practice is discouraged.)

Arrangements for registration in absentia are made in the Graduate College Records Office, B3 North Coble Hall, before the student leaves the campus. If necessary, these arrangements can be made through correspondence. Every Ph.D. student, except those holding half-time or full-time assistantships, is expected to be active in teaching (such as laboratory instruction or supervision) or in research activities each semester, in addition to his or her regular academic work. These assignments amount to approximately 10 hours per week. Insofar as possible, students will be assigned according to their past experiences and needs, although assignments may not always be in accordance with student's desires. Every effort will be made, however, to assign the student to areas that will be of value to his or her program of study.

Doctor of Philosophy Information

• More complete information on the Ph.D. program is available in this Adobe Acrobat file. 71k