1 - Introduction
Welcome to the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) in the School of Health and Rehabilitative Sciences (SHRS) at the Institute of Health Professions (IHP or the Institute). The Institute is the educational arm of the Massachusetts General Hospital System which includes Mass Eye and Ear Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Spaulding Rehabilitation Network. The Institute is an independent, interprofessional graduate school of Health Sciences that prepares health professionals and scientists to advance care for a diverse society through leadership in education, clinical practice, research, and community engagement.
The mission of the AuD program within the Department of Communication Disorders is to prepare a diverse group of students for the practice of audiology in clinical, educational, and private practice settings through an innovative training program of resident experts and local health-care professionals.
The Doctor of Audiology (AuD) degree at the Institute is a 3-year accelerated program based on a research-to-practice philosophy and is designed to prepare audiologists for autonomous clinical practice. The program integrates academic coursework with practical clinical experience across the spectrum of audiologic specialties and environments. The AuD curriculum provides a strong scientific and clinical foundation that prepares graduates with the requisite training for evidence-based clinical practice. Successful students will meet the requirements for certification in Audiology by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and for licensure within the state of Massachusetts and other states in the U.S.
The purpose of this handbook is to provide a ready reference for the AuD graduate degree program. Detailed descriptions are provided for the academic and clinical requirements that must be met to satisfactorily complete the AuD degree. Students must complete the requirements specified for the degree at the time of initial enrollment. These requirements may differ slightly for past or future cohorts. The requirements for students entering in June 2023 are described in detail in this handbook.
The academic standards and policies that apply to all students regardless of cohort or enrollment year are provided in the AuD Academic Standards and Policies Manual which is an independent document. Students are required to familiarize themselves with the AuD Student Handbook for their cohort and adhere to the Academic Standards and Policies for the program.
If questions or concerns arise that are not addressed in either of these resources, the student should consult their academic advisor or the Program Director. Ultimately however, it is the student’s responsibility to be informed about all academic and clinical requirements for the AuD program at the Institute.
The MGH Institute of Health Professions is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, status as a parent, or national origin. The Institute respects and values the diverse backgrounds of all people and welcomes all students to participate fully in all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to the Institute community.