Doctor of Audiology student working with a subject

Audiology

Gain the scientific and clinical skills needed for the practice of audiology in an environment that values teaching and clinical excellence and mentorship.

Ideal For All Career Stages

Whether you are just finishing up your bachelor's degree or you are a seasoned clinical professional, earning your doctorate in audiology offers cutting-edge clinical experiences through the USD Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic. Gain the knowledge and skills in comprehensive behavioral and physiologic diagnostic and rehabilitative audiologic services. Learn to care for individuals aged infant through elderly in areas of audiology electrophysiology, central auditory processing disorders, cochlear implant services, fetal alcohol syndrome, autism spectrum disorders and occupational hearing services.


Degrees & Offerings

Audiology (Au.D.)

Doctorate
  Vermillion Main Campus

The Doctor of Audiology (Au.D) residential graduate program is a four-year post-baccalaureate program consisting of three years of didactic coursework and on- and off-campus clinical rotations and a fourth year, full-time, external clinical placement. Students are also required to complete a research experience during their third year of study. The program is typically completed in 11 semesters for full-time students; part-time completion is possible and will be planned on a case-by-case basis.

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Program Details

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Graduate Admissions

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This graduate program utilizes a specialized CAS online application to complete the admissions process. To learn more about this program's unique application process, requirements and program deadlines, visit Specialty Graduate Program Applications.

Additional requirements exist for international applicants. For more information, visit International Admission Requirements. 

 

KNOWN FOR EXCELLENCE

At USD, you'll find a high-quality educational experience strengthened by our faculty's research and creative scholarship. See what makes our department exceptional.

Student Opportunities

As a student at USD, the opportunities available to you extend beyond the classroom. Explore your interests, find your community and experience your education to the fullest extent through the following opportunities.

We annually offer several graduate assistantships to students pursuing a Masters of Arts (M.A.) in Speech Language Pathology and the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D).

Graduate traineeships are also offered to graduate students in speech language pathology and audiology through the Leadership Education Excellence in Caring for Children with Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) Program. Audiology and speech language pathology students are selected as trainees for this program. Each trainee receives a stipend and tuition reduction for their participation. The program lasts one academic year. Students take part in classroom, clinical and research experiences focusing on interdisciplinary services for children with developmental disabilities and their families. 

Scottish Rite Scholarships and other scholarships are available to upper level graduate students and are awarded in the spring based on selection of the faculty.

At USD, our graduate students are actively pursuing unique research and presenting at local and national conferences exploring innovative areas of interest to them. Additional research and grant opportunities include:

Research and Creative Scholarship Grants

Each semester students may apply for grants through the USD Graduate School, faculty and students pursue research in virtually all academic departments on campus.

IdeaFest

IdeaFest is an annual event celebrating student research, creative scholarship and academic engagement. Undergraduate and graduate students in all disciplines present their work in oral and poster presentations, live performances, readings, exhibits and displays. IdeaFest showcases academic achievement and promotes the expansion of student, faculty and community member understanding of the scholarly work that occurs at USD.

USD is home to more than 170 student organizations, including several that are housed in the Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders. You may be interested in opportunities to make friends, develop new skills and explore your interests.

National Student Speech-Language and Hearing Association (NSSLHA)

The National Student Speech-Language and Hearing Association (NSSLHA) offers an opportunity to get to know faculty and other students by sponsoring social and educational events throughout the year. As a member you can take advantage of referral services, access to professional literature, networking opportunities with other professionals through sponsored activities and programs.

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Student Academy of Audiology

The USD Student Academy of Audiology (SAA) is the state-level chapter of the national student division of the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) that serves as a collective voice for students and advances the rights, interests, and welfare of students pursuing careers in audiology. The primary goal of the SAA is to provide students with opportunities for information, resources, leadership, mentorship, and student-to-student networking as they progress through their educational programs and transition to professional status.

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Graduate & Professional Student Association (GPSA)

Join your fellow graduate and professional students at USD. We aim to build a sense of community between graduate and professional students. Build your resume, network with others and gain experience and the unique opportunity to represent the interests of graduate students to the greater campus and community.

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The Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders is the only public institution in the state of South Dakota offering an undergraduate major in communication sciences & disorders. This undergraduate course of study offers the opportunity for our students to observe clinical activities across the entire breadth and depth of speech, language and hearing services from birth to elderly patients. 

Students pursuing a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree receive extensive clinical experience at USD's speech clinics in Vermillion and in Sioux Falls before starting their external clinical placements and rotations in their last year of study. Our clinics are a training facility where our graduate students provide individualized services under the guidance and supervision of state-licensed and nationally certified speech-language pathologists and audiologists. The USD Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic in Vermillion offers comprehensive audiology, speech and language diagnostic evaluation and treatment services for individuals of all ages. The Scottish Rite Children's Clinic for Speech & Language Disorders in Sioux Falls offers clinical services to children with communication needs.

departments & facilities

Our faculty are members of the Center for Brain and Behavior Research, promoting innovative basic to translational research that addresses problems in neurology, neuropsychology and psychiatry.
Faculty standing over half of a mannequin head explaining the inside of the head to two students who are sitting at the table taking notes

Communication Sciences & Disorders

Gain knowledge of communication disorders and their treatment and take part in world-class clinical experiences, outreach activities and research in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Faculty & Staff

Get to know your professors and support staff in the Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders.
Bio Image for Faculty Member Lindsey Jorgensen

Lindsey Jorgensen

Chair-Communication Disorders
Bio Image for Faculty Member Jessica Messersmith

Jessica Messersmith

Associate Dean-Col of A&S

Specialty

Cochlear Implants
Pediatric Audiology
Bio Image for Faculty Member Stacie Carlson

Stacie Carlson

Dir SF SLP Clinic, Instructor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Elizabeth DeVelder

Elizabeth DeVelder

Lecturer
Bio Image for Faculty Member Coral Dirks

Coral Dirks

Assistant Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Jason Fornwald

Jason Fornwald

Instructor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Shelly Grinde

Shelly Grinde

Instructor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Elizabeth Hanson

Elizabeth Hanson

Associate Professor

Specialty

AAC, Motor Speech Disorders
Bio Image for Faculty Member Julie Kelderman

Julie Kelderman

Instructor

Specialty

Second Language Acquisition
Bio Image for Faculty Member Jennifer Phelan

Jennifer Phelan

Assist Professor of Practice
Bio Image for Faculty Member Jessica Schneider

Jessica Schneider

Lecturer

Specialty

Early literacy skills with an emphasis on dyslexia
Bio Image for Faculty Member Mandy Williams

Mandy Williams

Associate Professor

Specialty

Stuttering and Voice Disorders
View All Faculty & Staff
Audiology student working with a child

Opportunities to Make a Difference

From the philanthropy efforts provided by a variety of USD clinics to the annual Speech Camp hosted by USD, there are ample opportunities for you to become involved and provide individualized services under the guidance and supervision of state-licensed and nationally certified speech-language pathologists and audiologists.
A child and two adults playing with health equipment together.

USD Clinics

USD has clinics in Vermillion and Sioux Falls that give you the ability to observe clinic activities across the entire breadth and depth of speech, language and hearing services from birth to elderly. Our clinics include the USD Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic and the Sioux Falls Scottish Rite Children’s clinic for Speech & Language Disorders. Our clinics offer students the opportunity to observe evaluation, treatment and consultation services for children and adults with speech, language, hearing and related communication needs.


USD Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic

Scottish Rite Children's Clinic for Speech & Language Disorders

Students Gaining Hands-On Experience Working With Patients Inside a Clinic.

Jumpstart your Career

The PACE-I Scholars Program is just what you need. With over $18,000 in financial assistance and hands-on training with kids, this program will set you on the right path in early intervention. 

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Surprisingly Affordable

Whether you’ve recently completed your undergraduate degree, or you want to kick your career up a notch, graduate school is the next logical step. The good news is there is funding for both online and on-campus students to get you through your program. 

Graduate Tuition & Costs

Learn more about tuition and fees for undergraduate students and see how your out-of-pocket costs at USD compare to those at other colleges and universities. Visit the Graduate Tuition & Costs Detailed page for program specific costs and fees.

Financial Aid

Navigating options for how to pay for college can be challenging, but you are not alone. The Office of Financial Aid will work with you and your family to explore how you can make your college education even more affordable.

Graduate Assistantships

USD offers opportunities for grad students to earn a reduced tuition rate in exchange for their teaching, research and service efforts to the university.

 


Recent News

Alum success story

Success story Nicklaus Arra smiling in a cap and gown at USD.
Being a Pennsylvania native, I get the "WHY SOUTH DAKOTA?" question all the time. USD went above and beyond to coordinate my in-person visit, they relieved any doubts about moving halfway across the county and connected me with current grad students to answer my questions. The program is top-notch with an affordable cost, it is a hidden gem led by renowned audiologists who teach, conduct research and supervise clinic in their expertise.

Nicklaus Arra, Au.D., CCC-A

Doctor of Audiology

Pediatric Audiologist, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

The Masters of Arts (M.A.) in Speech Language Pathology and the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D) residential educational programs at the University of South Dakota are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.


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