Background Course Requirements for AuD Graduate Students

Students may be admitted to the AuD program with or without an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD). There are no formal prerequisite courses required for admission. However, students who have not completed certain undergraduate coursework will be required to complete additional background courses either before or during the program, as detailed below.

REQUIRED CSD Background Coursework (Prior to Matriculation)

Before beginning the AuD program, all students must have completed coursework in the following two areas:

• Hearing Science (may be satisfied by a course titled Hearing Science, Speech and Hearing Science, or Acoustics)
• Introductory Audiology (e.g., Introduction to Audiology, Basic Clinical Audiology)

If these courses were not completed as part of your undergraduate degree, they must be completed prior to matriculation, typically in the summer before the program begins. Online options from other accredited universities are acceptable.

Additional ASHA-REQUIRED Courses (Must Be Completed Before Graduation)

To meet ASHA knowledge and skill requirements, the following two content areas must be completed either before or during the AuD program. These are not included in the core curriculum, but may be taken during the program if not completed earlier:

• Normal Development of Speech and Language
• Manual Communication (e.g., American Sign Language)

Students may complete these courses at an accredited institution (including online or community colleges), or at Syracuse University (note: additional tuition will apply).

Foundational Content Areas (Helpful but Not Required)

Students without a full undergraduate background in Communication Sciences and Disorders may benefit from additional preparation in the following areas:

• Anatomy & Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism
• Speech Science

While these courses are not required for admission or as part of the program, exposure to this content can strengthen foundational knowledge and support success in the first year of the AuD program.

Required Basic Science and Math Coursework (Per ASHA Standards)

Students must provide transcript evidence of at least one course in each of the following four areas, completed at an accredited college or university (including community colleges), with a grade of C- or better. These may be taken for undergraduate credit prior to or during the AuD program to meet ASHA certification requirements.

Note: Only credit-bearing courses from accredited institutions will be accepted for ASHA pre-requisite coursework. Coursework from non-credit platforms (e.g., Coursera, edX, Khan Academy, MOOC.org) is not acceptable. See below* for additional explanation of review of coursework equivalency for these ASHA requirements.

Individual Advising and Background Review

Because each student’s background is unique, we offer individualized advising to help identify any recommended background coursework or content review prior to starting the program. This review can be done after admission and acceptance to the program or, if requested, during the admissions process to help guide course selection and preparation. Faculty advisors will work with you to ensure you are well prepared for success in graduate-level coursework.

*Review of Background Coursework and Course Equivalency

Courses previously completed for undergraduate (or in some cases, graduate) credit will be reviewed by a faculty advisor to determine whether they meet ASHA knowledge and skills requirements. These courses do not transfer credit into the graduate program but are used to mark competencies as fulfilled or unfulfilled.

Important guidelines for background course review:

• Courses must be taken at an accredited college or university, with official transcripts provided.
• A minimum of 3 credits and a passing grade (C- or better) is required. Grades of D or F are not accepted.
• Course descriptions, syllabi, or other documentation may be requested to verify content.
• CSD courses cannot be used to fulfill biological or physical science requirements.
• AP credit may be accepted if it appears on the official undergraduate transcript.