Academic coursework occurs in the first three years of the Au.D. program. Students are required to complete a preliminary written exam at the completion of their first academic year and every year thereafter through the third academic year. Students may choose to complete a clinical research project or they may choose the alternate clinical coursework progression.
Clinical experiences begin in the first semester of the program.First yearstudents are placed in the university clinic for one to two days per week.Second yearstudents are placed two days per week offsite andthird yearstudents are placed three days per week at off campus sites. After completion of the academic portion of the program, students will complete an externship year of clinical placement in their fourth year of the program. Placement for this clinical experience is made in conjunction with the externship coordinator and program director for audiology.
Considerations for the fourth-year externship include student's clinical area of interest and clinical experience needs outlined in the student's clinical plan of study. This placement often takes place outside of the Beaumont community, and even outside the State of Texas. Requirements for the academic and clinical portions of the program will be reviewed annually with students during academic and clinical plan of study meetings.
Fall Year 1
SPHS 6311 Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice and Instrumentation
SPHS 6312 Introduction to Hearing Aids
SPHS 6322 Anatomy & Physiology of the Ear
SPHS 6319 Advanced Clinical Practicum
Spring Year 1
SPHS 6313 Acoustics and Psychoacoustics
SPHS 6352 Aural Rehabilitation
SPHS 6382 Analysis of Professional Literature
SPHS 6319 Advanced Clinical Practicum
Summer Year 1
SPHS 6331 Auditory Processing Disorders
SPHS 6319 Advanced Clinical Practicum
SPHS 6319 Advanced Clinical Practicum
Fall Year 2
SPHS 6342 Electrophysiology
SPHS 6321 Advanced Hearing Aids
SPHS 6326 Research Methods
SPHS 6319 Advanced Clinical Practicum
Spring Year 2
SPHS 6354 Vestibular Assessment and Management
SPHS 6318 Cochlear Implants
SPHS 6343 Pediatric Assessment and Genetics
SPHS 6319 Advanced Clinical Practicum
Summer Year 2
SPHS 6362 Pharmacology
SPHS 6319 Advanced Clinical Practicum
SPHS 6319 Advanced Clinical Practicum
Fall Year 3
SPHS 6361 Medical Audiology
SPHS 6373 Hearing Conservation
SPHS 6371 Advanced Rehabilitation and Case Studies
SPHS 6319 Advanced Clinical Practicum
Students choosing to pursue a research project may be required to enroll in SPHS 6372 Candidacy Proposal
Spring Year 3
SPHS 6363 Differential Diagnosis
SPHS 6381 Practice Management
SPHS 6319 Advanced Clinical Practicum
Students choosing to pursue a research project may be required to enroll in SPHS 6383 Candidacy Paper Presentation
Summer Year 3
SPHS 6339 Externship
Fall Year 4
SPHS 6639 Externship
Spring Year 4
SPHS 6639 Externship
Clinical Practicum
A variety of practical opportunities are available at the Speech and Hearing Center on campus and currently in more than 20 off-campus sites throughout Beaumont, Houston, San Antonio, Lake Charles,Shreveportand Biloxi. These outstanding off-campus clinical sites include hospitals, schools and private practice settings.
In-House Clinical Practicum
Hearing Evaluation: Diagnostic testing includes pure-tone and speech audiometry, acoustic immittance measures and pediatric testing with VRA.
Hearing Aid Clinic: The clinic focuses on the selection,verificationand orientation of amplification and assistive listening devices to increase the communication function of each individual.
Deaf Co-Op: Conducted in public school settings, which allow the students to learn hearing aid troubleshooting as well as assistive listening device selection and maintenance.
Electrophysiology Clinic: Diagnostic testing using OAE,ABRand SSEP are used in the differential evaluation of hearing disorders.
Vestibular/Balance Clinic: Assessment includes VENG,EENGand vestibular rehabilitation therapy.
Industrial Hearing Conservation: This clinic includes monitoring hearing in the industrial setting and providing sound measurement and hearing conservation services.
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) Clinic: This clinic providesfulldiagnostic evaluation of auditory processing problems along with counseling of family members and school personnel.
Aural Rehabilitation: Group and individual therapyisprovided to enhance listening, speech reading and communication abilities.