WashU Medicine’s Program in Audiology and Communication Sciences (PACS) is now offering a combined degree program, allowing participants to earn both a Doctorate of Audiology and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Speech and Hearing through an accelerated program.
The degree provides training in clinical audiology (AuD) as well as mentored research training and coursework specialization leading to a PhD, the highest academic degree awarded.
According to Director of Audiology, Amanda Ortman, PhD, students who have dual interests in clinical audiology and research can pursue the AuD and PhD in the combined program. Enrolled AuD students can apply for admission in the fall semester of their second year. Starting in year three, remaining AuD coursework is then completed in parallel with PhD coursework. An individualized study plan is developed for each AuD/PhD student based on their background and interests.
WashU Medicine’s first participant in the program Callie Boren, knew from her undergraduate experience that she was strongly interested in research, but the dual degree was not offered through PACS when she first applied.
“I always knew I wanted to help patients with hearing loss,” she said. “But, I wanted that effort to extend beyond simply offering clinical services. Through research, I can help our field help all our patients in new and better ways.”
Boren’s current research examines the relationship between long-used clinical testing paradigms and patient reported outcome measures. She explained that historically, audiologists have not done a great job of demonstrating that the diagnostics and treatments we offer adequately address the needs and goals patients bring to the clinic. She believes the field can do better.
Boren’s research mentor is Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology Kate McClannahan, AuD, PhD, herself the product of a similar dual degree program at University of Washington, Seattle.
“The blending of clinical and research experience is an important one for advancing clinical approaches in any medical field,” she said. “Audiologists don’t graduate with a strong understanding of research and PhD students are not well versed in the complexities of patient care. Understanding both helps move advances in our field at a faster pace.”
To learn more about the combined degree or other programs offered, contact PACS@wustl.edu or visit https://pacs.wustl.edu.