Top-ranked US audiology doctorate program axed

The announcement in March this year that the University of Washington was to shut down its Doctor of Audiology program came as a shock to students, and to hearing professionals and researchers in touch with the academic sphere.

Not only is there an increasing need for audiology expertise to meet a prevalent hearing health issue affecting close to 40 million adults in the USA, but UW recognised that the four-year doctoral course had “gained tremendous national recognition” since it began in 2006, being ranked 4th in the nation in 2016 by the U.S. News and World Report. Indeed, in 2017, the Center for World University Rankings gave a 2nd place to the UW audiology & speech-language pathology area of study.

Yet the UW Speech and Hearing Sciences Department decided to axe the program after a financial review. “We have come to the realization that our financial situation will not support the investment necessary to keep this program viable at its current operating level,” says UW in its online announcement of the termination.

Current first-year students will continue through to graduation on the clinical doctorate course, while recent applicants are having their fees returned. The Department’s other grad-level and postgraduate degree programs will not be affected by this change

Source: The Daily of the University of Washington