The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will establish its own independent Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) program following approval by the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents at its April meeting. The new three-year doctoral program will begin enrolling students in summer 2028 and marks the transition away from a long-standing consortium with UW-Madison.
UW-Stevens Point and UW-Madison have jointly offered a Doctor of Audiology degree since 2006. Under the approved plan, UW-Stevens Point will operate a standalone program while continuing to teach currently enrolled consortium students through completion of their degrees. The collaborative program will formally conclude in 2030.
“UW-Stevens Point has a long history of educating students in the field of audiology and will continue to serve the central and northern regions of Wisconsin by training clinical audiologists to serve people of all ages with suspected and documented hearing loss,” said Julia Fischer, assistant dean and head of the School of Health Sciences and Wellness.
Designed as an accelerated three-year program, the Au.D. curriculum includes 96 graduate credits that combine rigorous academic coursework with extensive hands-on clinical education. Students will complete a minimum of 1,820 hours of supervised practicum experience in settings such as hospitals, ENT clinics, private practices, schools and community health sites.
Audiology education at UW-Stevens Point dates to 1966, establishing a strong foundation in clinical training and community service.
“We are building on decades of clinical expertise and strong community partnerships,” Fischer said. “Students begin working with patients on campus in their first year and progress to off-campus placements and a full-time externship, ensuring they are fully prepared for professional practice.”
A cornerstone of the program is UW-Stevens Point’s on-campus Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic, where students begin working directly with patients in their first year. The clinic provides comprehensive audiological services for children and adults, including hearing screenings and diagnostic evaluations, infant hearing follow-ups, aural rehabilitation, vestibular testing and hearing aid evaluation, fitting, maintenance and repair. Patients receiving amplification services are supported through regular follow-up visits and counseling to ensure optimal outcomes.
Housed in the School of Health Sciences and Wellness, the independent program responds to growing demand for audiologists both regionally and nationally and aligns with UW-Stevens Point’s mission to support healthy, vibrant communities, particularly in rural areas. Each cohort will be 15 students to ensure high-quality clinical placements and individualized training.
The Au.D. program will use a service-based pricing model with the same tuition rate for Wisconsin residents and out-of-state students. Graduates will be prepared to meet licensure requirements nationwide and pursue certification through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Learn more about the Doctor of Audiology program at uwsp.edu/audiology.
Written by UW-Stevens Point
Link to original story: https://www.uwsp.edu/news/doctor-of-audiology/