Western's Doctorate of Audiology Program (Au.D.)

Western Washington University’s Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) program is a four-year clinical doctoral program. You can view the 2023–2027 lockstep curriculum above to see the full course sequence and training timeline.

The Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) program at Western Washington University is part of the Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences (SLHS) Department in Bellingham, Washington. The program is based in the Academic Instructional Center (AIC) on WWU’s main campus.

Students complete academic coursework and hands-on clinical training through the Western Washington University Hearing Clinic, which serves Whatcom County and the greater Pacific Northwest. This location provides access to diverse clinical experiences and strong community partnerships in audiology, hearing aid management, vestibular assessment, and cochlear implant care.

Western Washington University offers the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.), a clinical doctorate that prepares students for direct patient care in audiology.

A clinical doctorate is a professional degree that emphasizes hands-on training, clinical experience, and applied knowledge. Like other clinical doctorates; such as the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). WWU's Doctorate of Audiology program focuses on developing skilled, independent healthcare practitioners.

The Au.D. is not a Ph.D. or M.D.

A Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) centers on research and academic scholarship.

An M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) trains physicians in medical and surgical care.

The Au.D. (Doctor of Audiology) prepares graduates for clinical practice in hearing and balance healthcare; evaluating, diagnosing, and treating patients using evidence-based methods.

WWU’s Au.D. program combines classroom learning, clinical placements, and participation in Western's community clinic starting their first year of study, to prepare students to become compassionate, highly skilled audiologists.

Western Washington University runs on a quarter system, and the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) program follows that same schedule. Each academic year includes Fall, Winter, and Spring each lasting about 10–11 weeks; and a shorter summer quarter.

The Au.D. program participates in every quarter, including the shorter summer quarter. But since summer quarter is shorter, we still get a roughly two months of summer break to rest before the next year begins.