AuD Knowledge and Skills Acquisition/Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Skills Acquisition
In addition to coursework, students must acquire knowledge and develop skills necessary for the entry-level, independent practice of audiology. These knowledge and skills are delineated by the American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association's current Standards for Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology. Students must meet departmental requirements for the acquisition of such knowledge and skills to graduate. The program director will meet regularly with the students to review academic progress, along with reviewing the acquisition of knowledge and skills. For students not meeting specific knowledge and skills in a course, the instructor will develop a document outlining the steps for acquiring the lacking knowledge and skills for the student. This document must include specific requirements for meeting the specific knowledge and skills/learning outcome, along with a date of completion. Completion dates must be before the mid-term of the semester following the course enrollment for a long semester (i.e., fall/spring) or end of the semester for the summer. Failure to successfully complete the requirements set forth in this document will result in the student being referred to the curriculum committee for an individualized student support plan. Failure to complete the individualized student support plan will result in the student being placed on academic probation.
Audiology Learning Outcomes
The underlying objective of the Doctor of Audiology Program is to maintain a high-quality, clinic-based program, with coursework focusing on the use of evidence-based methodology to promote hearing health care. This program includes training in current clinical methods, theoretical bases of clinical skills critical for the practice of audiology, research evaluation as support for clinical methods, and integration of knowledge obtained in coursework with skills obtained in clinical practicum. To meet these objectives, the program focuses on learning outcomes that provide the student with knowledge and skills related to: (examples of possible assignments the students will complete to accomplish the Learning Outcome)Understands acoustic and electrical principles related to auditory and balance instrumentation, assessment, and intervention
(e.g., completion of exams/assignments in instrumentation; completion of classroom amp activities in educational)Understands principles of normal auditory/balance anatomy and physiologic function, as well as the effects of disorders on these systems
(e.g., completion of paper and cases in pediatric audiology; completion of project in pharmacology)Uses of a variety of evidence-based practices to assess, conserve, and document auditory and balance function
(e.g., writes evidence-based practice paragraphs in clinical enrollments; develops a reference notebook of evidence-based practice in diagnostic audiology; completes grand rounds in clinical enrollments)Utilizes outcome measures to provide intervention related to disorders of auditory and balance function, using standardized and non-standardized measures in an evidence-based manner
(e.g., meets required aural rehabilitation skills; completion of intervention assignments in clinical application of aural rehabilitation course)Utilizes evidence-based practices to determine and measure appropriate characteristics of hearing assistive technology systems, amplification, and other technology
(e.g., completes different activities related to classroom amplification; meets specified amplification skills in the clinic)Provides education and counseling to patients, families, and other individuals involved in patient care regarding assessment and intervention of auditory and balance function, along with obtaining information relevant to intervention
(e.g., meets fundamental counseling skills in clinical practicum; completion of a personal counseling project in counseling)Understands the impact of life-span issues, cultural diversity, and underserved populations in audiological practice
(e.g., accumulation of contact hours with culturally/linguistically diverse populations; completion of a presentation related to modifying test protocols based on age/culture/additional disabilities in diagnostic audiology)Familiar with normal life-span speech and language development, changes in communication-related to poor auditory function along with identification of when changes are unrelated to auditory function
(e.g., completes assignment on aural rehabilitation goals and activities in clinical application of aural rehabilitation; completes applied research project related to speech and language)Understands the impact of professional practices, business management practices, and healthcare systems on service delivery
(e.g., completion of Institutional Review Board training; accumulation of external program experiences in clinic)Understands research principles and practices in order to become efficient consumers of research
(e.g., completes presentation and critiques of research articles; completion of clinical research enrollments)Understands the scientific and theoretical foundation of auditory practice
(e.g., course projects, reports, paper in psychoacoustics; exams in fundamentals of audiology course)Demonstrates oral and written skills sufficient to achieve effective clinical and professional communication
(e.g., completion of pediatric paper; presentations in clinical disorders)Demonstrates knowledge and skills in the values and principles of interprofessional practices and team dynamics
(e.g., completes interprofessional modules; takes part in team-based activity)Understands ethical practices, including self-assessment and advocacy for the profession and the individuals served
(e.g., completes self-assessment activities in the courses/clinic)
Clinical Skills and Hours Requirements
A student is expected to successfully complete all clinical requirements as stated in the clinical syllabus and manual. Hour requirements are a minimum of 1500 hours of direct patient contact time and 350 hours of non-contact hours for a total minimum of 1850 hours. For more information and documentation, the student is directed to the clinical student syllabus. Failure to complete clinical requirements may result in a delay in graduation until requirements are met.
Portfolio/KASA:
Portfolio: The portfolio provides evidence of the academic knowledge, clinical knowledge, and clinical experiences of the student. The portfolio will be submitted in two versions. Version 1 of the portfolio will be submitted on April 1st of the 3rd year while enrolled in the Au.D. program. The first version will be graded before the student is allowed to begin the 4th year clinical experience. The second version will be submitted during the 4th year on April 15th.The portfolio will contain research requirements, syllabi, and any special projects. The program will provide the students with copies of the cumulative summative evaluation, and clinical hours.For Version 1 (turned in during the 3rd year), have each section in your portfolio. We will review that the information is current in each section.Section 1: Materials to be signed by program director.
You will receive many of these forms in your 3rd year.Section 2: KASA
Include most recent learning outcome form received at the most recent plan of study.Section 3: Plan of study
Include all notes from academic and clinical plan of study meetings.Section 4: Transcripts
Include copies of all transcripts; these transcripts should be official if possible.**Note: you will have to have copies of official TTUHSC transcript after “degree conferred” is needed for licensure/certification.Section 5: Clinical hours
Include the most current end-of-semester clinical hours.Section 6: Clinical evaluations: Cumulative Summative Evaluation
Include the most current Cumulative Summative Evaluation provided at the plan of study meeting.Section 7: Syllabi
Include the syllabus for each course you have taken, including one copy of the clinic syllabus. Include syllabi from undergrad courses you took that count toward a graduate course (e.g., you took diagnostic audiology as an undergrad)Section 8: Research
Include all signed research forms. The final portfolio MUST include the form with signatures proving that the research project has been completed (defense & write-up)Section 9: IPE Certificate
Include at least one IPE certificate indicating completion of a collaborative professional event.Section 10: Projects
Include any projects for a knowledge/skill which hasn’t been met in clinic or coursework. The program director and/or clinical director will inform you about such projects in the plan of study meetings.Supplemental folder:
Keep all projects in a supplemental folder – for example, the grading forms from papers that met Learning outcomes in courses, etc. Include in this section your semester final clinical evaluation forms.For Version 2 (turned in during your 4th year), the following sections must be mailed to the program director for review:Section 1: Materials to be signed by program director.
You will receive many of these forms in your 3rd year. The ASHA certification form (verification by program director) must be included.Section 2: Plan of study
Specifically, notes from the academic and clinical plan of study meetings from the 4th year must be included.Section 3: KASA
The program director will add the final learning outcome form once the requirements are completed and KASA by foundation form (provided by the program director).Section 4:
Official TTUHSC transcript after “degree conferred” will be needed for licensure/certification (doesn’t have to be included in portfolio)Section 5: Clinical hours
The clinical director will add the final signed version of hours after the final semester is completed and all requirements are met.Section 6: Clinical evaluations: Cumulative Summative Evaluation
The clinical director will add the final signed version of the summative evaluation form after the final semester is completed and all requirements are met.Section 7: Syllabi
ONLY include the syllabus from 7020-7021 (4th-year enrollment). All other syllabi will have been checked during the 3rd year.Section 8: Research
Include all signed research forms. This would be an inclusion criterion for this version only if the research project was not completed during the scheduled courses. The final portfolio MUST include the form with signatures proving that the research project has been completed (defense & write-up)
