Education · 1 of 5

The path

Four years of undergraduate, then a four-year clinical doctorate. There is no shorter route.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Biology, physics and any speech or psychology course. Sound is physics, and the ear is biology.

2. 2

   Bachelor's degree

   4 years

   Communication sciences and disorders is the usual major, but the doctorate accepts any bachelor's degree if you cover the prerequisite courses.

3. 3

   Doctor of Audiology

   4 years

   Four years at a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. Classes and clinic from the first year.

4. 4

   Clinical externship year

   12 months

   The fourth year is full-time supervised practice at a hospital, clinic or veterans center.

5. 5

   Exam, license and certification

   Final months

   Pass the Praxis Examination in Audiology, get your state license, and optionally add the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology.