Admissions Criteria

The School of Audiology actively seeks applicants from every state in the nation.  The Admissions Committee has established an admissions policy to select the applicants who are best qualified to serve the public and the profession in the years to come.

In selecting students to be admitted, many factors are considered, e.g., academic performance, motivation, extracurricular activities and interests, related and unrelated work experience, personal achievements, essays, letters of evaluation, and standardized test results. In weighing academic performance, the applicant’s grade point average, performance in prerequisite courses, number of college credits completed, and degree status are all taken into consideration. It is recommended that students with less than a 2.5 (C+) grade point average consult the Office of Admissions prior to applying.

Individuals successfully meeting the above criteria are invited to visit the College campus for an interview, which offers further insight into the applicant’s characteristics and motivation. The candidate will also meet with a member of the Office of Admissions to discuss their application. The visit affords the individual an opportunity to tour our campuses and clinical facilities, and to meet with audiology faculty members, as well as current students.

Pre-requisite Coursework

An applicant must have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours or 125 quarter hours of credit from an accredited undergraduate college or university in speech and hearing sciences /disorders or related field such as biology, linguistics, psychology, engineering, pre-med/health, education.

Prerequisite credits completed ten or more years prior to the anticipated entrance date will be reviewed for approval on an individual basis. 

These credits must include the following pre-audiology  courses completed with a 2.0 (C) or better. An applicant need not have completed all prerequisites prior to filing an application but must be able to complete all outstanding prerequisites prior to enrolling:

• English, Composition - 1 year
• Mathematics - 1 year (Calculus highly recommended - 1/2 year of Calculus fulfills Math requirement.)
• Statistics - 1/2 year (Math, Biology, Psychology preferred)
• Basic Sciences - 1 year (e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
• Physics or Hearing Science - 1/2 year
• Social Sciences - 1 year

Admissions Procedures

Rolling Admissions Process

Currently accepting applications for our class entering in the Fall of 2008.

The College uses a "rolling admissions" process (September 1 through June 1) that allows qualified candidates to be admitted on an ongoing basis beginning in early October and continuing until the class is filled. 

• Student applications are reviewed beginning September 1.
• Interviews are scheduled and initiated starting October 1. 
• Candidates meeting the requirements are then admitted on a weekly basis until the class capacity is reached. 

Therefore, it is to the student’s advantage to apply as early as possible to ensure full consideration for admission.

To be considered for admission to the  Doctor of Audiology at PCO:

• Submit a properly completed application (including unofficial transcripts) to the Office of Admissions, and a non-refundable application fee in the amount of $50 (check, money order or on-line.)  Economically disadvantaged students should contact the Office of Admissions regarding an application fee waiver. Applicants can apply on-line.
  
• Submit official transcripts from all colleges (undergraduate, graduate, professional) attended. Partial transcripts should be submitted if courses are still in progress. Official transcripts must be submitted directly to the Admissions Office from each institution.
  
• Submission of satisfactory scores on a standardized test such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Optometry Admissions Test (OAT), Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), or Dental Admissions Test (DAT). Have results forwarded to the Office of Admissions
  
• Arrange for three letters of evaluation. Two letters must be written by faculty members from your undergraduate courses and one must come from a practicing audiologist. Letters must be submitted on official letterhead directly to the Office of Admissions from the evaluator.
• All credentials submitted on behalf of an applicant become a part of that applicant’s file with the College and cannot be returned.

International Students and Practitioners

Provide the Admissions Office with the following information:

• A course-by-course credential review from an accredited agency which evidences all post-secondary studies completed.  The applicant will need to provide to the credential agency and the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, certified English translations of all academic records and descriptions for all courses completed. These services are provided by various agencies including:  World Education Services, PO Box 745, Old Chelsea Station, New York, NY 10113-0745, Phone 212-966-6311, www.wes.org
   
• Official results of a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language (www.toefl.org) examination.
   

• International practitioners should submit a letter of reference from a Department Chairperson or Supervisor along with two references from former faculty.

Notification of Acceptance

An applicant may be notified of his or her acceptance as early as October. Upon receipt of acceptance, an applicant is required to pay $1,000 matriculation fee to the College prior to the start of classes, payable as follows:

• Return the matriculation form within 14 days of the date of the acceptance letter. A $500 deposit is due January 15; if accepted after January 15, the $500 deposit must accompany the matriculation form.
  
• Due June 1--the balance of $500 of the matriculation fee.
  
• All monies received above will be applied toward first term fees.
  
• Refund Policy

NOTE:  Record of Immunizations - All students are required to provide immunization records for Hepatitis B. Acceptable forms of proof are:

1. serological evidence of current immunity to Hepatitis B,
2. a signed physician statement that you have completed the three-dose series of vaccinations, or
3. an informed refusal to be vaccinated