Admissions

Audiology Doctoral (AuD) students are admitted only in the Fall term of each year. It takes four years to complete the program. The Audiology Doctorate is full-time and intensive.  Due to the scheduling and sequencing of the courses, we do not allow students to complete the program on a part-time basis.

Applicants for admission to the program must meet the general requirements for admission to both universities, as outlined in the current catalogs of SDSU and UCSD.  Applicants must also meet the special requirements of this program. These currently include:

• Overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better in undergraduate courses and any graduate courses completed and good standing in the last institution attended. Please note that the average GPA of admitted students is typically much higher (3.7 to 3.8).
• NOTE: The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required.  GRE scores will not be considered or reviewed.

The Program encourages applicants from a variety of undergraduate disciplines. Although not required, we strongly recommend that students with backgrounds other than Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences provide evidence that they understand what a career in audiology entails; clinical observations and/or audiology coursework, for example, would be suitable evidence.  An undergraduate degree in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences is not required, but there are several prerequisites that must be completed by all students, preferably before enrolling.

• Statistics (one course)
• Biological Science (one course)
• Physical Science (one course)
• Social/Behavioral Science (one course)
• American Sign Language (one course)

Though not recommended, deficiencies in these areas may be completed after admission to the program if approved by the Admissions Committee.

Students are admitted in the Fall only.  Applications for admission to the SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctor of Audiology (AuD) Program are reviewed by a panel of faculty members from both SDSU and UCSD.

Applications will only be reviewed if they are complete and all required materials have been received by both SDSU and CSDCAS.  The committee cannot review incomplete applications.  It is up to the applicants to monitor receipt of all required materials and follow-up as needed.

After an initial review of materials, a majority of applicants will be invited to schedule a Zoom interview.  This will be a brief, informal conversation.  It is an opportunity for you to ask questions and for us to get to know you.  You do not need to prepare for the interview.

The number of new admissions is targeted at 10-11 students per year to be selected from a pool of qualified applicants. Admission is based on consideration of all application materials and the relative merits of individual applicants among all eligible applicants.

Admission decisions are made in late February. Notifications of admission decisions will be emailed the first or second week of March.

The AuD program does NOT allow deferred admission. Admitted students who are unable to begin the program in Fall 2021 must reapply in a subsequent year and will have no guarantee of being admitted.

Our program requires that admitted students pass a background check prior to beginning the program. Background screenings may include checking state and federal criminal records and sex offender registries. If your background screening shows that you have a criminal record or are listed as a sex offender, you may not be able to secure clinical placements. This background check would be conducted after students accept an offer of admission and before they begin the program. The state of California may deny licensure for individuals who have been found guilty of committing acts that are contrary to public health and safety.

1. General instructions for Cal State Apply Graduate Admissions can be found here.
2. Please note: There is a $70 fee for the application
3. Begin your application to San Diego State University via Cal State Apply at least three weeks before the  December 1.  It takes up to two weeks to receive your SDSU Student ID, a personal identification number that is unique to you. The Student ID is required to complete your application
4. Once you receive your SDSU Student ID, you can set up your my.SDSU account. Submit your application materials to SDSU via my.SDSU.

Approximately 10-15 days after submitting the Cal State Apply application, SDSU will email you your permanent SDSU Student ID number and instructions on how to set up your my.SDSU account. A my.SDSU account is the primary SDSU e-Services online account used to access important student services, including Application Status Check, Updating Email/Address, Applying for on-campus housing, and My Registration Information.  Receipt of your Student ID indicates that Graduate Admissions has received your Cal State Apply application, has set up your electronic file, and is now prepared to receive and process your transcripts.  If you already have a Student ID, it will not change; you will use the same Student ID number.

• Indicate “Audiology (AuD)” as your Major/Program Objective.
• Indicate “Doctorate” as the Degree Objective.
• You do not need to choose a credential program in the Cal State Apply application.
• Unless you are applying to another CSU program that does not require a supplemental application, you do not have to complete the Transcript Information, Experiences, and Achievements sections of Cal State Apply as those items will be addressed in the supplemental CSDCAS application.

Do not begin submitting transcripts until you have received your SDSU Student ID.  Otherwise, your transcript may not be linked to your application and will not appear in your record.  Be consistent with the name you use when submitting applications, transcripts, and test scores – Otherwise, your application and documents cannot be matched by SDSU Graduate Admissions.

1. Submit proof of English proficiency (International applicants) if required (see requirements here)
2. Submit all your official transcripts from all schools attended (university, junior/community colleges, and study abroad institutions) to Graduate Admissions at SDSU. This is in addition to the transcripts required by CSDCAS (Step 2, see below). Electronic transcripts MUST come directly from your school.  Electronic transcripts sent by students will not be accepted. Transcripts must be received (not postmarked) by December 15.

• Do not wait until the end of the Fall term to submit your transcripts; we do not expect to see grades from the most recent Fall semester.
• For U.S. applicants, transcripts may be sent electronically. More information about requesting transcripts can be found at the end of this web page.
• For SDSU Students: Students who will receive their undergraduate degree from SDSU do not need to submit an SDSU transcript to SDSU Graduate Admissions as they can access those transcripts electronically.  SDSU transcripts and all other transcripts DO need to be submitted to CSDCAS by all applicants.
• For international applicants: paper transcripts are required for some countries. Refer to Requirements by Country on the Graduate Admissions website.  

International applicants are strongly encouraged to read the requirements posted on the SDSU International Graduate Admissions website.

If you have international coursework, you must have your school send SDSU Graduate Admissions one official original-language copy of all records of academic coursework and proof of degree. For each document you must also send a certified literal English translation, which can come directly from the school itself or from a professional, certified translator. The translation must contain all information shown on the original-language documents.

CHINESE INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTS:  Degrees from China must also be verified by the China Academic Degrees & Graduate Education Development Center (CDGDC).

The GRE is no longer required,  however, TOEFL scores are still required from applicants who received or will receive their undergraduate and/or post-baccalaureate degree at an international institution (regardless of citizenship status) where the primary language of instruction was not English.

*Must be received electronically by Enrollment Services by January 12th*.  It takes ETS 10-15 days to send test scores to SDSU, so please plan accordingly.  Doctor of Audiology applicants must meet the requirements for BOTH SDSU and UCSD. SDSU requirements are located here (see Step 5) and the UCSD requirements are located here.

• TOEFL scores are required, if applicable. Contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and request that your TOEFL scores be sent to San Diego State University electronically (Institution Code: 4682) and to CSDCAS (Code:  C122).  TOEFL is the Test of English as a Foreign Language.  This is only required for international students whose schooling thus far has been in a language other than English.
  
• Allow 1 month for TOEFL scores to be sent electronically from ETS to SDSU.
• TOEFL scores expire after 2 years.
• The University will accept TOEFL, IELTS, 0r PTE test score as proof of English proficiency.  (UCSD does NOT accept the DuoLingo English Test).
• Please see SDSU’s Admissions website for more instructions and the minimum scores for each option under Step 5

Students are expected to log on to my.SDSU to monitor the status of their Cal State Apply application and the receipt of transcripts and TOEFL scores. Do not assume that materials have been received by the Graduate Division.

1. Complete the online application as soon as you receive your SDSU Student ID number, which may take up to three weeks after submitting the Cal State Apply application (Step 1). You do not need to wait for your Fall 2024 grades.  It is important to apply early so that all materials will be received by the January 12 deadline.
2. Enter your course grades manually (required part of the application). If you use the grade entry service offered by CSDCAS (for entry of your grades), please be advised that this may delay receipt of your application by one month.  We recommend that you enter your grades yourself to avoid delay and the increased likelihood that your application will not be complete by Jan 12.
3. Complete all other parts of the CSDCAS application, including the experiences section.

• Request that materials be sent to CSDCAS as soon as you receive your SDSU Student ID
• Please make sure to submit official transcripts for ALL post-secondary institutions (community colleges, universities) to CSDCAS. Manual entry of your grades is also required as part of your application. CSDCAS uses the official transcripts to verify your entries. Note: Official transcripts must be submitted to CSDCAS in addition to the transcripts required by SDSU.
• We require a minimum of three letters of recommendation. Students should request a minimum of two academic references from people who can write about the potential for success as a graduate student (e.g., professors)

1. Write and submit your resumé
2. Write and submit your applicant essay using the prompt in the CSDCAS application instructions (no more than 3 pages, double spaced)

• Students must submit the CSDCAS application; some students fill in the application but forget to finalize the submission.  We are unable to review applications that have not been submitted.
• ALL MATERIALS (completed CSDCAS application, transcripts, letters, essay) must be received by the January 12 deadline.

• You will be able to follow the status of your application through CSDCAS to ensure that all transcripts and letters of recommendation are received. Students are strongly urged to monitor the status of their CSDCAS applications and follow-up as needed to make sure that all materials are received by the January 12 deadline.

Prerequisites for the AuD program are:

• one course in statistics,
• one course in biological science,
• one course in physical science,
• one course in behavioral/social sciences, and
• one course in American Sign Language

Deficiencies in these areas may be completed after admission to the program if approved by the Admissions Committee. Students may not advance to candidacy without completing all prerequisites. We strongly suggest that student complete the prerequisites before enrolling in the program.

Yes, your application will be reviewed provided that all the materials have been received.   Completion of all prerequisites is not a criterion for admission.

The program fees consistent of graduate tuition paid to  SDSU Cashier’s Office site and a Special Program Fee paid to SDSU Global Campus. See “Tuition/Costs” on the AuD Program Details page.

No, as you will be submitting an Essay as part of your CSDCAS application. You do not need to complete the Statement of Purpose on the Cal State Apply application. Simply write “Essay submitted to CSDCAS” in this section.

Do not submit transcripts to Enrollment Services prior to submitting the Cal State Apply on-line application. Upon receipt, SDSU will e-mail you a Student Red ID # in 10-15 business days. Receiving this Red ID indicates that an electronic file has now been created for you so transcripts received can be matched to you.

No, you do not need to wait for final transcripts for classes in progress at the time you apply. If admitted to SDSU, those will be requested at a later date.

Yes, but letters of recommendation from employers do not carry the same weight with the admissions committee as letters from former professors as the letters are used to gauge academic performance, not job performance.

Yes, at the same time you receive your Red ID you will receive instructions on setting up your my.sdsu account.  Enrollment Services will also e-mail bi-weekly reminders to students with incomplete applications.  You can check the status of your Cal State Apply application, transcripts, and test scores through WebPortal.  You can also track the status of your online application materials submitted to CSDCAS.  We strongly recommended that applicant monitor the status of their applications.  Only complete and verified applications will be reviewed.

Your file will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.

No, the program requires full-time attendance.

Admission decisions will be made by mid-March. You will be notified via e-mail through CSDCAS online system.

Starting in 2022, most students will be asked to interview.  After a review of all application materials, the top (approximately 75%) will be invited to interview.  This will be a brief, informal interview.  It is an opportunity for you to ask questions and for us to get to know you.  You do not need to prepare for the interview.

In general, no.  The maximum transfer credit allowed is 9 units.  You can apply like any prospective first year student, and we may be able to accept 9 units from your previous institution.