Audiology Program Rises in U.S. News Rankings

The University of Texas at Dallas audiology program has built on its reputation as one of the top-ranked audiology programs in the nation by climbing to No. 4 in U.S. News and World Report’s 2008 graduate school rankings.

The UT Dallas program continued to lead the state in graduate audiology training.

Of the 69 graduate audiology programs assessed, only Vanderbilt University, University of Iowa and University of Washington ranked higher nationally.

The UT Dallas Master’s Program in Communication Disorders also jumped in the national rankings.  It moved up five spots among speech-pathology graduate programs, from No. 17 to No. 12, out of 230.

The newest rankings put both the audiology and speech-pathology graduate programs in the top 5 percent nationally in their respective disciplines.

Both programs are taught at the UT Dallas Callier Center for Communication Disorders.   The center provides clinical services to more than 7,000 patients in the Dallas area annually and houses internationally-respected scientists who conduct advanced research into the causes and treatment of speech, language and hearing disorders.

“We have created a unique kind of program here.  The atmosphere fosters cooperation among faculty and a sense of partnership with students,” said Dr. Robert Stillman, head of the Communication Disorders Program.  “Our students become involved in clinical opportunities in the community very quickly, and they learn better that way.”

The ranking system is based on peer assessments from other deans, administrators and faculty at accredited degree programs in each discipline.  Respondents rated the academic quality of programs on a five-point scale.

Callier Center Executive Director Dr. Tom Campbell attributes both programs’ upward movement to their ability to secure the most highly sought-after students as well as the addition of outstanding new members to an already nationally renowned faculty.  “We’ve built a first-class program in a relatively short time,” he said.

About the Audiology Program
The UT Dallas School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences was one of the first in the nation to implement the Doctorate of Audiology (Au.D) degree.  This degree fuses clinical preparation and doctoral research training.  The program is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of less than 10 percent.  Graduates have a 100 percent pass rate on the PRAXIS, the national certification examination in audiology. 

About the Communication Disorders Program
The UT Dallas Master’s Program in Communication Disorders is one of the largest graduate speech-language pathology programs in the nation.  This program immerses students in intensive clinical instruction in the classroom and field.  Admission is highly competitive, with a 35 percent acceptance rate.  The program’s students consistently find jobs in their field within two months of graduation. 

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