So You Want to Apply to Grad School

Applying to graduate school can feel like one of the biggest decisions of your life. You may be in your undergraduate degree, deciding what your next step should be, or perhaps you've been working for decades and are looking for a career change. In this post, I'm particularly focusing on applying to graduate school to study Audiology, but many of the tips can be useful for other subjects as well.

Choosing a degree path

Ph.D., Doctorate or a Masters? With so many options it can be hard to decide what's right for you. The first thing to look in to is: what are the minimum requirements to practice in your chosen subject in your desired location. For example, in Canada, the master's in Audiology is the minimum, while in the U.S. the doctorate is required. Do you plan to move between countries? Do you plan to practice in one province or state for your whole career? Then look into the licensure or certification requirements, pre-requisites, and laws. If you forsee yourself moving in the future, or are open to the idea, then make sure you're thinking ahead and not undershooting the requirements by just completing the bare minimum.

The number of years in a program can vary from school to school as well. Some schools have a 2 or 3 year Master's degree, others have a 3 or 4 year Doctorate. You can also complete a Master's, then complete the Au.D. after a few years of work experience. Typically this Au.D. upgrade course is around 2 years long, and can be completed online while you are working.

Are you interested in only working within a clinical setting, or are you interested in research and academia? If you're research-minded, then perhaps a Ph.D. is what you're looking for. At many schools the Ph.D. can be completed concurrently, or you can complete your Masters or Doctorate first and then pursue the Ph.D. Think about your priorities. Will pursuing a higher degree set you apart and make you more marketable, or perhaps pursuing the minimum requirement allow you more time to gain work experience and save money. Also, look into funding options for research, scholarships and grants.

Another important factor to consider is: what kind of experience will each type of degree provide? Network with audiologists and audiology students. Ask graduates about their experience, and talk to professionals who are currently practicing. What are the trends in the location you are looking to practice. Think about the roles or settings you would like to work in, and if an advanced degree is necessary or if it is likely to increase your salary expectations. Just because you have a Ph.D. does not mean all jobs will pay you at the appropriate level. Research job postings in your area, and look up average salaries (my instagram page would be a good place to start! https://www.instagram.com/xoaudiology)

Depending on where you live, there may be limited options for graduate schools with audiology programs, or perhaps you love to travel and are hoping to study abroad. A doctorate, master's or Ph.D. can be completed in the country you are choosing to practice within, or many students travel internationally to complete their graduate studies. It's important to do your research and weigh the pros and cons of both options. Moving away could broaden your horizons, be a fun adventure, and introduce you to colleagues and experiences that you would have not encountered otherwise. It's important to do your research and be mindful that the international education will meet the minimum requirements to practice in your desired geographic region after graduation.

Although the adventure may be appealing, keep in mind that being an international student can be a drain financially if you do not have a job or scholarships to cover your living and tuition expenses. Find out about immigration rules and if you are able to work while you are studying abroad. A drawback to studying abroad is that you will be spending the next 2-6 years working alongside and networking with valuable contacts, but they are in a different country from where you plan to work. This means you'll have to put in some extra effort to network in your desired location in order to find a job. A suggestion is, if possible, request at least one internship/externship in the geographic region you plan to practice so you can gain experience there.

Get your pre-requisites in order

There are multiple sources you will need to check with before applying to graduate school. First, look in to the required prerequisites for your desired location to practice upon graduation, and long-term. Get to know your local organizations and governing bodies. Each country, province or state has their own licensure/certification requirements, and minimum education expectations.

Second, look in to the pre-requisite requirements of your desired schools. Your chosen schools may have minimum requirements for application, such as: specific undergraduate classes, completion and/or a minimum score on the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), and a minimum number of volunteer hours or prior clinical experience.

Finally, look in to the requirements for graduation within the program. Will those requirements meet the minimum requirements for practice in your chosen state or country? The most helpful tip is to seek out students who have graduated from that program who now practice in your desired area. This way you can get first-hand information on if that school adequately prepared them to meet their local requirements, or if additional work was needed prior to their licensure.

If you will be practicing in Canada, here are some important resources to check out:

"Becoming an audiologist" Speech Language & Audiology Canada(SAC): https://www.sac-oac.ca/audiology/becoming-audiologist

"How to apply to the college" College of Audiologists & Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO): http://www.caslpo.com/applicants/apply-to-the-college

"Application Process" College of Speech & Hearing Health Professionals of BC (CSHHPBC): http://www.cshhpbc.org/applicationprocess.htm

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Photo by Charles DeLoye on Unsplash

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