Department of Linguistics
Programs
Master of Clinical Audiology
What is Audiology?
Audiology is the health-care profession that is dedicated to the identification, prevention and treatment of hearing and balance disorders. Audiology is an applied field that draws on basic sciences but, in itself, is a clinical discipline.
What is an Audiologist?
An audiologist is a professional who, through intensive academic and clinical training, is uniquely qualified to provide a comprehensive range of professional services including the prevention, evaluation and rehabilitation of hearing loss and its associated communication difficulty, the assessment and management of tinnitus, and the evaluation and rehabilitation of balance disorders. An audiologist assesses hearing, fits and evaluates hearing aids and other assistive listening devices and contributes to the management and rehabilitation of D/deaf and hard of hearing populations as diverse as newborns and seniors.
Where do audiologists work?
Audiologists are employed in a number of different settings, including private practices, physician practices, hospitals, medical centres, hearing and speech clinics, schools, universities, community outreach settings and in industry. There is currently a very strong demand for qualified audiologists both in Australia and overseas. Because the Master of Clinical Audiology program is a recognised qualification in a number of other countries, audiologists are able to travel and work overseas.
About the Course
Course Overview
The Master of Clinical Audiology (MCAud) course is a 2-year full time program which includes coursework and supervised clinical practicum. The coursework builds on prior knowledge in the basic sciences and includes units in: hearing assessment; anatomy and physiology of the hearing pathway; the profession of audiology in Australia; counselling and community support and outreach programs; hearing aids and other auditory devices; and aural rehabilitation. During the course, students will complete a minimum of 200 hours of supervised clinical practice, which is a requirement for admission into the professional body, the Audiological Society of Australia.
Strengths of the Program
Audiology is located within the Linguistics Department, in the Faculty of Human Sciences. Therefore the MCAud program has a strong focus on communication, communication disorders and strategies to manage these. The section of Audiology also has an Audiology clinic which offers diagnostic audiology services for adults and children and a rehabilitative audiology service including hearing aid fitting, counselling and tinnitus management for private adult patients. Furthermore, the program has connections with developing countries (including the Philippines and China) which are strongly supported by the Department. Australian Youth Ambassador scholarships are available for the students to assist with the development of the profession of audiology in developing countries.
Entry Requirements
There are no prerequisite subjects for the MCAud program. However, those students who do not have a relevant undergraduate degree (where relevant degrees include linguistics, psychology, speech and hearing science, biomedical science or physical and behavioural sciences), further study may be required. In addition, students who do not have a background in acoustic phonetics will be required to undertake a bridging course after the commencement of the course. As Audiology is a profession that is centred on communication, excellent written and oral skills in English are required.
While undergraduate degrees in a relevant area are preferred, students from a variety of backgrounds have successfully completed the MCAud program, therefore applicants will be considered on an individual basis. An interview is required for all domestic applicants and is conducted either face-to-face or by telephone. Interviews are typically held 2-4 weeks after the closing dates for applications. Due to the clinical nature of this program, spaces are limited, therefore, entry is competitive. Meeting eligibility criteria does not guarantee a place in the program.
How to Apply
Students without a relevant background for the MCAud program should still apply in the standard way. In addition, international students should see application details at Macquarie International.
Domestic applications on the correct application form should be posted to the Postgraduate Studies Section or delivered in person to the Student Enquiry Service.