From June 29-30, seven participants had the chance to learn the ins and outs about one of the fastest growing professions in the US during the University’s Osborne College of Audiology inaugural Audiology Learning Experience. The two-day event offered prospective students the opportunity to investigate the academic study associated with the University’s on-campus Doctor of Audiology program, as well as the profession of audiology and the many career opportunities available.
In addition to learning about the application process and the field of audiology as a whole, assistant director in the Office of Admissions Chris Speece hopes the participants will understand what makes Salus unique.
“I hope they leave with a strong understanding of who we are, not just as a program but as an institution,” he said. “The faculty, staff and students they interacted with during the two days are what makes the program special.”
Participants met with Audiology faculty members for a round table discussion, observed clinical skills practices in the program‘s clinical labs, sat in on a class and learned about the University’s admissions process and career trajectories for those who earn a Doctor of Audiology degree. They also toured the University and the Pennsylvania Ear Institute (PEI), the Osborne College of Audiology’s clinical facility.
One of the participants, Samantha Charlton, a communications sciences and disorders (CSD) major at Penn State, said the experience was very informative.
“As a CSD major, (my program) focuses 90 percent on speech, but since I’m more interested in audiology, I wanted to come to a program that really shows you about what the field audiology is like and what a graduate program in it would be like,” she said.
Megan Labbe ’20AUD, one of the student volunteers during the event, thought the experience was beneficial for anyone considering a career in audiology. She also enjoyed interacting with the prospective students and answering their questions about the University’s program.
“Coming from Florida, I didn’t have this experience and as a prospective student, it’s something I would have loved to be involved in,” she said. “Being able to share my knowledge about our Audiology program and Salus with them has been great. I love audiology.”
PEI audiologist Dr. Rebecca Blaha agrees the experience helped open students’ minds to the wealth of career possibilities the study of Audiology has to offer.
“Audiology has a lot to offer as a career from clinical practice, to teaching and research,” she said. “Hopefully seeing the enthusiasm of our students and faculty will inspire more to consider audiology as a profession.”
The University offers a variety of visitation options for prospective students. Learn more here.
