Program overview

Program length: 1 year
Class size: 2 students
Location: Rochester, Minnesota

Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences offers a one-year Audiology Externship at Mayo Clinic's campus in Rochester, Minnesota. This program provides in-depth clinical knowledge and skills that enable you to provide high-quality, comprehensive audiology care. Education focuses on providing patient care and state-of-the-art clinical audiology services to patients of all ages. 

Upon successful completion of the Audiology Externship, you receive a certificate of completion from Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences. 

Application process

The application cycle opens June 17, 2024. Your application and all supporting documentation must be received by Sept. 18, 2024. The program runs from the beginning of June 2025 to the end of May 2026.

Prerequisites

To be eligible to apply for the Audiology Externship, applicants must currently be enrolled in an accredited Doctor of Audiology program.

Candidates must have completed the didactic portion of the degree before being admitted to the externship. Candidates enrolled in accelerated programs will be considered on an individual basis.

In addition, applicants must obtain a Minnesota doctoral externship temporary audiology license.

View the program technical standards for the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences Audiology Externship.

How to apply

1. Create an account to begin the online Application for Admission
   • Select – Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences
   • Select – Audiology Externship
2. Complete each section of the application and submit
   • Under education, include your undergraduate and graduate schools
3. After submission, view the required Supplemental Items and Documents
   • Upload each required item in the Supplemental Items section
   • Complete the Recommendation Request section

Additional required items

• CV/resume
• Application essay/personal statement of professional goals
• Three letters of recommendation from healthcare providers; each will receive an email with a link to complete a rating form and upload a letter
• Unofficial undergraduate and graduate college transcripts
• A detailed summary of clinical practicum hours (pediatric vs adult: evaluation/assessment of hearing vestibular, cochlear implants, hearing aids, bone conduction devices, etc.)
• GRE test scores (optional)

Interview process

Applicants considered for acceptance may be invited to participate in a virtual interview with the program director and selected faculty.

Acceptance

Acceptance is determined at the conclusion of the interview process. Acceptance letters are sent out by Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences. Acceptance to the program is dependent upon successful completion of the health review and background check.

Admission policies

Non-U.S. citizen applicants

Admission to Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences is open to U.S. workers in the four categories below. Therefore, visa sponsorship is not available.

1. U.S. citizens
2. U.S. nationals
3. Lawful permanent residents
4. Asylees and refugees

Applicants whose primary language is not English must submit results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based test (TOEFL iBT). Scores from the speaking portion of the exam are given particular consideration in admission decisions. Learn more about the exam and register online at the Educational Testing Service.

The Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences code for the TOEFL iBT is 5784.

Educational transcripts from schools outside the U.S. must be translated (if they are not already in English) and evaluated for U.S. equivalence by an accredited credential evaluation service company prior to submission. Please refer to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services for a list of qualified companies. The applicant pays for the examination and credential-evaluation services.

See further Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences admissions policy information.

Stipend and benefits 

A stipend of $39,000 for the Audiology Externship is paid in biweekly installments over the course of the 12 months. There are no tuition fees.

Externs are granted 12 days for time away in addition to the six holidays outpatient clinics are closed.

Living expenses such as transportation, housing, and meals are the responsibility of the student.

Curriculum

The Audiology Externship consists of comprehensive clinical training to ensure that the program meets your training goals. During your training, you have the opportunity to rotate through all of the clinical areas in the Division of Audiology at Mayo Clinic's campus in Rochester, Minnesota, including:

• Pediatric and adult audiological evaluations
• Posturography
• Videonystagmography
• Rotational chair testing
• Canalith repositioning procedures
• Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials
• Auditory evoked potentials
• Otoacoustic emissions
• Hearing aid selection, fitting, and dispensing
• Adult aural rehabilitation programs
• Cochlear implant evaluation and programming
• Newborn hearing screening
• Tinnitus counseling
• Equipment calibration
• Opportunity for clinical research
• Opportunity for quality improvement projects
• Local presentations within the department of otorhinolaryngology and Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences
• Opportunity to present at a national audiology conference

Through the externship, you gain experience in the many facets of an active audiology practice. Close and positive relationships with otorhinolaryngologists offer a unique learning environment. You have the opportunity to complete projects directed by Ph.D.-level audiology staff members.

During this time, you acquire a thorough understanding of departmental philosophy and mission, and skills to identify and solve practice problems using policy development. You learn the elements of performance improvement and participate in the process through departmental initiatives, especially as they relate to patient safety.

You have the opportunity to participate in a monthly videoconference with audiologists from Mayo Clinic's campuses in Jacksonville, Florida, and Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, as well as various Mayo Clinic Health System locations, as research and clinical cases are presented. 

Hours

For the majority of the externship, you are in the clinic setting Monday through Friday. You will rotate occasional weekends for newborn hearing screening.

Grading or evaluation

Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences uses these evaluative tools:

• Written examination
• Demonstration of skills
• Self-assessment exercises
• Faculty reviews

Mayo's system of evaluation provides students and faculty with a comprehensive look at individual performance. This allows faculty and administrative staff to direct students who are experiencing academic difficulty to the appropriate support resources, including tutoring programs and counseling opportunities.

Facilities

Mayo Clinic's Division of Audiology employs 23 audiologists and seven audiology assistants. Audiology care providers see patients of all ages with hearing and balance problems. Each year, audiologists at Mayo Clinic perform more than 35,000 procedures and tests. Audiology is a part of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery at Mayo Clinic.

Mayo Clinic's campus in Rochester, Minnesota, includes an extensive outpatient complex, Mayo Clinic Hospital — Rochester, and substantial research and education facilities. This Mayo Clinic site is among the largest, most advanced medical centers in the world.

Faculty

The Audiology Externship is coordinated and taught by the clinical, scientific, and technical staff of Mayo Clinic. Mentors are chosen for their commitment to teaching, as well as their clinical practice and research. Many have published and lectured extensively and are highly regarded in their fields.

The Division of Audiology includes two Ph.D.s, 18 Au.D.s, and one master's-level audiologist. You have direct access to these individuals throughout your training, giving you the opportunity to learn from some of today's best practitioners in audiology.

Accreditation information

See accreditation information for Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.