NOAC FAQs

1. Why an Au.D. Degree?

• Audiologists are hearing care specialists who provide evaluation and treatment for individuals with hearing, balance and tinnitus disorders. The scope of practice in audiology, at a minimum, has tripled over the last 35 years. In 2006, the doctoral degree was mandated as the entry level degree to be a licensed audiologist in the state of Ohio.

2. Can I earn an Ph.D. through NOAC?

• Kent State University continues to have a long-standing Ph.D. program in audiology.  At present, the Au.D. and Ph.D. programs are undertaken sequentially (non-simultaneous).  Please contact Dr. Julia Huyck (jhuyck@kent.edu), NOAC Coordinator, for more details about the Ph.D. program offered at Kent State.

• The University of Akron does not currently offer a Ph.D. program in audiology. 

3. Why the Northeast Ohio Au.D. Consortium?

• The University of Akron and Kent State University are nationally recognized for their strong audiology programs and are ideally suited to offer a collaborative professional doctorate. The Cleveland Clinic Foundation is internationally recognized as providing excellence in health care. The collaborative nature of the Au.D. program merges the assets of these two strong audiology programs and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation into one unified professional doctorate degree program.

• The structure of our Au.D. program results in optimal use of the schools’ resources and represents a logical evolution of the schools’ previous master degree programs. Additionally, students obtain a broader range of experiences through placements at the Cleveland Clinic and its satellite facilities, as well as at other excellent health facilities in the Cleveland/Akron/Youngstown area. Research opportunities are available at both universities and at the Cleveland Clinic.

4. What is a consortium?

• A consortium is an alliance.  In the case of the Northeast Ohio Au.D. Consortium (NOAC), it is a partnership among the audiology programs of The University of Akron and Kent State University, in affiliation with The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. The two strong and established audiology programs have joined together with a nationally recognized comprehensive medical facility to offer a unified Au.D. program. The combined strengths of the constituent institutions provide world class education in audiology.

5. What advantages does NOAC provide over traditional Au.D. programs?

• With the synergy generated by the alliance of Kent State University, The University of Akron and The Cleveland Clinic Foundation students will benefit from the Power of 3! – NOAC is one of the largest residential Au.D. programs in the country. With the impressive facilities of the partner members including state-of-the-art technology and the comprehensive audiologic diagnosis and treatment services provided, NOAC provides students with the opportunity to become competent in all aspects of diagnostic and rehabilitative audiology.

6. Where do I take classes?

• You will take classes at both The University of Akron and Kent State University.  Classes are taught by both Kent State Faculty and faculty of The University of Akron.  Classes are scheduled so that you will not have to travel between the two sites on any given day.  The University of Akron holds classes in the Polsky Building, while Kent State offers classes in the Center for the Performing Arts Building. 

7. Where are my clinical sites?

• Clinical activities will occur in the Audiology Clinics of both universities as well as at facilities throughout the Northeast Ohio region.  With 4.3 million people, Northeast Ohio has the fourteenth largest concentration of population in the nation.  This insures an extensive and varied clinical population base. Northeast Ohio is also one of the leading areas for health care in the nation and provides a wide range of quality external training sites.  We have over 30 externship sites for student placements including hospitals, medical centers, ENT practices, audiology practices, and schools.  You will be given information about how you will be assigned at orientation meetings that occur during the summer prior to the Fall start of classes.

8. What is the distance between Akron and Kent?

• Kent and Akron are 15.2 miles apart, portal-to-portal.  Options for traveling between the two universities include use of interstate or surface highways. Public transportation is also available.

9. How do I handle parking?

• You will need to purchase a parking permit through your admitting university.  With the regular university permit, you will also be issued a YACK sticker/permit at no additional cost.  YACK access allows you to park at Youngstown State, Akron, Cleveland State, and Kent State with no additional charge or additional permit.  You are required to park in designated student lots.  Surface parking lots are available at Kent State University  adjacent to the Center for the Performing Arts.  The West Campus Parking Deck offers ample parking at The University of Akron.

10. How many students will be in my class?

• Students enroll in the NOAC program through either Kent State University or The University of Akron.  Once admitted, all students take classes together and are considered to be a single NOAC class.  Typically, 10 to 11 students are admitted through each university on a yearly basis for a class total of 20 to 22 students per class.

11. What will my diploma say?

• Diplomas will be issued through your admitting university.  

12. What are the admission criteria?

• To be considered for the NOAC program, students must have a 3.0 or higher grade point average, and submit three letters of recommendation, a personal statement of purpose, and a personal interview on-site or via video conference (e.g., Teams, Zoom, FaceTime, etc.).  The admission requirements are the same for both Kent State and The University of Akron.

13. Should I apply to Kent or Akron or both?

• Applicants may apply for admission to NOAC either through The University of Akron or Kent State University. Acceptance to either university makes applicants NOAC students, and all NOAC students progress through the same curriculum at the same pace. Applicant’s may apply to both Universities for admission consideration. There is no guarantee that application to both Universities will increase an applicant’s chance of being accepted to the NOAC program. Visit our “how to apply” page for more information 

  • • Students shall be admitted to NOAC only with majority approval of the respective university’s Admissions Committee.

    • The enrolling university will be responsible for maintaining the students’ transcripts and official student information.  The student will register for classes and receive his or her diploma from the enrolling university.

    • The University of Akron and Kent State University each retain the right to make the final determination of whether to admit Program applicants to their respective universities.

15. Is financial aid available?

• Financial aid is available on a competitive basis.  Each university has a variety of assistantships, scholarships, and fellowships that it can award.  Contact the current graduate coordinators at each schools for more information.

16. How will I know where to go and what to do?

• During the summer prior to your enrollment, you will be provided with information about scheduling and orientations. The admissions cycle typically concludes in late April/early May. You should expect to receive an Email from the NOAC Coordinator and/or the Audiology Graduate Coordinators at this time with additional information about next steps for your enrollment.  

17. How do I find out more information about NOAC?

• Contact the NOAC coordinator.