Admissions
The Osborne College of Audiology accepts applications to the Advanced Studies Certificate Programs online through the MySalus portal.
Applications to the Advanced Studies Certificate Programs are accepted on a rolling basis. Entrance into these programs occurs each Fall (August) or Spring (February), provided that a minimum number of 10 seats are filled. The Admissions Committee review and selection begins after applicants have sent all the necessary documents to the Office of Admissions.
Once the class is filled to capacity, applicants may be placed on a waiting list for the next start date. To receive priority consideration, applicants are encouraged to apply and complete the application requirements as soon as possible.
Criteria & Prerequisites
To be considered an applicant must:
Complete the following two-step application process:
- Submit an online application to the certificate track of your choice, along with the non-refundable application fee of $100 (USD). Within the application, you will be asked to do the following:
- Complete a Personal Goal Statement – Submit a brief (750 word maximum) goal statement, describing your professional background and interest in your advanced study of choice (Cochlear Implants, Tinnitus and Hyperacusis, or Vestibular Sciences and Disorders). Please address the following questions within your response:
- Are you currently working in the field of cochlear implants, tinnitus and hyperacusis, or vestibular sciences and disorders (please focus on the field of advanced study to which you are applying)?
- If so, where and in what capacity? If not, what is motivating you to pursue advanced studies cochlear implants, tinnitus and hyperacusis, or vestibular sciences and disorders?
- What are your professional goals?
- How do you see the certificate program advancing your professional goals?
- If you are applying for the available Faculty Scholarship (see more details below), state so in the Personal Goal Statement and also provide a separate letter of support from your AuD program director.
- Arrange for two letters of evaluation to be submitted on your behalf by supplying the name and email address of two people who will provide the University with a reference. References will be contacted by the Office of Admissions and provided with an evaluation form.
- The references should be from persons familiar with the applicant's academic work, employment record, and/or personal characteristics and who not related to the applicant.
The application can be started and saved. You will be provided a key number to allow you to retrieve the application and your responses will be saved until you are ready to submit. Please save this key. It is the only way you can access your saved application. Please provide an email address so key number can be forwarded to you if needed. It is recommended that you also print a copy of the completed application for your records.
- Submit the following documents to the Office of Admissions:
- Curriculum vitae or resume of work experience, along with a copy of license, registration, or the equivalent to practice audiology, if applicable. This may be emailed to admissions@salus.edu.
- Arrange for an official copy of transcripts indicating confirmation of a college degree (BS, MS, AuD, PhD, MD, etc.) from an accredited institution in audiology or an audiology-related profession (e.g. physicians, speech-language pathologists, or teachers of the hearing impaired who may be part of the interdisciplinary management team for cochlear implant candidates and recipients). Current audiology clinical doctoral (AuD) students who are in the clinical externship phase of their program are required to also submit a letter of support from the program director.
- Official transcripts must be submitted directly to the Office of Admissions, not to the student. A transcript marked "issued to student" is not acceptable, even when delivered in a sealed envelope.
- An international student whose degree was completed outside of the U.S. will be required to submit a document-by-document credential review from a NACES recognized agency, which evidences all post-secondary studies completed.
- Recommended agencies include:
- World Education Services
- SpanTran
- Please consult agency’s web site for requirements to complete the evaluation.An official evaluation must be sent from the agency directly to Salus University, Office of Admissions, 8360 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027.
- Official results from the TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials, IELTS or Duolingo examination are required of all non-native English speakers. One of these approved exams must be taken within two years prior to the start date of the entering class to which an applicant seeks admission.
- A recommended score for the TOEFL iBT is 70 or above (or its equivalent if taking an approved alternate exam).
- While we recommend that applicants submit and hold at least the recommended minimum scores for TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials, IELTS or Duolingo, exceptions will be considered for foreign applicants who meet one of the following criteria*:
- successfully completed a degree or diploma held from an accredited, post-secondary institution where the coursework was entirely in English, and provide evidence that it was conducted in English; or
- successfully completed, and provide evidence of, an approved English language learner’s program
- *Note: All exemption materials and other appeals are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and subject to the admission committee’s final discretion. Should any exceptions not be accepted toward the English language requirement, the Office of Admissions will inform the applicant of an alternative to fulfill it.
- Entrance examinations are not a requirement for acceptance into these programs. However, if you have taken a test such as Miller Analogies Test (MAT), Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or ETS PRAXIS and would like to include them in your admissions file, your test results may be sent directly to the Office of Admissions.
- All credentials submitted on behalf of an applicant become a part of that applicant’s file with the University and cannot be returned.
Faculty Scholarship
Faculty members who are currently teaching one or more courses at an accredited institution on the topic associated with the certificate track they are pursuing may be eligible to receive a $5,000 scholarship, covering the tuition of the first ten credits of the program.
The scholarship does not cover the direct expenses of the application fee ($100), the eCollege fee ($500), or the quarterly University technology fee ($170).
Faculty who wish to apply for this scholarship should include the following as part of the admissions process: (a) the intention of application for the faculty scholarship in your Personal Statement, and (b) the submission of a separate letter of support from your program director.
For Non - Degree Student Status
Please complete the form found at the link below and submit. This form is appropriate for the applicant who may desire to take one or more of the courses offered in this program, but is not fully enrolling in one of the Advanced Studies Certificate Programs.
Application Form for Non-Degree Student Status
Notification of Acceptance and Matriculation
An applicant may be notified of his or her acceptance on a rolling admissions basis. Upon receipt of acceptance, an applicant is required to complete the Matriculation Supplement form in order to reserve a seat in the program.
Certificate Program Course Delivery
Courses are taught entirely online. Technology requirements (see details below) must be met to ensure that each student has equal access and receives materials in the same way. Students will asynchronously connect and interact with the course instructor and other students online. In asynchronous online instruction, students have the flexibility to access the course within a period of time set by the instructor. The instructor will post PowerPoint presentations and may post links to videos and interactive activities. Each course is six weeks in duration and consists of six weekly lectures, weekly discussion board and weekly assignments/quizzes. Asynchronously instruction will involve student postings, participation in threaded discussions, and writing assignments. A monitored discussion board will be used by the instructor to assess the student’s activity and quality of postings. Students will be responsible for allocating adequate time in their schedule to access the course materials, study the material and complete the assignments. Each course will require the student to allocate 4 to 5 hours per week for study and assignments.
Technical Requirements
Appropriate hardware and software are key elements of the learning environment at Salus University. Students will use a computer to download course materials, to complete assignments, exams, and work on other tasks. With this in mind, they will also be expected to have access to and use the hardware and software described below.
Please note that due to the rapid rate of change in information technology, we anticipate that hardware and software competencies will be updated on a regular basis.
Students will access their certificate program courses on the Salus University Blackboard site. This is a password protected site administered by Salus University. Students also will be expected to access their Salus University email accounts.
Hardware Requirements for a PC:
Students are required to have use of a computer system with the following specifications and components:
- Windows 7 or higher
- Core i7 processor or faster
- Minimum 8GB RAM (16 GB Preferred)
- Minimum 500GB Solid State Drive
- Integrated webcam and microphone
Hardware Requirements for a MAC:
- Mac OS 10.11 or higher
- Intel Core i5 or higher / Equivalent
- Minimum 8GB RAM (16 GB Preferred)
- Minimum 500GB Solid State Drive
- Integrated Webcam and Microphone
- Must have a 5Ghz capable wireless adapter (Dual Band Preferred)
Recommended Warranty Purchase:
- Windows 3 years parts and labor extended warranty
- AppleCare 3 years parts and labor
Software/Applications
Students are required to have use of the following operating systems and applications:
- Microsoft Office 365 (Provided at no charge by Salus University) recommended
- Instructions will be provided
- One of the following Internet browsers:
- Google Chrome 57 or later
- Mozilla Firefox 52 or later
- Symantec Anti-virus software (Provided at no charge by Salus University)
- Instructions will be provided
- Adobe Flash plug-in
- Adobe Shockwave Plugin
- Windows Media Player & Plugin Version
- Wireless Connection
Accessibility for Operating Systems
Both Microsoft and Apple provide additional accessibility guides, tutorials, and tips for use on your computer. Visit the Microsoft or Apple website for information beyond the documents provided here.
Access, Excel, Internet Explorer, Microsoft, PowerPoint, Visio and Visual Studio are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners in the United States and/or other countries.
Email Account
Students will receive communication through a personal Salus University email address. Once a student’s account is established, all communication for this program will be sent to the student’s Salus University email address, instead of their personal email address.
Avoiding Inactivity Timeout
When an ISP’s internal browser is not in use, the ISP will consider the user inactive and will disconnect the user after a period of time. To remain active and avoid being disconnected, return to the main page of the ISP (every half hour or so) and click on a link or check email. This will reset the ISP’s “inactivity time” and allow for students to continue working on the online course.
Satellite & Cellular internet connections
If this is the only connection to which you have access, please note that you may experience sporadic issues while working in your online courses. If you report these problems to the Salus University Help Desk we will attempt to address them with your satellite or cellular connection provider.
Wireless Routers/Connections:
While working in your online courses via a wireless router or wireless connection you may experience problems such as various error messages. If you contact the Salus University Help Desk please be aware that part of the troubleshooting process may be to have you bypass your wireless router or connection. If bypassing the wireless router resolves the problems you are experiencing you will either need to continue to bypass the router or contact the router's manufacturer's support to further diagnose the source of this problem.
Advanced Studies in Cochlear Implants
The Advanced Studies in Cochlear Implants program is designed to expand the knowledge, improve the clinical skills, and promote general expertise in the delivery of cochlear implant services.
Cochlear Implants Program
The Advanced Studies in Cochlear Implants certificate program is ideal for the following:
Practicing professionals who have an audiology or audiology-related degree with an interest in cochlear implants, as the program of study is designed to expand their current level of experience in cochlear implants, while focusing on the core cochlear implant competencies;
Employees of cochlear implant companies who have an audiology or audiology-related degree and need a broader view of the sciences and clinical skills involved in provision of successful cochlear implant services; and
College faculty who have an audiology or audiology-related degree and who teach cochlear implant courses and desire additional and updated information.
The purpose of offering the Advanced Studies in Cochlear Implants graduate certificate program from the Salus University Osborne College of Audiology is to fill the need that the advancing technology has created in the body of knowledge surrounding cochlear implants. Most cochlear implant clinicians have completed an Introduction to Cochlear Implants class as part of their degree program, but have not been exposed to the depth of science underlying cochlear implants.
All three cochlear implant manufacturers offer technical-training courses to those that use their products, but this process generally does not include the broad scientific knowledge base that is essential for clinicians to generalize the information and make evidence-based decisions based on scientific principles. This online program will offer both depth and breadth of instruction, emphasizing materials and methods to provide the framework for best practices in the provision of cochlear implant services.
The course of study will bring the professional up to date on the state of the science in cochlear implant technology and methods of treatment. The outstanding faculty for the program, from both Canada and the USA, are experts in cochlear implant science, technology, and clinical protocols.
The program is an 18-week, six-course, online course of study. Students who complete the program will receive 9 semester (academic) credits and receive a graduate certificate in Advanced Studies in Cochlear Implants from Salus University Osborne College of Audiology.
This program is open to college degree holders (BS, MS, AuD, MD, PhD, etc.) of audiology or audiology-related professions in the United States and other countries. Current audiology clinical doctoral (AuD) students who are in the clinical externship phase of their program are also eligible to apply. A letter of support is required from the program director.
Students have the option to apply to enroll in the entire course of study, or to take individual courses as a non-matriculated student. With the limited enrollment for the program, certificate students will have priority in admissions over non-matriculated students. Courses are taught in English.
Advanced Studies in Cochlear Implants
| CIM-5000 | Neuroscience of Cochlear Implantation | 1.5 |
| CIM-5001 | Behavioral Assessment Issues in Cochlear Implants | 1.5 |
| CIM-5002 | Programming Cochlear Implants | 1.5 |
| CIM-5003 | Objective Measures in CI | 1.5 |
| CIM-5004 | Aural (Re)habilitation for Cochlear Implant Recipients | 1.5 |
| CIM-5008 | Emerging Issues and Case Studies | 1.5 |
Total Credit Hours: 9.0
Advanced Studies in Vestibular Sciences and Disorders
The Advanced Studies in Vestibular Sciences and Disorders certificate program is designed to expand the knowledge, improve the clinical skills, review current research trends and best practices based on current evidence and promote general expertise in the delivery of services in the area of Vestibular and Balance disorders.
Advanced Studies in Vestibular Sciences and Disorders certificate program
The 9 semester credit online Advanced Studies in Vestibular Sciences and Disorders (ASVSD) certificate program is designed to:
provide specialized training to expand clinician’s knowledge of vestibular and balance disorders,
enhance the skills and expertise necessary to obtain a comprehensive and holistic understanding of normal and abnormal vestibular function and consequences of vestibular disorders, and
bring the professional up to date on the current best available evidence that provides scientific support for treatment decisions for those with vestibular and balance dysfunction.
This program is intended for those professionals currently working with, or who expect to be working with, the distinct population presenting with vestibular and balance disorders. The course of study is specifically for those who would like to augment their professional skills and earn credentials to advance their career in the specialized field of vestibular sciences and disorders. The comprehensive curriculum covers the following areas:
Anatomy and Physiology of the Vestibular System
Pathologies of the Vestibular System
Basic Vestibular Diagnostics
Advanced Vestibular Diagnostics
Vestibular and Balance Rehabilitation Therapy
Pediatric Vestibular Assessment and Treatment
The course of study will bring the professional up to date on the state of the science in Vestibular and Balance disorders, diagnosis of related disorders and methods of treatment. The outstanding faculty for the program, from both Canada and the USA, are experts in Vestibular and Balance disorders and clinical protocols.
The program is a six-course, 18-week, online course of study. Students who complete the program will receive 9 semester (academic) credits and a graduate certificate in Advanced Studies in Vestibular Sciences and Disorders from Salus University Osborne College of Audiology. The program of study will provide a framework for best practices in the concentration of Vestibular Sciences and Disorders (VSD) assessment and management. Students will be required to complete and pass all six courses to earn the Advanced Studies Graduate Certificate.
This program is open to college degree holders (BS, MS, AuD, MD, PhD, etc.) of audiology or audiology-related professions in the United States and other countries. Current audiology clinical doctoral (AuD) students who are in the clinical externship phase of their program are also eligible to apply. A letter of support is required from the program director.
Students have the option to apply to enroll in the entire course of study, or to take individual courses as a non-matriculated student. With the limited enrollment for the program, certificate students will have priority in admissions over non-certificate students. Courses are taught in English. The Advanced Studies in Vestibular and Balance disorders program utilizes the Salus University Black Board portal to deliver web-based instruction to students.
Advanced Studies in Vestibular Sciences and Disorders
| VSD-5000 | Anatomy & Physiology Vestibular System | 1.5 |
| VSD-5001 | Pathologies of the Vestibular System | 1.5 |
| VSD-5002 | Basic Vestibular Diagnostics | 1.5 |
| VSD-5003 | Advanced Vestibular Diagnostics | 1.5 |
| VSD-5004 | Pediatric Vestibular Assessment | 1.5 |
| VSD-5005 | Vestibular and Balance Rehabilitation | 1.5 |
Total Credit Hours: 9.0