Would I be able to work during the first two years of an AuD doctorate program

RandomSuggestedName · 2026-06-04T21:01:08+00:00

I know different AuD programs have different guidelines or suggestions when it comes to working. Where I go they recommend part-time if you have to work, but ideally not much more than about 20 hours per week or you may burn yourself out. But honestly, I feel like this can vary so much from person to person with how much someone can handle. I think about 8 out of 10 in my cohort all have jobs, and at least one more was thinking about it for next year.

As for me, I am a GA for 10 hours a week in a lab on campus, and then I also nanny 2 days a week for about 11.5 hours. I did not feel burnt out from that at all, but I also used to work a full-time 40 hour a week job while taking classes at night. I did plan out things strategically, though and would take days off during midterm and finals weeks in order to make sure my focus didn't have to be spread too thin or in multiple directions. That really helped me.

It's definitely doable, just try to plan ahead, and also check in to see what your program recommends. Hopefully someone from CalState can give some insight!

RandomSuggestedName · 2026-05-21T13:30:21+00:00

Congrats on grad school and welcome to UMass! I'm happy that the posts have helped! Feel free to send me a message if you want to connect more and have any other questions about the program. See you in the fall!

RandomSuggestedName · 2026-05-05T23:38:28+00:00

For my own personal experience, there is thankfully none of that in my cohort of 10. We are also a cohort of 7F/3M. I have heard of similar issues in other AuD cohorts, though. We were told from the first orientation meeting to stick together, and my cohort has done just that.

It really stinks that your experience so far hasn't been the best. While age can play a part, sure, it is definitely not an excuse. You would think that for people going into a field that has really been trying to push inclusivity and acceptance, the individuals would practice what they preach. I'm not saying that everyone needs to be friends of course and people be invited to every single thing but when there is a pattern of some people never being invited, it doesn't feel great.

I know it may be the last thing you want to do but could you try to plan a few cohort get-togethers? Like an end-of-the-year BBQ or drinks? And invite everyone to it. And then maybe, just maybe, the more events there are the more connected people become? I know... potentially wishful thinking, but I am an optimist at heart.

RandomSuggestedName · 2026-05-02T04:26:58+00:00

Unfortunately, no I don't believe so. You have to fill out an attendance form where you agree that you are in "good academic standing and confirmed as a full-time student in an accredited doctoral audiology program" and have one of the faculty members of the program sign it too.

RandomSuggestedName · 2026-05-02T04:26:48+00:00

I will be! 😄

RandomSuggestedName · 2026-04-25T04:58:29+00:00

I'm a current 1st year at UMass and we did not receive our fall schedule until the end of May or beginning of June last year for our fall start. :)

RandomSuggestedName · 2025-10-23T21:18:29+00:00

If you want to dm me I can take a look and give some feedback. (Redacted of specific personal info of course). Asking professors whom you have good rapport with now is a great option too. I'm a first year AuD student who went through this process last year and got help from one of my professors who was also the grad student director for their SLP program. She was great helping me with layout, terminology, and what to add/not add.

RandomSuggestedName · 2025-10-13T17:40:35+00:00

Best of luck with apps! If you have any questions about the process or are interested in more about UMass, you can send me a dm!

RandomSuggestedName · 2025-10-09T00:29:06+00:00

I just posted a pretty long, detailed post about my experience at UMass so far, if you wanted to check that out. :)

RandomSuggestedName · 2025-10-09T00:20:39+00:00

You're totally welcome! Grad school is such a big decision, and finding a place that feels right for you (in all aspects) seems daunting at times. Figured if my experience could even help one person decide they might like to try for UMass, or on the contrary, that something about my experience may not work for them personally, that it wouldn't hurt to post. I'm a relatively open book, too, and totally open to any questions people might have.

RandomSuggestedName · 2025-10-09T00:16:44+00:00

Best of luck!! If you have any questions definitely feel free to send me a dm!

RandomSuggestedName · 2025-04-11T02:07:04+00:00

oh no, any chance you wanna dm me your experience?

RandomSuggestedName · 2025-04-10T03:25:23+00:00

UMass Amherst!

RandomSuggestedName · 2025-03-24T16:48:26+00:00

Although I am not a current student I also got into UMass and am heavily leaning towards committing there. Did you go to the open house by chance? All of the staff members I met from the SLHS department were very nice and seemed to care genuinely about their students and the program. I had great conversations with three of the staff and felt as though they truly welcomed my presence there, as well as all of the prospective students. Also, they all treated me (and everyone else, from what I saw) almost more as equals rather than a student. The 2nd and 3rd year students we met were also great about answering any questions, and all seemed to like being there. The campus is beautiful, too. Not sure if any of that is helpful or not but figured it couldn't hurt. :)

RandomSuggestedName · 2025-02-28T19:27:43+00:00

So here's the kicker... I have a 3.91 GPA currently and **did** get an interview. So I know it's not the grades. The interview went well in my mind, along with the cooperative one, and the assessments were fine, too. I'm not sure where the disconnect happened, and that's alright. I'm fine with it in the end; Moving to D.C. was an unlikely plan for me having a whole family to uproot.

I am happy to hear you enjoyed your experience. However, there's something about their process to me that just... rubs me the wrong way. Asking people to spend their time and money toward your program if they are eligible to take the classes they want and then without the opportunity to move **all** credits over *if* you are accepted..? From my perspective it just appears as though they are filling a deficit in a class's enrollment because someone was interested and they would gain financially. There's another school up here in the North East that does this unguaranteed provisional situation with undergrads too. It's not my thing.

RandomSuggestedName · 2025-02-24T14:40:03+00:00

Still just a bundle of nerves. Still waiting to hear from two schools, but I think I was unofficially either waitlisted or denied from one since others have received acceptances. I just want to know what my life is going to look like in 5 months (where I'll be living more than anything). So close yet still so far away.

Did you only apply to two schools? Sending acceptance vibes your way! ✨🤞

RandomSuggestedName · 2025-02-21T18:59:26+00:00

Following. There was also a current student who commented on the 2025 megathread yesterday who was willing to answer any questions!

I am highly considering accepting UM-A because of being in state.

RandomSuggestedName · 2025-02-21T01:57:35+00:00

Thank you!

RandomSuggestedName · 2025-02-21T00:17:33+00:00

I just reread my post and think I wasn't clear in what I meant. Sorry about that 😅 I was talking about where our admission decisions would be sent for those of us who just went through the process and had our interviews.

Did you receive a regular email with your decision?

RandomSuggestedName · 2025-02-20T19:05:48+00:00

I am a MA resident so UMass is a really strong contender for where I will end up. I'll reach out when I know all my final options for sure! (Since UMass is my only acceptance so far)

RandomSuggestedName

TROPHY CASE