Admissions

Students will be admitted to the NOAC program through Kent State University or the University of Akron only during the fall semester. Students must attend full time, including summers. To be admitted to the program, students must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Grade point average of 3.0 or higher

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

• At least three letters of recommendation from individuals who can comment on academic and/or clinical potential

• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores—REQUIREMENT WAIVED FOR 2022-2023 admissions cycle due to COVID-19 pandemic

• Personal statement of purpose as to why the applicant wishes to become an audiologist 

• Applicant interview during NOAC Visitation Day or remote video conference when unable to attend

• English language proficiency: 

  • The University of Akron’s graduate school requires a minimum score of 79 on the internet-based TOEFL or a minimum score of 6.5 is required on the IELTS test. Students may not enroll in graduate courses until the English proficiency requirements has been satisfied. For more information, visit the University of Akron's general information webpage.

  • Kent State University requires all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following: Minimum 587 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version), Minimum 94 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version), Minimum 82 MELAB score, Minimum 7.0 IELTS score, Minimum 65 PTE score, Minimum 120 Duolingo English Test score. For more information, visit the Audiology course catalog webpage.

Admissions Procedures (deadline: December 15)

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, if desired, 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. Please see the specific university procedures for admission below:

Kent State University:

1. Applicants should apply to Kent State University through the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service or CSDCAS. To access the system, visit the CSDCAS webpage. 
2. All applicants must submit the following:
   • Completed Graduate School Application form
   • Proficiency in English or meet the minimum standard scores as stated on page 10 of this Handbook under Admissions Standards.
   • Three letters of recommendation
   • Letter of intent
   • GRE scores
   • Official transcripts Applicant files for admission must be completed by December 15. Admission is granted for the fall semester only
3. All applicants with verified CSDCAS applications must be interviewed by the faculty either during NOAC Visitation day, which is held the first Friday of February or remote video conference if unable to attend.
4. The Kent State University admissions committee will review applicant files and rank orders applicants. 
5. Based upon the final rank orderings of the Kent State University admissions committee, offers of admission are tendered to the top ranked students. 
6. Should all slots at Kent State University be filled, and there are remaining slots at the University of Akron, Kent State applicants will be offered the opportunity to be considered for admission through the University of Akron. No additional fees are required, and the paperwork will be automatically transferred should this occur.
7. Assistantships, scholarships and fellowships are offered to the top applicants. The number of opportunities offered annually and/or each semester is based on availability.
8. All offers of financial awards will be made by the graduate audiology coordinator at Kent State University.

University of Akron:

1. Applicants should apply to the University of Akron through the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service or CSDCAS. Applicants will also be required to complete an online application through the University of Akron graduate school and pay an additional application fee. To access these application systems, go to: 
   • https://portal.csdcas.org/
   • You must also apply online at the University of Akron webpage.
2. All applicants must submit the following:
   • Completed Graduate School Application form
   • Official transcripts
   • GRE scores
   • Letter of intent
   • Three letters of recommendation
   • Proficiency in English or meet the minimum standard scores as stated on page 10 of this Handbook under Admissions Standards.
3. Applicant files for admission must be completed by December 15. Admission is granted for the fall semester only.
4. All applicants with verified CSDCAS applications must be interviewed by the faculty either during NOAC Visitation day, which is held the first Friday of February or remote video conference if unable to attend.
5. The University of Akron admissions committee reviews applicant files and rank orders applicants. 
6. Based upon the final rank orderings of the University of Akron admissions committee, offers of admission are tendered to the top students. 
7. Should all slots at the University of Akron be filled, and there are remaining slots at Kent State University, University of Akron applicants will be offered the opportunity to be considered for admission through Kent State University. No additional fees are required, and the paperwork will be automatically transferred should this occur.
8.  Assistantships, scholarships and fellowships are offered to the top applicants. The number of opportunities offered annually and/or each semester is based on availability.
9.  All offers of financial awards will be made by the graduate audiology coordinator at the University of Akron.

Costs & Financial Assistance

All students are considered for financial assistance and a special application is not required. For more information, contact:

Alex Meibos, Au.D., Ph.D.​​​​​​​
ameibos@uakron.edu
​​​​​​​Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology
The University of Akron
Polsky Building, Room 181
225 South Main Street Akron, Ohio 44325-3001
steiger@uakron.edu
330-972-8190

Myrna Forbes, Au.D.
Speech Pathology & Audiology
Kent State University
A105 Center for Performing Arts
1325 Theatre Drive
Kent, Ohio 44242-0001
mforbes4@kent.edu
330-672-2672