PACS Student Handbooks

Information on accreditation for the Doctor of Audiology (AuD) program can be found here.

Information on accreditation for the Master of Science in Deaf Education (MSDE) program can be found here.

Advising and registration policies and procedures are available to current students in Box at this link.

Application Procedures and Deadlines

Individuals interested in applying must do so online using the link provided on the PACS website (http://pacs.wustl.edu). Application requirements can be found on https://pacs.wustl.edu/admissions/.

Applicants for Readmission (AuD and MSDE)

If a student leaves the program for reasons other than an approved leave of absence after the successful completion of at least one semester and later wishes to resume his/her studies, the applicant must reapply using standard application policies and procedures.

Non-Degree (SNCD) Applicants

Applicants who would like to be considered for admission as non-degree, or Student Not Candidate for Degree (SNCD), status in PACS must follow standard application policies and procedures, except only one letter of recommendation will be required. The deadline of February 1^st will apply unless other approval has been granted.

Admissions and Scholarship Committee

The PACS Admissions and Scholarship Committee (“Committee”) is comprised of five active members of the PACS faculty and staff who are actively involved in the graduate programs through instruction, advising, administration and/or similar roles. Generally, this includes the Director of Audiology Studies, Director of Deaf Education Studies, Director of Speech and Hearing (PhD) Studies, and Director of Finance and Student/Academic Affairs. Appointments are made on an annual basis and may be renewed.

Admissions Rubric

The Committee takes a holistic approach to reviewing applications for admission. A rubric has been developed and refined, which considers each applicant’s metrics, attributes, and experiences, as demonstrated in the application. This data is then used to rank and review applications during the formal Committee meeting(s).

Admission Decisions

All applications will be reviewed in their entirety by at least two members of the Admissions and Scholarship Committee before the formal meeting date. These two individuals will rate applicants using the admissions rubric developed and approved by the Committee.

Funding

Generally, all students admitted to a degree program receive a PACS Scholarship funding offer at the time the admission offer is made. This offer is based upon anticipated funding available for the upcoming academic year. Full-time tuition rates are frozen at the published rate at the time of enrollment for all full-time, degree-seeking students.

Decisions

All applicants will be notified through the online application portal of admissions decisions and, as applicable, funding offers.

Wait List

Qualified individuals not offered admission after the first round of decisions may qualify for our wait list. Individuals on the wait list will be offered a position if additional space becomes available. A deadline for individuals to accept their place on the wait list is generally given so that applicants who no longer wish to be considered can be released from consideration. After the April 15^th decision deadline, or on the earliest date that the Committee has final decisions from those offered admission, wait listed students will be notified of their updated status.

Reconsideration

If admission is not granted, the applicant may make a request for reconsideration. This request must be made in writing (including email) and may, if the applicant so chooses, include his/her reasons why the request is being made. No additional information or documents will be accepted for the application file. In such cases, two additional Committee members will review the application file and complete a rubric. Based on the feedback from these additional reviews and the original application review, the Committee will determine the appropriate steps for the final reconsidered decision.

Provisional Admission

Admission is ordinarily free from preconditions. However, on rare occasion, the evidence in an application may support contradictory conclusions about an applicant’s likelihood to succeed. In such cases, the Committee might recommend provisional, or probationary, admission. Provisionally admitted students enter the program for a semester or two, during which time they will be expected to meet minimum requirements. Specific terms of the provisional admission are outlined in the letter offering admission. At the end of the provisional period, the Committee on Academic and Professional Evaluation of Students (CAPES) must review the student’s performance and recommend an unconditional admissions decision for the student to continue.

Deferment

Admission offers are made with the expectation that the student will matriculate in the semester specified during the application process. Deferral of admission is generally denied in programs where the class size is fixed. As such, deferrals are rare and only granted if extraordinary circumstances exist. In such cases, the admitted student may submit a written request for consideration for a one-year deferral of admission. Approval of such requests is not guaranteed. Such requests must be made before the decision deadline. Under special circumstances, if the deferred student fails to satisfy the conditions or reason for the deferral, the deferral may be withdrawn, and the offer of admission may be rescinded. In addition, funding included with the original offer are not subject to deferral and the student will be reconsidered the following year for funding eligibility.

Confidentiality of Committee Proceedings

All Committee proceedings are considered confidential and therefore, no specific reasons for denial of admission, placement on the wait list, or other related decisions will be provided to applicants. Meeting agendas and decisions made are maintained for PACS files.

Post-Admission Requirements

Following admission, the applicant is required to submit a non-refundable deposit of ($200) by the applicable deadline to reserve his/her place in the class. In addition, there are specific onboarding requirements at the university, school, and program levels, which must be received before the student can matriculate. A complete list, including deadlines for receipt, will be provided to incoming students in the months prior to matriculation.

Most faculty members post office hours on the class syllabus and/or on the outside of their offices each semester. Appointments can also be scheduled by contacting the instructor, preferably by phone or e-mail. Please be aware that faculty members have meetings, activities within the community, activities within the University, and/or other job responsibilities that take them away from their offices. The faculty will always be available on an appointment basis. You may also communicate with faculty via e-mail.

See Attendances and Absences

The PACS Office will develop and distribute the official PACS Academic Calendar and examination schedules, and also make these available to students via Box. Students should note the important dates on their calendars, especially those for which attendance is required.

In the event that an instructor must cancel class for any reason, he/she should notify the students as soon as possible via e-mail using Canvas and notify the PACS Office. If an announcement is made in class, it should be followed up with an email notification to students (via Canvas) and to the PACS Office. Instructors must make up all class time missed, including for reasons of inclement weather*, instructor conflicts, the late arrival or early departure of the instructor, or any similar circumstance that reduces the total instructional time for the semester for that class. Instructor payment may be pro-rated if all instructional time is not completed. Changes to class and final examination schedules are only allowed under exceptional circumstances and must follow the following procedures.

1. If a change is requested by one or more students, that request should be presented first to the instructor. The instructor is under no obligation or expectation to consider or approve such a change, but if they would agree to the requested change, the procedures below should be followed. Instructors requesting a change should follow the same procedures below.
2. The instructor should conduct an anonymous poll asking for consent to the schedule modification from students enrolled. Consent must be unanimous.
3. It is strongly recommended that the instructor confirm space availability prior to requesting a schedule change to avoid possible conflicts with classroom scheduling.
4. If a change is unanimously approved, the instructor must (a) notify the class of the change through Canvas and (b) notify the PACS office by emailing pacs@wustl.edu.

Any exceptions to these policies and procedures must be approved by the appropriate program director.

See also “Class and Final Examination Schedules” for more information.

*See “Severe Weather and Emergency Conditions” for more information.

Canvas is the course management system used by PACS. Please visit https://mycanvas.wustl.edu/ to access the system and for additional information.

All students pursuing the Doctor of Audiology (AuD) degree are required to complete Capstone Project that demonstrate the ability to execute a project related to audiology that fosters their own specific clinical, research, or educational interest. This requirement will be completed through PACS 8800 – Capstone Project Seminar and PACS 8900 – Capstone Project in the third year of study, with academic coursework and clinical placements completed during the first and second years of study providing foundational knowledge and experiences to support the Capstone Project.  The purpose of the Capstone Project is to provide an opportunity for the student to demonstrate critical thinking, develop/hone advanced writing skills, and most importantly, to provide the student with an opportunity to develop an in-depth study of an area of audiology, including but not limited to clinical audiology program development, hearing science and/or clinical research, healthcare and/or professional advocacy, and clinical audiology education. The specific requirements, including the timing, grading rubric, and other relevant details will be communicated to AuD students via the syllabi and Canvas courses for PACS 8800 and PACS 8900.

Please note that PACS cannot sign off on certification and licensure paperwork, or otherwise certify completion of the training program and/or graduation requirements, until the actual degree date.  Students are responsible for all application processes and costs associated with certification and licensure, including application fees, required examinations, and other requirements.

Information on certification and licensure for the Doctor of Audiology (AuD) program can be found here.

Information on certification and licensure for the Master of Science in Deaf Education (MSDE) program can be found here.

See Committee on Academic and Professional Evaluation of Students.

Class and final examination schedules are developed by the PACS Office on a semester basis (fall, spring, and summer) and are finalized approximately eight months before the first day of classes for that semester, following the university’s deadlines. PACS course and final exam schedules are available in the PACS Calendars and Schedules folder in Box, and course schedules are also accessible through Workday.

Classes should be held on the days and times scheduled and must follow the established academic schedule. All final (or last) exams and papers should follow the published exam schedule and should not occur or be due during the Final Exam Study Period or on a regularly-scheduled class day. This includes written, oral, and take-home exams. Faculty should visit http://facultyinformationhandbook.wustl.edu/reading-days-and-final-examination-period/ for additional information on policies and procedures related to reading days and final examinations.

See also “Canceled, Rescheduled, and Make-up Classes” for more information.

Course descriptions for the current academic year can be found on the PACS website at http://pacs.wustl.edu/programs/course-descriptions/.

Students are expected, and often required, to perform evaluations of classes and practicum experiences at the end of each semester. This system permits the instructors to identify areas of concentration, promotes discussion of new teaching methodologies, allows curriculum inventory, recommends changes in class offerings, and provides better integration of the curriculum. Class evaluations are completed on-line and are kept confidential. Although instructors do have the ability to view whether or not individual students have completed the evaluations, they do not have the ability to view individual student comments or ratings.

PACS is committed to maintaining a safe, healthy environment that complies with federal, state, and local laws; University policies and procedures; and professional ethical standards. In keeping with this goal, PACS students may not participate in unethical or illegal acts, violate any professional standard, or violate any University policies or procedures. Reports of such activity will be referred to the appropriate authorities and may impact a student’s enrollment in PACS. In addition, students are required to continue to meet the background check and drug screening requirements outlined in the Disclosures.

Disability Resources (DR) is the official resource for students who have disabilities or suspected disabilities. For information on requesting and using academic accommodations, please visit the Disability Resources website.

The PACS Distance Education Policy can be viewed at this link.

Students may accept employment, but should not work more than 20 hours per week. Students will not be excused from classes, class activities, observation, practicum, or other activities required by the graduate program for such employment.

Following are general guidelines for exams administered in PACS. Additional requirements may be posed by the individual instructor.

Expectations for Students

• Take the exam during the originally scheduled time, excepting extenuating circumstances. Students are required to take all examinations at the specified time. A student may be excused from this rule for extenuating circumstances at the sole discretion of the appropriate Program Director. Extenuating circumstances are typically defined as sudden personal illness or family emergency. Doctor appointments of a routine nature or vacation time are not considered to be extenuating circumstances for which students can be exempted from the regularly scheduled exam date. Such occasions will be promptly reported to the CAPES. In the event of inability to attend a scheduled examination due to sudden illness the student is required to inform the instructor prior to the examination and to be evaluated by the Student Health Service. In the event that the student cannot reach the relevant instructor, the student should contact the appropriate Program Director.
• Students are expected to be punctual and should be assembled in the designated exam area before the official start time of the exam. Tardiness will not be excused except in extenuating circumstances. For purposes of the exam, “tardiness” will be defined by the instructor or exam proctor.
• Not share study materials, exchange information, collaborate or communicate with others during the exam.
• Turn off and leave cell phones and other electronic devices in their bags.
• Hand their exam to the instructor or proctor prior to leaving the room.

Any student needing accommodation for exams should review the Policy for Students with Disabilities in advance of exams.

Expectations for Faculty

• Exams should be proctored by the instructor or a designee appointed by the instructor comfortable with proctoring and all exam administration guidelines.
• Administration should be fair to all students.
• If the instructor or proctor answers a substantive question or clarifies an issue, the same should be communicated to ALL students, including those in separate rooms or at different times.
• Reasonable adjustments should be offered to students who require special accommodations, including a separate testing room or additional time. Instructors are notified of these accommodations through PACS.
• If a student behaves inappropriately, notification should be made to the appropriate Program Director immediately (see below for examples of inappropriate behaviors).
• All requirements of students should be communicated to all students PRIOR to the start of the exam.

*Not applicable to take-home exams

Cheating

The following examples are intended to be representative of behaviors that constitute cheating in the context of an exam. This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list.

• Looking at or copying from another student’s test paper.
• Collaborating with another student during the test without authorization.
• Using lecture notes or textbooks during an exam without authorization.
• Possessing crib notes during an exam.
• Using signals/signs to obtain answers from others.
• Utilizing a calculator, cell/smart phone, computer, or any other device or learning aid without authorization. This includes storing, receiving, and/or accessing course matter stored on such devices.
• Obtaining assistance in answering questions on a take-home exam without authorization.
• Obtaining advance copies of exams or quizzes by any means.
• Having someone else take an exam in your place.
• Feigning illness or submitting misleading statements to avoid taking an exam at the scheduled time.
• Changing an answer on a graded test and claiming the question response was incorrectly marked wrong.

A current list of faculty and staff can be found on the PACS website at https://pacs.wustl.edu/our-people/.

The following are non-tuition fees charged to students by PACS.

Additional fees imposed upon students for services or resources by other departments outside of PACS and charged to PACS on the student’s behalf may also be passed on to students. Non-payment of fees that do not require pre-payment may result in late fees, loss of privileges, inability to register for classes, and/or posting of charges to the student’s tuition account.

Admission to the degree-seeking programs is granted on a full-time basis only.  Full-time enrollment for graduate students is defined as nine (9) or more semester hours for the fall and spring semesters. Full-time AuD students also are expected to enroll in at least six (6) or more semester hours in the summer.  Admission as an SNCD is granted on a part-time basis only.  Enrollment status decisions are made at the time of admission by the Admissions and Scholarship Committee. Admission or conversion to part-time enrollment will be approved only under extraordinary and compelling circumstances.  Conversions are infrequent and may be granted only on a temporary basis by the CAPES as part of an ISP and/or upon request.  Students may request such a conversion in writing, via original signed letter, to the PACS Office at least 30 days before the first day of semester classes.  Statements should describe the reason for the request, and the requested start and end dates.  The CAPES may request additional documentation before a decision is made.  The usual tuition and fees and refund schedule will apply for any period of enrollment during the period in which the request is being reviewed.  Students are expected to continue to attend scheduled classes, practicum, and other activities normally required for students during this review period.  Students should note that conversion of enrollment status may impact the student’s class of study; tuition rate; curriculum offerings; eligibility for financial aid (including PACS Scholarship awards); eligibility for student health, life, and/or disability coverage; and/or other aspects of the academic program and/or benefits of enrollment.

Doctor of Audiology (AuD)
Students pursuing for the Doctor of Audiology (AuD) must complete the prescribed curriculum, including classes and concurrent practicum experiences, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. This curriculum satisfies the AuD degree requirement of a minimum of 100 semester units of graduate credit. As part of this curriculum, students must complete a Capstone Project (three semester hours minimum), culminating in an electronically-submitted publication, and the findings of the project must be presented orally at the annual PACS Student Research Colloquium.

The Praxis examination is the culminating examination required for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in Audiology by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and by most U.S. states for licensure purposes. Official score reports showing a passing score must be submitted directly to PACS by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), which administers the Praxis, before AuD students can be recommended for their CCC (see Certification and Licensure for more information). Submission of score reports is also required so that PACS can provide the required data as part of its accreditation. A copy of the score report will be kept in the student’s academic file.

Master of Science in Deaf Education (MSDE)
Students pursuing the Master of Science in Deaf Education must complete the prescribed curriculum, including classes and concurrent practicum experiences. This curriculum satisfies the MSDE degree requirement of a minimum of 33 semester units of graduate credit, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. As part of this curriculum, students must complete an Independent Study (two semester hours minimum), culminating in an electronically-submitted written document that is defended at an Oral Examination held in the spring semester of the final year.

In addition, students who are pursuing initial teacher certification in Deaf/Hearing Impaired (Birth-12th Grade) are required to take the relevant Praxis examination required by the State of Missouri for initial teacher certification. Documentation of receipt of a passing score on those assessments must be received before MSDE students on the Certification Track can be recommended for teacher certification. Submission of score reports is also required so that PACS can provide the required data as part of its accreditation. A copy of the score report will be kept in the student’s academic file.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Speech and Hearing Sciences
To earn a PhD at in Speech and Hearing Sciences, a student must complete 72 semester hours of graduate coursework, maintain satisfactory academic progress (program GPA of 3.0 or higher), pass certain examinations, fulfill residence and Mentored Teaching Experience (MTE) requirements, and write, defend, and submit a dissertation. Full-time enrollment is required.

Classes for the PhD are drawn from departmental offerings, including statistics and research methods. Classes may also be drawn from related departments in affiliated areas of study. Forty-eight hours are typically completed in the first two years of study, followed by completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations. Students then submit the title, scope and procedure of the dissertation for approval, which then allows admission to candidacy for the PhD Completion and defense of the dissertation is the focus of the final year(s) of study.

Mentored Experience Requirements

The Speech and Hearing Sciences (PhD) program prepares students for academic and research careers in speech and hearing sciences. Mentored experiences are designed to prepare PhD students to become effective teachers and communicators of their discipline and their intellectual research endeavors. A summary of current requirements for the PhD in Speech and Hearing Sciences can be found at this link.

Master of Arts (MA) in Speech and Hearing Sciences

The MA in Speech and Hearing Sciences requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate coursework, generally drawn from coursework offered through PACS or integrated into the PhD in Speech and Hearing Sciences curriculum, and successfully completing a culminating or qualifying examination equivalent to that required by the PhD program. Students must also maintain satisfactory academic progress (program GPA is 3.0 or higher) and fulfill residence requirements (a minimum of one-year, full-time enrollment).

From time to time, individuals may feel they have legitimate complaints regarding some aspect of PACS or their involvement with PACS. It is the objective of PACS that such individuals have prompt and formal resolution of their grievance and that this will be accomplished through orderly procedures.

Prior to submitting a formal complaint, individuals should attempt to resolve the grievance with the individual involved. For example, if a student has a concern about a class, they are encouraged to first discuss the matter with the instructor(s) involved, or if an instructor has a concern about a student’s behavior or performance, they should first discuss it with the student. In the case of practicum issues, the clinical education coordinator should be included in these discussions. If such discussions do not resolve the concern, or if the individual is not comfortable with this course of action, the student’s advisor and/or director of the degree program in which the student is enrolled should be notified. Oftentimes, the concern can be resolved satisfactorily during this informal process.

For formal complaints, a written grievance should be filed with the PACS Office. This will be presented to a Program Director. A written response will be provided within 10 business days. If a resolution has not been reached, an anticipated timeline or next steps will be included in this written response.

The PACS Office will keep a confidential record of formal, written grievances for a period of at least three (3) calendar years. Such records will be separate from student academic files, but maintained in a secure manner similar to that of student records. Relevant details of complaints may be shared with the appropriate committee of the faculty, University personnel, and/or accrediting agencies for purposes of reporting or to use lessons from the incident, process, procedures, and/or outcomes to improve teaching, learning, the student experience, or other aspects of the department’s operations.

Complaints that are serious in nature and/or are not resolved at the departmental level may be taken to the School and/or University levels for action. Other School and/or University policies and procedures may take precedent in cases of serious concerns or complaints. The websites at the links below offer information on reporting options at the university level:

https://universitycompliance.wustl.edu/reporting-violations/

https://safereporting.wustl.edu

Information on complaints, the complaints process, and resolution processes related to discrimination and harassment can be found at the link below:

https://wustl.edu/about/compliance-policies/governance/discrimination-and-harassment/

The following members of the School of Medicine administration may also be contacted with such grievances:

Eva Aagaard, M.D.
Senior Associate Dean for Education
(314) 362-7800
aagaarde@wustl.edu

Scot Bemis
Vice Chancellor for Human Resources and Institutional Equity
(314) 935-1136
bemis@wustl.edu

Students in the AuD program may also file a complaint with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) related to the program’s compliance with standards for accreditation. See https://caa.asha.org/programs/complaints/ for additional details and instructions. Students may also request details about these conditions and submission requirements from the PACS Office.

During these grievance procedures, all involved parties must abide by the privacy and anti-discrimination laws, policies, and procedures in place at that time.

See Guiding Principles of Professionalism and Academic Integrity.

All students pursuing the Master of Science in Deaf Education (MSDE) degree are required to complete an Independent Study that integrates knowledge, research, and practice in the field of deaf education on topics of importance to the profession. This requirement will be completed through PACS 6900 – Independent Study. The general requirement of the Independent Study is successful completion of a paper that demonstrates the integration of relevant and important knowledge, research, and practice in the field of deaf education. The specific requirements, including the PACS 6900 syllabus, timing, grading rubric, committee members, review process, and other relevant details will be communicated to MSDE students via the PACS 6900 Canvas course.

All PACS students are required to have a personal laptop so that they can fully utilize supported teaching and learning systems, both on and off campus. Please contact PACS for the recommended laptop hardware, software, and accessories.

Notes:

• Students must have access to reliable, high-speed internet service while at home/off campus
• Secure WiFi is free on campus
• Students will have access to computers, printers, personal network files, and similar resources while on campus
• Encryption capabilities are required for access to some resources
• Anti-Virus/Malware Software recommended
• Off-campus access to University systems will require 2FA (2-factor authentication) enrollment (information will be provided)
• You do not need to buy Microsoft Office; O365 is free for students
• Tablets are not recommended.

All students will be provided with a WU e-mail address. Email is the main method of communication between students, faculty, and staff. Students are responsible for checking WU e-mail daily.

Training on computer, network, and email systems will be available to students during orientation.

Voluntary LOA:

A student may request and be approved for a leave of absence during their regular registration period if they are not registered in absentia. Leaves of absence must be endorsed by the degree program and approved by the School of Medicine for up to one year. Extensions must be reapproved.

Approved leaves of absence are not counted as part of a student’s program length and will not be approved for semesters beyond the program length, including enrollment extension. While on a leave of absence, the student is not registered and has no student status at Washington University. Students who begin a leave during any semester will be dropped from all course registration for that semester and will receive no course credit for work completed during that semester prior to the leave.

Leaves of absence may be personal or medical. In the case of a medical leave, the student must present authorization from Student Health Services at the beginning and again at the end of the leave. Documentation from another authorized healthcare provider may be accepted under special circumstances. At the end of any leave of absence, a student is reinstated into the School of Medicine under the conditions prevailing at the time the leave was granted.

Being on leave suspends student status and financial support from the university, including stipends. Taking a leave may therefore adversely affect loan deferment, visa status, the right to rent university-owned housing, and so on. Most visa types would prevent international students from remaining in the United States while taking a leave of absence; such students should consult the Office for International Students and Scholars (http://oiss.wustl.edu) as well as their faculty advisor, their program’s director of graduate studies, and perhaps a dean. Prior to taking a leave of absence, students should consider their need for health insurance coverage. The continuation of access to Student Health Services depends on such factors as the kind of leave (medical or personal) and the student’s location during the leave. Students should consult their program leads, Student Health Services, and the School of Medicine registrar and financial aid office before making a decision regarding leave whenever possible.

A student may request a leave of absence for academic or personal reasons by completing the WashU Medicine Withdrawal – LOA Form and submitting it to the PACS Office. Initial leave requests and extension requests are reviewed by the Committee on the Academic and Professional Evaluation of Students (CAPES). Deadlines for receiving such requests and documentation to return from leave are generally: July 1 for the fall semester, December 1 for the spring semester, April 1 for the summer terms.

Upon submission and approval of the LOA, the PACS Office will assist the student with completing required items.

Involuntary LOA:

If there is a reasonable basis for believing that the continued presence of the student on campus or in clinical rotations poses a substantial threat to the student, to patients, or to the rights of others to engage in their normal university functions and activities, the following procedures apply:

• The chancellor or his designate may impose an involuntary leave of absence when there is evidence that a student has committed an offense under these rules or the University’s Judicial Code, and when there is evidence that the continued presence of the student on the university campus or as a participant in a clinical rotation poses a substantial threat to themselves, to patients, or to the rights of others to continue their normal university function and activities.
• Imposition of the involuntary leave of absence may result in denial of access to the campus, prohibition of class attendance and/or prohibition of participation in clinical rotations.
• If an involuntary leave of absence is imposed, the suspending authority shall prepare a written notice of the imposition and shall have the notice mailed certified or personally presented to the student. The written notice shall include a brief statement of the reasons therefore and a brief statement of the procedures provided for resolving cases of involuntary leave of absence under these rules.
• The student shall be given an opportunity to appear personally before the suspending authority within five (5) business days from the date of service of the notice of imposition of the involuntary leave of absence. If the student asks to appear personally before the suspending authority, only the following issues shall be considered:
  1. Whether the suspending authority’s information concerning the student’s conduct is reliable; and
  2. Whether under all the circumstances, there is a reasonable basis for believing that the continued presence of the student on campus or in clinical rotations poses a substantial threat to the student, to patients, or to the rights of others to engage in their normal university functions and activities.
• Within one week of the date of imposition of the involuntary leave of absence, the suspending authority shall either file a statement of charges against the student with the University Judicial Board, and shall have the statement or charges served, by mail or personal service, upon the student and the dean of the school or college or director of the program in which the student is enrolled, or initiate proceedings under these rules to convene a Disciplinary Committee.
• A temporary suspension shall end
  1. when rescinded by the suspending authority, or
  2. upon the failure of the suspending authority to promptly file a statement of charges with the University Judicial Board or a Disciplinary Committee, or
  3. when the case is heard and decided by the University Judicial Board or the Disciplinary Committee.

Return of students from involuntary leave of absence requires clearance of both the director of Student Health Services and the appropriate Program Director.

3. LOA Impact on Financial Aid: Students receiving financial aid should be advised that at the end of sixty (60) days or more leave of absence, the grace period for loan repayment during a leave of absence may be exhausted. In such cases there will be an obligation for the student to start payments. According to the federal rules under which loans are made, the use of a grace period during a leave of absence will generally mean that the schedule for loan repayment may be changed. Students who are receiving financial assistance should consult with the Financial Aid Office to determine the implications of a leave of absence for their financial aid.
4. LOA Impact on Tuition: A student returning from a leave of absence of one year duration or less will maintain the same tuition rate. Students returning after more than one year leave of absence will assume the tuition rate of the class they are rejoining. Appeals of this policy should be submitted in writing to the PACS Director of Finance and Student/Academic Affairs.
5. LOA Impact on Coursework and Curriculum: Students taking a LOA cannot be guaranteed that the original course offerings and/or curriculum will be available upon return, which may result in an extension of the typical length of study or other changes to the original curriculum.
6. LOA Impact on Student Health/Student Health Insurance: Student health coverage is not provided during a LOA; exceptions may be made only if a LOA is approved mid-semester. Students may elect to continue student health coverage with the School of Medicine at a pro-rated cost (up to a maximum of 24 months), provided they are not employed in a position (paid or unpaid) that would offer benefits.  Please inform the PACS Office if you’d like to start or stop this elective coverage.  Please contact the Student Health Office for coverage information at 314-362-3523.

The use of PACS letterhead in any form is restricted to official departmental business purposes and may not be used by students without advance permission of a Program Director.

PACS offers the Minor in Speech and Hearing Sciences through the College of Arts & Sciences to qualified undergraduate students. Information and requirements can be found at https://bulletin.wustl.edu/undergrad/artsci/minors/speechandhearing/.

If you have a legal name change, please follow the instructions at this link to submit a name change request.

If a class or scheduled event conflicts with religious observance and cannot be changed, it is the responsibility of the student to talk to the instructor and arrange coverage of the material in another manner.

The AuD and MSDE programs each have separate, specific observation, practicum, and/or externship requirements for the degree. These requirements are detailed in separate handbooks and course materials.

The Oral Examination is a degree requirement for all MSDE students. The Oral Examination is intended to sample the student’s ability to respond to questions that require a synthesis of knowledge obtained through classes, observation and practicum, and research; it is not intended as a defense or review of the Independent Study, though questions about the student’s Independent Study may be asked. Oral Examinations for MSDE students are typically scheduled during the final semester of study, with students examined by a three-member committee of the PACS faculty.

Admission to candidacy for the PhD degree is contingent upon passing examinations called preliminary, qualifying, general or comprehensive. The qualifying process varies according to the department or program. In some departments and programs it includes a series of incremental, sequential, and cumulative examinations spaced at intervals of time. In other departments or programs the examinations are telescoped into a relatively short period. The department or program that conducts the qualifying examinations assumes responsibility for notifying The Graduate School of the admission of a student to candidacy. While the timetable for admission to candidacy varies from subject to subject, it is not the policy of The Graduate School to encourage, by financial awards or other means, the continuation of students who have met the residence requirements for the PhD degree without passing the qualifying examinations.

1. Students are generally required to complete the required curriculum and/or the curriculum agreed upon with his/her advisor before Qualifying Examinations can be scheduled. This coursework must satisfy the degree requirement of a minimum of 72 semester units of graduate credit. Please note that only classes with grading options of ‘Credit’ will be accepted toward this 72-hour requirement; classes with grading options of ‘Audit’ or ‘Pass/No Pass’ will not count. Exceptions can only be granted by a Program Director, with the advisor’s recommendation.
2. Students should work with his/her advisor and other faculty members to begin preparations for the qualifying exam one to two semesters prior to the scheduled date of the exam. At this time, the student should also notify the appropriate Program Director, his/her advisor and the PACS Office in writing of his/her intent to complete the qualifying exam and the preferred month for the exam.
3. Several months beforehand, the qualifying examination committee will be formed, with members chosen based on the student’s area(s) of interest. Three faculty members are the minimum, with the typical committee consisting of four to five faculty members, at least two of whom should hold the rank of professor.
4. The qualifying examination is intended to demonstrate the student’s level of knowledge in the field for which he/she is pursuing the doctoral degree. Students will be expected to present knowledge in both oral and written form, and to respond to questions posed by his/her committee.
5. For the written section, students may choose to complete the exam in one eight-hour day or two four-hour days. In advance, areas for study should be discussed with the advisor. Students will be presented with four sets of questions, with two questions in each set. Students must choose one question from each set to answer, for a total of four questions answered.
6. For the oral section, the student will be presented questions by the committee.
7. After completion of both sections, the student will be notified of his/her performance. There are typically three possibilities:
   • Pass—The student has qualified as a candidate for the PhD degree.
   • Conditional Pass—The student must fulfill additional requirements, as determined by the committee, to pass the examination.
   • Fail—The student must withdraw from the program or retake the examination.
8. Washington University will be notified upon passing of the qualifying examination and upon Dean’s approval, the student will be considered a candidate for the PhD degree.

Several elective research training programs are periodically available to qualified AuD students. Such programs are generally offered either as summer (two-month or three-month) or as full-year programs of study (to be completed between the first and second years or the second and third years). Students should not accept the offer of admission without taking the following steps:

1. Request the approval of the Director of Audiology Studies to participate in the program of study. Such requests are generally allowed for a single summer program of study, in lieu of a summer practicum experience, and/or for a single one-year program of study. Those applying for the full-year program should work with the Director of Audiology Studies prior to applying for the purposes of curriculum planning.
2. If the request is approved by the Director of Audiology Studies, students admitted to a one-year program of study should request a leave of absence from the CAPES; this step is not required for students admitted to a summer program of study.
3. The student should provide notification to the PACS Office.
4. The student may then accept the admission offer.

Students who participate in the Pediatric Audiology Specialization may not also complete a summer research training program (e.g., T35, TL1), and a full pull-out year may only be allowed if it is completed prior to the second year of study and prior to being admitted to the Pediatric Audiology Specialization.

Master of Science in Deaf Education (MSDE)
The minimum residence requirement is the satisfactory completion of one academic year (fall and spring semesters) of graduate study in academic residence.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Doctor of Audiology (AuD)
The minimum residence requirement for the PhD and AuD degrees is the satisfactory completion of three full academic years (fall and spring semesters) of graduate study, of which at least two years ordinarily will be spent at Washington University. Please note that only classes with grading options of ‘Credit’ will be accepted toward the semester full-time enrollment requirement; classes with grading options of ‘Audit’ or ‘Pass/No Pass’ will not count.

The University maintains a central website for communicating emergency information to all faculty, staff, students, and others at http://emergency.wustl.edu/.

The full text of the WashU Medicine Severe Weather and Emergency Conditions Policy for Students in the WashU Medicine Education Programs is included below. To summarize, in the event of severe weather or an emergency condition, the Dean will determine whether there is a need to establish an “alternate work status.” Such status would mean that:

• Classes are cancelled
• Check with your practicum site to see if you need to report
• Other educational activities will be delayed or cancelled

If an “alternate work status” is declared, you should receive email notification from the School of Medicine. PACS will also try to duplicate these email communications to be sure everyone receives the message. Local media outlets may also be notified. It is important to note that the School of Medicine will make its own determination, separate from the Danforth Campus, so even if you see “Washington University” has cancelled classes, please follow only the communication you receive from the School of Medicine.

Individual instructors may still make independent decisions about holding classes, and as always, everyone should make their own determination about whether they can safely travel.

Individuals assigned as emergency contacts in PACS are:

WashU Medicine Severe Weather and Emergency Conditions Policy for Students in the WashU Medicine Education Programs
The School of Medicine must maintain essential services and operations during any severe weather or emergency situation and provide for the safety and care of its patients, students, staff, and faculty. In response to severe weather or other emergency situations, the Dean of the School of Medicine will determine the need for departments or education programs within the School of Medicine to temporarily establish an alternate work status.

For students, “alternate work status” means that the WashU Medicine education program (DBBS/MSTP, Audiology, Masters Programs, Medical Student Education, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy) may cancel or delay classes as necessary for as long as the WashU Medicine dean determines to help ensure the safety of students, staff, and faculty.
If the dean designates an “alternate work status” for WashU Medicine, the respective education program directors will communicate to their students, either via website or emergency broadcast, information regarding the status of classes, non‐clinical education activities (exams, labs, etc.), and clinical rotations as follows:

• Classes and all non‐clinical educational activities (i.e., exams, labs, standardized patient sessions, etc.) are cancelled: Students are not expected to report to classes or non‐clinical educational activities during the time that the dean has declared an “alternate work status,” and student absences will be noted as ”excused” during this timeframe only. Program directors will determine what, if any, make‐up schedule is needed. Students are also strongly encouraged to cancel any non‐official student activities or functions that are scheduled during this timeframe to eliminate unnecessary travel in severe weather conditions.
• Clinical rotations: Clinical rotations for students include both educational and clinical care components and the relative balance varies by rotation. Therefore, the decision of which clinical rotations include sufficient essential clinical care to warrant student participation during an “alternate work status” event will be made by the respective education program directors. For all rotations in which students are deemed essential, they will be expected to attend during “alternate work status” times, and the program will be expected to provide appropriate overnight accommodations as needed.
• On occasion, classes, non‐clinical educational activities, and or clinical rotations may be delayed – students are expected to report to classes, non‐clinical educational activities, or clinical rotations on a delayed schedule; program directors will communicate the exact time to report via the website or broadcast message; not reporting shall result in an unexcused absence according to the policies of individual programs.

We should presume that the School of Medicine is operating normally unless there is an official communication to the contrary from the Dean’s Office via your respective education program.

The ultimate decision regarding whether the commute to classes or to clinical rotations can be safely made remains with the individual. If a student does not feel she/he can safely commute, and the School of Medicine is operating normally, the standard absence policy for the students’ respective education program shall be in effect.

Please visit https://bulletin.wustl.edu/medicine/policies/social-media/ for information and policies.

There are two student lab spaces in the building.

• Room 253 has a booth, audiometer, Verifit, ABR eclipse, and tympanometry. Both spaces are available for scheduling for lab activities, either with instructors or outside of class for assignments.
• Room 255 has a booth, audiometer, ABR eclipse, tympanometry, CARL, baby CARL, Verifit, hearing aid programming, ABR simulator, and CI software.

PACS uses a site called Skedda for Student Lab reservations. Students will be provided with a link to create an account; faculty can request an account here.

Once an account is created, use this link to book appointments:  https://washupacs.skedda.com/booking

Please visit this link for information.

Transfer credit for graduate-level courses previously taken and awarded grades of B or higher may be considered for transfer credit. Upon request and submission of an official transcript, course description, and/or syllabus, a course will be evaluated for transfer credit. Classes completed over ten years prior to matriculation will not be considered for transfer and graduate academic credit approved for transfer will be transferred as electives unless the classes are judged to be equivalent to core classes offered by PACS that are eligible for waiver.

Master of Science in Deaf Education (MSDE)
A maximum of six (6) semester units may be transferred from an institution of recognized graduate standing toward fulfillment of requirements for the master’s degree from Washington University. All transfers of credit must be approved by the student’s home department/program and a recommendation will be made to the Dean. Transfer hours are generally not needed for students completing the MSDE since the curriculum is prescribed and meets the minimum University requirements for the master’s degree.

Doctor of Audiology (AuD)
A maximum of 24 semester units (one full year of study) may be transferred from an institution of recognized graduate standing toward fulfillment of requirements for the doctoral degree from Washington University. Transfer hours are generally not needed for students completing the AuD since the curriculum is prescribed and meets the minimum University requirements for the doctoral degree.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
A maximum of 24 semester units (one full year of study) may be transferred from an institution of recognized graduate standing toward fulfillment of requirements for the doctoral degree from Washington University. Students who completed the Master of Science in Speech and Hearing (MSSH) at Washington University may apply to transfer up to 33 semester units of credit toward fulfillments of the PhD. degree; students who completed the MSDE at Washington University may apply to transfer up to 36 semester units of credit toward fulfillments of the PhD degree; and students who completed the AuD at Washington University may apply to transfer up to 48 semester units of credit toward fulfillments of the PhD degree.

All students are required to provide their own individual transportation to campus, as well as for observation, practicum, and externship placements. Parking costs are the responsibility of the student and “cost of attendance” estimates include an allowance for transportation and parking expenses.

Program Tuition and Fees
PACS tuition and fees are published annually. Rates include all classes and practicum required for the degree, as well as any additional classes required for professional certification, assuming these additional classes have been approved by PACS, students receive appropriate PACS and/or advisor approvals, and that the classes are completed at Washington University. Rates are frozen at the time of enrollment and are guaranteed for all years of study for students who remain in good standing and maintain continuous enrollment in the admitted program. Students are responsible for any additional tuition charges and/or fees for other unapproved classes taken through Washington University and/or classes required for professional certification that is completed at another institution.

Program tuition and fees will not include the student health fee for students enrolling in Fall 2026 and later.

Tuition Bills
Tuition bills are delivered to students electronically through Workday. The system allows students to view tuition bills, make electronic payments, print bills, review account history for up to 12 months, and create unique logon access for parents or “other payers” that only students can authorize. This information can be viewed through Workday.

Students who rely on loans should be certain their loan applications and other paperwork are submitted and processed in time to meet registration deadlines. The WashU Medicine Office of Student Financial Planning will assist students with loan applications and financial planning upon request. Please note that students receiving scholarships from PACS must meet the requirements of the scholarship in order for the funding to continue.

Students may not bring visitors (e.g., family, friends) into the building, to attend classes, or into clinical or research spaces without advance permission. Guests of students who have been approved in advance must be accompanied by the student at all times.

The Doctor of Audiology (AuD) and two-year Master of Science in Deaf Education (MSDE) programs each have prescribed curricula that meet current requirements of the University, PACS, and certification/licensing agencies. These curricula have been designed to provide comprehensive preparation for future professionals in the fields of audiology and deaf education. Selected classes may be waived through successful completion of an equivalent class, or classes, at another college/university prior to enrollment in PACS. These classes, and the academic requirements to waive them, are listed below. Any student who has completed one of the required PACS classes through PACS within two years of enrollment and received a grade of “B-“ or better will not be required to retake that class.

Doctor of Audiology (AuD)

• PACS 4050 – Sign Language I: Requirement: A two-credit course in sign language systems, or the equivalent content in multiple classes.
• PACS 4060—Typical Language Development: Requirement: A three-credit class that dealt primarily (>50%) with typical language development, or the equivalent content in multiple classes.
• PACS 4080—Speech and Language Disorders: Requirement: A two-credit class that covered speech and language disorders, or the equivalent content in multiple classes.

Master of Science in Deaf Education (MSDE) – Two Year

• PACS 4050 – Sign Language I: Requirement: A two-credit course in sign language systems, or the equivalent content in multiple classes.
• PACS 4060—Typical Language Development: Requirement: A three-credit class that dealt primarily (>50%) with typical language development, or the equivalent content in multiple classes.
• EDUC 6008—Education and Psychology of the Exceptional Child: Requirement: A three-credit class on psychology and/or education of the exceptional child (including gifted).
• EDUC 6052—Educational Psychology: Requirement: A three-credit class on psychology/development of children and adolescents.

Students interested in waiving or auditing one or more of these classes should complete the “Request for Class Waiver/Audit” form and submit it with the required documentation during onboarding. The request will be reviewed and the student will be notified of waiver/audit eligibility. Please note that you may not use one previously-taken class to waive more than one class. In some cases, such as classes outside PACS, approval of the instructor may also be required and additional tuition charges may apply. Students who audit a class are required to attend class and participate regularly in class activities. However, completion of assignments, exams, tests, etc. is not generally required. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with the instructor before the beginning of the semester to discuss expectations and to ensure that the audited class will not interfere with practicum or other requirements of the degree program, which take priority. Students who participate successfully will receive a grade of ‘L’; students who fail to participate successfully will receive a grade of ‘Z’. The audited class and the grade received will appear on the transcripts, but the class is not creditable toward the fulfillment of advanced degree requirements and will not count toward the GPA.

Any student who, for any reason whatsoever, wishes to withdraw from PACS should consult first with the appropriate Program Director. No such withdrawal will be official until students file a written notification of withdrawal to the PACS Office. Subsequent readmission is neither implied nor guaranteed for students who elect to withdraw.

A student who withdraws or takes a leave of absence from the program will receive a pro rata refund of tuition, other payments made for health benefits and disability insurance, and for other fees. For situations in which students elect to continue to receive student health benefits, they will not receive a refund for payments made for health/disability benefits for the term in which they are enrolled. The refund will be based on the ratio of the number of weeks enrolled (full or partial) in the degree program (from the first day of classes to the termination date) to the total number of weeks in the term for which tuition and fees were paid. It is understood that the date on which a student formally notifies the PACS Office in writing of the decision to withdraw or take a leave of absence shall be regarded as the termination date, with no retroactive clause to be accepted. A prospective date will be accepted, however. If tuition and fees were paid entirely or in part by financial aid from WashU Medicine, the refund will be applied first to the total repayment of the accounts from which financial aid was drawn, with any remaining refund balance given to the student. Financial aid received in excess of the costs of tuition and fees must be refunded by the student to WashU Medicine on the same pro rata basis as calculated for the tuition refund outlined, per “Return of Title IV” federal guidelines.