By Brian Walden, Ph.D.
Proposals have been received from several university audiology training programs to develop distance-learning based Au.D. degree program for military and civilian government audiologists. A request for proposals (RFP) was issued in June, 1997 by the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine on behalf of the Joint Services/Department of Veterans Affairs Au.D. Steering Committee. This committee is made up of representatives from the Navy, Air Force, Army and Department of Veterans Affairs.
The Executive Members of Committee include the audiology consultant to the Surgeon General of each military service and the Chief of Audiology and Speech Pathology Services for the Department of Veterans Affairs. The intent of this initiative is to elevate audiology within the federal government to a doctoral-level profession. It is expected that a doctoral degree will be a requirement of all new military and civilian government audiologists some time in the future. Many military and civilian audiologists already employed by the government may want to acquire the Au.D. degree to remain competitive with doctoral-level audiologists entering military and civilian service, as well as with their peers in the private sector.
The RFP was sent to 119 university training programs in the United States that currently offer masters or doctoral degree in audiology, requesting proposals to develop an Au.D. program that would be readily accessible, affordable, and reasonable in terms of existing knowledge and skills. Programs had until December 12, 1997 to submit proposals. Proposals received by that date are currently being reviewed. The identity of the programs submitting proposals is confidential. The Steering Committee will meet in Washington, D.C. on January 22-23, 1998 to discuss them. At that time, The Committee may select a program for funding, or request further information from one or more the programs.
In addition to funding secured by the Steering Committee from the three military services, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and American Academy of Audiology, the Jackson Foundation has been engaged for fund raising with private sources to underwrite the RFP. Thus far, more than $275,000 has been obtained from all sources to fund the initiative. It is expected that an award of up $250,000 will be made by June, 1998. We hope that additional funds may be raised so that a second program can be funded. Under the terms of the RFP, the program must accept applicants and begin instruction by September, 1999.
Although the program probably will be available to non-government audiologists, military and civilian audiologists employed the federal government will receive priority for participation in the program. A progress report including the results of the January meeting will be given at the Military Audiology Short Course in Albuquerque, NM in 1998.