Professionalism and the audiology student: characteristics of master's versus doctoral degree students

Only scarce documentation is available concerning the professional characteristics of students within audiology training programs. In the current study, audiology students were asked to complete a questionnaire that explored some of the major issues of student professionalism. Equal numbers of questionnaires were sent to both Doctor of Audiology (AuD) and master's degree programs to determine the characteristics of students being attracted to and trained within two different courses of study. Audiology students as a whole ranked low in most aspects of professionalism when compared with other students in health care. Similarities were observed between the two student groups for the majority of questions. Statistically significant differences were calculated with regard to future employment, income, and autonomy. Master's students more commonly wished to become employees rather than employers. Significantly higher numbers of master's than AuD students expect audiology to provide them with a secondary source of income. Finally, more master's than AuD students report doubt concerning the future autonomy of audiology.