College of Health Professions’ Audiology Program Achieves No. 18 in Country

The Doctor of Audiology (AuD) program at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences ranked No. 18 in the nation in U.S. News & World Report's 2026 Best Graduate Schools rankings, released April 7. The AuD program climbed five spots from last year.

"This recognition is a reflection of the people who make this department what it is," said Ashley Harkrider, PhD, dean of the College of Health Professions. "Faculty push the boundaries of what we know about communication and hearing, and provide evidence-based diagnostics and treatments for our patients. Staff keep our clinics running at a high level. And students show up every day ready to learn. The work happening is genuinely exceptional, and results like these affirm others see it too. What matters most is the difference our graduates and interprofessional teams make for patients and communities nationwide and throughout Tennessee."

Dr. Harkrider is an alumna of the program and spent 16 years as its chair before the university named her dean last fall. The AuD program's ascent, from No. 26 in 2022 to No. 22 in 2024 to No. 23 last year and now No. 18, shows a sustained investment in faculty, facilities, and student outcomes that defined her tenure as chair and continues to shape the college today. The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) also rose significantly to No. 36.

Programs Built Around Patient Impact

The Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology (ASP) operates the Knoxville area's only academic hearing and speech clinics, serving patients of all ages, from infants in early intervention to adults managing hearing loss, balance disorders, tinnitus, and voice conditions. That clinical breadth is central to both degree programs.

AuD students complete 11 semesters of full-time academic and clinical study, rotating through on-campus clinics and off-campus placements at private practices, hospitals, physician offices, and school systems. More than 17 clinical and academic faculty with expertise across audiology's specialty areas, including vestibular assessment, cochlear implants, auditory electrophysiology, and aural rehabilitation, guide students throughout the program. Since 2013, AuD graduates have achieved 100% job placement, and graduates consistently pass the national Praxis examination at high rates.

The MS-SLP program draws students into an equally hands-on curriculum led by 24 clinical and academic faculty. Graduates go on to work across hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, and community health settings across Tennessee and the country.

U.S. News & World Report based both rankings on peer assessment surveys conducted in fall 2025 and early 2026. Deans, administrators, and faculty at accredited programs throughout the country rated the academic quality of peer programs on a 1-to-5 scale, and rankings reflect the average score each program received. The rankings include only fully accredited programs in good standing during the survey period.

A New Facility, a Wider Reach

In October 2024, the department opened its renovated home at the UT Conference Center, consolidating academic, research, and clinical operations under one roof for the first time in four decades. The nearly $20 million renovation expanded the department's footprint to approximately 65,000 square feet and brought with it 13 research laboratories, a simulation apartment for practicing daily living skills with patients, a dedicated feeding and voice suite, and the Tamika Catchings Indoor Inclusive Playground, designed to support pediatric therapy in a creative, interactive setting.

Departmental work extends well outside Knoxville. Through a UT Grand Challenge Grant, a mobile clinic staffed by ASP faculty and student clinicians from audiology, speech-language pathology, and social work travels to underserved communities in rural East Tennessee, bringing care directly to patients who might otherwise go without. Dr. Harkrider also serves on the grant team for the state-funded $12 million Tennessee Rural Health Care Center of Excellence, focused on improving health outcomes for rural Tennesseans statewide.

Rankings Across the Board

The audiology and SLP results are two of several strong showings for the College of Health Professions in this year's U.S. News list, recognizing the college as among the nation's best and serving more than 9,000 alumni working in Tennessee and beyond.

These results add to a strong week of rankings news for UT Health Sciences, with the College of Pharmacy rising to No. 16 nationally and the College of Nursing's Doctor of Nursing Practice program ranking No. 24.