UT Health Sciences News: 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.

Read more on the UT Health Sciences News site.