DEAF AND/OR HARD OF HEARING
“As long as we have deaf people on earth, we will have signs.”
—George Veditz
Our faculty are committed to working with the deaf community and providing important educational and language services to all deaf and hard of hearing people from birth through adulthood.
Explore What We Offer
Our Degree Programs
Deaf Studies, Minor
The Deaf Studies minor will provide students interested in working with deaf/hard of hearing children or adults with an understanding of American Sign Language and Deaf Culture(s).
Faculty
Deaf Studies
The bachelor of interdisciplinary studies (B.I.S.) degree offers a concentration in deaf studies. This concentration will give learners the foundation they need to work with the deaf community. Graduates of this program may go on to work in non-profits, in non-teaching positions at deaf education programs, or pursue a teaching certificate through a graduate program. Information about the B.I.S. degree can be found in the university’s catalog.
Deaf Education
There are two programs relating to deaf education. The special education, B.S.Ed. program offers a concentration in deaf education that prepares teachers to instruct students who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) to work in: schools that use a visual language, including residential schools, day schools and public school programs. Students learn about services across a wide variety of placement options. This is a “four plus one” degree program, so students who stay on for an additional year will be certified to teach deaf children up through grade 12 and earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in only five years.
Our new deaf studies, deaf education concentration, B.A. is related to deaf studies, sign language interpreting concentration, B.A. (listed below) only with a focus on deaf education. You can learn more about this program and concentration in the catalog and program page.
Learn how to apply for the Special Education, B.S.Ed. » or the Deaf Studies, Deaf Education Concentration, B.A. »
Deaf Studies, Sign Language Interpreting Concentration, B.A.
The deaf studies, sign language interpreting concentration, B.A. prepares students with the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to enter the field of American Sign Language/English interpretation. Students develop confidence in their working languages, proficiency in linguistic and cultural analysis and the interpersonal skills needed to develop a relevant and sound professional practice. Interpreters work within various venues and settings, including kindergarten through grade 12 and post-secondary educational settings, video relay service, community events, medical and mental health settings and performance and theatrical interpreting.
Learn how to apply for the Deaf Education Sign Language Interpreting Concentration, B.A. »
There is also a sign language interpreting, undergraduate post-baccalaureate certificate that prepares students with the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to enter the American Sign Language/English interpretation field.
Find out how to apply for the Sign Language Interpreting, Undergraduate Post-Baccalaureate Certificate »
Faculty
- Peter Crume — works with sign language interpreting
- Jessica Scott — works with teacher preparation
- Justin Malone – teaches sign language classes
Scott Voted President-Elect for the Association of College Educators of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Associate Professor Jessica Scott has been voted president-elect for the Association of College Educators of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Assistant Professor Jessica Scott and Associate Professor Sue Kasun co-authored a chapter in a book selected as one of Choice’s Outstanding Academic Titles for 2021.
Master of Arts in Teaching
Are you looking for a teaching certificate to work with deaf and hard of hearings students? The special education master of arts in teaching (M.A.T.) program is for you! Our program prepares teachers to instruct students who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) to work in schools that use a visual language, including residential schools, day schools and public school programs. Students learn about services across a wide variety of placement options and will get in-depth coursework experiences that will develop their skills for teaching in multilingual settings, Graduates will be certified to teach deaf children up through grade 12.
Faculty
- Jessica Scott — works with teacher preparation
Faculty advising students in the Deaf Studies Ph.D. concentration have the skills and knowledge to support you as you become a leader in Deaf Studies related fields, including Deaf Education and Sign Language Interpreting. This program focuses on building your ability to design and conduct high-quality research with deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Our graduates go on to work in university settings, research labs or as leaders in deaf education at the federal and state levels.
Our faculty’s areas of research include:
- The role of language and literacy in Deaf Education
- How Deaf students who use sign language develop disciplinary literacy
- Multilingualism and multimodalism
- How Deaf and Hearing individuals who know or are learning a signed language understand narratives
- How sign language exposure impacts learning and development
See our faculty biographies (below) for more information. You are also encouraged to reach out to faculty members whose research interests overlap with your own.
If you are interested in completing a Ph.D. with a faculty in Deaf Studies, please fill out the information request form below or email [email protected] for more information.