Deaf Studies, Deaf Education Concentration, B.A.

For students who are interested in pursuing careers working with deaf/hard of hearing children or adults, the B.A. Deaf Studies degree will allow for a concentration in Deaf Education or Sign Language Interpreting. The courses within this program will provide students with a foundation in American Sign Language, Deaf Culture(s), and skills specific to teaching or interpreting for deaf individuals. Graduates will be prepared to work in a variety of settings that serve deaf children and/or adults. Graduates are provided coursework and practicum experiences resulting in knowledge of characteristics, curriculum, instructional strategies, and classroom management procedures.

Students may graduate with a B.A. Deaf Studies with a concentration in deaf education that will not result in licensure. Those interested in teacher certification in Deaf Education can take advantage of a Dual Degree B.A./M.A.T. program to obtain licensure. We strongly encourage all who wish to be teachers of the deaf to complete the fifth year of the program.

Program Admission

Students are required to meet all university and college admission requirements. In addition, students must:

Complete undergraduate Core IMPACTS ;
Complete ENGL 1101 and ENGL 1102 each with a grade of “C” or better;
Complete ASL 1001 with a grade of “C” or better and ASL 1002 , ASL 2001 , and ASL 2002 each with a grade of “B” or better;
Complete an entrance interview demonstrating at least intermediate conversational proficiency in American Sign Language.

Additional Information

The Deaf Education concentration does not lead to teacher certification.

Those students who are interested in teacher certification must complete the Deaf Education concentration and the M.A.T. Special Education program. Admissions requirements for the Dual Degree B.A. Deaf Studies/M.A.T. Special Education are:

Online graduate application
Minimum 2.50 overall undergraduate GPA
Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment (360)
Goals statement
Resume
Two letters of recommendation

NOTE: Students pursuing the dual degree should consult the CEHD Office of Academic Assistantce for the appropriate sequence of courses.

Degree Requirements

Core IMPACTS (42-43 Hours)

(see Core IMPACTS in the undergraduate catalog)

Field of Study: Preparation for the Major (18 Hours)

Students must complete coursework with a grade of “C” or higher. A minimum grade of “B” is required in ASL 1002, 2001, and 2002.

ASL 1001 - Elementary American Sign Language I 3 Credit Hours
ASL 1002 - Elementary American Sign Language II 3 Credit Hours
ASL 2001 - Intermediate American Sign Language I 3 Credit Hours
ASL 2002 - Intermediate American Sign Language II 3 Credit Hours
DFST 2200 - Careers Working with Deaf Communities 3 Credit Hours
EPY 2050 - Human Growth and Development 3 Credit Hours
Other courses may be selected with the approval of the program coordinator.

Major Courses (45 Hours)

Note: Students pursuing the dual degree should consult the CEHD Office of Academic Assistance for the appropriate sequence of courses.

Required (45 Hours)

ASL 3001 - Advanced American Sign Language I 3 Credit Hours
DFST 3115 - Deaf History and Culture 3 Credit Hours
DFST 3250 - Deafness and Diversity 3 Credit Hours
DFST 3260 - Linguistics of Sign Language 3 Credit Hours
DFST 4360 - Allyship with Deaf Communities 3 Credit Hours
EXC 4020 - Characteristics and Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities 3 Credit Hours
EXC 4190 - Literacy Instruction for Students with Disabilities 3 Credit Hours
EXC 4350 - Foundations of Deaf Education 3 Credit Hours
EXC 4365 - Spoken Language in Bilingual Deaf Education 3 Credit Hours
EXC 4370 - Assessment in Deaf Education 3 Credit Hours
EXC 4380 - Teaching Deaf Students with Additional Disabilities 3 Credit Hours
EXC 4390 - K-12 Language and Literacy among Deaf Students 3 Credit Hours
EXC 4400 - Methods of Teaching Students Who Are Deaf/Hard of Hearing 3 Credit Hours
EXC 4600 - Collaboration Between Schools and Communities in Special Education 3 Credit Hours
SLIP 3010 - Introduction to Interpreting-CTW 3 Credit Hours

Electives: Option One (15 Hours)

Students who will not continue with the M.A.T. Special Education program for teacher certification must complete 15 hours of electives.

Students must complete all courses with a grade of “C-” or higher unless otherwise noted.

Choose five courses (15 Hours):

AL 3041 - Introduction to Second Language Acquisition 3 Credit Hours
AL 4151 - Communication Across Cultures-CTW 3 Credit Hours
ANTH 4114 - Language, Culture, and Power 3 Credit Hours
CPS 3200 - Diversity and Human Relations 3 Credit Hours
EDRD 3600 - Family Literacy and Community Learning 3 Credit Hours
EDRD 4600 - Reading and Writing in the Content Areas-CTW 3 Credit Hours
EXC 4430 - Bilingual Teaching Methods for Deaf Students 3 Credit Hours
EXC 4460 - Early Language and Literacy Development (Birth-5) among Deaf Students 3 Credit Hours
Other courses may be selected with the approval of the program coordinator.

Electives: Option Two (15 Hours)

Students who will continue with the Dual Degree M.AT. Special Education program for teacher certification should complete 15 hours in one content area in language arts, mathematics, reading, science, or social studies.

Students must complete all courses with a grade of “C-” or higher unless otherwise noted.

Deaf Studies, Deaf Education Concentration, B.A.

Program Admission

Additional Information

Degree Requirements

Core IMPACTS (42-43 Hours)

Field of Study: Preparation for the Major (18 Hours)

Major Courses (45 Hours)

Required (45 Hours)

Electives: Option One (15 Hours)

Electives: Option Two (15 Hours)

Language Arts

Mathematics

Reading

Science

Social Studies

Total Program: Minimum of 120 Semester Hours