B.A. in Deaf Studies-Deaf Education/M.A.T. in Special Education-Deaf Education

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 degree 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 pursue the Dual Degree B.A./M.A.T. program, which can be completed in five years.

Program Admission for B.A. Deaf Studies-Deaf Education:

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;
Submit online application to B.A. Deaf Studies-Deaf Education at https://education.gsu.edu/admissions/undergraduate/.

Students indicate their intent to pursue the Dual Degree program when submitting their application to B.A. Deaf Studies-Deaf Education. Admission into the B.A. Deaf Studies-Deaf Education program does not guarantee admission into the M.A.T. Special Education-Deaf Education program.

Program Admission for M.A.T. Special Education-Deaf Education:

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

Complete online graduate application;
Hold a minimum 2.50 overall undergraduate GPA;
Complete Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment (360);
Submit goals statement;
Submit resume;
Submit two letters of recommendation.

Deaf Education Dual Degree Course Requirements

Deaf Education Dual Degree students should complete the following 12 credits of graduate-level coursework in the Major Courses section for the B.A. in Deaf Studies-Deaf Education with a grade of C or better:

EXC 6360 - Spoken Language in Bilingual Deaf Education (3 Credits)* OR EXC 6380 - Teaching Deaf Students with Additional Disabilities (3 Credits)*
EXC 7360 - Early Language and Literacy Development (Birth-5) Among Deaf Students (3 Credits)* OR EXC 7430 - Bilingual Teaching Methods for Deaf Students (3 Credits)*
EXC 7390 - Language and Literacy among Deaf Students (3 Credits)
EXC 7400 - Methods of Teaching Students Who Are Deaf/Hard of Hearing (3 Credits)

Note that no more than 12 graduate course credits or four graduate courses taken as an undergraduate student will be used at the undergraduate or graduate level, depending on the program’s requirements.

*Courses are offered every other year on a rotating basis. Please consult the Office of Academic Assistance in the College of Education and Human Development at cehdundergrad@gsu.edu or 404-413-8000 for the appropriate sequence of courses for this program.

For more information:

For more information about B.A. in Deaf Studies-Deaf Education curriculum requirements, please visit the College of Education and Human Development section of the Undergraduate Catalog. Questions regarding program admission to the B.A. in Deaf Studies should be directed to the Office of Academic Assistance in the College of Education and Human Development at cehdundergrad@gsu.edu or 404-413-8000.

For more information about M.A.T. in Special Education-Deaf Education curriculum requirements, please visit the College of Education and Human Development section of the Graduate Catalog. Questions regarding admission to the M.A.T. in Special Education should be directed to the Office of Graduate Student Services in the College of Education and Human Development at cehdgrad@gsu.edu or 404-413-8000.