In a master’s degree program in deaf education, students get a solid foundation in communicating with American Sign Language and how to use it in teaching. Students acquire the skills to understand the effects of hearing loss on learning and to present educational materials to the hearing impaired and their families.
Essential Information about Deaf Education Degree Program
Master’s degree programs in deaf education are common. These programs may prepare graduates to teach school-age students, or they may train them to work in early intervention, helping very young hearing impaired children. They study the principles of teaching school subjects to the deaf and hearing impaired, with special emphasis on teaching reading and language skills. Other courses may cover working with families, early intervention and audiology. Most programs include student teaching experiences, and students may have to complete a final project.
Deaf Education Degrees
Program Levels in Deaf Education: Bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees.
Prerequisites: For bachelor’s degree: verification of knowledge of American Sign Language or Cued Speech may require letters of recommendation.
Program Length: One to two years.
Online Availability: Courses and programs in deaf education are available online.
Master’s Degree in Deaf Education
Students in these programs learn to teach the appropriate content to students with hearing loss in residential schools, resource rooms and public day schools. Students have the option of pursuing a teaching track, which prepares students for licensure, or an early intervention track, which provides the skills necessary to work with young children. Deaf education programs are available as a Master of Science, Master of Education, and Master of Arts.
Students of the deaf education program learn the skills required to communicate effectively with hearing impaired students and optimize a student’s communication potential. They also learn successful methods of teaching students. Master’s Degree in Deaf education covers topics such as:
Speech and hearing science
teaching literacy for the hearing impaired
Language theories
Sign communication
early intervention
Audiology
- Grand Canyon University
- Walden University
- Kaplan University
- Ashford University
- Saint’s University
- North central University
- University of the Rockies
- Colorado State University Global
Popular Career Options
Graduates can pursue career opportunities in a number of settings, including public and residential schools, state programs or private practices. Some popular career options include:
Early intervention specialist
Special education teacher
Speech-language pathologist
Continuing Education and Licensing Information
Students may wish to pursue a doctoral degree in deaf education to perform critical research or enter positions in leadership or administration. Doctoral programs prepare students to address complex issues in hearing impaired education through research and concentration in specific areas, such as policy, culture and politics.
Graduates seeking work as teachers in public school systems must complete their state’s teacher certification or licensing requirements. The state may also require a special education certification, in addition to a general teaching credential. Speech-language pathologists are subject to different licensing requirements.
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