Deaf Studies
The Department of Deaf Studies gives students an opportunity to acquire an understanding of the deaf community as part of human diversity. The courses are designed to prepare students to spend their professional or social lives after graduation in the deaf community or to make further contributions in a chosen academic discipline.
If interested, students can then explore further by majoring in Deaf Studies, providing that pre-major course requirements are met. Core programs in both majors are designed for students to develop a multidisciplinary approach in the areas of teaching, language, community, history, culture, and literature to the study of deaf and hard of hearing people. The Department also offers an undergraduate online degree program, in cooperation with the Online Degree Completion Program. Requirements for this program differ slightly from that of the degree offered on campus. Students interested in this program should apply via the Online Degree Completion Program.
For information on linguistics and interpretation courses, please look under either the Linguistics or Interpretation Departments.
Declaring a Major
Requirements for Admission to a Major in Deaf Studies
Students must complete or demonstrate the following before declaring a major in DST:
- A video-letter of interest
- A cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better.
- An interview with at least two Deaf Studies faculty members
- Completion of GSR 103 American Sign Language & Deaf Studies
- A grade of B or better in DST 101 & LIN 101
- Completion of all Pre-major courses
Requirements for Admission to a Minor in Deaf Studies
Students must pass GSR 102, GSR 103 and DST 101 with a grade of "B" or better prior to declaring a minor in Deaf Studies.
Undergraduate Majors and Minors offered: