Education
The history of Gallaudet University's Department of Education dates back to 1891 when a "Normal Department" was established on campus to train teachers of deaf children. Although the department values its history, it prides itself primarily on its ability to adapt to changing times and new challenges in the field of educating deaf and hard of hearing students.
The department today offers graduate and postgraduate programs to prepare professional personnel to work with all ages of deaf and hard of hearing children in various kinds of educational programs and settings. Programs are designed to meet students' individual needs and interests and are open to hearing, deaf, and hard of hearing individuals.
Both coursework and practicum experiences are important preparation components. All programs involve exposure to professional organizations, agencies, and educational facilities related to the education of deaf and hard of hearing students, and provide for involvement in schools and classes. The department strongly recommends that students have both a car and a computer in order to benefit fully from course work and field experiences.
The department has highly qualified and experienced full-time faculty members with national and international reputations in the education of deaf and hard of hearing students. Publications and presentations based on faculty research and other scholarly activities contribute to the advancement of knowledge and techniques for working with deaf and hard of hearing children and youth.
The department's conceptual framework reflects an overall theme of excellence and appreciation of diversity; emphasizes the right of deaf individuals to maximum participation and leadership in all aspects of life as well as the right to access language, communication, and education which will enhance the development of the necessary knowledge, skills, and dispositions for decision-making and assuming responsibilities in all aspects of society.
Connection is at the heart of Gallaudet's education programs. At Gallaudet we emphasize that all of our professional work in deaf education is embedded in multiple contexts, and we promote connections to and among these contexts. These contexts include: Cultures, Communities, Families, Schools, Universities, and Professions. Graduates of our programs are able to communicate with, respond to and build on lives in and out of schools to assure that all students learn to their highest potentials.
The Department of Education's model of professional preparation and development values American Sign Language and English as equally important for facilitating curriculum content and cultural literacy; the model supports the development of reflective professionals who review the teaching-learning process and engage in critical appraisal and problem-solving. The Department of Education prepares professionals to interact and communicate fluently with deaf and hard of hearing people and with children and youth with diverse family backgrounds and learning characteristics. The department's programs prepare graduates for advocacy and leadership roles, and to establish partnerships with deaf adults, parents, colleagues from multiple disciplines, and community and professional organizations.
Students desiring licensure by state education agencies should seek advisement about meeting the requirements for a particular state. These requirements vary, and it is the responsibility of the students to be familiar with them and to develop a plan for meeting them. Students who complete the Department of Education's state-approved programs of preparation are eligible for District of Columbia licensure with reciprocity in most states.
Financial assistance may be available to qualified applicants through both the Department of Education and the Office of Financial Aid at Gallaudet. Students are responsible for practicum-related costs. These costs vary, but it is recommended that students be prepared to spend an average of $1,000 for expenses related to practicum activities. Many opportunities for part-time employment on campus are available to graduate students.
All teacher preparation programs at Gallaudet University are approved by the District of Columbia State Board of Education under the standards of the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC).
The Department of Education is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The graduate programs are also approved by the Council on Education of the Deaf (CED) and recognized by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).
There is a one-time fee of $125 for access to TK20, the Professional Education Programs Unit's online assessment management system. This fee is required for all candidates in programs leading to professional licenses. This fee will be charged during the first semester of enrollment in an educational program.
Graduate Programs and Certificate offered: