M.A. in Deaf Education
Additional Program Admission Requirement
- Applicants must demonstrate basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics by achieving a minimum 3.0 GPA in a completed bachelor's degree program. If your bachelor’s degree GPA is below 3.0, you are required to submit passing scores on an approved basic skills exam in reading, writing, and mathematics for DC licensure. Graduate degree GPAs are not applicable for this calculation.
- A minimum ASLPI result of 2+. The candidate will be invited for an interview if the ASLPI rating is lower than 2+.
- Evidence of satisfactory federal criminal background check
- Complete a BA degree in general education, special education OR in one of the content areas (English, mathematics, biology, chemistry, history). (NEW admission requirement)
Program Requirements
To complete the Master of Arts in Deaf Education and be recommended for licensure in the District of Columbia, candidates must satisfy the following requirements:
- Completion of graduate degree requirements.
- Successful completion (grade of B or better) of all academic and practicum requirements specified by the Department of Education.
- Successful completion of all field experiences and student teaching.
- Successful completion of all appropriate Praxis II examinations and program performance assessments aligned with courses, field experiences, and student teaching. [Candidates who complete the degree program (i.e., grades of B or better in all coursework) but not the performance assessments may graduate from the program but are not recommended for licensure.]
- American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) rating of 2+.
This program leads to DC Licensure. If you seek licensure in another state, you are responsible for checking into their reciprocity policy.
Accreditation
Gallaudet University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Title IV approved institution. The Gallaudet University M.A. Education: Teacher Preparation (Deaf Education, Early Childhood Education & Deaf Education, Elementary Education & Deaf Education, and Secondary Education & Deaf Education) program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Preparation (CAEP) organization. The program is also approved by the District of Columbia State Education Agency (SEA) and licensed by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC). In compliance with the U.S. Department of Education and the District of Columbia Higher Education Licensure Commission (HELC) requirements for participation in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA), Gallaudet University provides information pertaining to this program and teacher educator licensure within each of the U.S. states and territories. This program is designed to meet the educational requirements for teacher educator licensure in the District of Columbia. If your intent is to secure licensure outside of Washington, D.C., then BEFORE beginning Gallaudet University's program, use the drop-down list below and select the state or territory in which licensure is intended. This will help you determine whether Gallaudet has obtained confirmation from the state or territory to formally identify whether the Gallaudet M.A. Education: Teacher Preparation (Deaf Education, Early Childhood Education & Deaf Education, Elementary Education & Deaf Education, and Secondary Education & Deaf Education) program meets, does not meet or cannot be confirmed as meeting the educational requirements for licensure.
Plan of Study
Prerequisite Courses
| EDU600G | K-12 Curriculum | 2 |
| EDU651 | Literacy Teaching and Learning for Teachers Pre- K-12 | 3 |
| EDU665G | Children's Literature | 3 |
| EDU670G | Teaching Students with Disabilities | 3 |
Candidates who have a BA degree in a content area (e.g. English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, or History) are required to complete one teaching method in their content area as one of their prerequisite courses.
The pre-requisite courses listed above are Gallaudet courses; courses equivalent to these courses can be taken at another university.
Summer 1 Semester (Hybrid)
| EDU707 | The Structures and Application of American Sign Language and English in the Classroom | 4 |
| EDU720/PST 729 | Introduction to Research for Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| EDU750 | Persp. & Edu. Implications of Audiology/Spoken Eng Development in ASL/ENG Bi Edu | 3 |
Fall 1 Semester (Online)
| EDU711 | Literacy Applications in ASL/English Bilingual Classrooms K-12 | 3 |
| EDU713 | Language Acquisition and Cognitive Development | 3 |
| EDU719 | K-12 Classroom-Based Assessment | 3 |
| EDU731 | Home, School, and Community Collaboration for Diverse Learners | 3 |
| EDU789 | Practicum II and Seminar: Deaf Education | 3 |
Spring I Semester (Online)
| EDU735 | Special Education Law & IEPs | 3 |
| EDU797 | Student Teaching in Deaf Education & Seminar | 6 |
Total Credit Hours: 34
Program Outcomes
Based on the Council of Exceptional Children (CEC) Standards and Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC) Principles
Standard 1: Learner Development: The teacher candidate understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and values the perspectives of the child, their family, and the community.
Standard 2: Learning Differences:The teacher candidate uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures, languages, and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that are developmentally appropriate and provide challenging learning experiences for each and every learner to achieve their highest potential.
Standard 3: Learning Environments:The teacher candidate works independently and with others to create environments that support individual and group learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement, and self-motivation.
Standard 4: Content Knowledge: The teacher candidate understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the disciplines he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make these aspects of the discipline accessible and meaningful for each and every learner.
Standard 5: Application of Content:The teacher candidate understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, evaluation, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
Standard 6: Assessment:The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, monitor learner progress, and guide the teacher's and learner's decision-making.
Standard 7: Planning for Instruction:The teacher candidate plans instruction that supports each and every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.
Standard 8: Instructional Strategies:The teacher candidate uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop a deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and the critical thinking and problem-solving skills needed to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
Standard 9: Reflection, Professional Learning, and Ethical Practice:The teacher candidate engages in ongoing reflection and professional learning and uses evidence to evaluate practice, particularly the effects of the teacher candidate's choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community, and adapts practice to meet the needs of the learner.
Standard 10: Leadership, Advocacy, and Collaboration: The teacher candidate seeks appropriate advocacy and leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth.
Standard 11: Technology:The teacher candidate uses knowledge of effective multimedia communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and accessibility to support interaction in the classroom.
Standard 12: Literacy and Numeracy:The teacher candidate applies a variety of instructional strategies to develop and enhance the literacy and numeracy skills of each and every learner including the use of multiple representations and explanations to present ideas and concepts.