Department of Communicative Sciences and Deaf Studies
Explore the Deaf Education Option
The Deaf Education option allows our students to make a real difference in the lives of deaf and hard of hearing children, their teachers, parents and administrators. Our program provides students with the training, skills, education, and information base to affect those around them in positive, active ways. Moreover, this impact can improve educational systems and administrative methods. Pursuing an undergraduate degree will inspire students with a desire to make a difference.
For the faculty, Deaf Education is a term which implies broad and inclusive study of providing full communication accessibility to deaf and hard of hearing children as an effective way of teaching and raising them. An undergraduate degree in Deaf Education can enable a person to pursue careers outside of the specific arena of teaching deaf and hard of hearing students. In a vast number of jobs, with or without higher degrees, they can serve as "ambassadors" between the mainstream society and the Deaf Community.
Education beyond the bachelor's degree is necessary for completion of the academic and credential requirements leading to professional employment. Although the Master of Arts degree is not required for future teachers, it is considered essential for the professional training needed for successful classroom teaching. Nearly all of our students pursue a M.A. degree along with their required teaching credentials for further professional opportunities. View the M.A. program website.
The Deaf Education program consists of 46 units of coursework with the option of pursuing a teaching credential and a MA degree in Deaf Education.
About the Field
Careers
Our students are in great demand across the state and across the United States at all educational levels: early intervention, elementary, middle, high school settings. Typically, students who graduate are either hired right out of school, or already have a job lined up before they graduate.
Students can pursue higher degrees in such fields as counseling, physical therapy, law, medicine, and other human services.
Earning Potential
Beginning teachers of deaf and hard of hearing children can expect to earn an average salary of about $49,000 in the schools, or about $55,000 as program specialists. Salary also depends on where they choose to work, as the cost of living is higher in some parts of the state and country than others.
Additional Information
Yes. An Educational Specialist: Deaf and Hearing of Hearing Option credential is the required post-BA credential for teachers. All of the student teaching experience and advanced coursework are completed at a Post-BA level to prepare students to be fully certified and recognized by the nationally accreditation organization, the Council of Education of the Deaf (CED).
View the Fresno State Catalog for more information.