Master's Degree in Deaf Studies

Degree: Master of Arts
Major: Deaf Studies
Hours: 36

Master of Science - Deaf Studies and Deaf Education

Delivery Options:

Deaf Studies Overview

The ��ɫ�� Master of Arts in Deaf Studies focuses on theory and research in the field of deaf studies, including courses in deaf history, American Sign Language literature and ASL linguistics. Obtaining this degree provides the credentials to teach ASL at a community college or enter a doctoral program in deaf studies and deaf education.

Students work closely with our deaf and hearing faculty in a culturally and linguistically accessible and friendly setting. The department has partnerships with state schools for the deaf, mainstreamed programs in the public schools, community colleges, universities and research labs to give the students a state-of-the-art curriculum and rich intern experiences.

This program is certified by the Council on Education of the Deaf, and our graduates are eligible for professional certification through the CED. If you're more interested in the education side of this field, visit our Master of Science in Deaf Education page.

Deaf Studies Courses You May Take

Deaf History: Life and culture of Deaf people via history, art, literature, mythology and performance will be utilized. Using an anthropological definition of culture, the course examines the linguistic variations and modes of cultural transmission across generations and the demographics and characteristics of community.

ASL Literature: A course in deaf culture themes within short stories, poetry, drama, humor, art, movies.

Psycholinguistics: Research shows that sign languages have all the fundamental properties of spoken languages (e.g. phonology, morphology, grammar and syntax). Sign language combines meaningless sub-lexical units into large meaningless phonetic features, phonemes and syllables into meaningful principles that determine how unites of the language can combine.

Classroom Application of Linguistics: This course will provide an advanced study of the research regarding the major linguistic structures of American Sign Language.

Law and Deaf Education: Legislative and judicial decisions that influence educational programs for Deaf/Hard of Hearing students.

Scholarships

Admissions

Tuition and Fees

Career Paths for Deaf Studies

A master's degree in deaf studies opens up several different career paths, whether in education, social services, counseling or accessibility advocate. Additionally, it prepares graduates for careers as a sign language interpreter, which requires additional certification.