Overview
Program Coordinator: Vickie Mazer (Interim)
Program Delivery Format: 100% Online, 8-week sessions Fall and Spring, 6-week sessions Summer
Total Credits: 36 to 42
Average Completion Time: 24 - 36 months
Admission: Summer and Fall. Spring admission is dependent upon demand
For more information related to admissions contact:
Graduate Admissions: Crystal Perry, Assistant Director, Graduate Enrollment Management
cperry@mcdaniel.edu
(410) 857-2516
Come connect with an energetic community of individuals pursuing teaching credentials for PK12 Deaf Education .
Earn a degree that means something - McDaniel is highly regarded nationally for its Deaf Education program. Since its inception in 1967 as a joint effort between McDaniel College and the Maryland School for the Deaf, McDaniel College’s Master of Science program in Deaf Education has built on its mission to prepare outstanding teachers of deaf students.
Key Features of the Deaf Education program include:
- Philosophically, the program views Deaf students from a cultural perspective. For graduates, that translates into a genuine acceptance of and respect for the language and culture of Deaf people, as well as a driving commitment to provide students with experiences that encourage literacy development and academic achievement.
- ASL emphasized as the language of instruction.
- All online classes utilize both ASL and English. Courses taught online are synchronous webinar format and require video camera for ASL instruction and learning.
- Offers two tracks to meet your specific educational and career goals: Specialty Endorsement which is designed for currently certified teachers seeking to add the specialist endorsement of PK12 Deaf and Hard of Hearing or the Intitial Certification which leads to initial teaching license in PK12 Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the state of Maryland. This program is designed to meet Maryland certification requirements. While reciprocity could be an option for students seeking certification outside of the state of Maryland, prospective students should check with the licensing body in the state in which they seek licensure to determine eligibility for licensure. Please see our statement on Professional Licensure here.
Vision and Mission Statements
Deaf Education Vision
For teachers of Deaf and hard-of-hearing students to embrace an in-depth understanding of a bilingual philosophy; to promote literacy and access to world knowledge; to incorporate cultural and historical perspectives that value diversity; to explore current research trends in the field; and to create opportunities for the success of all children.
Deaf Education Pedagogical Mission
To prepare knowledgeable and competent teachers who challenge and empower students by creating meaningful and rewarding learning experiences; who have a lifelong enthusiasm for learning; who are reflective practitioners open to new ideas and challenges, and who search for ways to improve instruction for Deaf students.
Deaf Education Linguistic Mission
To prepare teachers who strive for excellence in both ASL and English; who provide their students with support for improvement in both languages; who develop an appreciation and respect for bilingual fluency; who create a linguistically rich learning environment; and who share the beauty of both languages.
Deaf Education Cultural Mission
To prepare teachers who value the importance of Deaf culture and integrate it into their teaching; who appreciate the unique contributions of Deaf and hearing teachers serving as role models for all students; and who develop sensitivity and respect for the individual differences among children and adults.
Graduates are prepared to teach Deaf students in PK12. The Deaf Education program is approved by the Council on Education of the Deaf (CED) and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). McDaniel College is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. McDaniel is working toward Initial Accreditation Status for its educator preparation programs with an anticipated accreditation review in Spring 2024.
Courses are taught by full-time faculty as well as adjunct instructors and researchers in the field who are able to incorporate their professional experience and current practices into their course content. Classes are taught primarily in ASL by Deaf and hearing faculty. Candidates intern in bilingual programs with approval of the Program Coordinator.
Candidates begin the graduate program during the summer or fall. Spring admissions are dependent upon demand.
Certification:
This program is designed to meet the educational preparation requirements for MSDE (Maryland State Department of Education) Deaf and Hard of Hearing PK12. Students seeking MSDE certification may also be required to meet other state requirements to include required state assessment tests. While reciprocity is often granted by other states, students who are seeking licensure in other states are encouraged to consult their state certification offices about additional requirements such as teaching experience, testing or specific course completion.
The program is approved by the Maryland State Department of Education and the Council on Education of the Deaf (CED). This program may not meet educational requirements for licensure or certification in other states. Students who plan to pursue professional licensure or certification in a state other than Maryland should contact the gpsadvising@mcdaniel.edu and the appropriate licensing board associated with your program of interest for additional information and guidance. Contact information related to licensure for states outside of Maryland can be found here.
McDaniel College is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. McDaniel is working toward Initial Accreditation Status for its educator preparation programs with an anticipated accreditation review in Spring 2024.
Program Options
This program prepares students to teach students who are deaf or hard of hearing in a PK12 environment.
Specialty Endorsement Option: Students who are already certified teachers who are looking to add specialty endorsement in the state of Maryland complete 36 credits to include an internship (DED 552) working with deaf and hard of hearing students.
Initial Certification Option: Students who are seeking initial certification are required to complete 39 credit hours which includes 6 credits of internship teaching in a classroom with deaf and hard of hearing students.
Admissions Requirements
Candidates required to submit:
- application for graduate study with non-refundable fee
- official undergraduate transcript conferring bachelor’s degree from accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA. Students with a 2.75 to 2.99 GPA may be admitted provisionally which would require students to maintain a 3.0 GPA in the first 9 to 12 credit hours or first two semesters of study. Students with less than a 2.75 GPA can be considered for provisional admission but may be required to submit additional documentation and/or participate in an interview.
- American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI). ASLPI scores can also be submitted in lieu of the interview. A minimum score of 2+ is required in both the interview and external ASLPI test option.
- English Proficiency Essay (EPE) minimum entrance score of 3. The personal statement submitted at the time of application will be scored for the EPE requirement.
An interview for the ASLPI interview will be set up upon completion of your online application. You will be contacted directly to schedule this interview.
Corequisites/Prerequisites:
Maryland State Department of Education requires the following courses on your transcript in order to be certified in the State of Maryland:
- Child/Adolescent Development
- Introduction to Special Education
- One Special Education Methods course
- Elementary Methods courses
- One Secondary Methods course
- ASL Linguistics
Core: 12 credits
All candidates must earn a grade of B or better in all CORE courses, have a satisfactory review of the suitability criteria, and complete a criminal history disclosure.
Initial Licensure Internship: 6 credits
All candidates seeking initial teacher licensure must complete the following courses:
Specialty Endorsement Internship: 3 credits
Teachers seeking specialty endorsement are required to take 3 credits hours of practicum with an experience working with deaf and hard of hearing students.
Total Credits: 36 -39
Students who hold a current and active teaching license who are seeking specialty endorsement will be required to complete 36 credits to include 3 credits of Internship (DED 552) working with deaf and hard of hearing students. Those seeking initial licensure certification will be required to complete 39 credits to include 6 credits of internship with students who are deaf and hard of hearing (DED 553 and DED 554).
This program may not meet educational requirements for licensure or certification in other states. Students who plan to pursue professional licensure or certification in a state other than Maryland should contact the gpsadvising@mcdaniel.edu and the appropriate licensing board associated with your program of interest for additional information and guidance. Contact information related to licensure for states outside of Maryland can be found here.
State Authorization
McDaniel is an approved institutional member of the National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA). Membership in SARA is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses/programs offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state. For more information about SARA, including the states currently participating in the agreement, visit http://www.nc.sara.org.
SARA membership allows McDaniel to accept and deliver our programs/courses online to students in 49 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Students who reside in California, currently the only state not a member of SARA, should contact the admissions office prior to application to verify if you are eligible to participate in the online program of interest.
For more information about state authorization requirements and complaint resolution, visit https://www.mcdaniel.edu/academics/graduate-professional-studies/state-authorization-requirements-complaints-resolution
Professional Licensure
Requirements for professional licensure in fields such as accounting, education, counseling, psychology, and social work vary from state to state. McDaniel’s academic programs listed below are designed to meet Maryland’s licensure requirements and may not meet requirements from other states. Before beginning any academic program that leads to licensure, McDaniel highly recommends that you contact the appropriate state licensing board where you wish to seek licensure to determine whether the program you are considering will meet that state’s licensing requirements. You may also contact McDaniel at gps@mcdaniel.edu to inquire.
For more important information regarding professional licensure and the completion of McDaniel degrees, please review our Professional Licensure Disclosure Statement.
