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Elementary Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's
Degrees
BS in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing + MAT in Elementary Education
School
At a Glance
Prepare for a rewarding teaching career in this dual-major, five-year accelerated bachelor’s to master’s program. You’ll gain the skills, insights, and broad knowledge to be a highly effective teacher in the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Upon graduation, you can become certified in the following areas: elementary education K–6, teacher of the deaf or hard of hearing: oral/aural communication, and teacher of the deaf or hard of hearing: sign language communication. The program is designed for students who have completed high school and are first-time freshmen or for transfer students from community colleges or other four-year institutions.
Accelerated/Dual-Degree Program Options
Get a jumpstart and enter the workforce with a master’s degree. Accelerated options get you there faster and more affordably through fewer semesters of classes. Dual degrees offer a streamlined path to earning two degrees, often with direct admission to the graduate portion. These five-year (4+1) programs also qualify students for New Jersey certifications.
MAJOR
Elementary Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, BS/MAT
Select one of 12 approved content areas for the dual major: African American studies; art; biology; English; history; integrative STEM education; mathematics; music; psychology; sociology; Spanish; or women’s, gender, and sexuality studies.
TEACHER CERTIFICATION
Qualify for New Jersey certification in the following areas: elementary education K–6, teacher of the deaf or hard of hearing: oral/aural communication, and teacher of the deaf or hard of hearing: sign language communication.
MINOR
OTHER PROGRAMS
You’ll Benefit From:
- Small classes and seminars, strong mentorship, and early field experiences
- Option for a minor in environmental sustainability education
- Global student teaching opportunities
- A curriculum that emphasizes the creative arts
- Opportunities for faculty-mentored community-based research
- Participation in active and engaging student groups and organizations
- Facilities with model classrooms and an outdoor classroom
Teaching Careers
You will be prepared to teach in all learning environments by gaining preservice experience in diverse settings, communities, and types of schools. All programs and courses reflect state and national standards, with emphasis on the New Jersey Student Learning Standards, Common Core, and Next Generation Science Standards.
If you plan to pursue endorsements or teaching certificates beyond those awarded by your academic program, you should contact the State of New Jersey Department of Education for details about additional courses or standardized tests that may be required.
Course Sequence
Upon completing a dual major in a liberal arts area and deaf education, you will earn a bachelor’s degree without teacher certification at the end of your fourth year. You will continue your course of study through the following summer and academic year, at which point you will earn your master’s degree and all applicable certifications. If your dual major is in a teachable subject area, you will have the opportunity to seek a specialization to teach that subject in grades 6–8 and 9–12.
Experiential Learning
This program integrates liberal arts study, education theory and practice, and extensive fieldwork — including a semester of supervised classroom teaching. You’ll also receive guidance from faculty advisors, ensuring excellent support.
Faculty
You’ll benefit from working closely with our highly qualified special education faculty, who draw from active research and substantial professional achievements.
An Extensive Network
Study alongside talented peers, learn from special education faculty with valuable contacts in their field, and benefit from a robust alumni community that has strong professional connections and is enthusiastic about supporting students.
