FAQ ABOUT THE EDUCATION OF THE DEAF PROGRAM

When does the program begin?

 The Deaf Ed program begins in the Summer session.

 Exception: if a student holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders or SLP, and thus does not need the leveling courses offered that first summer, then she/he could begin in the Fall and take Overview in Deaf Education along with the Fall courses on the sequence plan.

 How long will it take to complete the program?

 It takes approximately 4-7 semesters to complete, depending on the individuals previous experiences and courses taken.

 How much does it cost?

 As of Spring 2007, “ball park” figure is $700-900.00 per 3 credit hour class. Distance education students are charged in-state tuition fees (see TWU Bursars site website http://www.twu.edu/o-controller/cashiers/tuitionAndFees.htm for current fees). They are also charged all additional fees (e.g., Computer Usage, Library Fee, etc) except Medical Service fee.

 Please contact the Bursar’s office for further details at 940-898-3570.

 Are all the courses online?

For Cohorts B and C, the entire program is offered online via distance learning, with the exception of sign language courses and practicum/ student teaching.  For Cohort A, courses will be a combination of on-campus, online, and off-campus formats.

 Where do I get sign language courses if they’re not offered online?

 Some local community colleges offer sign language classes.  Courses taken at a junior college or other university will be accepted as verification of signing competence. However, the credit hours earned cannot be applied to your hours needed to complete your Master’s Degree. Documentation will need to be sent to the department showing successful completion of the course.

 Is the GRE required?

 No, the GRE is not required for the deaf education program.  Those students who are denied admission to the program on the basis of their undergraduate GPA are strongly encouraged to take the GRE and re-apply.

 Do I need teacher certification before I enter the program?

  No, students do not need to hold certification before getting into the program.

 Can I work while doing my Student Teaching?

 Cohort A, and DEED grant students are not permitted to work during student teaching, so they can devote their full attention to becoming a teacher of the deaf. Cohorts B & C are encouraged to refrain from working during student teaching so they can devote their full attention to becoming a teacher of the deaf.

 How do I complete my practicum/student teaching?

You may complete your practicum/student teaching in one of three ways:

If you are not a certified teacher:

Texas Students

If you are seeking initial certification in the state of Texas you must apply to the College of Professional Education, Teacher Certification Program, and must first pass the THEA exam (Texas Higher Education Assessment) before you are able to take the necessary Education courses required for teacher certification. (For more information, contact Susan Fisher at sfisher@mail.twu.edu, or 1-940-898-2829.) 

After completion of all education and departmental courses students will be required to complete a 14 week student teaching experience in a deaf education classroom, 7 weeks at the elementary level and 7 weeks at the secondary level. Students must register for Student Teaching EDUC 5926.

Student teaching is only offered in the Spring semester for Deaf Education majors.

Out-of-state Students

Out-of-state students should contact their local state board of educators to secure state certification requirements. A descriptive list of the education courses offered may be requested through e-mail at deafdl@mail.twu.edu.

Out-of State students are responsible for securing a site which includes a person who will supervise, a cooperating teacher and a classroom with a minimum of 3 students with hearing loss where they will be able to do their student teaching. Students seeking their initial certification through Texas Woman’s University must register for Student Teaching EDUC 5926.

TWU Deaf Education Student Teaching/Internship and Practicum Descriptions

All students seeking an endorsement from TWU COMS Department in Deaf Education who do not hold teaching certificates of any kind will complete one of the following options

Option 1: Student Teaching:

 EDUC 5926 :  Student Teaching.  14 weeks of student teaching at two different sites: one 7 week placement will be with elementary age children and another 7 week placement will be with secondary age children.  We offer this course only in the Spring semester.  Students MUST register for this course in order to receive credit for their student teaching.

Option 2: Internship:

EDUC 5936.30 Internship: An internship is that which the TWU student obtains a paid teaching position serving deaf/hard-of-hearing students and teaches successfully for a full academic year.  You must register for this course in order to receive credit for your experience.

The student successfully completes an academic year internship teaching experience as a paid teacher of the deaf for a school district or state school for the deaf.  That is, the candidate is currently the teacher of record responsible for a class of children who are D/HH. 

Upon completion of one year of teaching the immediate administrative supervisor of the candidate must be willing to send an e-mail or letter to Dr. Luetke as well as the TWU COMS Deaf Education secretary stating that they have successfully met this requirement. 

A master’s degree can be earned within our program without a practicum/student teaching experience, but we will not endorse a person for deaf education certification without that experience.

For those students who do hold a valid teaching certificate in an area other than deaf education:

Option 3: Practicum:

COMS 5913  The practicum experience will be treated much like a student teaching placement for a seven week period of time.  Students must arrange for this experience on their own, and register for this course.  Once coursework is complete, students can take their required certification exams, seek gainful employment as a teacher of the deaf, and teach successfully for a 7 week period.  You must register for this course in order to receive credit for your experience.

Procedures:

TWU students who do not live in the greater Dallas-Ft. Worth area must arrange for a location in which to conduct course work with deaf/hard of hearing students, teachers of the deaf, and student teaching/internship/practicum experiences prior to application to the program. The Deaf Education program will contact the school administrators to confirm that students have arranged for such a placement prior to being accepted into the program.

Students should contact our Deaf Education secretary and Dr. Barb Luetke (barbls@msn.com) at least a year prior to their anticipated Practicum experience.  At this time, they must have asked an administrator in their area to serve as their Practicum supervisor;  They must send their contact information (with the school names as well) to the TWU COMS Deaf Education secretary.

What about the education courses for teacher certification?

Students seeking initial certification in the state of Texas must also apply to the College of Professional Education, Teacher Certification Program, and must first pass the THEA exam (Texas Higher Education Assessment) before they are able to take the necessary Education courses required for teacher certification. (For more information, contact Susan Fisher at sfisher@mail.twu.edu, or 1-940-898-2829.)

Required courses for Deaf Ed Certification are: 

Certified teachers seeking TWU’s recommendation for an additional endorsement must also apply to the Teacher Certification Program to obtain a deficiency plan. (Note: the THEA is not required of current certified teachers.)

What is Project DEED?

Project DEED provides stipends to students who are seeking initial and or secondary teacher certification in the area of deaf education. If you are awarded a Project DEED stipend, tuition and fees for required course will be covered up to $250 per credit hour. It also covers up to $500.00 (total) in text books for the duration of your program.

To qualify for this funding you must not hold a teaching certificate in the area of deaf education.  You must hold a bachelors degree from an accredited university and be willing to start the program in the summer. Also, you must follow a sequence of courses that will be prepared for you once you enter the program.