New Program Prepares Teachers of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children

VANCOUVER, Wash. – Beginning summer semester 2007 Washington State University Vancouver will offer a three semester program leading to certification as a teacher of deaf and hard of hearing children.

This intensive program will consist of 40 credit hours covering such topics as:

– The psychological and educational aspects of hearing loss

– Understanding hearing loss and how to use technology to help students learn

– Language and speech development and how to develop these abilities in deaf and hard of hearing children

– Effective instructional strategies for various educational settings

– Practicum and student teaching in educational programs across the state.

In addition to completing all coursework, students will be required to pass the Praxis II test on elementary education.

The program, designed for current teachers or those now in teaching education, is the only one in the region offering students the opportunity to prepare to teach in auditory/oral, English based sign or American Sign Language classrooms. It is designed to fill a gap in the Pacific Northwest for teachers needing certification in this growing field.

WSU Vancouver offers 14 bachelor’s and nine master’s degrees in more than 35 fields of study. The campus is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave., east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205. For more information, visit https://www.vancouver.wsu.edu.