VANCOUVER – WSU Vancouver will offer a fall-start option for its new Online Deaf Education Endorsement in addition to the summer-start program now in session. The program is designed for teachers and education students who want to expand their career opportunities with the ability to teach children with hearing loss. Deaf education is a growing field and teachers are currently needed.
WSU Vancouver’s endorsement program is the only one in the region that offers teachers and education students the opportunity to prepare to teach in auditory/oral, English-based sign or American Sign Language classrooms.
The program consists of six classes plus 13 practicum credits. For students that have not had speech rehabilitation or hearing/hearing disorder classes, two additional courses are required. Classes will be offered in sequence for three consecutive semesters so students can finish the program in one year. Students may opt to enroll in classes part-time, which will delay earning the endorsement by one year.
All coursework for the endorsement will be offered online through Washington State University’s Distance Learning Program and will consist of 35 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
For more information about this program visit http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/programs/edu/pc/masters/deafeducation.html.
In addition to completing all coursework students will be required to pass the Washington Educator Skills Test-Endorsements (WEST-E test) on Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children. Information about the WEST-E exam is available at www.west.nesinc.com.
