EdM in Deaf Education

The Boston University Deaf Education program is designed for students who wish to teach in early childhood, elementary, and middle grades using a multilingual ASL/English approach. Students choose one of three specialty areas (Early Childhood Education, Teaching Deaf Students with Disabilities, or Teaching ASL as a First Language), or create their own specialization in collaboration with their advisor. This program prepares students for Massachusetts initial licensure as a Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing PreK–12.

The Early Childhood Education dual specialization program is designed for professionals (teachers, early intervention specialists, etc.) who want to work in early childhood settings including parent-infant programs, preschool programs, and classrooms up to second grade. Graduates of this dual licensure program can earn a second license in Early Childhood Education, grades PreK–2, in Massachusetts.

The Teaching DeafDisabled Students dual licensure program is grounded in a Disability Studies Education framework, centers on human rights, and is intended for those who wish to gain specialized training in teaching DeafDisabled children. Graduates of this dual licensure program can earn a second license in Teaching Students with Severe Disabilities, Ages 3–23 in Massachusetts.

The ASL as a First Language program is for those who wish to teach ASL to deaf children and includes teaching ASL as a content area as well as methods for teaching children at risk for language deprivation.

The “Flex” specialization is for students who wish to design their own curriculum and take courses from across Wheelock College of Education & Human Development or across the University more broadly.

For full-time students, the EdM program is a one-and-a-half-year program, plus a final term practicum. The program begins in June each year with two summer courses, though students may also begin in September. It is also possible to complete the degree over a longer time period as a part-time student. Most courses are offered in the evenings. Licensure reciprocity exists with many states, but students should investigate specifics in the state of anticipated residence and seek guidance from our Professional Preparation office.

Learning Outcomes

• Equity-Driven and Humanizing Orientation to Teaching: Understands how identity and intersectionality can impact teaching and learning and centers pedagogical choices that affirm the full humanity of students.
• Curriculum, Planning, and Assessment: Promotes the learning and growth of all students by providing high-quality and coherent instruction, designing and administering authentic and meaningful student assessments, analyzing student performance and growth data, using this data to improve instruction, providing students with constructive feedback on an ongoing basis, and continuously refining learning objectives (Well-structured lessons, adjustments to practice; Reflective Practice).
• Teaching All Students: Promotes the learning and growth of all students through instructional practices that establish high expectations, create a safe and effective classroom environment, and demonstrate cultural proficiency (High Expectations; Meeting diverse needs; Safe Learning Environment).
• Family and Community Engagement: Promotes the learning and growth of all students through effective partnerships with families, caregivers, community members, and organizations.
• Professional Culture: Promotes the learning and growth of all students through ethical, culturally proficient, skilled, and collaborative practice (Meeting Diverse Needs).
• Demonstrates Subject Matter Knowledge.

Requirements

Total units: 66 (70 for dual license)

Prerequisites

• ASL Proficiency

Core Coursework (36 units)

• WED DE 501 Professional Seminar in Deaf Education (4 units) [online]
• WED DE 502 Digital Media Creation (2 units) [online]
• WED DE 503 ASL/English Instructional Methods: Content Areas (4 units)
• WED DE 504 ASL/English Instructional Methods: Literacy (4 units)
• WED DE 505 Topics in Speech, Language, and Hearing for Deaf Educators (2 units) [online]
• WED DE 506 Teaching and Creating ASL Literature (4 units)
• WED DE 507 Dynamics of Diversity, Oppression, and Social Justice within Deaf Communities (4 units)
• WED RS 600 Introduction to Research (4 units)
• WED ME 503 Elementary Math I (4 units)
• WED ME 504 Elementary Math II (4 units)

Electives (4 units, cannot count elective toward specialization)

• WED DE 531 Early Language and Social Learning in Deaf Children (4 units)
• WED DE 532 Disability Studies and Deaf Education (4 units)
• WED DE 533 Social Psychology and the Deaf World (4 units)
• WED DE 534 Sign Language Structure (4 units)
• WED DE 535 Teaching ASL as a First Language (4 units)
• WED TL 520 Teaching English Language Learners (4 units)
• A course selected in consultation with the advisor

Fieldwork (18 units)

• WED DE 561 Pre-Practicum: Initial Strategies (2 units, 75 hours)
• WED DE 562 Practicum: Deaf Students with Disabilities (4 units, 65 hours)
• WED DE 563 Practicum: BRIDGES (4 units, 35 hours)
• WED DE 564 Practicum: Deaf Education (var units, 300 hours)
• WED DE 565 Practicum: Specialization (var units, 200 hours) *for dual licensure only

Specialization Courses (12 units from one of the following specializations):

Early Childhood Deaf Education (dual licensure in Early Childhood Education)

• WED EC 605 Topics in Child Development and Education (4 units)
• WED EC 540 Early Childhood Integrated Curriculum: Literacy, SS, and Arts (4 units)
• WED DE 531 Early Language and Social Learning in Deaf Children (4 units)

Teaching DeafDisabled Students (dual licensure in Teaching Children with Severe Disabilities)

• WED SE 507 Severe Disabilities: Assessment and Instruction (4 units)
• WED SE 508 Severe Disabilities: Curriculum and Methods (4 units)
• WED DE 532 Disability Studies and Deaf Education (4 units)

Teaching ASL as a First Language

• WED DE 531 Early Language and Social Learning in Deaf Children (4 units)
• WED DE 534 Sign Language Structure (4 units)
• WED DE 535 Teaching ASL as a First Language (4 units)

Flex

• 12 units selected in consultation with an advisor

The following courses are required, taken either prior to admission to BU or while enrolled in the degree program. The courses are offered at Boston University in the summer sessions to meet the needs of students. Please contact the program office at deafstdy@bu.edu to discuss summer course scheduling for the following prerequisites.

• WED DE 581 American Sign Language I (4 units)
• WED DE 582 American Sign Language II (4 units)
• WED LS 565 Introduction to Language and Linguistics (4 units) (recommended)
• WED LS 566 Language Acquisition (4 units) (recommended)