Master of Arts in Teaching with a Major in Special Education -- Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Education

Selected Educational Outcomes

1. Candidates in special education/deaf education know the content that they plan to teach and can explain important principles and concepts delineated in professional, state, and institutional standards.
2. Candidates in special education/deaf education understand the relationship of content and content specific pedagogy and have a broad knowledge of instructional strategies that draws upon content and pedagogical knowledge and skills delineated in professional, state, and institutional standards to help all students learn.
3. Candidates in special education/deaf education are able to analyze educational research findings and incorporate new information into their practice.
4. Candidates in special education/deaf education assess and analyze student learning, make appropriate adjustments to instruction, monitor student learning, and have a positive effect on learning for all students.

Examples of Outcome Assessments

1. Candidates in special education/deaf education will demonstrate content knowledge through passing the state-required content assessment in deaf education.
2. Candidates in special education/deaf education will demonstrate pedagogical content knowledge and knowledge of evidence based strategies through development of lesson plans identifying use of research validated procedures and effective content pedagogy.
3. Candidates in special education/deaf education will demonstrate skills in assessment, instructional strategies, use of technology, and monitoring/modifying instruction during observed teaching episodes evaluated by a university supervisor and P-12 mentor teacher.
4. Candidates in special education/deaf education will demonstrate their ability to positively impact P-12 learning through completion of a capstone applied research project.

Admission Requirements

Candidates must:

1. hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited institution;
2. have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 on all undergraduate coursework taken or meet alternative pathway requirements;
3. provide documentation of passing scores on the GACE Program Admission Assessment or documentation of an exemption (see the Graduate School website for exemption methods);
4. provide documentation of completing the Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment--Program Entry (Test 350) (To register, click here);
5. have a transcript evaluation completed;
6. provide two recommendations;
7. provide a personal statement;
8. provide documentation of a Level 2 on the American Sign Language Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) or an Intermediate on the Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI); and
9. submit a completed application packet to the Graduate School by the admission deadline.

To Apply Online, click here. 

Program Retention, Dismissal, and Readmission Policies

1. The maximum time allowed for completion of the degree is seven calendar years. No work completed more than seven years prior to degree completion will be accepted toward the degree, except with special permission from the student's advisor and approval from the Associate Provost for Graduate Studies and Research.
2. No more than 9 semester hours of academic work may be transferred from another institution into a College of Education and Human Services graduate program. Transfer credit will be evaluated after admission by the academic department.
3. Earning grades below "B" in graduate courses will result in the following consequences: students will be dismissed from the Graduate School if they accumulate three or more academic deficiency points unless otherwise indicated by individual program policy. A grade of "C" (although it may be credited toward a degree) equals one deficiency point. A grade of "D," "WF," "F," or "U" (none of which will be credited toward a degree) equals two deficiency points.
4. If dismissed from the program, a student must not be enrolled for two semesters. Application for readmission may be initiated during the second semester. Readmission is not guaranteed, and prior academic performance and student conduct/disposition in the program will be considered. The academic program reserves the right to place specific conditions and contingencies on any offer of readmission.

Program Completion Requirements

1. A 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) is required for graduation. No grade below a "C" will be credited toward the degree.
2. Candidates must submit an application for graduation at least one semester prior to their expected graduation date.
3. Candidates must attempt all Georgia state-approved educator certification assessments for their degree program and major.

Note: According to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC), all candidates applying for a certificate in Special Education: Deaf and Hard of Hearing are required to present passing scores on Georgia's state-approved educator certification assessment(s) for Special Education: Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The Valdosta State University Dewar College of Education and Human Services requires all candidates to take the appropriate state-approved assessment(s) in order to graduate, but the candidates cannot be recommended for certification until they successfully complete all coursework and pass the Georgia state-approved assessment(s) for certification in Special Education: Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Requirements for the M.A.T. in Special Education—
Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Education

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Core Courses		10
EDUC 2999	Teacher Education Requirements	0
DEAF 6100	Seminar: Deaf Education and Language Learning	3
RSCH 7100	Research Methodology in Education	3
PSYC 7010	Learning and Assessment	3
LEAD 7210	Ethics and Law	1
Area of Concentration - Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing		26
DEAF 6000	Integration and Management of Instruction in the Classroom	3
DEAF 6010	Integrated Instruction: Individualized Education Program	3
DEAF 6110	Professional Capstone Course	3
DEAF 5310	Methods of Teaching Reading and Writing to Deaf Students	3
DEAF 5370	Teaching Thinking Skills	3
DEAF 6030	Internship in Teaching	3
DEAF 5380	Curriculum Development Instruction for Deaf Students	4
DEAF 6020	Audiological Considerations and Auditory/Oral Methods for Teachers of the Deaf	4
Total Hours Required for the Degree
Total Hours		36