GRADUATE EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Master of Arts in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Endorsement in Teaching ASL in the Public Schools
Endorsement in Teaching Children with Severe and Profound Disabilities
MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATION OF THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING
The Master of Arts in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing program is based on our belief that effective teaching settings require knowledge of specialized curriculum, barrier-free communication, specific methodologies for an increasingly diverse population of students, and a respect for Deaf Culture and parental input regardless of the child’s educational placement and linguistic preferences. Courses will be offered through distance learning as well as a single summer residency required for all students. The intention of the hours completed in summer residence is to provide an opportunity for practicing teachers in low incidence programs to take advantage of needed coursework, to become part of a community of learners, and to access support services they may need to successfully complete their program. Providing this broader educational experience for our students ensures that they continue to be current in the use of evidence-based practices that can be applied in all educational environments.
Courses are eight week intensive terms with two sessions offered each semester. The core of the Master of Arts Program in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is comprised of 10 courses for a total of 30 hours, including one three-week summer residency. Students will be expected to complete practicum requirements as a component of some methods courses included in their program. Courses are offered through the Canvas Instructure learning management system.
In addition to the core curriculum, the program offers two endorsement areas: Teaching American Sign Language in the Public Schools and Teaching Children with Severe and Profound Disabilities. These endorsements provide Master’s students, practicing teachers, graduates of Flagler’s undergraduate program, and individuals pursuing additional endorsements but not wishing to matriculate in the Master of Arts Program, the opportunity to satisfy their professional growth needs. Students will be expected to complete practicum requirements as a component of some methods courses included in their program. Endorsements are typically defined by 4 to 6 specific courses and, must adhere to the educational standards of the state of Florida.
Master’s students can matriculate in the fall or spring semesters; non-degree and endorsement seeking students may begin any semester. Because students come to this program with different skill levels in American Sign Language (ASL), educational backgrounds, and different professional goals, we offer a variety of program options as well as a menu of courses to support their individual studies. The educational backgrounds of some students may require they take additional coursework to fully benefit from the program.
The graduate program requires all grades to be a B or better. Master’s students must maintain a 3.0 GPA to graduate.
Master’s students must complete all degree requirements within five consecutive years (accommodations can be made for extenuating circumstances).
Please note: This is NOT an initial certification program.
MISSION
The Master of Arts in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing program at Flagler College is committed to excellence within the discipline of deaf studies and education by providing quality graduate instruction in pedagogy that is culturally and linguistically accessible to empower deaf students and the deaf community.
VISION
The graduate Deaf Education program at Flagler College aims to develop high quality teachers and related service providers who work with deaf and hard of hearing (D/HH) students and seeks to develop competencies to the highest level for professionals who will become lifelong learners, engaged in continuous improvement of their teaching and related service knowledge and skills to positively impact their students, clients, and professional colleagues and ensure equal opportunity of learning for all students with hearing loss.
PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE
The Master of Arts in Education of the D/HH at Flagler College is committed to preparing qualified educators to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse population of children who are deaf and hard of hearing. Through advanced course work which focuses on curriculum and instruction in both regular and special education classrooms, students are prepared to work in a variety of educational settings. To this end, the program focuses on bilingual/bicultural programming, auditory/oral programming, and instruction of children who are D/HH but also experience additional physical and learning disabilities. Courses will be taught through distance learning with a single summer residence required for all degree seeking students.
PROGRAM OPTIONS
Master of Arts in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Flagler Fast Track
- Modified Track
- Traditional Track
Endorsement Programs
- Teaching American Sign Language in the Public School
- Teaching Children with Severe and Profound Disabilities
Non-Degree Seeking
ADMISSION POLICIES
Students may enter the graduate program as either degree-seeking pursuing a Master’s or as non-degree seeking pursuing an endorsement or individual courses for professional development.
FLAGLER FAST TRACK
Students who are currently enrolled in Flagler as undergraduate education of the D/HH majors are eligible to enroll in up to 5 courses which may apply to their Master’s degree and/or Endorsement. These courses have differentiated outcomes for graduate students and undergraduate students and are available to students who meet the prerequisites for each class and who have a 3.0 GPA. Candidates who wish to enroll as graduate students must complete the Application for Graduate Credit Form, which can be found on the Fast Fast Track page on the Graduate Program website. Students must complete these courses with the graduate level requirements as presented in the syllabi and earn a B or higher in each course.
Deaf Education Cross Listed Courses include:
EDD 448/548 - ASL for Academic Settings
EDD 470/570 - Methods of Teaching Language to DHH Students
EDD 473/573 - Methods of Instruction for DHH Students
ASL Cross Listed Courses include:
EDD 425 /525 – Linguistics of ASL
EDD 444 /544 – ASL Literature
Flagler College students should inform their instructor if they wish to take cross-listed courses on the first day of class and complete the Application for Graduate Credit Form.
Applications Requirements:
- Graduate Application
- A completed Flagler College transcript showing a 3.0 GPA for the last 60 hours of coursework
- A letter of recommendation from a current Flagler faculty member
- A Personal Statement of 500 words to be submitted with the application
- Demonstration of American Sign Language Proficiency
- Evidence of Access to a working environment with children who are deaf/hard of hearing
Students are encouraged to begin the application process during the final semester of their senior year.
Fall Applications are due by June 1st.
Spring Applications are due by November 1st.
Applicants will be notified of an admission decision and, if accepted, may begin the program after receiving their Bachelor’s degree from Flagler College.
Modified Track
The Modified Track is designed for students entering with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing from another institution. This is also an option for those that have, or will have, a degree from Flagler College in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, but did not take cross-listed courses.
Applications Requirements:
- Graduate Application
- A Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must submit an official transcript from every institution they have attended
- GPA of 3.0 for the final 60 hours of coursework
- A Personal Statement of 500 words to be submitted with the application
- A current resume
- A letter of recommendation from a Supervisor
- Demonstration of American Sign Language Proficiency
- Evidence of Access to a working environment with children who are deaf/hard of hearing
Fall Applications are due by June 1st.
Spring Applications are due by November 1st.
Traditional Track
The Traditional Track is for students who don’t have a degree specifically in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing but have a Bachelor’s Degree in a field associated with Education, Deafness, Special Education, Interpreting, or another related Human Service field. NOTE: The Master of Arts in Education of the Deaf and Hard program is not an initial certification program.
Applications Requirements:
- Graduate Application
- A Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must submit an official transcript from every institution they have attended
- GPA of 3.0 for the final 60 hours of coursework
- A Personal Statement of 500 words to be submitted with the application
- A current resume
- A letter of recommendation from a Supervisor
- Demonstration of American Sign Language Proficiency
- Evidence of Access to a working environment with children who are deaf/hard of hearing
Fall Applications are due by June 1st.
Spring Applications are due by November 1st.
ENDORSEMENT PROGRAMS
In addition to the Master’s program, the graduate education program also offers two endorsements for Florida teachers who are certified in a recognized area. These endorsements, or concentrations, are state-approved as well as approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. They may be pursued as part of the Master’s program or as stand-alone programs. These are:
- Teaching American Sign Language in the Public School
- Teaching Children with Severe and Profound Disabilities
Endorsement in Teaching ASL in the Public School
This program is a state-approved concentration leading to an endorsement for teaching American Sign Language as a foreign language requirement in the public schools. The program includes six courses focusing on the skills and tools necessary to teach American Sign Language in public school settings. Entry into this program requires demonstration of ASL Proficiency.
Applications Requirements:
- Graduate Application
- A Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must submit an official transcript from every institution they have attended
- Copy of Teacher’s Certification or proof of eligibility
- A Personal Statement of 500 words to be submitted with the application
- A current resume
- Demonstration of American Sign Language Proficiency
- Evidence of Access to a working environment with students who are learning ASL
Fall Applications are due by June 1st.
Spring Applications are due by November 15th.
Endorsement in Teaching Children with Severe and Profound Disabilities
This program is a state-approved concentration leading to an endorsement in teaching children with severe and profound disabilities. The program includes four courses focusing on the changing population of children with disabilities and provides teachers with the skills necessary to meet the needs of those with the most severe and profound disabilities.
Applications Requirements:
1. Graduate Application
2. A Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must submit an official transcript from every institution they have attended
3. Copy of Teacher’s Certification or proof of eligibility
4. A Personal Statement of 500 words to be submitted with the application
5. A current resume
6. Evidence of Access to a working environment with children with severe or profound disabilities
Fall Applications are due by June 1st.
Spring Applications are due by November 1st.
NON-DEGREE SEEKING
We offer a variety of graduate-level courses for those students wishing to increase their skills and knowledge in the field of Education. These courses are offered outside of a degree or endorsement program for students to take “a la carte”.
Application Requirements:
- Graduate Application
- A Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must submit an official transcript from every institution they have attended
- A Personal Statement of 500 words to be submitted with the application
- A current resume
- Demonstration of American Sign Language Proficiency for Teaching ASL courses only
- Evidence of Access to a working environment with students who are learning ASL for graduate students wishing to take EDD 565 and/or to a working environment with children with severe or profound disabilities for graduate students wishing to take ESE 555.
Applications are accepted throughout the year, however, please plan to apply at least one month prior to the start of your desired course.
GRADUATE COURSE REGISTRATION DATES
Fall course registration begins on May 15th.
Spring course registration begins on November 15th.
ACCEPTANCE OF ACADEMIC CREDIT
A maximum of 9 credits of high-quality graduate work done at a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an officially recognized degree-granting international institution may be applied toward the requirements for a Master’s. However, credits earned to complete a previous Master’s degree elsewhere may not be applied to the Flagler graduate degree. All hours must be completed prior to enrolling in the Flagler Master’s program.
Approval to apply any transferred credits toward a degree program must be granted by the student’s academic advisor, the program director, and the Vice President of Academic Affairs.
Transfer credits must meet the following criteria:
- Earned at a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an officially recognized degree-granting international institution
- Be of “A” or “B” grade value (“B-” grades are not acceptable; pass-fail grades are not transferable unless substantiated by the former institution as having at least “B” quality)
- Appear on an official graduate transcript
- Earned within five years prior to the date of registration to the degree program at Flagler.
If transferring credits from a university/college that is on quarter hours, quarter hours are converted to semester hours by multiplying the number of quarter hours by two-thirds.
STATE ASSOCIATION FOR RECIPROCITY AGREEMENTS
Flagler College is a member of the State Association for Reciprocity Agreements (SARA). SARA pertains to approval of distance education courses and programs offered across state lines by postsecondary institutions that already have degree authorization in at least one state. SARA centralizes the authorization process for each institution in a single state called the institution’s “Home State.” Colleges or universities in a SARA state therefore only need their Home State authorization to offer distance education to students in any other SARA member state, subject to certain limitations. To learn more about SARA and its benefits to the student, please visit http://flsara.org/. Students having questions regarding SARA should discuss them with their advisor and/or refer to the above website.
FORMAL COMPLAINT PROCESS
Students wishing to submit a complaint or grievance regarding their participation in the graduate program should contact Laura Stevenson, Assistant to the President, at lstevenson@flagler.edu. If the student is dissatisfied with the result, the student has the right to appeal the College’s decision within the institution. If the student is not satisfied with the institutional decision, s/he may appeal complaints to the FL-SARA Council (http://flsara.org/) once they have exhausted all complaint procedures at Flagler College.
