Deaf and Hard of Hearing Studies
Undergraduate Certificate
Make a difference with deaf studies
Looking to grow your people-helping skills? The deaf and hard-of-hearing studies certificate prepares you to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals with hearing loss. Whether you're interested in education, healthcare, hospitality or public service, our 12-credit program will help you create a more inclusive environment for everyone.
You'll gain a better understanding of accessibility, communication and culture related to individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing (D/HOH) and develop practical tools to support individuals who are D/HOH with this undergraduate certificate. You'll explore language, identity, advocacy and the rich culture of the Deaf community.
Program Snapshot
What you’ll learn in deaf studies
There’s a growing demand for professionals who can communicate effectively and support individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing across a variety of settings. Our undergraduate certificate will help you support D/HOH individuals through communication tools, cultural knowledge and practical applications of assistive technology.
Your coursework will cover topics such as:
- Social and communication impacts of hearing loss.
- Use of assistive and adaptive technologies.
- Introduction to conversational American Sign Language (ASL).
- Disability perspectives from mainstream and Deaf-centric viewpoints.
- Roles and responsibilities of allies and professionals in D/HOH communities.
Deaf studies undergraduate certificate highlights
- One-of-a-kind program: Explores the full diversity of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, including language preferences, assistive technology and communication methods.
- Prepares you for a variety of fields: Ideal for careers in education, healthcare, hospitality, government and social or human services.
- Diverse faculty perspectives: Learn from deaf, hard-of-hearing and Hearing faculty with personal and professional experiences in the field.
- Inclusive communication training: Develop skills in ASL and cultural awareness to better serve and support individuals with hearing loss.
Join the American Sign Language Society
Want to build your ASL skills beyond the classroom? Join the American Sign Language Society — a student-led organization open to all skill levels. Meet new friends, attend events and gain confidence in your signing abilities while building connections in the D/HOH community.
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