Coordinator: Patrick Graham

Mission

Prepare graduate students to become exemplary educators who will provide state of the art instruction to deaf and hard of hearing children.

Learning outcomes

1. Be motivated to participate in lifelong intellectual work through theory and practice to generate educational knowledge that benefits children, families and communities.
2. Be leaders in the field of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education, such as teachers, researchers and specialists.
3. Advocate and engage in collaborative inquiry in diverse and inclusive settings
4. Engage in research in areas affecting Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education, such as Deaf-Blindness, Academic Achievement, Transition Education and the impact of Early Intervention.

This program prepares teachers to work with students who are deaf or hard of hearing and who may experience multiple disabilities or learning challenges. Graduates of the DHHE program will meet Oregon’s Teachers Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) qualifications to teach deaf and hard of hearing children in Oregon and states with reciprocal agreements.

The degree results in an initial teacher licensure or endorsement. Because deaf and hard of hearing children in Oregon are placed in both mainstream and special settings and because classes include children using both oral communication and American Sign Language (ASL), the DHHE program requires fluency in ASL and English. It prepares teachers to work across the range of school settings and communication preferences.

In addition to admission to graduate study at WOU, the student must be admitted to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education program. For program application, go to wou.edu/provost/graduate under the DHHE program or contact the department at 503-838-8322 or email the program coordinator at grahamp@wou.edu.