Mission

To 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. Develop and apply foundational knowledge and theories of educational thought, including the application of epistemological frameworks to the implementation of their teaching practice.

2. Analyze various linguistic, social and cultural perspectives in Deaf Education, and how each contributes to the understanding of cognitive and academic development of students.

3. Collaborate effectively in various educational settings with other service professionals who are involved in the education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing students.

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 Educator program. For program application, go to http://www.wou.edu/graduate/admissions/how-to-apply/ under the DHHE program, or contact the department at 503-838-8322, or email the program coordinator at grahamp@wou.edu.