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An American Sign Language/English Interpreter demonstrates at the front of a class.

Special Education Deaf Education Initial Licensure Preparation - Non-Degree

The Special Education Deaf Education Initial Licensure Preparation program is designed to prepare you for licensure in Ohio, this program provides you with the knowledge and skills needed to teach deaf and hard-of-hearing students. You'll learn to create and implement individualized education plans, use assistive technology and collaborate with families and professionals to create a supportive learning environment.

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Initial Licensure Preparation in Special Education Deaf Education

Kent State University’s Special Education Deaf Education Initial Licensure Preparation program is designed for individuals who wish to become licensed educators specifically trained to teach students who are deaf or hard of hearing. This program combines comprehensive coursework with practical experience, focusing on effective teaching strategies, communication methods, and the developmental needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Students gain valuable skills in creating inclusive classroom environments and supporting language acquisition, ensuring they are well-prepared to meet the unique challenges of this field.

Program Information for Special Education Deaf Education Initial Licensure Preparation - Non-Degree

Program Description
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Full Description

The Special Education Deaf Education Initial Licensure Preparation non-degree program is designed for individuals who have a bachelor's degree and want to teach deaf and hard-of-hearing students, ages 3-21 (pre-kindergarten to grade 12).

Completion of the coursework is a prerequisite to being recommended by Kent State University for an initial teaching license in Special Education Deaf Education (Ohio Intervention Specialist Hearing Impaired), with a license granted by the Ohio Department of Education.

This program does not culminate in a master's degree. Students interested in a master's degree at Kent State must be fully admitted into and complete the requirements for the master's program, in addition to courses that are prescribed here for licensure. Completing a master's degree in special education and the initial licensure requirements will, in most cases, require an additional 15-18 credit hours.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.

Admissions for Special Education Deaf Education Initial Licensure Preparation - Non-Degree

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 2.750 GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Goal statement
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Questions in Anticipation of Licensure form

Applicants are assessed holistically, considering academic credentials, academic or professional references, non-academic criteria and other specific program criteria.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Priority deadline: July 1
  • Spring Semester
    • Priority deadline: December 1
  • Summer Term
    • Priority deadline: April 1

Applications submitted by these deadlines will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Completers of this program will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of
    1. learner development and individual learning differences;
    2. the learning environment;
    3. curricular content knowledge;
    4. assessment;
    5. instructional planning and strategies; and
    6. professional practice and collaboration.
  2. Demonstrate the dispositions necessary to be a successful special education teacher/professional.
  3. Demonstrate preparation for the profession by successfully completing the Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) Special Education Assessment.
Coursework
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Program Requirements

Endorsement Requirements

Prerequisites
ASL 19201
ELEMENTARY AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I
ASL 19202
ELEMENTARY AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE II
Licensure Requirements (min C/S grade required in all courses)
ASL 29201INTERMEDIATE AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I 3
ASL 29202INTERMEDIATE AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE II 3
CI 57501TEACHING MATHEMATICS IN EARLY AND MIDDLE GRADES 3
CI 57504TEACHING READING AND WRITING IN MIDDLE GRADES 3
or CI 67310 THEORY AND PRACTICE IN THE TEACHING OF READING
CI 57505INTEGRATED SOCIAL STUDIES AND SCIENCE 3
SPED 23000INTRODUCTION TO EXCEPTIONALITIES (DIVD) 3
SPED 53010FAMILY AND PROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION 3
SPED 53030APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS I: THEORY AND TECHNIQUES 3
SPED 53306FUNDAMENTALS OF AUDIOLOGY FOR STUDENTS WITH HEARING LOSS 3
SPED 53307LISTENING, LANGUAGE AND PHONEMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH HEARING LOSS 3
SPED 53309INTRODUCTION TO DEAF STUDIES 3
SPED 53310LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT FOR DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING STUDENTS 3
SPED 53311INSTRUCTION OF DEAF/HARD-OF-HEARING STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS 3
SPED 53313LITERACY ASSESSMENT AND INTERVENTION FOR DEAF/HARD-OF-HEARING STUDENTS 6
SPED 53324CURRICULUM METHODS AND MATERIALS FOR DEAF/HARD OF HEARING STUDENTS 3
SPED 58880DEAF EDUCATION TEACHING LABORATORY (taken three times for 3 credit hours total)3
SPED 63392PRACTICUM IN DEAF EDUCATION (taken twice for 2 credit hours total)2
SPED 63992STUDENT TEACHING IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 18
SPED 69525INQUIRY PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 3
Minimum Total Credit Hours:64
1

Student teaching is taken after completion of all licensure coursework and in conjunction with SPED 69525. Teacher candidates are only permitted to repeat a field experience course once. Please see Repeating Field Experience Courses in Teacher Education Programs policy for details.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
3.000 3.000
  • Successful completion of the Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI) at the Intermediate level (or above) or the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASCPI) at a level of 2 (or above).

Licensure Information

Candidates seeking Ohio teaching licensure are required to pass specific requirements in order to apply for licensure from the Ohio Department of Education. Students should consult the Special Education Department for specific program requirements and refer to the Ohio Department of Education - Educator Preparation website for more information on assessments specific to licensure type.

Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Special Education Deaf Education Initial Licensure Preparation - Non-Degree

Graduates with a Special Education Deaf Education Licensure can pursue a variety of rewarding careers focused on supporting students who are deaf or hard of hearing. They may work as deaf education teachers in K-12 schools, providing specialized instruction and support tailored to individual learning needs. Other career paths include roles as sign language interpreters, educational consultants, or assistive technology specialists, helping to facilitate communication and learning. Graduates can also find opportunities in community organizations, advocacy groups, and specialized educational programs, where they can influence policy and promote inclusion for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in educational settings.

Special education teachers, all other

8.5%

much faster than the average

36,600

number of jobs

$62,820

potential earnings

Special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school

2.9%

slower than the average

193,000

number of jobs

$60,620

potential earnings

Special education teachers, middle school

2.6%

slower than the average

84,700

number of jobs

$61,820

potential earnings

Special education teachers, preschool

8.3%

much faster than the average

23,000

number of jobs

$61,400

potential earnings

Special education teachers, secondary school

3.2%

about as fast as the average

143,000

number of jobs

$62,320

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
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