Deaf Education, B.A.

For the student who desires to work with children who are deaf or hard of hearing in an educational setting, Fontbonne offers a four-year program leading to a bachelor of arts degree.

Special emphasis is placed on method courses and practicum experiences. In this competency/ performance-based teacher education program students need to demonstrate their ability to apply theoretical knowledge to the teaching of children who are deaf or hard of hearing, especially in the areas of spoken language, literacy and academics. Students must also demonstrate the ability to develop listening skills in children through the optimal use of appropriate amplification or cochlear implants.

Students will work with children who are deaf or hard of hearing throughout the program. During both semesters of the senior year, students participate in different levels of clinical experience.

Dual enrollment in the graduate program for up to 6 credit hours is possible during the senior year for students meeting the following requirements: Minimum GPA of 3.5 and Department permission.

Highlights of this major

• Approximately 700 clock hours of work with children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• All coursework in deaf education is dove-tailed with practicum experiences.
• Student/teacher ratio in deaf education method courses is usually less than 10:1.
• Students are eligible for both state and national certification upon graduation.
• If students wish to add additional certification, they may do so by passing the Missouri Content Assessment.

Essential Functions

Listed below are the essential functions that someone who enters the profession of listening and spoken language deaf education must perform and therefore are required of majors in the department.

Physical Abilities

• Participate in classroom or clinical activities for 2-4 hour blocks of time with one or two breaks;
• Ambulate to, from, and within academic/clinical facilities;
• Provide for or direct one’s own personal hygiene;
• Manipulate screening/diagnostic/therapeutic/educational materials;
• Respond to emergency situations including fire, choking, and in the application of universal precautions;
• Visually monitor client responses and use of materials;
• Auditorily monitor and orally model correct speech and language production.

Affective Abilities

• Work effectively with people;
• Make appropriate decisions, including the ability to evaluate and generalize appropriately without immediate supervision;
• Maintain proper work place behavior, including punctuality and regular attendance;
• Maintain composure and emotional stability in demanding situations;
• Maintain emotional and mental health required for use of intellectual abilities, prompt completion of responsibilities, and appropriate relationships with clients/students and colleagues.

Cognitive Abilities

• Comprehend and read professional literature/reports;
• Write university-level papers and clinical/educational reports in standard American English;
• Speak standard American English intelligibly;
• Independently analyze, synthesize, interpret ideas and concepts in academic and clinical settings;
• Maintain attention and concentration for sufficient time to complete academic/clinical activities: typically 2-4 hours with 1-2 breaks;
• Comply with administrative, legal, and regulatory policies.

Background Checks

As part of an ongoing effort to ensure the safety and welfare of students and staff, school districts require that any individual who teaches, supervises, or has access to students in schools undergo an FBI fingerprint check, a criminal record check, child abuse/neglect screening, TB tests and/or other screenings. Candidates should also realize that the background checks need to be updated periodically. It is the responsibility of each student to maintain up-to-date background checks for the purpose of observations, practicum and final clinical experience/student teaching. Please check with your advisor or Fontbonne’s Certification Officer (East 235) should you have questions regarding background checks and the courses for which they are necessary. Courses needing background checks are also noted in this catalog.

Baccalaureate Degree and Residency Requirements

All requirements for an undergraduate degree are listed in the academic policies and regulations  section of this catalog. These requirements include a graduation requirement of at least one course in religion or theology.

Teacher Certification Requirements

Full information for teacher certification policies, procedures, and requirements are found in the section entitled, Teacher Education at Fontbonne University .

Program Approval

Students apply for program approval during the second semester of the sophomore year, or after the completion of 45 hours. Transfer students apply for program approval in their second semester at Fontbonne University. Program approval is based upon the following criteria:

• Completion of DEA 210 Early Field Experience in Deaf Education  
• Qualifying scores on the Missouri General Education Assessment; 
• Satisfactory completion of the program’s approved dispositional assessment
• Successful execution of the essential functions of the major in the Communication Disorders and Deaf Education Department
• A cumulative, blended GPA of 3.00 for all professional coursework from all colleges/universities attended;
• A cumulative, blended GPA of 2.75 from all colleges/universities attended;
• Transfer students who have completed EDU 268  (or equivalent) at another institution must complete a required zero-hour course: EDU 301 Teacher Education at Fontbonne University  

Program Approval with Conditions

This designation is available on a one-time only, one-semester basis, and indicates that the student is deficient in one of more of the above categories. The student may continue to major in a certification program with conditions once, for one semester only. Students who do not eradicate all deficiencies will not be allowed to continue in a certification program, will not be admitted into the teacher certification, and, therefore, will not be allowed to complete culminating clinical experience.

General Education Requirements

The general education requirements are presented in the academic information  section in this catalog. A course that meets a general education requirement may also meet a course requirement in the major or a course requirement in another discipline. Please see the curriculum guide sheet for Deaf Education Majors for specific general education courses.