Deaf Education, B.A.

Fontbonne offers a four-year program for students who desire to work with children who are deaf or hard of hearing in educational settings. Completion of the program culminates in a Bachelor of Arts degree. 

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

Students work directly with children who are deaf or hard of hearing throughout the program, including two semesters of culminating clinical experience during the senior year.

Dual enrollment in the university’s graduate program for up to six credit hours is possible during the senior year for students meeting the following requirements: minimum grade point average of 3.5 and permission from the department chair.  

Deaf education is accredited by the Council on Education of Deaf Education ( https://councilondeafed.org/ ).

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.
• Students wishing to add additional certification may do so by passing the Missouri Content Assessment.

Essential Functions

The following essential functions required of professionals in deaf education are also required by students majoring in deaf education:

Physical Abilities

• Participate in classroom or clinical activities for two- to four-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 verbally 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
• Intelligibly speak standard American English
• Independently analyze, synthesize, and interpret ideas and concepts in academic and clinical settings
• Maintain attention and concentration for sufficient time to complete academic/clinical activities: two to four hours with one or two breaks
• Comply with administrative, legal, and regulatory policies

Background Checks

All cooperating school districts require any individual who teaches, supervises, or has access to students in schools to complete an FBI fingerprint check, criminal record check, child abuse/neglect screening, tuberculosis screening. Such background checks are to be periodically updated as required by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Fontbonne University. It is the responsibility of students to maintain up-to-date background checks for the purpose of all observations, practicum, and clinical experiences. Questions can be addressed to the university’s Certification Officer (East 235) or student academic advisor.

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 sophomore year, or after successful completion of 45 credit hours. Transfer students apply for program approval during their second semester at Fontbonne. Criteria for program approval is listed below:

• 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
• 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 a student is deficient in one or more of the above categories. As such, the student may continue to major in a certification program with conditions for only one semester. Students who do not eradicate all deficiencies will not be admitted into certification or allowed to continue in a certification program, including the completion of culminating clinical experience.

General Education Requirements

The general education requirements are presented in the General Education  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.