Master's and Certification in
Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) Education

Teach where you make a difference

Why this UWM Program is Right for You•  Wisconsin and other states need certified teachers in D/HH to work in classrooms, resource room, and as consulting teachers
•  Earn your Master’s and certification to teach Pre-K through 12th grade
•  Nationally recognized faculty with extensive practitioner experience
•  Comprehensive program to support D/HH students who use sign language and auditory/oral communication
•  Distance education program with coursework that is online and the ability to complete teaching experiences in students’ geographic area (one teaching experience required in Milwaukee - summer school)

Eligibility for the Master’s Program

•  Bachelor’s Degree from Accredited Institution of Higher Education
•  Undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher
•  Teaching certification and license in Special Education in any disability area or cross-categorical (Note: If you do not have certification in special education, you will need to apply to the post-baccalaureate certification program)
•  American Sign Language I & II or equivalent skills (ASLPI score 2-) or course of study
•  Course in Language Development within the last five years

Application• Apply to UWM’s Graduate School by completing the online application
•  After required materials have been received by the Graduate School, a telephone interview will be arranged with the program coordinator in the Department of Exceptional Education
•  You will receive official notification of the admission decision from the Department of Exceptional Education

Program of Study
Sign Language Requirements

You must fulfill sign language requirements—either B or better in sign language courses, ASL I-IV, or an equivalent score of 2+ on the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI). Please note that sign language courses are not available online. ASL I and II are often available through classes offered in a local community college or community organization. ASL III and IV are offered in some communities but are more difficult to find. UWM offers ASL I-IV during the academic year and ASL I, II, & IV in summer school; courses are on campus.

Required Teaching Experiences

During year one, you will need to participate in 30 hours of work with students who are deaf/hard of hearing each semester in you geographic area. In the second summer, you will be required to participate in a summer teaching experience in Milwaukee Public Schools. In the spring of year two, a final supervised teaching experience of 20 weeks, full-time teaching is required. This experience can be completed in a program in your geographic area. If you are hired to teach and obtain an emergency license, you may complete your final teaching experience in this setting.

Course Sequence

Typical sequence for 2 year program of study: 

Semester	Courses in Certification Focus
Summer I	• EXCEDUC 655  (1-3 cr.)    Introduction to Education of Individuals          Who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing • EXCEDUC 562 (3 cr.) Hearing Science
Fall I	• EXCEDUC 559 (3 cr.)    Teaching Language to Individuals who are    Deaf/Hard of Hearing • EXCEDUC 715 (3 cr.)    Issues and Trends in Special Education Required work with D/HH Students (30 hours)
Spring I	• EXCEDUC 563 (3 cr.)    Speech, Speechreading, Listening • EXCEDUC 970 (3 cr.)    Research Methods in Special Education  Required work with D/HH Students (30 hours)
Summer II Milwaukee Teaching Experience Required	• EXCEDUC 990 (1 cr.) Project/Research • Multicultural Course (3 cr.) See NOTE below • EXCEDUC 772 Fieldwork in Milwaukee (3 cr.) • EXCEDUC 487 Linking Seminar (1 cr.)
Fall II	• EXCEDUC 333 (1 cr.) Assessment & Monitoring: D/HH • EXCEDUC 815 (3 cr.)    Capstone in Special Education • EXCEDUC 990 (1 cr.)    Project/Research
Spring II	• EXCEDUC 771-2 (3 cr.)   Graduate Fieldwork • EXCEDUC 990 (1 cr.) Project/Research

     NOTE: Multicultural Course can be taken at any point in your program; EXCEDUC 608 MulticulturalSpecial Education is offered on-line in fall. Or, there are courses on the UWM campus during the summer that meet this requirement.

PRAXIS II: Certification in Wisconsin requires that candidates pass this exam for Middle School Content.