Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education
Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) Teacher Certification Program prepares educators to work with children and youth who are deaf and hard of hearing. Students admitted to the program can earn certification to teach children who are deaf and hard of hearing in Kindergarten through 12.
The program requirements for certification will depend upon students' educational background and previous teacher certification. See program overview.
- Need for certified teachers in D/HH to work in classrooms, resource rooms, and as consulting teachers
- Earn your 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
- Program is accessible to individuals in
- Earn certification and a Master’s Degree through UWM
Certification or Master's + Certification
Individuals admitted to the program choose between two program options.
- Certification only: Students enroll in certification program in D/HH at the post baccalaureate level (undergraduate fees). Certification courses and supervised field experiences are required with no additional coursework toward the Master’s.
- Masters + Certification: Students begin certification program in D/HH at the post baccalaureate level and move into the Graduate Program to complete at least 30 graduate credits. Additional coursework at the graduate level is required to complete the Masters Degree.
- Bachelor’s Degree from Accredited Institution of Higher Education;
- Undergraduate GPA of 2.50 or higher;
- Some experience and/or coursework in American Sign Language
- Passing Scores on the PRAXIS I (see information below)
- Program of Study
Sign Language 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.
Teaching ExperiencesThis is a field-based program. Therefore, teaching experiences are a part of each semester of coursework. The configuration of teaching experiences depends upon certification background and type of program (on-the-job or traditional). Teaching Experience can be completed in your geographic area. All students, however, complete a summer of student teaching in Milwaukee. Supervision will be on-site and web-based. If you are hired to teach and obtain a teaching permit from the state, you may complete your teaching experiences in this setting.
PPST/PRAXIS 1 TestIf you do not have an active license, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction requires that you take the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) for teacher certification. The PPST is designed as a competency test to ensure that teachers have basic reading, writing, and math skills. Passing scores for W
DEAF/HARD OF HEARING:
Certification or Masters + Certification - (Wisconsin 805 Pre K-12)
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SUMMER I |
FALL I |
SPRING I |
|---|---|---|---|
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YEAR I |
Foundations ( ) 1 EXCEDUC 586 Teaching Experience I ( ) 3 EXCEDUC 680 Literacy I ( ) 2 EXCEDUC 579 Behavior & Start-up ( ) 1 EXCEDUC 655 Introduction to Education for D/HH Note: If you do not have sign language skills, ASL I & II courses should be included in your schedule |
( ) 3 EXCEDUC 586 Teaching Experience I (Cr/no Cr mentoring & supervision) ( ) 3 *EXCEDUC 562 Hearing Science ( ) 3 *EXCEDUC 559 Language D/HH 9 certification credits ACT 31 Seminar (at any point in the program) |
( ) 3 EXCEDUC 587 Teaching Experience II in D/HH (supervision) ( ) 3 *EXCEDUC 563 Speech, Speech-Reading & Listening ( ) 1 * EXCEDUC 533 Assessment & Monitoring In DHH Portfolio presentation/Review 7 certification credits
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|
|
SUMMER II |
FALL II |
SPRING II |
|
YEAR II |
( ) 3 EXCEDUC 564 Communication Practicum in D/HH (3 cr.); Teaching Experience DHH in Milwaukee ( ) 3 EXCEDUC 565 School Subjects ( ) 3 EXCEDUC 679 Transition in Special Education 9 Certification/Graduate credits Note: Complete ASL coursework |
( ) 3 EXCEDUC 588 Teaching Experience III OR EXCEDUC 772 Field Exp. D/HH ( ) 3 EXCEDUC 532 Assessment & Monitoring 6 Certification/Graduate credits |
( ) 3 EXCEDUC 574 Curriculum Accommodations II Portfolio presentation/Review 3 Certification/Graduate credits Additional Graduate Credits (15): EXCEDUC 715 Issues & Trends (Fall-online; Summer) EXCEDUC 970 Research in Special Education (Spring – online; Summer) EXCEDUC 815 (Fall online; Summer) EXCEDUC 990 (Fall, Spring, Summer) Multicultural Course (various times) |
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* COURSES ARE ON-LINE Additional Requirements: GPA Requirement – 2.75 CUM GPA required by DPI upon completion of program ACT 31 – a component of the Human Relations Requirement for Teacher Certification. Satisfied by completing one of the following: ( ) ETHNIC 203, ( ) HIST 263, ( ) ANTHRO 213 OR the ( ) 1 Day Seminar. NOTE: Courses in program modified based upon focus age/grade level. |
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ApplicationApplication packet can be found here. Submit a completed application by designated deadline with:
- Official PRAXIS I scores
- Department application
- Personal Statement
- Two letters of recommendations
- Official transcripts for undergraduate degree
- UWM on-line application
Applicants with complete applications turned in by the deadline will be called for an interview. You will be notified of the admission decision within two weeks of the interview. See the program application packet and the website for more information on the application materials, process and deadlines.
Students who are admitted to the program can consult the DHH Resource page.
