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Bachelor of Arts in Deaf Education FAQs

  • What can I expect to learn in the UNF Education of the Deaf program?
    The Bachelor of Arts in Deaf Education is designed to develop highly effective beginning teachers who are equipped to teach deaf or hard of hearing students and have mastered the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs), Deaf and Hard of Hearing K-12 Competencies, and Reading Competencies. Teacher candidates in the program are exposed to varying communication approaches (signed and/or spoken languages), settings, ages, hearing technologies, and issues of equity throughout their methods and field courses. Graduates of the program earn FL Teacher Certification in Deaf and Hard of Hearing K-12 with endorsements in Reading and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
  • What type of children will I be prepared to work with after I graduate?
    The program will equip you to work with a variety of DHH children with a range of ages, abilities, and methods of communication (signed and/or spoken language).
  • Will I need to learn American Sign Language?

    Yes, ASL Levels 1-3 are required prior to being admitted to the program. We encourage students to complete three additional ASL courses to complete the ASL/Deaf Studies minor. Other courses will require you use ASL receptively and expressively to accomplish course objectives. 

    Additionally, all candidates will be required to take the Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI) prior to internship. To intern in a Total Communication or Bilingual Education setting, candidates must obtain a minimum score of Intermediate. To intern in any setting, candidates must obtain a minimum score of Survival Plus. Candidates who score below this threshold will be required to improve their skills and retest to be eligible for internship.

  • How long should the program take me from start to finish?
    The program consists of 120 credit hours. There are 60 credits of prerequisite courses, typically completed during your freshman and sophomore years. These courses need to be completed to be considered for the admittance to the program. The program uses a cohort model and consists of two years of coursework with one summer included. Each fall a new cohort begins.
  • How is the program delivered? What technology will I need?

    The program is delivered in a hybrid format. Five of the courses are offered only online.  The remainder of the courses are offered face-to-face, with some courses having hybrid or online options. We recommend that students in the program have a portable computer with the option of a high speed connection. The UNF campus has computer labs available for student use in both the College of Education and Human Services Building (COEHS) and the Thomas G. Carpenter Library.

  • What are the qualifications of the UNF faculty teaching in the program?

    All faculty in the College have masters or doctoral degrees. Deaf Education faculty all have several years of experience teaching DHH students in a variety of settings (residential schools, self-contained classrooms, inclusion/mainstream, and home environment). Most adjunct faculty are currently teachers of the deaf.  The faculty conduct research in the following areas: language development, literacy, teacher education, teacher professional development, and learning environments for DHH students.  

  • What type of a degree will I earn? Endorsement? Certifications?
    Graduates of the program will earn a Bachelor of Arts in Education with a major in Deaf Education. Graduates of the program earn FL Teacher Certification in Deaf and Hard of Hearing K-12 with endorsements in Reading and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
  • What types of test do I need to take in order to be a teacher in Florida?

    Graduates must pass the following Florida Teacher Certification (FTCE) Exams: all sections of the General Knowledge, Professional Education, and Deaf and Hard of Hearing K-12. We also recommend taking at least one additional exam, such as Elementary Education, English 6-12, or Exceptional Student Education K-12, to obtain additional certifications and increase eligibility for various teaching positions post-graduation.

  • When will I take the Florida Teacher Certification Exams (FTCE) required by the Florida Department of Education?

    We recommend candidates take the FTCE GK exam as early as possible - in high school is ideal! Candidates MUST attempt all required assessments prior to registering for internship (FTCE General Knowledge, Deaf and Hard of Hearing K12, Professional Education Exams).

    We recommend candidates taking the FTCE GK exam as early as possible - in high school is ideal! Other exams ( DHH K12 and Professional Knowledge) should be taken the first semester of senior year. Candidates MUST attempt all required assessments prior to registering for internship (FTCE General Knowledge, Deaf and Hard of Hearing K12, Professional Education Exams). Candidates MUST pass all required assessment to graduate.

  • When can I apply?

    Program cohorts begin each fall.  You may apply up to one year in advance.  We recommend applying at least three months in advance and beginning to check your UNF email as soon as you are admitted. For specific term deadlines please see the UNF Admissions Deadlines webpage.

  • What are the admissions requirements?

    Students must meet the following criteria to be considered for admission to the program.

    1. Satisfactory completion of 60 semester hours of credit from UNF or other regionally accredited institution(s). An Associate in Arts Degree (AA) from one of Florida's 28 Community Colleges or 10 SUS schools satisfies General Education and Gordon Rule requirements.
    2. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 in all college level course work taken at UNF and all previously attended institutions.
    3. Must have taken and passed with a "C" or better EDF 1005 Introduction to the Teaching Profession
    4. Students must have completed ASL 1-3 courses with a B (B-, B, B+) grade or better.
    5. Please contact the program faculty by email at deafeducation@unf.edu and Dr. O'Farrell by email at cofarrell@unf.edu for more information.

    Note: Students not meeting the minimum admissions requirements for the College of Education and Human Services should contact Erica Hughes (Erica Hughes) and the Program Faculty (deafeducation@unf.edu) for alternative pathways to begin coursework Deaf Education program.

  • How do I apply?

    For new and existing students transferring into UNF and entering into the program, please apply by going to https://www.unf.edu/apply/.

  • Who do I contact should I still have questions about the program?

    Please contact us at deafeducation@unf.edu.