Deaf Studies explores the language, culture, history and contemporary issues of Deaf people. Fundamental to our program are both competency in American Sign Language and a desire to work with the Deaf community as allies (or advocate members). As such, all Deaf Studies concentrations share the same ASL and Deaf Studies core courses. This program also includes specialized courses needed for transfer into a BS/BA program in the educational area of choice. Students in this concentration are considering a future working with deaf or hard-of-hearing children in early intervention or an educational setting.

Program Information

The program can be completed in 2 years if students successfully complete 5 courses a semester (15 credits). Less than five courses per semester will add additional time to complete the program and graduate. Students can also opt to take summer courses to lessen the fall/spring workload.
Program courses are a combination of general education courses all students must take, Deaf Studies and ASL courses, and courses that pertain to a variety of fields within education
Students who want to meet the MassTransfer block should choose either Early Childhood Education or Education concentration for a total of 12 credits.
Students wanting to continue into education should choose an elective (with their advisor/program coordinators) that pertains to that transfer goal.
Students who have taken non-credit “sign language classes” in the past, or who are heritage signers (Deaf/signing family) should meet with the program coordinators to discuss Credit for Prior Learning Assessment (CPL) opportunities.
Students who have taken 2 or more ASL classes in high school, with a B or better, should meet with the program coordinators for placement.
Although individual courses may be offered on different campuses in both day/evening formats and/or online, Deaf Studies courses (DST/DSC) and upper level ASL courses (ASL 201 and 202) are primarily offered on the New Bedford campus for day, face-to-face classes or online; some Deaf Studies courses are solely offered online (Deaf History, Deaf Literature)
Students who do not earn a C or better in any ASL class, DST 101 Introduction to Deaf Studies or DST 110 Deaf Culture will not be able to complete an Associate's in Arts in Deaf Studies program and should speak to the program coordinators about options including retaking courses.
Students spend an additional hour per week engaged in language lab activities with every ASL class taken. Students are expected to attend various Deaf events and get involved with their program throughout their studies to apply their language skills and develop them further in real world, practical situations.
Students may be required to undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check for courses which require Community Based Learning or ASL 285 placements.

After Bristol

Students in this concentration have successfully transferred to Bridgewater State University, Northeastern University, Gallaudet University and Rhode Island College to degree programs in education.
Students seeking licensure as a teacher of the Deaf/hard-of-hearing can seek a BA/BS program in Deaf Education out of state or seek any education degree and attend graduate school at Boston University to achieve an Ed.M. in Deaf education. Deaf Studies supports and prepares students for the Bi-lingual/Bi-cultural philosophy.

Deaf Studies - Education

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