About the Bachelor of Arts in Deaf Education Program

General Questions

• What can I expect to learn in the UNF Education of the Deaf program?

  The B.A.E. in Deaf Education is a "comprehensive" program approved by the Florida Department of Education, and undergoing accreditation by the Council on the Education of the Deaf (CED). Pre-service teachers can expect to learn how to teach a diverse range of students who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH). The philosophy of the program is to respect and address diversity within the field by ensuring that all graduates are well-prepared and equipped for the challenges of educating all students with hearing loss. Therefore, pre-service teachers in the program will learn a comprehensive and balanced perspective of students' varying communication modes (sign and/or listening and spoken language), language and academic proficiency levels, use of assistive hearing devices (hearing aids or cochlear implants), family dynamics, and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Because these characteristics directly impact a child's learning experiences, educational services, emotional development, and social interactions, it is of utmost importance that graduates of our program are experienced and adept in all of these aforementioned areas.

• What type of children will I be prepared to work with after I graduate?

  The Education of the Deaf program will equip you to work with a variety of children who are D/deaf or hard of hearing with a range of abilities and preferred modes of communication (both auditory/oral and American Sign Language).

• Will I need to learn American Sign Language?

  Yes, ASL Levels 1-3 are required prior to being admitted to the program. ASL IV can be taken during your first semester.

• 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 Education of the Deaf program.

• How is the program delivered? What technology will I need?

  The program is delivered in a face-to-face format. However, a few of the required courses are offered in a hybrid or online format. 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?

  Faculty that teach in the program have master's degrees and higher. In fact, the majority of faculty have doctoral degrees ranging from Special Education to Literacy Studies. Faculty who will be teaching deaf specific courses have several years of experience teaching students who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing in a variety of settings (residential schools, self-contained classrooms, inclusion/mainstream, and home environment). These faculty also have active lines of research that include action research in the following areas: language development, reading, preparation and professional development of teachers, and learning environments for students who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing. Currently, our instructors who teach advanced ASL courses are deaf themselves, thus presenting ASL instruction from the native signer and Deaf culture immersion model.

Certifications and Endorsements

• What type of a degree will I earn? Endorsement? Certifications?

  Graduates of the program will earn a Bachelor's of Arts in Education with a major in Deaf Education. The program also contains the coursework for students to earn ESOL Endorsement. Graduates will have the option to take an additional course in reading to earn a Reading Endorsement. This course is above and beyond the 120 credit required hours required for completion of the program. This initial certification program is approved by the FLDOE.

• What types of test do I need to take in order to be a teacher in Florida?

  All teachers need to pass the Florida Teacher Certification (FTCE)Exams. In order to be a highly qualified, and have an edge over competing job applicants, we recommend taking at least one general education exam, in addition to the hearing impairment exam. You will have the most options in the work force if you take all of the exams listed below:

  • Professional Education Test (required)
  • Deaf and Hard of Hearing K-12 (required)
  • Additional Subject Area Exams (recommended) 
    • e.g. Pre-Kindergarten/Primary PK-3, Elementary Education K-6, Exceptional Student Education K-12
     
• When will I take the Florida Teacher Certification Exams (FTCE) required by the Florida Department of Education?

  In order to graduate from the program, all required FTCE exams should be completed at least one month prior to graduation, if not sooner. Our program requires that all students attempt the FTCE Hearing Impairment and Professional Exam prior to enrolling in your internship, the final semester of the program.

Applying and Admissions

• 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 follow this link: https://www.unf.edu/admissions/deadlines.html

• 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. Passing scoreson all four parts of the General Knowledge Exam (GK). FTCE Website
  4. Must have taken and passed with a "C" or better EDF 1005 Introduction to the Teaching Profession
  5. Student must have completed ASL 1-3 courses with a B (B-, B, B+) grade or better.
  6. Please contact the program faculty by email at deafeducation@unf.eduand 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 may apply for admission under the College's Exceptions Policy.

• How do I apply?

  For new and existing students transferring into UNF and entering into the program, please apply by following this link: http://www.unf.edu/apply/

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

  Please contact the Program Director:

  Dr. Caroline Guardino

  caroline.guardino@unf.edu

  (904) 620-1818

  Email is Dr. Guardino's preferred initial method of communication.