Deaf Education: Listening and Spoken Language Specialization - MEd

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Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services

Department of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education

Deaf Education with a Specialization in Listening and Spoken Language

The Deaf Education graduate program at Utah State University offers teacher training in Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) for students to earn a Master of Education degree with eligibility for the Utah Deaf Education Professional Educator License with the LSL Endorsement. The program is designed to be completed in four semesters; 48 credit hours.

The LSL deaf education graduate training program prepares students to serve young children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) and their families. The program focus is on early intervention, strategies for optimizing LSL development, kindergarten readiness, and an understanding of hearing technology (e.g., cochlear implants, digital hearing aids). Students gain hands-on experiences every semester of the program in rotations that focus on classroom, individual or small group, and early intervention services. As an interdisciplinary program, students also gain theoretical knowledge and practical experience in audiology and speech/language pathology services. Students must successfully complete a Plan A Thesis, Plan B, or Plan C Project.

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or a similarly recognized international university is required for admission to and completion of a graduate program. Refer to the department website for current admission requirements. Some prerequisites may apply. Transcripts can be reviewed if students have completed required coursework in an undergraduate program or at another institution. In such cases, the program of study will be individualized consistent with department and college requirements.

Admission for off-campus and out-of-state students is contingent upon access to an approved practicum placement site. Students complete requirements to earn a Utah Deaf Education Professional Educator teaching license with LSL Endorsement at the time of graduation. Students who do not seek licensure at the time of graduation must meet Utah State Board of Education licensure requirements at the time of application.

Required Courses

COMD 5650 - Speech and Language Assessment and Intervention for Children Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing 3 credit(s)
COMD 6320 - Language Learning and Literacy Acquisition in Children with Hearing Loss 3 credit(s)
COMD 6340 - Foundations of Listening and Spoken Language 3 credit(s)
COMD 6350 - Early Elementary and Itinerant Support for Children who are DHH using LSL 3 credit(s)
COMD 6360 - LSL Preschool Curriculum: Language and Cognition 3 credit(s)
COMD 6580 - Family-Centered Practices for Children Who are DHH 3 credit(s)
COMD 6700 - Practicum in Education of Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing 1-3 credit(s) (9 total credits required)
COMD 6715 - Listening and Spoken Language Practicum Workshop 1 credit(s) (3 total credits required)
COMD 6720 - Interdisciplinary Implementation of IDEA 2 credit(s)
COMD 6730 - Multiple Disabilities and Differentiated Instruction 2 credit(s)
COMD 6770 - Audiology for Teachers of Children Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing 1-3 credit(s) (3 credits required)
COMD 6850 - Seminar in Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education 1-3 credit(s) (1 credit required)
COMD 6880 - Listening and Spoken Language Deaf Education Student Teaching 6-12 credit(s) (9 credits required)
Utah students can earn the Utah Preschool Special Education teaching license upon completion of additional coursework and practicum. For information regarding the Preschool Special Education Teaching License, see the Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling website.

School of Graduate Studies Requirements

Degree Verification

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited U. S. college or university or a similarly recognized international university is required for admission to and completion of a graduate program.

Overall Graduate GPA at least 3.0 and no grades of C- or lower;

Graduate students are required to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA for degree-program courses. Grades of C- or lower will not be accepted for a graduate degree.

Course Number Acceptability

The Program of Study for a master’s degree or a doctoral degree, if the student has a master’s degree, must include at least 15 semester credits at the level of 6000 or above. Credits in the following areas are not acceptable in a degree program: foreign languages (unless included in an approved Program of Study), continuing graduate advisement, individual home study, military science, and courses numbered below 3000.

Matriculation Start Semester

A master’s degree must be completed within six years of entering the degree program. Additional time may be requested by the student’s committee and submitted to the Vice Provost of Graduate Studies for review

USU Residency Requirement

At least 24-semester credits for a master’s degree must be from a committee-approved and a School of Graduate Studies-approved Program of Study from Utah State University
SGS forms: program of study, supervisor committee form, application for candidacy, appointment for exam, record of exam, and Library approvals (if applicable)