Deaf Education

The Certificate of Achievement is awarded to students who complete all 6 courses in the program as required by the state for employment as a residential hall counselor at a school for the deaf.  Course offerings for this certificate are designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge and background information on the educational needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Historical perspectives and contemporary trends associated with educating deaf and hard-of-hearing children are discussed. The focus of these courses provides deaf and hard-of-hearing students with opportunities to compare and contrast classroom learning with their own personal experiences with the deaf education system.  Because ASL fluency is an employment requirement for most programs serving deaf and hard-of-hearing students, all classes in this program are taught in sign language.  

Approximately 10 completers annually.

The program is designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals who wish to work in the residential component of a school for the deaf or as a teacher aide in a classroom with deaf and hard-of-hearing students.  The 18-unit certificate program meets the requirements set by California Department of Education for employment as a residential hall counselor at the schools for the deaf.  The Job Code # is JC-146177, the Schem Code is XB75 and the class code is 9664.   

Theoretical background in the education of deaf children along with practical applications of these theories are emphasized throughout the program.  Professional experts with real world experiences contributed to the curricular design and inclusion of specific content.     

 Student Learning Outcome 1. List strengths and weaknesses of various communication methods currently used with deaf and hard-of-hearing children.

Student Learning Outcome 2. Compare and contrast differing philosophies regarding language options for use with deaf and hard-of-hearing children.

Student Learning Outcome 3. Identify educational placements for deaf and hard-of-hearing children and discuss advantages and disadvantages of each. 

REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT

a)    Complete Major Field courses.

b)    Complete at least six units at Ohlone College.

c)     Maintain a 2.0 grade point average in Major Field Courses.

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
DEAF 311/ASL 142	Deaf Culture	3	YR 1, S1
DEAF 330/ASL 140	Deaf Education	3	YR 2, S2
DEAF 332	Child Development	3	YR 1, S2
ASL 145	Deaf History, Audism, and Social Justice	3	YR 2, S1
DEAF 331	Counseling Deaf Children	3	YR 2, S2
DEAF 312/ASL 150	Linguistics of ASL	3	YR 2, S2

There is a similar program that is being offered within the Deaf Studies Division. However, the ASL Studies program is geared toward students who wish to develop their language skills (ASL) in addition to increase their understanding of Deaf culture and Deaf community. By contrast, this program (Deaf Education) is designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing students who are already fluent in ASL and wish to work with deaf children in a school setting.

There is no similar program in the area that provides deaf and hard-of-hearing students with training opportunities needed to work at a school for the deaf. The closest thing is ASL courses being offered at several local colleges and universities where the focus is on the acquisition of sign language. This is something deaf and hard-of-hearing students do not need as they are already fluent in the language.