Education of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing student teacher leads a lesson

Early Childhood PK-4 / Deaf and Hard of Hearing (N-12) (Dual) (B.S.Ed.)

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Our Education of the Deaf teacher preparation program is nationally and state-accredited with both Council on Exceptional Children (CEC) and Council on the Education of the Deaf (CED) national accreditation, as well as Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) accreditation.

Degrees & Offerings
  • B.S.Ed.
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Program Contact
Chair of the Department of Exceptionality Programs, Associate Professor
Department Secretary
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Understanding strength lies in diversity, the College of Education and the Education of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Program places the well-being of DHH learners first, fostering ethical and qualified professionals through education, scholarship, and service. We are dedicated to preparing passionate, knowledgeable, creative and reflective teachers of DHH students. Future teachers of the deaf are provided with competencies necessary to serve students on an individual and classroom basis, whatever the individual needs of the DHH child may be.

Teacher candidates are provided a variety of courses and hands-on experiences to prepare them to teach students in the child’s preferred language, communication mode, and communication environment including listening and speaking, ASL/English Bilingual and programs utilizing sign supported English.

Hands-on environments include two camps, the first is the BU Preschool Mini-Camp for DHH children where students are paired with a DHH preschool-aged child for a six-day hands-on field experience on the BU campus. The other field experience is with DHH children and youth at Camp HERO (Here Everyone Really is One). Future teacher candidates become counselor/teachers during this week-long overnight camp.

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Courses and Curriculum

Bloomsburg has been preparing individuals to become teachers of Deaf/Hard of Hearing students since 1971. In the Fall of 2015 we began offering our Dual Early Childhood Education (ECE) PK-4 and Deaf Education PK-12 Teacher Preparation Program. This four-year Bachelor of Science degree program prepares candidates to teach all ages of children who have a hearing loss as well as hearing children in grades PK-4th grade.

Fall 2014 began the undergraduate Dual Early Childhood Education (PK-4) and Deaf/hard of hearing (PK-12) teacher certification program. This 4-year B.S. Dual Certification program prepares individuals to teach all ages of deaf children and youth in listening and speech, total communication, and bilingual environments as well as hearing children in grades PK-4.

Prescribed coursework is required for this dual certification. A total of 73 semester hours is taken in required courses, which you're not allowed to take on a pass/fail basis. No free electives are available for this program. In addition to the 123-credit requirement for this degree, education majors are subject to background checks and passage of PAPA, PECT and any required PRAXIS.

Incoming freshman are required to enroll in the Department of Exceptionality Programs’ Orientation to Special Education course (one credit).

Basic Skills Assessment

There are several testing options that meet the Basic Skills Assessment requirements in PA. Students can meet the requirement by obtaining the required scores noted below on one or more (mix and match) of the following Basic Skills Assessment: the PRAXIS CORE (Core Academic), PAPA, SAT, or ACT. Students must take one of these Basic Skills Assessment by their second semester at Bloomsburg University, and pass the tests prior to being admitted into candidacy (sophomore year). A student cannot become a certified teacher or take most upper-level education courses unless they meet the score requirements for the Basic Skills Assessment.

PDE Certification Test: Basic Skills Assessment-Certification Test and Score Requirements

Test information can be found at the testing websites. Remember to prepare for the Basic Skills Assessment by studying/practicing/reviewing. Practice tutorials and tests are available through the internet.

Praxis Core Online Course and Practice Tests

The following course (tutorial and practice tests) is available online.

Click on the "Register NEW Account" Then enter the following information:

  • School Number: 83774
  • School Key: praxissuccess
  • After entering this information, please enter your email address, First and Last name and Student ID Number (ID# Optional).
  • Once Registration is completed, you will be issued a username and password. Please keep this for each time you log in.
  • After logging into the program for the first time, please start with the section “Introduction to the Praxis Core.”
  • This will introduce you to the course and offer suggestions on how to get the most out of the instruction and practice tests.

PECT Testing

PECT: Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests

Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests (PECT): Program completers must take the following tests to apply for their teacher certification in Pennsylvania.

The PECT is not required for graduation but is required to obtain a PDE teaching license. Passing scores are based 3.0 GPA at graduation, and then are scaled downward based on higher GPAs.

PDE Certification Test: PECT Test and Score Requirements

Hearing Impaired PK-12 Certificate

  • Spec Ed: Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students (5272)
  • Fundamental Subjects Content Knowledge (5511/0511)

Always double check PDE’s Certification Testing for the most up to date information on your required certification exams before scheduling them.

PreK-4

  • Module 1 Child Dev., Prof (8006)
  • Module 2 Lang, Social Studies (8007)
  • Module 3 Math, Science (8008)

Test information can be found at the testing website http://www.pa.nesinc.com. Remember to prepare for the PECT by studying/ practicing/reviewing. Preparation courses and resources can be accessed at https://www.ets.org/praxis and the BU COE website

 

Program Worksheet

ASLTERP.155 ASL 1
BIOLOGY.100 Cells, Genes and Molecules or BIOLOGY.101 Human Biology
COMMSTUD.103 Public Speaking or COMMSTUD.104 Interpersonal Communication
DEAFHH.099 Co-Curricular Experience
EDFOUND.291 Principles of Teaching
EDFOUND.414 Home/School/Community Relations
ENGLISH.101 Foundations of College Writing
ENGLISH.151 Intro to Literature or ENGLISH.152 Literature & Society
HISTORY.121 Colonial to 1877 or HISTORY.122 1877 to Present
MATH.201 Math Concepts I
MATH.202 Math Concepts II
PHYSICS.103 Physical Science
PSYCH.101 General Psychology
SPECED.101 Introduction to Individuals with Exceptionalities
SPECED.202 Tech Indiv w/Dis
SPECED.275 Linking Assessment/Instruction

Requirements for the Major - A total of 73 semester hours is required for dual certification in ECE (PK-4) Education / Education of the Deaf (PK-12). This includes credit hours earned through the student teaching experience. None may be taken on a pass/fail basis.

Bloomsburg Initial - B - inside a keystone shape

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Licensure and Certification

Bloomsburg University is approved to offer Education programs that lead to certification in Pennsylvania. While we regularly monitor licensure and certification laws in each state, state requirements are subject to change without notice. If you are interested in certification outside of Pennsylvania, we encourage you to contact the appropriate state licensing agency to seek guidance and verify requirements before beginning a program and during your program of study. Please visit bloomu.edu/state-authorization and www2.ed.gov for more information. If you are planning to teach in New Jersey, please note that you may be required to complete the edTPA, a performance based assessment. It's strongly recommended you contact the school district(s) of interest and the New Jersey Department of Education for more information specific to New Jersey.

The Husky Difference

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation is one of only two nationally recognized accrediting bodies for educator preparation
Accreditation
CAEP accreditation ensures we prepare new teachers to know their subjects, their students, and have the clinical training that allows them to enter the classroom ready to teach effectively.
96% +
Employment Rates
Additionally, our education majors can substitute teach in local school districts after completing 60 credits while pursuing their undergraduate degree.
College of Distinction for Education
College of Distinction
Bloomsburg has earned national recognition as a College of Distinction for its education programs, honored for its quality and high-impact teacher preparation.

Careers

Education of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing is a broad and diverse professional field that centers on educating children and youth who are deaf or hard of hearing. Teachers of Deaf/hard of hearing students become experts in language acquisition, the unique learning and communication needs of their students, strategies to help their students learn, communication specialists and much more.

Our BU Deaf Education graduates work in a variety of settings from teaching within public school systems throughout Pennsylvania’s Intermediate Units in various roles to residential schools for the Deaf through out the commonwealth of Pennsylvania and other states: New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Kentucky, Florida and more. Deaf Educators who work in a public school setting are often itinerant teachers who travel from school to school providing consultation to teachers and individual services to students who are integrated into general education classrooms. Teachers of the Deaf also provide academic support to deaf students in self-contained classrooms for students who need more intense academic support or perhaps have additional challenges.

The Deaf Education graduates from BU, themselves deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing, work in schools that support various language (ASL or English) and communication modes, that is, ASL only environments, total/simultaneous communication environments using spoken English and signing in English (e.g., SEE), and also in speech and listening environments.

In addition to classroom or itinerant teaching, BU Deaf Education graduates have become transition specialists working with students who are transitioning from school to work. Others function as educational interpreters and academic tutors in inclusive settings. Some work as Early Intervention specialists with families of newly diagnosed deaf or hard of hearing infants, providing support for the family during the early months as they confront and learn the challenges of raising a deaf or hard of hearing child. There are many other areas in which Deaf Educators expand their careers such as speech language pathology, career technology, audiology, school counseling, social work, educational administration, and even as representatives of companies providing products to deaf education or deaf individuals.

Employment Opportunities Resources

Schools for the Deaf

Pennsylvania

Connecticut

Florida

Maryland

Massachusetts

New Jersey

New York

 

Laura Lavin

I choose this major because of my background growing up with a conductive hearing loss and the passion of always wanting to be a teacher. Bloomsburg has prepared me to be the best teacher I can be before going out into the real world.

Laura Lavin '21
Early Childhood / Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Julia Krueger

Dr. (Molly) Marnella was one of my professors during my time at BU. She is the perfect definition of a teacher. She showed me how to be an effective teacher and was always there for me whenever I needed help and made me feel good about myself. One day, I hope my students look up to me like I did to Dr. Marnella.

Julia Krueger '20
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education
Julia Krueger
Laura Lavin

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