Faculty:
Dr. Patricia N. Chrosniak, Director; Douglas K. Hinton, Director of Professional Experiences; Dr. Marjorie L. Harrington, Coordinator of Early Childhood Deafness.
In cooperation with St. Mary's School for the Deaf, the Education Department prepares teachers of deaf/hard of hearing students. The total program includes 42 to 56 graduate credits depending upon prior background. Satisfactory completion of the two-year program results in a master of science degree, certification by the Council on Education of the Deaf and certification by New York State in the deafness areas of early childhood, elementary, secondary and multihandicaps.
The main objective of the program is to prepare teachers for the instruction of deaf and hard of hearing children in those environments most common in this century. The program involves observation and participation, pre-nursery through high school and continuous contact with deaf/hard of hearing students in a variety of learning situations at public and private facilities.
As a full time program, students take three semesters of coursework (including one summer semester) and one semester of student teaching. Most courses are held at times compatible with a working lifestyle and it is possible to study part time with some reservations.
Admission
In addition to meeting the general requirements for admission to graduate work in education, program applicants must also secure professional letters of recommendation prior to admission and complete a personal interview. Admission is competitive and students may begin in summer, fall or spring semesters.
A candidate must hold a public school teaching certificate prior to admission or must provide evidence that all requirements for such certification will be met before the student receives the master of science degree in Education of Deaf/Hard of Hearing Students. Exceptions based on individual circumstances may be discussed with the program director.
Note: Candidates who do not possess an unexpired New York State provisional certificate (or a certificate of qualification) must pass the required examinations in order to obtain an initial teaching certificate in elementary or secondary education and also the certificate as an educator of deaf/hard of hearing students. The student must complete all the coursework required of the masters degree in order to qualify for certification in New York State.
Applicants must pass the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test LAST and the Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written ATS-W, and must demonstrate completion of NYS approved workshops in child abuse and in school violence issues.
Certification for teaching is changing in New York State. For the latest information about all certification requirements students are strongly encouraged to contact the program director or the associate dean of education and human services.
Educators of deaf/hard of hearing curriculum:
Required courses:
| EDD 531 |
|
Communication Systems of Deaf/ Hard of Hearing Students |
|
2 |
| EDD 532 |
|
Curriculum for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Students I |
|
2 |
| EDD 533 |
|
Foundations in Communication Theory and Signal Production |
|
3 |
| EDD 534 |
|
Deafness and Deaf Culture |
|
2 |
| EDD 535 |
|
Audiological Assessment and Rehabilitation |
|
3 |
| EDD 536-537 |
|
Language Theories and Strategies I-II |
|
4 |
| EDD 538 |
|
Communication Practicum |
|
1 |
| EDD 539 |
|
Instructional Field Experiences and Practica with Seminar |
|
2 |
| EDD 541 |
|
Teaching Deaf Children with Additional Disabilities |
|
3 |
| EDD 542 |
|
Aural/Oral Language Skills and Strategies |
|
2 |
| EDD 545 |
|
Language and Literacy: Enabling Instruction for Children with Linguistic Diversity |
|
3 |
| EDD 546 |
|
Curriculum for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Students II |
|
2 |
| EDD 548 |
|
The Young Deaf Child: Infancy through Age 8 |
|
3 |
| EDD 549 |
|
Instructional Assessment of Children with Communication Disabilities |
|
3 |
| EDD 550 |
|
Theory and Research in Special Education |
|
3 |
| EDD 551 |
|
Sign Communication I |
|
1 |
| EDD 552 |
|
Family/School Partnership |
|
2 |
| EDD 553 |
|
Sign Communication II |
|
1 |
| EDD 554 |
|
Exploration of Diversity: Deaf Children |
|
1 |
| EDD 555 |
|
Psychology and the Deaf Learner |
|
2 |
| EDD 556 |
|
Student Teaching with Seminar |
|
4 |
| EDD 599 |
|
Independent Study 1-3 EDD 600 American Sign Language I |
|
3 |
| EDD 601 |
|
American Sign Language II |
|
3 |
| EDD 603 |
|
Culminating Professional Experience |
|
0 |
|
Optional Electives: |
| EDD 544 |
|
Visual Communication: Speechreading |
|
1 |
| EDD 602 |
|
Characteristics of Deafblind Children and Youth |
|
2 |
| EDD 604 |
|
Braille I |
|
3 |
| EDD 605 |
|
Braille II |
|
3 |
| EDD 606 |
|
Cued Speech |
|
1 |
| EDD 607 |
|
Current Topics for Deaf Education Professionals |
|
1-3 |
| EDD 608 |
|
Instructional Methods for Deafblind Children |
|
2 |
| EDD 609 |
|
ASL III |
|
3 |
Other electives, when needed for New York State certification, will be selected from elementary, secondary, or special education upon advisement by the program director.
Canadian students
Applicants from Canada seeking to become teachers of deaf/hard of hearing children and youth must follow the curriculum in Teacher Education General Program VII concurrently or prior to the sequence for Program V.
M.S. degree in deaf studies for international students
Graduate students participating in one of the international student programs at Canisius College may be admitted to graduate deaf education to complete a degree in deaf studies. This is a non-certification program meant to provide an understanding of the American system of teaching deaf children. A typical international student will have background in special education or social education and be fluent in English as estimated by scores on the TOEFL. The M.S. in deaf studies involves a minimum of 30 credit hours in courses specified for the international student in collaboration with the program director.
COURSES 2002 - 2004
Note: All required courses and most optional electives in this program are taught at St. Mary's School for the Deaf, 2253 Main Street, Buffalo, New York.
EDD 531 Communication Systems of Deaf/Hard of Hearing Students (2 credits)
History and philosophy of communication systems used in educating deaf/hard of hearing students. Total communication theory and skill development. Contrastive analysis of ASL, SEE I and II, Cued Speech and aural/oral communication.
Prerequisite: Permission of program director.
EDD 532 Curriculum for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Students I (2 credits)
Comparative curriculum theory: planning, design based upon the work of Wiggins & McTigue 2000. Major influences on curriculum development; integrating technology in the self-contained classroom, pre-K 12th grade, with particular consideration of the NYS Learning Standards: ELA and Social Studies. Development of the IEP.
Prerequisite: Program majors only.
EDD 533 Foundations in Communication Theory and Signal Production (3 credits)
Anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanisms; acoustic and neurological correlates of signal representation; communication theory and application in education of deaf/hard of hearing students. Prerequisite: Permission of program director.
EDD 534 Deafness and Deaf Culture (2 credits)
History of education of deaf/hard of hearing students. Unique educational and communication needs. Deaf culture: major trends and social implications.
Prerequisite: Permission of program director.
EDD 535 Audiological Assessment and Rehabilitation (3 credits)
Identification and assessment of hearing loss infancy to adult. Individual and group amplification systems, assistive listening devices; medical, rehabilitative correlates of typical audiological profiles. Interpretation and application of audiological data; understanding of the cochlear implant.
Prerequisite: EDD 533 or permission of instructor.
EDD 536 Language Theories and Strategies I (2 credits)
Overview of language and deafness including: function and structure of language, theories of language acquisition, issues in language and deafness, research on cognition and deafness.
Prerequisite: Permission of program director.
EDD 537 Language Theories and Strategies II (2 credits)
Application of language theories in teaching deaf and hard of hearing students. Review of language curricula, assessment of language acquisition and development of language strategies in teaching academic subjects are an integral component of the course.
Prerequisite: EDD 536.
EDD 538 Communication Practicum (1 credit)
Twenty-four hours of practica in the areas of speech, speechreading and auditory training in speech and language classrooms. Taken in conjunction with EDD 542 and EDD 544. Weekly seminars with faculty of EDD 542 and EDD 544.
Prerequisite: Program majors only.
EDD 539 Instructional Field Experiences and Practica with Seminar (2 credits)
Minimum of 150 hours of observations and teaching in self-contained classrooms, resource rooms and inclusionary settings. Observations include professional field trip to three exemplary schools for the deaf; professional meetings in major agencies in Western New York. Review of instructional organization in EDD 532 and EDD 546. Weekly seminars.
Prerequisite: Program majors only.
EDD 541 Teaching Deaf Children with Additional Disabilities (3 credits)
Nature and needs of students with multiple disabilities; implications for curriculum development and instruction. Current educational trends and issues, particularly the IDEA (1990/97); assistive technology for disabled deaf children. Prerequisite: Permission of program director.
EDD 542-543 Aural/Oral Language Skills and Strategies (2 credits)
Development of speech perception and language production strategies with emphasis of derived skills in English/Language Arts classrooms. Instructional possibilities for self-contained classrooms as well as for children in inclusionary settings. Survey of assistive technology for classroom communication; understanding children with cochlear implants.
Prerequisite: Permission of program director.
EDD 544 Visual Communication: ASL/Speechreading (2 credits)
Principles and techniques of speechreading process; visual training strategies. Study of computer-based programs to enhance speechreading.
Prerequisite: Permission of program director.
EDD 545 Language and Literacy: Enabling Instruction for Children with Linguistic Diversity (3 credits)
A psychology of reading course based upon language processing research with study of the implications for teaching children who may be characterized as English Language Learners, or as having language deficits due to environment or physical difference. Study of language diversity, deafness, and language development as it pertains to reading, writing, listening, speaking. NYS Learning Standards in ELA.
Prerequisite: Permission of program director.
EDD 546 Curriculum for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Students II (2 credits)
Extension of theoretical framework for instructional planning based upon Wiggins & McTigue (2000) and MI theory. Instruction of deaf children in resource rooms, inclusionary settings, settings requiring an itinerant teacher. Particular consideration of NYS Learning Standards: math, science, technology.
Prerequisite: EDD 532
EDD 548 The Young Deaf Child: Infancy through Age 8 (3 credits)
A study of the most critical period of growth for all children. Emphasis upon language development and the work of the preschool teacher of the deaf. Study of the role of play and auditory/oral stimulation. Cognition and enabling the intellectual development of young children through social interactions. Field experiences and guided practica.
Prerequisite: Permission of program director
EDD 549 Instructional Assessment of Children with Communication Disabilities (3 credits)
A study of the characteristics of children with one or more communication disabilities. The role of the teacher, instructional planning, professional collaboration; familiarity with tools for assessing communication in children; implications of the results of communication evaluation upon the learning environment, school tests,NYS assessment.
Prerequisite: Permission of the program director.
EDD 550 Theory and Research in Special Education (3 credits)
Introduction to the research process. Basic research methods and statistics; emphasis on descriptive and inferential methods of statistical analysis as well as qualitative methodologies, action research and applications to current research in special education.
Prerequisite: Permission of program director.
EDD 551 Sign Communication I (1 credit)
Implications of deafness for communication.Individual proficiency development in receptive and expressive sign language for the instruction of deaf/hard of hearing students. Basic signed English vocabulary.
Prerequisite: Program majors only.
EDD 552 Family/School Partnership (2 credits)
Specialized skills needed for working with parents/families of deaf/ hard of hearing children. Focus: interactive strategies, programs and materials development, accessing community resources, delivery of services, materials and evaluation. Involves the use of the internet for program development and dialogue with families.
Prerequisite: Program majors only.
EDD 553 Sign Communication II (1 credit)
Continuation of EDD 551. Skill development and increased proficiency in receptive and expressive sign language.
Prerequisite: EDD 551; program majors only.
EDD 554 Exploration of Diversity: Deaf Children Around the Globe (1 credit)
Interactive internet course involving the comparative study of the education of deaf and hard-of-hearing children with diverse language backgrounds in the United States to those in select programs around the world. Guided e-mail generation between American deaf children and children in one other country.
Prerequisite: Permission of the program director.
EDD 555 Psychology and the Deaf Learner (2 credits)
Psychological and educational aspects of exceptionality; national trends, curriculum implications, significant legislation, issues of deaf culture, family, the cochlear implant.
Prerequisite: Program majors only.
EDD 599 Independent Study (1-3 credits)
Individual studies or research project in education of deaf/hard of hearing students. Designed to supplement or enrich student background. Weekly conferences with faculty adviser.
Prerequisite: Program majors only.
EDD 600 American Sign Language (ASL)I (3 credits)
Introduction to ASL, its structures, grammatical features and language functions; vocabulary acquisition; deaf culture and sociolinguistic interpretations; emphasis on interaction/interpersonal skills with deaf persons.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
EDD 601 American Sign Language (ASL) II (3 credits)
Advanced communication competencies in ASL; spatial structuring, sequencing events, time references; conversational fluency. Extensive vocabulary development. Students must take the Sign Communication Proficiency Interview (SCPI) and achieve at least intermediate level competence as teachers of the deaf.
Prerequisite: EDD 600.
EDD 602 Characteristics of Deafblind Children and Youth (2 credits)
Comparative course based upon understandings of deafness and vision.Identification of deafblind children, characteristics and commonly-seen etiologies, instructional implications. Professional resources, local and national agencies.
EDD 603 Culminating Professional Experience (0 credits)
Electronic portfolio. Prepared and presented to faculty teams at the end of the second year of study. Acts as a thesis statement and is posted on the national deaf education website.
Prerequisite: Completion of all requirements for the masters degree.
EDD 604 Braille I (3 credits)
Introduction to Braille. Development and skill in Braille reading. Implications for teaching children with vision problems.
EDD 605 Braille II (3 credits)
Intermediate skills in Braille reading. Development of instructional lessons for children with vision problems.
Prerequisite: EDD 603
EDD 606 Cued Speech (1 credit)
Complete skill development in Cued Speech, an alternative communication system for deaf persons.
EDD 607 Current Topics for Deaf Education Professionals (1-3 credits)
Professional development course for teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing. Distance learning and/or summer options.
EDD 608 Instructional Methods for Deafblind Children (2 credits)
Specific methods for the instruction of children who are deafblind. Instructional environments; one-on-one, resource room, self-contained classroom with deaf children; inclusive settings.
EDD 609 ASL III (3 credits)
Advanced ASL. Linguistic study, contrastive analysis, and proficiency.
Prerequisite: ASL II