Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Why is eligibility for regular education teacher certification required for entry into the specialty in Deafness?

The British Columbia College of Teachers (BCCT) has responsibility for teacher certification in this province, and they require completion of the regular education program in order to gain a teacher's certificate in B.C. School Districts, including the Provincial School for the Deaf, which cannot hire teachers who do not qualify for the provincial teacher's certificate. The graduate program in the specialty also assumes that a student enters the program with knowledge relating to regular education curricula, lesson planning, evaluation, etc. The graduate program is directed toward the specialty preparation and does not include basic teacher preparation as part of the requirements.

What is meant by eligibility for regular education teacher certification?

A student must have completed preparation in the education of hearing students. This involves studies in all aspects of regular teacher preparation including practicum with hearing students. Deaf, hard of hearing, or hearing students completing a B.Ed. (or equivalent) program involving practicum with hearing students would be eligible for regular education teacher certification.

Why is EPSE 483 (Reading and Interpreting Educational Research) a prerequisite for entry to the M.Ed. specialty?

This course (or an equivalent course) is required of all M.Ed. students in the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education. The course presents background useful in the interpretation of research studies reported in the literature.

Can the program be taken through on-line or part time studies?

The program is offered through a combination of on-campus summer coursework and part-time, on-line study that allows students to remain in their home communities and maintain work during the school year (although a workload beyond 80% is not recommended). Students will be required to attend on-campus courses during the month of July for two successive summers, while the remaining program specialty courses will be offered in a part-time, online format during the intervening school year. In addition, students must be available for a full-time 10-week practicum during the Year Two, Winter 1 term.

For complete details on course schedule and distance education offerings, applicants to the M.A. program should refer here and M.Ed. applicants should refer here.

Is this graduate program appropriate for a teacher who has already completed the basic preparation as a specialist in deafness?

No, a teacher who has completed a Diploma or other study that included the basic preparation for teaching Deaf and hard of hearing students should not enroll in this program. The qualified specialist who wishes to pursue a graduate degree may enrol in a Special Education magistral degree and include some of the specialty courses in Deafness that were not included in previous studies or, if qualified, the student may apply for PhD studies in Special Education with a program focus on Deafness.

What is meant by proficiency in sign language?

The UBC Program in Education of the Deaf and Hard of hearing meets national certification requirements as set out by the Canadian Association of Educators of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CAEDHH). Although CAEDHH standards require that specialist teachers have a knowledge of sign language, the UBC program strongly encourages students to develop proficiency in sign language whenever possible. Even for students who plan to teach in an oral setting where sign language will not be used, a knowledge of the various communication approaches used by deaf and hard of hearing individuals is always an asset and contributes strongly to a balanced study of the speciality area.

It is difficult to define “proficiency” exactly, but one commonly accepted measure is a standing of Intermediate Plus or higher on the Language Proficiency Index developed by Dr. Mike Kemp at Gallaudet University. A student who does not have sufficient sign communication skill may be denied access to some practicum sites.