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Grad students using sign language.

Deaf Education, M.S.

Since its inception in 1967 as a joint effort between McDaniel College and the Maryland School for the Deaf, McDaniel's M.S. in Deaf Education has built on its mission to prepare outstanding (and award-winning) teachers.

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Degree Types
Master's, B.A./M.S. Pathway
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Program Cost
$563 per credit
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Format
Online
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Total credits
Endorsement: 36 | Initial Teacher Licensure: 45

Why McDaniel for Deaf Education?

Whether you're expanding your teaching credentials or preparing to enter the classroom for the first time, our program provides the knowledge, experience, & support needed to help you pursue your passion for educating Deaf & Hard of Hearing students. We offer two distinct pathways to obtaining the skills you need to be a Deaf & Hard of Hearing educator: the Endorsement specialization and the Initial Teacher Licensure specialization. 

Through a unique blend of immersive content courses on campus during the summer term, highlighted by online courses during the academic year, you will graduate expertly trained and prepared. 

A group photo of graduates of the Deaf Education program wearing their caps and gowns and laughing.

Class of 2024 Deaf Education graduates.

Specialization Options

Endorsement Specialization

Designed for currently licensed educators seeking to add Deaf & Hard of Hearing licensure in the state of Maryland, this 39-credit specialization includes an internship working directly with Deaf & Hard of Hearing students. Candidates gain specialized skills to foster inclusive, accessible learning environments for Deaf & Hard of Hearing students.

Initial Teacher Licensure Specialization

This 45-credit* specialization is tailored for conditionally licensed educators seeking full licensure or candidates preparing to seek licensure for the first time. It includes a practicum and two internship experiences focused on teaching Deaf & Hard of Hearing students. Candidates may be required to complete additional coursework based on a transcript review to meet Maryland licensure prerequisites.

*Note: Candidates with more than one year of experience under a conditional or emergency license may be eligible for exemption from the practicum, reducing the total credit requirement to 42.

Excellent Outcomes & Accreditation

Graduates are prepared to teach Deaf students at either the elementary or secondary level and are employed throughout the United States, Canada, and other countries. The Deaf Education program is approved by:

  • The Council on Education of the Deaf (CED) and
  • The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)
Grad professor lecturing in front of class.

A Bilingual Experience

Through our program, you'll have a bilingual experience with the use of ASL in all courses. Your training will culminate in a bilingual internship that will hone your skills and prepare you for professional growth. 

What You Need to Know About the M.S. in Deaf Education

Admissions Requirements

  • Application for graduate study
  • Official undergraduate transcript conferring bachelor’s degree from accredited institution with 3.0 cumulative GPA*
  • American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) test score of 3 or higher or NSLA (National Sign Language Assessment Test) score of Intermediate or higher. An ASLPI interview can be used in lieu of ASLPI test score or NSLA score where deemed appropriate by the program coordinator.
  • Virtual Interview & English Proficiency Essay (EPE) writing sample (minimum entrance score of 4)

*Students with a 2.75-2.99 GPA may be admitted provisionally and will be required to maintain a 3.0 GPA in the first 9-12 credits. Students with less than a 2.75 GPA will be considered on a case-by-case basis for provisional admission and may be required to provide additional documentation.

Degree Requirements

State Authorization & Professional Licensure

Bachelor’s to Master’s Pathway Start Early. Save Time. Save Money.

McDaniel College’s Bachelor’s to Master’s (BA/MS) pathways give motivated students the chance to earn both their undergraduate and graduate degrees faster and at a lower cost. These pathways are designed to help students gain advanced skills and knowledge that are important in today’s job market, allowing them to save time and money while getting ahead.

By offering these pathways, McDaniel College meets the growing need for higher education and professional expertise. Students who choose a BA/MS pathway can build strong qualifications for their careers, putting themselves in a better position to succeed by earning an advanced degree.

Bachelor’s to Master’s Pathways at McDaniel College

Want to Know More?

Attend one of our monthly Virtual Coordinator Connections. Make a connection with the coordinator of your graduate program of choice and discover if McDaniel is the right fit for you.

Register Here

Enroll Today!

This program admits in Fall, Spring and Summer.

Start your application

Program Coordinator

Heidi MacGlaughlin

heidi.macglaughlin@mcdaniel.edu

Request More Info

Meet the Faculty & Staff

Find contact info for the faculty & staff who support your graduate journey.

Graduate & Professional Studies Directory
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A Model Program

Since 1967, the M.S. in Deaf Education at McDaniel College has prepared graduates to excel as leading educators of deaf students around the world. Stephen Farias, an English teacher at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf, shares his experience as a student in the graduate program at McDaniel.

Meet M.S. in Deaf Education Alumni

Headshot of Yael Zelinger in front of a brick wall.

Yael Zelinger M.S. '99

For decades, Yael Zelinger M.S. ’99 has worked to make the larger Jewish community accessible and inclusive for Deaf individuals. Zelinger jump-started her professional career by earning a master’s degree in Deaf Education here on the Hill, which led to her joining the staff of Jewish Advocates for Deaf Education in Baltimore.

Read about Yael's career after earning her M.S. in Deaf Education.
McDaniel College M.S. alumna Clara Jean "Jeanie" Mosley Hall '76

Clara Jean "Jeanie" Mosley Hall M.S. ’76

Think back to when you were a child just learning to speak, read or write. Learning the nuances of one language was hard enough but imagine that you had to learn two — and serve as an interpreter for the adults in your life. That’s the situation Clara Jean “Jeanie” Mosley Hall M.S. ’76 was born into as a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA).  

Read Clara's full story.

Meet a Graduate | Alexandre Dubsky M.S. ’25

What led you to enter the field of Deaf education? 

As a teacher in the making, I discovered my potential while tutoring students in dormitories across various subjects, with colleagues encouraging me to pursue education as a profession. After recognizing my teaching abilities, I took the initiative to apply at Maryland School for the Deaf in Frederick, where I’ve enjoyed teaching for the past few years. My current goal is to obtain my teaching license/certification so I can continue pursuing my passion for teaching mathematics.

Why McDaniel?

I chose McDaniel College for my graduate education based on a strong recommendation from my employer, Maryland School for the Deaf. They specifically endorsed McDaniel’s Deaf Education program for its exceptional faculty who use American Sign Language (ASL). The program’s primarily online format perfectly accommodates my busy teaching schedule, allowing me to pursue certification while continuing my work in the classroom.

What did you like most about the Deaf Education master’s program?

What I appreciated most about McDaniel College’s Deaf Education program was its unique combination of online flexibility and direct instruction in ASL. The program stands out among the limited number of Deaf Education offerings nationwide, allowing me to thrive using my primary language while embracing a bilingual approach with both ASL and English. I particularly valued how the curriculum was specifically tailored to Deaf education, addressing the unique considerations and teaching approaches needed when working with Deaf students.

What inspires you?

Beyond the classroom, what truly fulfills me is the meaningful connections I forge with my students through various extracurricular activities. As a basketball coach, VEX Robotics sponsor, chess club mentor, and dedicated class sponsor for the Class of 2025 throughout their high school journey, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing my students’ all-inclusive development. I find profound joy in supporting their growth and watching them thrive both within the Deaf community and in navigating the hearing world, embracing my role as not just a teacher but a mentor who helps shape their identities and future paths.

Alexandre Dubsky poses outdoors while wearing his graduation robe.

Want to Know More?

Attend one of our monthly Virtual Coordinator Connections. Make a connection with the coordinator of your graduate program of choice and discover if McDaniel is the right fit for you.

Register Here

Enroll Today!

This program admits in Fall, Spring and Summer.

Start your application

Program Coordinator

Heidi MacGlaughlin

heidi.macglaughlin@mcdaniel.edu

Request More Info

Meet the Faculty & Staff

Find contact info for the faculty & staff who support your graduate journey.

Graduate & Professional Studies Directory
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