Master of Science in Secondary Education of Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Gerald C. Bateman, Director
(585) 475-6480 (voice/TTY), gcbnmp@rit.edu
NTID offers a graduate program leading to the master of science degree in secondary education of students who are deaf or hard of hearing. This unique program prepares students to meet the national need for teachers of secondary students who are deaf or hard of hearing. The program’s purpose includes the preparation of teachers not only as effective practitioners but also as leaders in the profession.
Faculty members in this program are international leaders in research and are highly skilled in the education of deaf people. A carefully designed system of faculty advisement is a prominent feature of this program. On-campus facilities, state-of-the-art technology and a well-established system of educational access services combine to make this a vital program for both deaf and hearing students who desire careers as professional educators of deaf students. Graduates of this program have a 96 percent pass rate on the New York State Teacher Certification examinations.
Admission guidelines
Admission to the program is based on the following criteria:
- Successful completion of the baccalaureate degree at an accredited college or university
- Cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above
- Submission of Test of English as a Foreign Language scores (minimum score of 550 paper-based or 213 computer-based) for international students
- A basic knowledge of sign language as measured by a departmental skill assessment, or willingness to take American Sign Language I, or its equivalent, at NTID or another college prior to beginning the program
- Evidence of professional commitment and potential for success in the program, i.e., letters of reference and an expository essay
- An individual interview
Additionally, 30 semester credit hours in a content area are required by the New York State Education Department for initial certification to teach a secondary (grades 7–12) content area. Students who do not have the required number of hours must complete the additional credits before applying for New York State certification. Secondary academic subjects include American Sign Language, English, mathematics, social studies, or science. Note: A major in social studies includes economics and government, and at least 21 semester hours in the history and geography of the United States and the world.
RIT 4+2 education program
RIT is offering a new 4+2 program designed specifically for RIT students who hope to become teachers of deaf and hard-of-hearing students. This program was created as a bridge between RIT’s four-year bachelor’s degree programs and NTID’s two-year MS program in secondary education. Upon successful completion of an RIT bachelor’s degree in an approved program with the required credits and GPA, students will be guaranteed admission to the MS program.
Costs
At the time of this printing, the 2008–09 tuition for students pursuing a master of science degree in NTID is as follows:
Domestic
- Full time (12–18 credit hours)—$3,591 per quarter
- Part time (11 credit hours or less)—$399 per credit hour
International
- Full time (12–18 credit hours)—$7,182 per quarter
- Part time (11 credit hours or less)—$798 per credit hour
Financial Aid
NTID tuition costs are about one-third the cost of what students enrolled in other RIT colleges pay. Approximately 60 percent of NTID’s full-time graduate students receive financial aid awards from RIT. A student’s need is determined by the analysis of the Free Application for Federal Students Aid (FAFSA). RIT has four general categories of financial aid: scholarships, grants, loans, and employment. RIT has grant funding available to address the financial need of all MS students. Though funds are limited, our goal is always to meet as much of a student’s financial need as possible.
If you pursue the MS program and you plan to teach in the content areas of math or science upon graduation, you may be eligible for a scholarship of up to $5,000 per year for two years. Up to 10 such scholarships are offered on an annual basis.
All full-time students in the MS program are offered opportunities to work as graduate assistants with members of NTID faculty and staff. These paid positions range from teaching and research assistants to program assistants and tutors. Graduate assistants are required to work five hours per week and receive a stipend of $1000 per quarter ($3000 per academic year). There also are numerous on-campus student employment opportunities available.
| Qtr. Cr. Hrs. | |
| 0835-701 Psychology and Sociology of Deaf Students | 4 |
| 0835-702 Deaf Students: Educational and Cultural Diversity | 4 |
| 0835-703 Special Education in the Social Context | 4 |
| 0835-704 Teaching Deaf Learners with Secondary Disabilities | 4 |
| 0835-705 Political/Legal Environment | 4 |
| 0835-706 Educational Technology and Teaching | 2 |
| 0835-712 Curriculum Content and Methods of Instruction | 4 |
| 0835-713 Assessment | 4 |
| 0835-721 Structure of American Sign Language | 4 |
| 0835-722 Audition and Spoken Language: Application in Education | 4 |
| 0835-723 Language Acquisition and Variation | 4 |
| 0835-724 English Language Development | 4 |
| 0835-790 Foundations of Educational Research | 4 |
| 0835-820 Perspectives in Teaching Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students | 2 |
| 0835-860 Student Teaching I | 10 |
| 0835-861 Student Teaching II | 10 |
| 0835-880 Master’s Project Seminar | 2 |
| 0835-890 Master’s Project | 8 |
| 0835-898 Special Topics | variable |
| 0835-999 Field Experience | 0 |
| Professional Development Seminars | 0 |
| American Sign Language* | 8 |
| 0507-701 History of Deaf Educational Thought | 4 |
| Total Credits | 94 |
*Course placements and credit by exam for American Sign Language courses are determined by the department of American Sign Language and interpreting education.
Note: At graduation, students are expected to have at least intermediate-level signing skills as determined during a Sign Language Proficiency Interview.
Proposed plan of study
First Year
Fall Quarter
0835-703 Special Education in the Social Context
0835-701 Psychology and Sociology of Deaf Students
0835-706 Educational Technology and Teaching
0835-721 Structure of American Sign Language
0886-xxx ASL course
Winter Quarter
0835-722 Audition and Spoken Language: Application in
Education
0835-712 Curriculum Content and Methods of Instruction
0835-723 Language Acquisition and Variation
0835-999 Field Experience*
0507-701 History of Deaf Educational Thought
0886-xxx ASL course
Spring Quarter
0835-860 Student Teaching I*
0835-820 Perspectives in Teaching Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing
Students
Second Year
Fall Quarter
0835-713 Assessment
0835-790 Foundations of Educational Research
0835-724 English Language Development
0835-702 Deaf Students: Educational and Cultural Diversity
Winter Quarter
0835-880 Master’s Project Seminar
0835-861 Student Teaching II*
Spring Quarter
0835-890 Master’s Project
0835-704 Teaching Deaf Learners with Secondary Disabilities
0835-705 Political/Legal Environment
* Students are required to complete a minimum of 250 hours of supervised student teaching, working with deaf and hard-of-hearing students at the 7–12 grade level. In addition 100 hours of field experience are required before the first student teaching placement.
Degree requirements
Course work will require a minimum of six quarters. A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 must be maintained. Before graduation, students are expected to have at least intermediate-level signing skills as determined by a Sign Language Proficiency Interview.