Overview
The Deafness Specialty Program (DSP) prepares speech-language pathologists to support deaf and hard of hearing individuals across the lifespan and to partner effectively with their families, educators, healthcare professionals, and community service providers. Through a specialized sequence of coursework and clinical experiences, graduate students develop knowledge and skills related to communication choice, language development, accessibility, and inclusion across settings. The program emphasizes culturally and linguistically responsive practices, interprofessional collaboration, family-centered service delivery, and evidence-based approaches that support communication access and participation. Graduates are prepared to work with a diverse population of D/deaf or hard of hearing people who may use a range of communication modalities including: American Sign Language, listening and spoken language, Cued Speech.
D.S.P. is Ideal For
- Matriculated or non-matriculated graduate-level students seeking a specialization in deafness, including individuals pursuing degrees in speech-language pathology, and inclusive childhood or adolescent education.
- Certified teachers or speech-language pathologists seeking additional education for teaching students who are deaf or hard of hearing
Career Information
- Half of speech language pathologists in schools have at least one deaf or hard of hearing child on their caseload, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's 2014 Schools Survey.
- There is a continued shortage of highly qualified professionals with the knowledge and skills in evidence-based practices to support individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Recent employment data on graduates with this specialization indicates that employers recognize the value of this certification and are seeking professionals who have this specialized knowledge.
Affordability
Grants, scholarships, veterans benefits, partner benefits, loans, and undergraduate loan forgiveness are options for paying for education graduate degrees. Nazareth’s Graduate School of Education tuition per credit hour.
What to Expect
- Offered in the evening during the fall, spring, and summer semesters.
- Practicum opportunities with children and adults who are deaf or hard of hearing supported to expand clinical practice experiences for students matriculated in our SLP graduate program.
- Receive a local certificate of specialization in deafness from Nazareth University upon completion
- Earn continuing education units or professional development credits upon completion
Curriculum (9 credits)
- Deafness Specialty Special Topics Courses (5 credits):
- Approaches to Communication for Deaf/HOH People (1 credit)
- School-Age Strategies and Programs who are Deaf/HOH (1 credit)
- Assessment for Deaf/HOH People (1 credit)
- Speech and Voice Interventions for Clients who are Deaf/HOH (1 credit)
- Language Interventions for Clients who are Deaf/HOH (1 credit)
- Clinical Applications in Deafness and Communication (1 credit)
- Elective Credits (3 credits):
- ASL III (3 credits)
- Facilitating Lang & Comm Through Technology for Persons Who Are Deaf/Hard Hearing (3 credits)
- Engaging Interprofessional Providers through Practice Based Coaching (1 credit)
- Empowering Caregivers through Home Visitation in Early Childhood (1 credit)
- Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Seminar (1 credit)
- Counseling in Speech Language Pathology (1 credit)
Registration process
- Current Nazareth students: Talk to your academic program director to determine whether you are eligible to enroll in this program.
- Non-matriculated students: Contact the program director.
- Registration occurs on a rolling basis. Starting classes in the fall is recommended.
- If you have questions, contact the program director listed on this page.