Department of Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology and Deaf Studies

Deaf Studies

Career Resources

The Deaf Studies major prepares students for a wide variety of professional careers and for graduate study. Students in the Human Services focus area are prepared to enter jobs

Students interact with attendees at the American Association of Deaf Blind Conference held at TU

working for agencies and organizations that provide services to the deaf community. Students are hired as teaching assistants, job coaches, residential dorm counselors, case managers, program coordinators, or administrative specialists at a variety of work settings. Some students elect to continue their studies at the graduate level in Social Work, Deaf Education, or Business Administration. Others enter programs that train Registered Interpreters for the Deaf.

Students in the Deaf Culture focus area are prepared to work in similar job settings, and might also look towards jobs assisting in theatres for the deaf, publishing companies that offer literature and videos about the deaf, or work as research assistants in the fields of sociology or anthropology. Students with this focus can also elect to continue their studies at the graduate level.

Students who elect the combined Deaf Studies - Elementary Education major will be certified to teach once they finish the program. Some graduates stay in Elementary Education and work with deaf students who are included in their classrooms. Others move onto graduate certification programs in teaching the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Students who enroll in the combined Deaf Studies - Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology major need to continue their studies at the graduate level to become certified as Audiologists or Speech-Language Pathologists. The combined major prepares students to provide services to individuals who use American Sign Language as their first language, and to focus on improved communication in ASL for deaf individuals.

The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) is the national certifying body for sign language interpreters. In 2012 RID will require completion of a Bachelor's degree for certification. Currently the Deaf Studies major does not provide courses required for RID certification. However, students who complete the degree and develop good proficiency in American Sign Language are fully prepared to enter programs that lead to RID certification. Some students elect to begin RID courses at nearby Catonsville Community College of Baltimore County while simultaneously completing the Deaf Studies major at Towson University. Advisors in the Deaf Studies program can provide more information on these options.

The following web sites provide more information on deaf culture and careers for Deaf Studies graduates.

• National Association of the Deaf
• Maryland Association of the Deaf
• Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
• Maryland School for the Deaf
• Maryland Governor's Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Maryland Relay
• Deaf Education
• National Theatre of the Deaf

Department of Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology and Deaf Studies
Van Bokkelen Hall, Room 105
Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Phone: 410-704-4153
Fax: 410-704-4131
E-mail: eyoung@towson.edu