Certificate in Deafblindness
Certificate in Deafblindness
Boston College is the oldest and most established teacher preparation program in deafblindness in the United States. In addition to completing the requirements for the Severe Disabilities Program (which includes content on deafblindness), students will either have the following competencies and/or take the following coursework:
- Sign Language (basic competency or Sign I)
- Braille (basic competency or Braille I)
- Deafblind Seminar
- Language Acquisition Module
- Impact of deafblindness on learning
- To participate in functional vision and hearing evaluations
- Evidence-based practices and best practices in teaching learners who are deafblind
- Importance of the hands and meaningful experiences to learning
- Child-guided assessment and instruction
- To collaboratively plan and implement daily communication programming
- Develop and implement unique literacy lessons such as story boxes, experience stories, interactive home-school journals, meaningful choice-making
- How to modify lessons and identify appropriate accommodations to support the engagement of learners who are deafblind
What will I study?
Curriculum
- Courses: 4
- Credits: 10
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC6495 | Human Development and Disabilities This course addresses the reciprocal relationship between human development and disability. Prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal causes of disability will be presented. Students will learn about theoretical perspectives, research, and current disagreements related to causes, identification, and treatment of disabilities. Prevention and intervention strategies will be presented for each disability. The application of assistive technology will be covered across disabilities. |
3 |
| EDUC3386 | Introduction to Sign Language A course in the techniques of manual communication with an exploration of the use of body language and natural postures, fingerspelling, and American Sign Language. Theoretical foundations of total communication will be investigated. Issues related to deafness are also presented. |
3 |
| EDUC6493 | Language Acquisition Module On the basis of the development of normal children, this course will explore dysfunctions of speech and language that interfere with normal communication and learning processes. The evaluation of language performance and the remediation of language deficits will also be stressed. |
1 |
| EDUC7492 | Deafblind Seminar A culminating seminar on deafblindness and learning. |
3 |
Deadlines
- Rolling Admissions
Apply Now
A non-refundable application fee of $75 is required, however, this fee is waived for select applicants.
Resume
In addition to your academic history and relevant work experience, please include:
- Any teaching or counseling experience (including any licenses already held);
- Any social justice related experience;
- Any language skills other than English (especially Spanish language skills) and;
- Any research experience or publications
Personal Statement
To be uploaded to your online Application Form.
In 1,000-1,500 words, describe your academic and professional goals, any experience relevant to this program, and your future plans, expectations, and aspirations.
Transcripts
All official undergraduate and graduate transcripts must be sent to our office before the application deadline. Please note the following:
Only official sealed (unopened) transcripts are acceptable. An official postsecondary transcript must be printed on official institutional paper and include at least one of the following: an institutional watermark, the registrar’s signature, or the registrar's seal.
Copies and unofficial transcripts sent directly from applicants are not acceptable, the transcript must come directly from the institution.
If you are a current student and have not completed your undergraduate and/or graduate degree, the most updated version of your transcript is acceptable.
Official electronic transcripts are accepted when sent directly to gsoe@bc.edu from the institution. When requesting electronic transcripts, you must manually type in gsoe@bc.edu to ensure it is received by our office.
Mailed transcript(s) should be sent to the following address:
Lynch Office of Graduate Admissions, Boston College
Campion Hall 135
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Academic Tools
Contact Us
gsoe@bc.edu
617-552-4214