Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (PreK-12)

The graduate certificate in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing PreK-12 is intended for those seeking to develop a knowledge and skill base that undergirds effective, equity focused teaching of PreK-12 students with a range of exceptionalities and from a range of backgrounds. A graduate certificate in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing PreK-12 is appropriate for PreK-12 teachers endorsed in areas outside of exceptional education, PreK-12 teachers endorsed in an area of exceptional education at the undergraduate level, administrators and supervisors aspiring to lead schools or serve in roles supporting special student populations, non-endorsed professionals whose work (e.g., museum, public-service agency) interfaces significantly with PreK-12 education, and those interested in home schooling. Coursework in this certificate is designed to lead to an additional endorsement in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing PreK-12 for teachers licensed in other areas in the state of Tennessee, pending transcript review, passing appropriate licensure exams and approval of the faculty advisor. *Endorsement in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing requires proficiency in American Sign Language at the Intermediate Plus level.

• Applicants must have obtained a bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency, recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEEA). A non-U.S. degree must be equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from the United States and must be granted by a recognized or accredited foreign institution. 
• United States degree holders must have earned a minimum of 2.7 out of a possible 4.0 GPA or a minimum of 3.0 during the senior year of undergraduate study. If you have completed previous graduate coursework, you must have earned a minimum of 3.0 out of a possible 4.0 GPA.
• Applicants with non-U.S. degrees must have earned a minimum of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or other equivalent to a ‘B’ average. If you have completed previous graduate coursework, you must have earned a minimum of 3.3 out of a possible 4.0 GPA or other equivalent to a ‘B+’ average.
• Applicants may be required to submit standardized test scores, depending upon their program requirements.
• Applicants may be required to submit English language certification test scores.

1. Please confirm the correct name of your graduate degree or certificate program by viewing our list of programs. This will ensure that you apply for the right program when you submit your application.
2. Create your account on Slate, our online application system, and begin completing the admission application.
3. Scan and upload copies of transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate institutions you have attended.
4. Upload degree certificates (if applicable).
5. Upload departmental/program requirements as indicated in the online application system.
6. Pay the $60 non-refundable application fee by credit/debit card.