Program Overview

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Secondary Education of Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Master of Science Degree

Overview

The master of science degree in secondary education of students who are deaf or hard of hearing is designed for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing students with a passion for teaching. As a teacher-candidate in the program, you’ll earn dual certification to teach a secondary school content area for students who are hearing or deaf as well as in deaf education for grades K-12. The curriculum is taught by renowned faculty at RIT, one of the most innovative campuses in the world. The program prepares teachers to be effective and ethical practitioners and also to be scholars and leaders in the profession.

RIT’s Deaf Education Degree

RIT and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) have created a unique educational community with a diverse communication environment. All community members share responsibility for effective communication and are expected to respect the language preferences of students, faculty, and staff. The rich inclusive communication environment at RIT/NTID prepares you for the broad array of communication styles you will encounter in the classroom as a teacher of the deaf.

Faculty members 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 the 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.

How to Become a Teacher for the Deaf

Course work requires a minimum of five semesters. A cumulative grade point average 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.

Degree and Certification

When you successfully complete the program, you will have earned:

• A master of science degree
• Initial Certification from New York State to teach in an academic subject area at the secondary school level (grades 7-12). Subject areas include biology, chemistry, earth science, English, math, physics, social studies, or American Sign Language
• Initial certification from New York State in education of students who are deaf or hard of hearing, grades K-12
• Initial certification from Council on Education of the Deaf

Is the RIT/NTID’s Deaf Education Degree right for you?

How do you know if the MS degree in secondary education is the right program for you? Use the following questions to assess your interest in the education field and in teaching students who are deaf and hard of hearing:

• Do you want to teach deaf and hard-of-hearing students?
• Do you want to teach math, science, social studies, or English and respond to the need for more high school teachers?
• Do you want to teach in a variety of K-12 mainstream and residential/center school settings?
• Are you fascinated by the cognitive, cultural, and language characteristics of deaf and hard-of-hearing students?
• Are you looking for personal attention and advisement from faculty and staff who are leaders in the field?
• Would you like to learn, live and work on a campus designed for collaboration between deaf and hearing students?
• Do you want training in evidence-based instructional approaches?

Why choose RIT/NTID’s Deaf Education Degree

With the pressing need for more secondary education teachers, especially in science and mathematics, the strong foundation RIT provides in these areas creates an exceptional environment for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing students to pursue a teaching degree. The RIT/NTID's deaf education degree offers the following advantages:

• Personal attention from program faculty members.
• Dual certification in a secondary school content area in grades 7-12 for students who are hearing or deaf as well as in deaf education for grades K-12.
• Strong faculty with expertise in pedagogy, language development, teaching and curriculum, speech development, research, educational technology, youth and adolescent development, student advisement and placement, and educational issues.
• Variety of student-teaching placement options.
• Access to a wide array of research materials.
• Extensive library resources on the education of students who are deaf or hard of hearing, Deaf culture, sign language, and curriculum materials.
• Thorough and thoughtful personal advising.
• Close proximity to schools for deaf students and mainstream programs.
• A vibrant Deaf community in Rochester, N.Y.
• Numerous seminars and workshops focused on contemporary educational and cultural topics.
• Immersion in American Sign Language.
• Collaborative projects with faculty, staff members, and students.

The RIT 4+2 Teacher Education Program

Be part of an exciting new program that creates a bridge between a four-year RIT bachelor’s degree and RIT’s two-year master of science degree in secondary education. The RIT 4+2 Teacher Education Program is an exceptional value and an outstanding choice designed to give you the skills you need for a successful teaching career. In the 4+2 program you will:

• Receive dual certification in the education of students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing as well as in an academic subject such as science or math.
• Enjoy small class sizes and one-to-one discussions with faculty who are international leaders in research and the art of teaching.
• Have the opportunity to gain valuable real-world teaching experience before you graduate.
• Enjoy a top-quality education at a substantially reduced tuition rate.

How the Program Works

• You must be accepted to an RIT bachelor’s degree program in one of the following areas:
  • Any major in the College of Science
  • Any major in the College of Engineering that requires 30 credits in math or science
  • Any major in the College of Liberal Arts that requires 30 credits in English or history/social studies
  • An individualized program requiring 30 credits in either math, science, or English, history/social studies
• Once you are enrolled in one of the bachelor’s degree programs for at least two years, you can complete the application for graduate study to the MS degree in secondary education (during your 4th year of study). You must interview with the department chairperson prior to your admission to qualify for the program.
• Upon completion of your bachelor's degree program, you must have:
  • A cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher, Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not needed.
  • A cumulative GPA of 2.8-3.24, GRE scores must be submitted (combined score of at least 280 and analytic writing score of 3.0 or better).
  • Completed 30 credits and earned a 3.0 GPA in your academic subject area (ex. math, science, history/social studies, or English)
  • Successfully taken and passed at least ASL I and ASL II through RIT's College of Liberal Arts, or earned credit by exam.

Curriculum

Secondary Education of Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, MS degree, typical course sequence

• First Year
  • MSSE-700 | History of Deaf Educational Thought and Practice | 3
  • MSSE-701 | Psychology and Human Development | 3
  • MSSE-702 | Educational and Cultural Diversity | 3
  • MSSE-703 | Special Education in the Social Context | 3
  • MSSE-704 | Teaching Deaf and Hard of Hearing Learners with Special Educational Needs (summer)* | 3
  • MSSE-710 | General Instructional Methods | 3
  • MSSE-712 | Practicum† | 2
  • MSSE-713 | Assessment Principles and Practices | 3
  • MSSE-725 | Structures of American Sign Language and English | 3
  • MSSE-726 | Language Acquisition and Learning (summer)* | 3
  • MSSE-727 | American Sign Language in Instructional Delivery (summer)* | 3
  • MSSE-785 | Foundations of Educational Research | 3
• Second Year
  • MSSE-714 | Curriculum Content and Methods of Instruction | 3
  • MSSE-715 | Issues in Mainstreamed Education | 3
  • MSSE-722 | Educational Audiology and Spoken Language Development | 3
  • MSSE-728 | Literacy and the Deaf Adolescent | 3
  • MSSE-760 | Student Teaching I | 6
  • MSSE-761 | Student Teaching II | 6
  • MSSE-790 | Professional Portfolio | 3
  • MSSE-794 | Inquiry in Teaching (optional elective) | (3)

Total Semester Credit Hours | 62

• Two week on-campus summer residency required in summer between Year One and Year Two.

† DASA Training required by accrediting body for teaching certification is offered during MSSE-712.

Admissions and Financial Aid

Application Details

To be considered for admission to the Secondary Education of Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing MS program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

• Complete an online graduate application.
• Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
• Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) is recommended.
• Satisfy prerequisite requirements and/or complete bridge courses prior to starting program coursework.
• Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
• Submit a personal statement of educational objectives.
• Submit two letters of recommendation.
• Entrance exam requirements: GRE required for students who have a GPA below 3.0. No minimum score requirement.

Cost and Financial Aid

An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Graduate tuition varies by degree, the number of credits taken per semester, and delivery method. Because RIT receives federal support, students in the MSSE program pay less than RIT's regular tuition rate.

A combination of sources can help fund your graduate degree. Learn how to fund your degree.

Additional Information

New York State Certification Prerequisites

For Dual Certification: 30 semester credit hours in a content area are required by the New York State Education Department for initial certification to teach a secondary content area (grades 7-12). 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.

Online Study Restrictions for Some International Students

Certain countries are subject to comprehensive embargoes under US Export Controls, which prohibit virtually ALL exports, imports, and other transactions without a license or other US Government authorization. Learners from the Crimea region of the Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria may not register for RIT online courses. Nor may individuals on the United States Treasury Department’s list of Specially Designated Nationals or the United States Commerce Department’s table of Deny Orders.

Faculty

• Michael Stinson
• Ruth Reyes
• Suryo Sahetapy

Related News

• March 14, 2025
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• August 20, 2024
  • Student team from RIT’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf wins 2024 College Bowl championship
  • This is the seventh time that an RIT/NTID student team has won the national question-and-answer competition, which consists of topics including arts and literature, history and government, geography, science, technology and nature, sports and leisure, Deaf heritage and culture, entertainment, current events, and mathematics.
• March 7, 2024
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