Program Overview

---

Deaf Studies

Overview

Become fluent in American Sign Language and work with deaf or hard-of-hearing children and adults in a variety of settings, including education. Qualified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters and educators who work with deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals are in demand across the country in a variety of job settings. Students seeking their Bachelor of Science in Education in Deaf Studies will choose an area of focus from fields like educational/ASL interpreting, counseling, family studies and psychology. All students in the program will graduate ASL fluent and with firsthand experience in educational settings through immersive internships. Through coursework and other experience, undergraduates also cultivate a thorough understanding of and respect for deaf culture.

Learning Outcomes

• Critical Thinking; Students will summarize, synthesize, and critically analyze ideas from multiple sources in order to draw well-supported conclusions and solve problems.
• Ethics and Social Responsibility; Students will make reasoned ethical judgments, showing awareness of multiple value systems and taking responsibility for the consequences of their actions. They will apply these judgments, using collaboration and leadership skills, to promote social justice in their local, national, and global communities.
• Identity and Culture; Students will demonstrate sensitivity and tolerance of complex social identities, including deaf identities, and the interrelations within and among diverse cultures and groups.
• Knowledge and Inquiry; Students will apply knowledge, modes of inquiry, and technological competence from a variety of disciplines in order to understand human experience and the natural world.
• Language and Communication; Students will use American Sign Language (ASL) and written English to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, for a variety of purposes, and in a variety of settings.

Program Details

Sample Courses

• EDP 301: Child & Adolescent Development
• SERP 444A: Intensive ASL
• SERP 433D: ASL Literature & Film

Career Fields

• Educational interpreting
• Counseling
• Psychology
• Communications
• Nonprofit organizations

Level of Math

• General Knowledge

This strand involves the general understanding and appreciation of how mathematics is used to solve problems in everyday life. The G-strand does not prepare a student for any further work grounded in mathematics and assumes the student will not proceed beyond the basic Foundations level noted above. Thus only those students whose major requires the most general knowledge of mathematics should take this strand.

Level of Second Language

• 2nd Semester Proficiency

Second-semester skill level in a second language is required. Non-B.A. degree students may fulfill this requirement with one of the following options: 1. Scoring the equivalent of second-semester skill level on an entrance or placement examination administered by The University of Arizona. 2. Completion with a C or better of a second semester course at the post-secondary level. 3. An AP (Advanced Placement), IB (International Baccalaureate) or CLEP (College Level Entrance Program) language score determined by the individual language department. 4. In the College of Engineering by a method determined within the College; however, all students in the college must also take a language placement examination on entrance to the University.

Pre-major Required?

• Yes

Additional Admissions Requirements

This major has additional admission criteria. Please see the College of Education website for more information.

This Major's College

• College of Education

Degree

• Bachelor of Science in Education

Sample Plans

2025, Deaf Studies

• 4-Year Sample Plan
• Map Transfer Coursework
• Plan Ahead with a Transfer Pathway

First Year

• 1st Semester
  • ENGL 101 Foundation Composition
  • Introduction to the General Education Experience (Entry Course)
  • GE General Math Strand
  • Second Language
  • Success Course: TLS 197 (recommended)
• 2nd Semester
  • ENGL 102 Foundation Composition
  • Second Language
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections

Second Year

• 3rd Semester
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
  • Second Language
• 4th Semester
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
  • General Education Portfolio (Exit Course)
  • American Sign Language IV: SERP 431B
  • Major Core Requirements
  • Major Core Electives
• 4th Semester Summer
  • ASL Discourse Processes - Intensive ASL: SERP 444A

Third Year

• 5th Semester
  • General Emphasis Courses
  • General Emphasis Courses
  • General Emphasis Courses
  • Topics in Deaf Studies: SERP 433A/B/C/D
  • Elective
• 6th Semester
  • General Emphasis Courses
  • General Emphasis Courses
  • Major Core Electives
  • Major Core Electives
  • Topics in Deaf Studies: SERP 433A/B/C/D

Fourth Year

• 7th Semester
  • General Emphasis Courses
  • General Emphasis Courses
  • Major Core Electives
  • Topics in Deaf Studies: SERP 433A/B/C/D
  • Elective
• 8th Semester
  • General Emphasis Courses
  • Topics in Deaf Studies: SERP 433A/B/C/D
  • Elective
  • Elective
  • Elective

Map Transfer Coursework

• Enter your coursework from Arizona universities or community colleges to see how they can map to this major.
• Connect with The University of Arizona Academic Advisors to validate how your coursework will transfer.

About the Transfer Mapping Categories

Maps to One Requirement

A transfer course with this designation matches a UAZ course that maps to one requirement for this major.

Can Map in Multiple Ways

A transfer course with this designation matches a UAZ course that maps to more than one requirement for this major. This means that the transfer course could meet any of the matching requirements but does not mean it fulfills all matching requirements.

Ask an Advisor

A transfer course with this designation matches a UAZ course that has not yet been mapped to a requirement for this major, or it means that the transfer course was input incorrectly.

Pathways

• See the pathway agreement in place between Arizona in-state community colleges and The University of Arizona.
• To see a pathway, select an Arizona college: Select an Arizona community college.