Graduate Certificate Programs

Graduate certificate program at Gallaudet University

[Video Description: A dark-skinned woman with a shaven head sits in front of book shelves background. She has glasses on, and is wearing a pink blouse.]
I am pleased to share about Gallaudet University’s ASL and English Bilingual Early Childhood in Deaf Education (Birth to 5) graduate certificate program. This 21-credit certificate program is mainly designed for in-service professionals who work with deaf and hard of hearing children from birth to 5 years old and their families in educational settings. All of the courses are taught online making it possible for professionals to take the courses while working full time.
The program emphasizes on advocacy, language and program planning, pedagogy, assessment, and theory and practice in ASL and English bilingual early education. In alignment with the Department of Education's mission, the program also addresses culturally relevant critical pedagogy as a goal for the candidates to become change agents and leaders in advocating for and educating deaf and hard of hearing children and their families.
In many states, licensed teachers are required to complete additional professional training and coursework in order to maintain or renew their teaching licenses/certification. This program allows licensed teachers not only to meet these requirements but also to increase skills and knowledge in educating young and deaf children, from birth to 5, through ASL and English bilingual approaches. Professionals who are not licensed are also eligible to apply in the program.
If you and/or your colleagues are interested in applying in the program, please contact us at aebece@gallaudet.edu.
Please share this information with your colleagues. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Laurene E. Simms, Ph.D.
Department of Education
Certificate Program Director

Early Childhood Education certification program

Families with Deaf & Hard of Hearing children may have questions such as:
  • How can my child become bilingual? What does that look like?
  • What are practical ASL and English activities that we can use at home? 
  • Will ASL help my child improve or hinder learning English?
  • How do we assess both languages?

Want to be an ASL-English bilingual educator working with diverse families? Or want to learn further about ASL and English bilingualism to support families in developing both languages at home or to be an advocate on a policy level? 

Department of Education at Gallaudet University is proud to offer a fully On-line M.A. in Education: Advanced Studies: ASL & English Bilingual ECE focus (from birth to 5 years old) which is first and only one program designed for ECE educators, professionals and specialists working with families using ASL and English bilingual. 

How do I apply? If you have a BA degree in Deaf Education then you are eligible to apply for the fully online M.A. in Education program. If you already have a MA in related fields, you are encouraged to apply for our certificate program. You are also welcome to take one course from the program to learn more about that specific topic. 
[image: A brochure display featuring Gallaudet University's logo and an image of a white toddler playing with a learning toy with his dark-skinned teacher. Text reads program name with "Deaf Education: Birth to Five Certificate Program" as subheader. ]
[video thumbnail description: A white-presenting female professor with brown hair is signing in her office. Bookcases and filing cabinet are visible behind her.]

For more information about the program including a list of courses please check out our website at education.gallaudet.edu or contact Dr. Laurene Simms at laurene.simms@gallaudet.edu.

The deadline for Application is April 1st.