Deaf Studies, BSEd
The Deaf Studies area explores Deaf culture, history, and language as rich and complex expressions of identity and community. Students engage with American Sign Language (ASL), develop cultural and linguistic fluency, and examine social and educational issues affecting Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Faculty and students collaborate on research and advocacy that supports equity, accessibility, and Deaf-led perspectives across diverse contexts.
Program overview
Deaf studies includes the following three Concentrations: ASL Translation and Interpreting, ASL Education, and Deaf Education. The Deaf Studies undergraduate program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in ASL, ASL linguistics, Deaf history and culture, and educational trends and issues. Teaching and learning in the Deaf Studies program, including class activities, discussion, and demonstration of knowledge, occur in either ASL or English. Integral to the coursework is the goal of preparing culturally competent teachers and interpreters who can provide equitable and quality education for all students.
Concentrations
ASL Education Concentration
The ASL Education Concentration includes two Specializations:
American Sign Language (ASL) Translation and Interpreting Concentration
The ASL Translation and Interpreting Concentration at UT is an immersive program built for those aiming to become skilled interpreters in educational environments.
Deaf Education Concentration
The Deaf Education Concentration includes two Specializations:
Why study Deaf Studies?
The Deaf Education Program at UT is a comprehensive academic and professional preparation pathway for students interested in working with deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. The program emphasizes both American Sign Language (ASL) fluency and cultural competency, grounding students in the linguistic, educational, and social foundations necessary to support equitable learning environments for deaf students. Coursework typically includes ASL, ASL linguistics, Deaf history and culture, and educational methodologies tailored to the needs of learners with hearing loss, with a strong focus on culturally responsive practices.
Hands-on experience is an important part of our program as our students engage with the Deaf community and often participate in immersive language and fieldwork opportunities. Partnerships with institutions such as the Tennessee Schools for the Deaf give students practical experience in real educational settings, enabling them to apply classroom learning to teaching, interpreting, and support roles. Graduates of the program are prepared for careers as K–12 teachers, educational interpreters, and other professionals serving deaf and hard-of-hearing populations, and many pursue national certification, such as that offered by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.
What can you do with a BSEd in Deaf Studies after graduation?
American Sign Language instructor
Non-licensure settings
Educational support professional in Deaf education programs
Featured Courses
Visual Gestural Communication
Designed for students to explore a way of communicating that uses gestures, facial expressions, classifiers, and body language to convey information.
Foundations of Deaf Education
Critical look at trends, issues, demographics, and social justice-oriented practices in the bilingual education of Deaf students from diverse communities.
Linguistics of American Sign Language
Introduction to the grammatical and linguistic structures of ASL. Language variations, discourse, bilingualism, and language contact are also covered.
