The Deaf Studies program at Towson University is a multidisciplinary curriculum

incorporating the sociological, anthropological,

and cultural considerations of the Deaf community.

What can I do with a Bachelor’s Degree

in Deaf Studies?

A 2012 study reported 78% of alumni utilize the knowledge and skills from the Deaf Studies program in

their current careers. At the time of the study, 99% of participants were employed or continuing with

their education and report applying the knowledge and skills learned in each of their undergraduate

programs. The graph below shows the percentage of respondents choosing the following fields:

Cooper, S.B., Emanuel, D.C., Cripps, J.H., (2012). Deaf studies alumni perceptions of the academic program and off-campus

internship, American Annals of the Deaf , 157(4), 373-390.

Graduates of Towson University’s Deaf Studies Program

are prepared for a variety of careers:

Careers with a Bachelor’s Degree

Administrative positions may be available at agencies that provide services to Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of

Hearing Americans. Services may include advocacy, legislative and other outreach services to Deaf, Deafblind

and Hard of Hearing individuals. Duties vary depending upon the needs of the agency and services provided.

Job Title Abridged Job Description Hyperlink to Job Description

ADMINISTRATIVE JOBS WITH DEAF-RELATED AGENCIES

American Association of the

Deafblind

AADB is a nonprofit national

consumer organization of, by, and

for Deafblind Americans and their

supporters. AADB provides

advocacy and outreach to

businesses, legislators, and

government entities on behalf of

people with combined vision and

hearing loss. Duties may include

providing support to staff, doing

outreach, responding to inquiries,

and assisting with membership.

AADB

MD Governor’s Office of the Deaf

& Hard of Hearing

This agency provides expertise

related to Deaf, Deafblind and

Hard of Hearing issues for

Maryland Individuals and

facilitates their ability to access

resources and services. Duties may

include responding to requests for

information, publishing weekly

updates, providing outreach, and

other duties as required by agency

needs.

ODHH

National Association

of the Deaf

NAD is the nation’s premier civil

rights organization of, by, and for

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

individuals in the US. Duties may

include outreach and advocacy on

the national level.

NAD

PUBLIC SERVICE PROFESSIONS

Emergency Management Team

(EMT)

Care for individuals who may be

injured or ill in emergency medical

situations. It is critical to have

EMTs in these situations who can

communicate in the person’s first

language, such as American Sign

Language.

EMT

Parole Officer

Work with individuals who have

been released from prison after

serving a sentence; supervise and

monitor parolee progress as they

complete the terms of parole. It is

important to have parole officers

who can communicate with

individuals in their first language,

such as American Sign Language.

Parole Officer

Probation Officer

Monitor offenders to ensure those

on probation strictly follow all

probation conditions mandated by

the judicial system. It is critical to

have probation officers who can

communicate with individuals in

their first language, such as ASL,

to ensure probation requirements

are met. 0

Probation Officer

Religious Leader

Offer spiritual and moral guidance,

and support to followers of their

religion. It is essential to have

religious leaders in all faiths that

can communicate and ensure that

the Deaf Community is welcomed

and included.

Religious Leader

Catholic

Episcopal Conference

Jewish Deaf Congress

Methodist

DEAFBLIND-RELATED CAREERS

Deafblind Specialist/Intervener

Provide the support necessary to

assist Deafblind individuals with

finding suitable employment

and/or increasing independence

within the home or educational

setting.

Deafblind Specialist

Center For Deafblind

Intervener

Intervener Education

DB-TIP

Support Service Provider Enable people who have combined

vision and hearing losses to access

What is a SSP?

their environment and make

informed decisions by providing

them with visual and

environmental information, sighted

guide services, and communication

accessibility.

SSP Overview

EDUCATION-RELATED CAREERS (OUTSIDE OF TEACHING)

Behavior Specialist

Design, implement, and evaluate

children and their problematic

behaviors to understand the causes;

produce socially significant

improvements by teaching the

appropriate skills to reduce

problematic behavior. Most

schools for deaf children have this

position.

Behavior Specialist

Behavior Specialist Additional

Information

Dorm Counselor/Student Life

Counselor

Coordinate activities and provide

guidance to Deaf and Hard-of-

Hearing students in residential

facilities. Serve as mentor and role

model, offering advice and

assistance with everyday life skills

and providing referrals as

appropriate to other staff members.

Help with homework; order

supplies; determine the need for

maintenance, repairs, and

furnishings; maintain household

records; assist residents with

problem solving and counseling

resources. Most schools for deaf

children have this position.

Dorm Counselor

Student Life Counselor

One-to-One Education Assistant

Work one-on-one to support

students as part of a

multidisciplinary team with

teachers and other support

personnel to provide additional

attention and instruction to

students with special needs. Both

mainstream schools and schools

serving deaf children have this

position.

One-to-One Education Assistant

Paraprofessional Educator/

Paraeducator

Provide support to teacher and

students with disabilities in the

classroom who need modified

instruction or assistance. Both

mainstream schools and schools

dedicated to serving deaf children

have this position.

Paraprofessional Educator

Transition Specialist

Plan, coordinate, deliver, and

evaluate transition education and

services at the school or system

level, along with other educators,

families, students, and

representatives of community

organizations. Most schools for

Deaf children have this position.

MSDE Transition Information

Transition Specialist

REHABILITATION SERVICES

Addictions Counselor

Help identify psychological factors

that contribute to an addiction,

working with clients to rid

themselves of the addiction and the

emotional issues surrounding the

behavior. Most communities have

Deaf people with addictions and

need staff with signing skills &

knowledge of Deaf culture.

Addictions Counselor

National Assoc. for Addiction

Professionals

Counselor Licensing

Deaf Addiction Services at

Maryland

Minnesota Chemical Dependency

Program for the Deaf

Assistive Technology Specialist

Organize and implement services

for people with physical and/or

communication disabilities

including assessments of an

individual’s abilities and needs.

Make recommendations for

appropriate assistive technology,

and teach the skills necessary to

utilize the technology. Provide

training and support on the use of

technology.

Assistive Technology Specialist

Maryland Assistive Technology

Network

Case Manager

Help provide services to assist

individuals and families to cope

with complicated situations in the

most effective way possible. Case

managers also help people to

identify their goals, needs, and

resources. Most communities have

Case Manager

Case Management Society of

America

social services agencies in need of

case managers with signing skills

and knowledge of Deaf culture.

Employment Development

Specialist

Assist with potential employment

opportunities and/or training,

focusing on specific areas of

technical knowledge or skills and

other proficiencies necessary for

some position and may refer some

clients to other agencies or

community service programs to

increase opportunities. Provide

job coaching on an as needed basis.

Use American Sign Language for

communication and have

knowledge of Deaf culture.

Employment Development

Specialist

Family Service Coordinator

Work with families and individuals

to help those in need by

coordinating housing, healthcare,

counseling, education, and/or

rehabilitative services. Most

communities have social services

agencies in need of staff with

signing skills and knowledge of

Deaf culture.

Family Service Coordinator

Job Coach

Provide specialized on-site training

to employees with disabilities by

helping them learn to perform jobs

accurately, efficiently and safely.

Most communities have

rehabilitation agencies in need of

staff with signing skills and

knowledge of Deaf culture.

Job Coach

Job Developer

Work with people with disabilities

to find/develop jobs based on skills

& interests. Most communities

have rehabilitation agencies in

need of staff with signing skills &

knowledge of Deaf culture.

Job Developer

Rehabilitation Counselor

Work with and assist individuals

who have disabilities by

maximizing their potential and

their independence in their

vocational, independent living, and

Rehabilitation Counselor

educational pursuits. Most

communities have rehabilitation

agencies in need of counselors with

signing skills and knowledge of

Deaf culture.

State Vocational Rehabilitation

Counselor

Help people find meaningful work

that increases independence

allowing them to contribute to their

communities. Vocational

rehabilitation counselors

implement plans for training,

therapy, and other support systems

that lead to success. All states

have rehabilitation agencies in

need of counselors with signing

skills and knowledge of Deaf

culture.

State Vocational Rehabilitation

Counselor

Vocational Evaluator

Implement a well-organized

vocational guidance program, by

administering the necessary

assessments and interpreting the

results along with counseling for

consumers,. All states have

rehabilitation agencies in need of

vocational evaluators with signing

skills and knowledge of Deaf

culture.

Vocational Evaluator Information

Work Adjustment Training

Counselor

Help individuals who have or can

learn the skills necessary to

increase their chances of finding

and maintaining employment while

encouraging the individual to

improve task production, speed,

task quality, stamina, and

attendance as well as interpersonal

skills through emphasis on the

demands and value of work. Most

communities have rehabilitation

agencies in need of WAT

counselors with signing skills and

knowledge of Deaf culture.

Work Adjustment Counselor

Adjustment Counselor

Information

RELAY/TRANSLATION SERVICES

CART Reporter

and

Voice to Text Transcription

Provide consumers who are Deaf

or Hard of Hearing an exact

(verbatim) speech-to-text instant

translation, through typing, which

appears on a TV, computer

monitor, web chat room,

projection screen, etc.

CART Services

C-Print

Vital Signs LLC

Relay Operator

Allows persons with hearing or

speech disabilities to place and

receive telephone calls using

typing. Relay service is available

in all fifty states, the District of

Columbia, Puerto Rico and the

U.S. territories for local and/or

long distance calls.

Relay Operator

Maryland Relay

CAREERS IN INTERPRETING

Interpreters work in a variety of settings including medical, legal, religious, mental health, rehabilitation,

performing arts, non-profit, corporate and private sectors. Even with fluent ASL skills, specialized training is

necessary in order learn the skills required to multitask and follow ethical standards of a professional

ASL/English interpreter. We strongly recommend completion of a recognized Interpreter Preparation

Program. Interpreter Preparation Programs are available at the certificate, Associate, Bachelor, and Master’s

degree levels. If interested, you can discuss which program is best for you with an advisor or mentor. You

may also visit the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf website at http://www.rid.org/ or Discovering

Interpreting at http://www.discoverinterpreting.com.

Registry of Interpreters for the

Deaf (RID)

A national membership

organization that plays a leading

role in advocating for excellence in

the delivery of interpretation and

transliteration services between

people who use sign language and

people who use spoken language

RID

Types of Interpreting

Community & Private Practice

Education

Healthcare & Mental Health

Non-profit & Corporate

Religious

Performing Arts

Deafblind-Tactile/Close-vision

Team

Video Relay/Video Remote

Interpreting

Interpreter Coordinator

Interpreter coordinators are responsible for a variety of complex tasks related to

managing and providing interpreters for a variety of settings to meet the needs,

and modalities of individual clients. They may also function in a supervisory

capacity, and may be responsible for oversight and management of offices and/or

conference events.

Interpreter Scheduler

Responsibilities may include contacting interpreters to assign jobs, scheduling

appointments, and updating calendars, coordinating assignments for workshops,

conferences, and classes. Knowledge of Deaf culture, and ADA, exceptional

communication skills and the ability to work independently as well as a team in a

deadline-oriented environment paying close attention to detail in a fast-paced

environment.

Customer Service

Representative

Obtain interpreting assignment information, confirm with customers, and maintain

effective communication with office staff. Must be flexible and able to prioritize

and manage workload in a fast-paced team environment.

CAREERS IN TEACHING

To become competitive, most candidates pursuing a career in Deaf Education complete a Master’s degree in

Deaf Education or a related education degree. Towson’s Elementary Education major along with a major or

minor in Deaf Studies is one route to employment and/or graduate school. A major in Deaf Studies with

elective courses in Education has also been a successful route to employment in Deaf Education.

Early Intervention Specialist/

Parent Infant Specialist/

Family Educator

Provide services to children with

certain developmental delays or

disabilities. Work with children

from infancy to age three.

Function as a member of a

professional team that provides a

variety of services to children and

their families.

Parent Infant/Early Intervention

MSD Family Education

State of Maryland - Early

Childhood Development

Itinerant Teacher

Provide specialized instruction to

students with hearing or vision loss

and support to their teachers.

Travels between schools

throughout the work day.

Itinerant Teacher

Teacher of the Deaf in a

Mainstream School

Educate deaf/hard of hearing

students in general education

classes with their peers.

Mainstream Deaf Education

Clarke School

Teacher of the Deaf in a School for

the Deaf

Educate deaf/hard of hearing

students in an all-deaf

environment. Ex: Maryland School

for the Deaf (MSD)

Maryland School for the Deaf /

MSD Website

Teacher of the Deaf in a Self-

Contained Classroom

Educate deaf/hard of hearing

students in a classroom of students

who share similar academic

requirements that offer structure,

routine, & appropriate

expectations; some students may

require a higher level of

specialization.

Self-Contained Classroom

Teacher for Deafblind Children Teach students with dual sensory

loss of hearing & vision.

Perkins School-Educator

Resources

Teaching Strategies

Teaching Deafblind Students

Graduate Degree Information

ASL Teacher

Teach American Sign Language to

high school and/or college

students.

ASLTA

TEACHER CERTIFICATION

There are many different types of teacher certification. Certification is offered by each state, and requirements

vary by state. There are certifications to teach high school, pre-school, special education, Deaf education, etc.

Certification is based on completion of specific courses and student teaching experiences. It is sometimes

possible to earn a certification by completing specific courses without the matching degree. There is also a

national certification for teaching Deaf children (see CED below). Teacher candidates must take the Praxis I

and II exams and apply for state certification. In some cases, educational facilities may employ graduates with

a Bachelor’s degree in Deaf Studies, indicating knowledge of ASL and Deaf culture, for teaching positions.

What does Towson

offer?

Towson’s Elementary Education programs offer all of the courses needed to

obtain certification to teach elementary school for hearing children. Anyone who

completes the ELED major (with or without the DFST major/minor) is eligible for

this certification. Students with knowledge of American Sign Language and Deaf

culture may be qualified to apply for jobs in Deaf education.

Towson does not offer CED certification (see below), or MD State Certification as

a Teacher of the Deaf. This certification requires certain courses (how to teach

reading, math, social studies, etc.) and a certain number of hours of student

teaching in a school for deaf children. Towson’s DFST program recommends that

students who want to become certified as Teachers of the Deaf earn a Master’s

Degree in Deaf Education from a program that offers this certification after

graduation from the DFST program.

What about certification

for teaching Deaf

Children?

The Council on Education of the Deaf (CED) is a national organization which

accredits teacher preparation programs in accordance with Council for

Exceptional Children (CED) core standards and its own standards designed

specifically for programs preparing teachers of Deaf and hard of hearing students.

Graduates of CED-accredited teacher preparation programs are eligible for CED

Individual Certification, which represents the highest national standard of quality

for teachers of Deaf and hard of hearing students. For more information on CED,

please go to http://councilondeafed.org.

Can a student who

graduates with ELED

major and DFST

minor or DFST major

obtain a job as a

Teacher of the Deaf?

The answer: it depends. It depends on the area where you want to work, on the

individual applicant’s signing skills and teaching experience, and who the

competition is and if other applicants have teacher certification (either state or

national) and appear to be more qualified. In the history of Towson’s DFST

program, many graduates have obtained employment at the Maryland School for

the Deaf or other local public schools in programs for Deaf students, and/or other

states as teachers and teacher’s aides working with Deaf children. A strong

background in ASL and Deaf culture are highly valued, and graduates compete

well with graduates of Deaf Education undergraduate programs. While there is no

guarantee that an employer will select an applicant without a teaching certificate,

Towson Deaf Studies alumni have an excellent history of obtaining employment

in education. Many alumni have obtained employment in Deaf Education and

obtained financial support from their employer to pay for all or part of the

Master’s Degree in Deaf education while they are employed.

CAREERS WITH A GRADUATE DEGREE

Audiologist

Identify hearing and balance

disorders, provide rehabilitative

services, assesse amplification

devices and instruct patients in

how to use and maintain the

devices. May also serve as a

consultant to government and

industry on issues concerning

environmental and noise-induced

hearing loss.

Audiology

Disability Support Specialist

(Post-Secondary)

The primary duty of a disability

specialist is to determine whether

an individual is eligible for

disability services. Disability

specialists normally evaluate a

person’s medical records,

psychological tests and other data

during this determination process.

They may also provide support and

assistance with problem solving in

many circumstances and provide

training to staff.

To become a disability specialist,

you must have at least a bachelor’s

degree in psychology, counseling

Towson University DSS Link

DSS Coordinators Duties &

Responsibilities

Job Description

or social work counseling. Some

employers will require a master’s

degree in counseling, psychology,

special education, social work

counseling or education, and at

least two years of experience

working with people with

disabilities

Health Care Provider

Provide services that contribute to

healing as well helping people

maintain good health. Services

may include providing medical

advice, diagnostic services, and

issuing referrals. Individuals

whose first language is American

Sign Language need health care

professionals who sign and have

knowledge of Deaf culture.

Health Care Provider

Mental Health Counselor

Provide ongoing psychological

support for clients suffering from

depression, substance abuse,

unhealthy relationships, and other

mental and psychological issues.

Individuals whose first language is

American Sign Language need

mental health care professionals

who can sign and have knowledge

of Deaf culture.

Mental Health Counselor

Neuropsychologist

Specialize in the structure and

function of the brain that relates to

specific psychological processes

and behaviors. Individuals whose

first language is American Sign

Language need professionals who

sign and have knowledge of Deaf

culture and disabilities.

Neuropsychologist

Occupational Therapist

Treat injured, recovering, ill, or

patients with disabilities through

the therapeutic use of everyday

activities. Help patients develop,

recover, and improve skills needed

for daily living and working.

Individuals whose first language is

OT

American Sign Language need

professionals who sign and have

knowledge of Deaf culture.

Psychologist

Work with people who have life

adjustment problems and those who

may also have emotional disorders

or mental illnesses. Provide

treatment for people of all ages, in

both family and group settings. It is

important to have psychologists who

can sign and have knowledge of

Deaf culture.

Psychologist

School/Guidance Counselor

Help students in the areas of

academic achievement,

personal/social development and

career development; help lead

them to become productive, well-

adjusted adults. Most schools for

deaf children have this position.

School Counselor

National Counselors of the Deaf

Assoc.

School Psychologist

Help children and youth succeed

academically, socially,

behaviorally, and emotionally.

Highly trained in both psychology

and education. Work with students

and their families along with other

school professionals. Most schools

for deaf children have this position.

School Psychologist

School Social Worker

Promote and support students’

academic and social success by

providing specialized services,

linking home, school, and the

community. Most schools for deaf

children have this position.

School Social Worker

Social Worker

Help individuals, groups, or

communities enhance or restore

their capacity for social function

and create societal conditions

favorable to that goal. Individuals

whose first language is American

Sign language need social workers

who sign and have knowledge of

Deaf culture.

Social Worker

Speech-Language Pathologist

Assess, diagnose, treat, and help

prevent speech, language,

cognitive-communication, voice,

swallowing, fluency, and other

related disorders.

SLP

Teacher of the Deaf

Educate deaf/hard of hearing

students in an all-deaf

environment. Ex: Maryland School

for the Deaf (MSD)

Deaf Education Network

Maryland School for Deaf

Conference of Educational

Administrators of Schools and

Programs for the Deaf

ALUMNI FEEDBACK

Graduates of Towson University’s Deaf Studies Program are prepared for careers in a variety of

professions. Feedback from a survey of Towson University Deaf Studies alumni is posted below.

“The Deaf Studies major/degree provided me with a strong foundation for when I entered my interpreter

training program.”

AR, NIC

Certified Freelance Interpreter

Class of 2002

“The program prepared me for future learning - I completed the Deaf Studies program in 2003 and

continued on to Gallaudet to earn my MA and Ph.D. in ASL Linguistics. I currently work as a VRS

interpreter and an interpreter educator. I also do research and workshops in the field of interpreting and

linguistics.”

RM, Ph.D.

RID Certified Interpreter

Class of 2003

“The Deaf Studies program helped me prepare for my current position by providing access to ASL…and by

teaching respect for the Deaf Community…because we were required to interact with the Deaf Community at

public events, I gained more confidence in my receptive skills and ability to communicate in ASL.”

MM, NIC

Sign Language Interpreter

Class of 2004

“I had a terrific ASL instructor who taught me how to be an ally. And I had a terrific advisor that never

stopped working for me.”

JAS, J.D.

Director of Public Policy and Advocacy

Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf

Class of 2005

“The Deaf Studies program helped to prepare me for my current position by teaching me the skill of ASL,

and helping me develop understanding and knowledge of Deaf Culture and the ability to communicate with

Deaf /HH students. Without the support of Dr. Cooper and education from the Deaf Studies faculty, I would

not have had this opportunity. I love my job and could not be happier!”

JM, M.A.

Towson University - Disability Support Services

Class of 2007

“I currently teach ASL to hearing students in a public school…the Deaf Studies program helped me obtain

my position…and provided a lot of the background I needed to know about the Deaf Community and Deaf

Culture.”

LC

ASL Teacher

Class of 2008

“The program helped prepare me for my current career by teaching me the basics- the language and the

culture. It also gave me the opportunity to explore what potential careers I could pursue.”

MP – Social Worker

Maryland School for the Deaf

Class of 2009

“Towson really did help me with my current position because that is where I learned ASL. I had taken other

classes at a different college but when I got to Towson, I was able to understand the complexity of the

language and also felt more confident to carry on a conversation with deaf people.”

MS – Case Manager

People Encouraging People

Class of 2011

“I enjoy my job greatly!”

BG- Coordinator of the After School Program

Maryland School for the Deaf

Class of 2014