Deaf Studies Major & Minor

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About

The Deaf studies major at Goshen College will introduce you to the rich language and culture of the Deaf community. You’ll use your American Sign Language skills through one of two concentrations: a social work focus or an education focus.

You’ll also have the option to complete Deaf Studies as a stand-alone major, or to double major with Secondary Education, which would lead to professional licensure in education. In the Deaf Studies major you will take ASL classes and spend a semester as a visiting student at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.

You will also find many opportunities to practice your ASL skills outside the classroom as you attend workshops, Deaf church, Deaf sporting events and other local events.

Our American sign Language program’s small class sizes will allow you to work closely with your professors and peers in a rigorous but supportive setting.

The Deaf studies major is perfect for students interested in ASL who do not want to enter the field of interpreting. If you are interested in ASL interpreting, learn more about our Sign Language Interpreting major

Concentrations

Education Concentration

Graduates with an education concentration will be prepared for careers such as a paraprofessional or 1:1 aid working with Deaf children in a school setting, tutor, working in an after school program with Deaf children, or as a dorm counselor at a residential school for the Deaf.

This concentration might also lead to graduate studies in Sign Language education, Deaf studies, school counseling, elementary/Deaf education, secondary/Deaf education, linguistics or social work.

Education Concentration & Secondary Education double major

Goshen College is the only program in Indiana to license teachers of American Sign Language, and we are the sole provider of certified ASL teachers in the state. The Indiana Department of Education shows that there are nearly 100 ASL teaching positions in Indiana, and you will be uniquely positioned to begin your career in this specific field.

A double major in Deaf studies and secondary education will prepare you to work as a certified language teacher to hearing students.

Social Work Concentration

A Deaf studies major with a focus on social work will put you in a position to work effectively with an underserved population. A passion for American Sign Language and/or Deaf culture can lead to employment and careers beyond interpreting.

The concentration in social work might lead to a career in organizations that utilize ASL with Deaf clients or clients with developmental disabilities, such as a case manager, job coach, life skills trainer, group home manager or interpreter scheduler. This concentration could also lead to graduate work in the areas of social work, counseling, public administration or Deaf studies.

News & Events

New adult programs in communication and sign language interpreting introduced

June 8, 2021

Goshen College has launched two new career building programs for adult students, in communication and sign language interpreting that will begin in the fall of 2021.

Woman wearing a tan jacket and black shirt smiling in front of a body of water

Emma Zuercher ’23

December 9, 2020

Hear from Emma Zuercher, a student in the Sustainability Leadership Semester (SLS) fall 2020 cohort, about how the SLS is an immersive language experience. She described how the SLS allowed her to focus on the nuances of the English language in a way she never previously encountered.

Virtual Interpreting: Sign language seniors regroup after COVID-19

April 20, 2020

In their final semester at Goshen College, 12 senior sign language interpreting majors are gaining experience in an area they hadn’t expected before the spread of coronavirus: online interpreting.

Stats

100^%

of alumni agree that social work faculty are genuinely interested in students

90^%

of social work alumni in graduate school have been granted advanced standing in their programs

100^%

of graduates from the classes of 2014, 2015 and 2016 are employed in a job related to sign language.

94^%

of GC social work students achieve the program’s competency benchmarks

100^%

of recent social work grads seeking employment were employed within 4 months of graduation

97^%

of social work alumni are satisfied or very satisfied with their undergraduate education

Learn more about Goshen College's exceptional academic outcomes and national rankings.

Students & Alumni

American Sign Langauge Education

Hannah Cole '19

Hannah Cole always had trouble deciding between majoring in ASL and education. Fortunately for her, she didn’t have to choose at Goshen College.

Hannah's story

Student

Ashley Valencia ’24

Ashley Valencia ’24 found a sense of belonging and an excellent nursing program at Goshen

Ashley's story

American Sign Language, social work

Mary O'Connell '19

It’s not every day that a Goshen College student’s internship has them opening for a pop music icon in front of thousands of people. For Mary O’Connell, a senior sign language interpreting and social work double major, this s

Mary's story

Psychology, American Sign Language

Olivia Ginn '16

Olivia Ginn '16 is using her American Sign Language skills to help others.

Olivia's story

Student

Emi Garza '23

Emi Garza '23 is connecting her passions for psychology and American Sign Language.

Emi's story

American Sign Language Interpreting

Armando Nunez '16

Armando Nunez was a student with two chief interests: American Sign Language and tennis. When he came to Goshen to pursue both, he learned quickly that GC students learn much more outside of their major and sport.

Armando's story

Faculty & Staff

Deaf Studies Major & Minor

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