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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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mia Engle '15 talk about her experience interpreting on a cruise ship.
This semester, the sign language interpreting department saw a record 12 students venture to 10 different states across the country to grow their interpreting skills in semester-long internships.
of GC social work students achieve the program’s competency benchmarks
Estimated ASL teaching positions available in Indiana
Number of weeks students spend completing their senior ASL internship
of graduates from the classes of 2014, 2015 and 2016 are employed in a job related to sign language.
of social work alumni are satisfied or very satisfied with their undergraduate education
of alumni agree that social work faculty are genuinely interested in students
Learn more about Goshen College's exceptional academic outcomes and national rankings.
Sam Heberling, an American Sign Language Interpreting graduate from Mishawaka, Indiana, was active on campus as a leader in the ASL club and on the women's volleyball team.
Sam's storyArmando 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 storyHannah 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 storyOlivia Ginn '16 is using her American Sign Language skills to help others.
Olivia's storyIt’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 storyColleen Geier has taught American Sign Language and interpreting at other colleges but has never experienced the "wonderful cooperative learning environment" that she finds at Goshen College.
Colleen's storyColleen Geier
Program Director and Professor of Sign Language Interpreting
Amanda Flickinger
Associate Professor of American Sign Language
Damon Johnson
Adjunct Professor of Sign Language Interpreting
Karen Horvath
Adjunct Professor of Sign Language Interpreting
Sandy Slabaugh
Adjunct Professor of Sign Language Interpreting
Jeanne Liechty
Professor of Social Work
Director of Social Work Program
Suzanne Ehst
Associate Professor of Education & Director of Secondary Education
Kendra Yoder
Associate Professor of Social Work
Danielle Pagoria
Administrative Assistant
Veronica Berkey
Administrative Assistant for Social Work Sociology & Anthropology & Art
