Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (PreK-12) Graduate Certificate

The graduate certificate in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing PreK-12 is intended for those seeking to develop a knowledge and skill base that undergirds effective, equity focused teaching of PreK-12 students with a range of exceptionalities and from a range of backgrounds. A graduate certificate in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing PreK-12 is appropriate for PreK-12 teachers endorsed in areas outside of exceptional education, PreK-12 teachers endorsed in an area of exceptional education at the undergraduate level, administrators and supervisors aspiring to lead schools or serve in roles supporting special student populations, non-endorsed professionals whose work (e.g., museum, public-service agency) interfaces significantly with PreK-12 education, and those interested in home schooling. Coursework in this certificate is designed to lead to an additional endorsement in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing PreK-12 for teachers licensed in other areas in the state of Tennessee, pending transcript review, passing appropriate licensure exams and approval of the faculty advisor. *Endorsement in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing requires proficiency in American Sign Language at the Intermediate Plus level.

Campus Code

Distance Education
Knoxville Campus

Graduate Certificate Type

Add-On
Stand-Alone

Admissions Standards/Procedures

• Applicants can be currently admitted to a degree program at UTK or can apply solely for the Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing PreK-12 Graduate Certificate through the Graduate Admissions Office.
• All 15 credit hours of graduate coursework must be completed at the University of Tennessee within five years of applying for a certificate.

Academic Standards

Students must maintain a 3.50 graduate GPA in all certificate courses in the program and complete the requirements within five years of applying for a certificate.

Credit Hours Required

15 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• EDDE 415  
• EDDE 416  
• EDDE 419 
• EDDE 528 
• EDDE 529 

Non-Course Requirements

To receive the certificate, students must:
1) complete the Graduate Certificate Course Verification Form (located on the Graduate School webpage under the Forms Central tab) and
2) through MyUTK, apply to graduate from the certificate program.