Utah Valley University

Programme overview

This programme trains students in ASL linguistics, pedagogy for adolescent learners, classroom management, and cultural competency within Deaf communities. Coursework combines advanced ASL language study with education theory and supervised clinical experiences designed to meet state secondary teacher preparation standards.

What you'll study

• Advanced ASL structure, discourse, and sociolinguistics to develop native-like expressive and receptive skills.
• Pedagogical methods for teaching languages and content to secondary students, including lesson planning, assessment design, and differentiated instruction.
• Foundations of special education and strategies for instructing Deaf and hard-of-hearing learners in inclusive and specialized settings.
• Practicum and student teaching that place candidates in secondary classrooms under mentor supervision to apply instructional techniques and classroom management in real settings.
• Professional topics such as ethics, advocacy, family engagement, and collaboration with interpreters and related-service providers.

Entry requirements

Applicants typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and must meet the university's general admission criteria. Because this is a teacher-preparation major, candidates should expect additional program-entry steps such as demonstrating ASL proficiency, passing background checks, completing prerequisite coursework in language or education, and meeting any state or institutional standards for admission to the teacher education sequence.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared to teach ASL at middle and high school levels, work as curriculum developers or instructional coaches focused on ASL programs, or pursue roles in community education and youth services within Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. With additional certification or graduate study, graduates may move into special education, administration, educational consulting, or postsecondary ASL instruction.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Students should explore departmental scholarships for language and education majors, university-wide awards, work-study positions in classrooms or labs, and state or federal teacher incentive programs that support candidates who commit to teaching in high-need schools. Additionally, licensure-related costs (testing, background checks) can sometimes be offset by institutional grants or scholarship funds aimed at teacher preparation.