The Graduate Certificate in Teaching Deaf or Hard of Hearing Students provides a pathway to obtaining the Arkansas licensure endorsement for Teachers of Hearing-Impaired Students K-12. The program provides a firm foundation of professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions through challenging coursework and professional mentoring in conjunction with classroom experience. The coursework is offered through a hybrid teaching model that blends online coursework with weekly face-to-face meetings offered either remotely or in person and is comprised of eight courses (24 graduate credit hours). Candidates beginning the program in a fall term can complete the requirements in four semesters.
Additional Licensure Requirements
Candidates completing the program must earn a passing score on the state-required licensure exam in order to be eligible for the licensure endorsement in Teaching Hearing Impaired Students K-12.
Admission Requirements
Lyon College admits candidates who demonstrate that they can contribute to and benefit from the Lyon experience. Admission is not limited by age, race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or national origin of the applicant. Admission requirements include the following:
- Graduate Student Application Form
- Official transcript from an accredited college or university demonstrating a bachelor's degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher on a four-point scale or a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the last 60 hours of coursework. If applicable, candidates must also submit official transcripts for any graduate coursework completed.
- Evidence of Arkansas Educator Licensure*
- Preferred minimum of 2 years of teaching experience
- Demonstrated fluency in American Sign Language or concurrent enrollment in ASL coursework or training leading to proficiency
- Current federal criminal background check (see below)
- Written Goal Statement (should reflect a desire to pursue a career that furthers the education of deaf and hard of hearing students)
- Letter of Recommendation that addresses effective work with infants, children, or adolescents and/or families.
*Note: The licensure endorsement is intended for those who are currently licensed to teach in Arkansas. Candidates who are licensed teachers in other states should determine whether the program meets professional licensure requirements in those states.
Background Checks
Prior to placement in an internship classroom, candidates must submit to a criminal history check (ASP & FBI) and an Arkansas Child Maltreatment Central Registry check or provide evidence of current background check approval.
Program Sequence
Courses will be offered in sixteen-week terms, and it is expected that students will enroll in two three-credit courses to earn six graduate credit hours per regular semester. Coursework will be offered in summer terms as well. Students can complete the program in one and one-half years of continuous enrollment.
Delivery and Support
Courses will be offered using a hybrid teaching model that combines asynchronous online coursework with weekly face-to-face or remote meetings with course instructors. The program will utilize Canvas as the learning management system to provide access to course resources and assignments. Instructors will be expected to adhere to Lyon College’s policies regarding the quality of online teaching and will be required to complete online training provided by the College covering best practices in online instruction based on the Quality Matters Standards.