Deaf Studies, Associate in Arts

Courses and Requirements

The associate in arts degree program in Deaf Studies has been designed to provide students with a broad educational experience, including the balance and diversity of general education and the knowledge and skills of American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf Culture. The program provides for career exploration within the Deaf/Hard of Hearing/DeafBlind communities as well as the basic academic preparation for transfer to bachelor degree programs.

Graduates will be able to both continue their education at other institutions of higher learning and/or gain employment in residential settings, independent living programs, and other settings that provide services to the Deaf/Hard of Hearing/DeafBlind communities.

Students must earn a minimum grade of C in all ASL and DST courses in order to move to the next level of courses and for graduation. A minimum of 61 credit hours are required for graduation.

Starting in the Fall of 2014, any student enrolled in an associate degree program who is new to NECC and has no academic history at the college, must take at least one course designated as intensive in each of NECC’s six core academic skills in order to graduate. In most cases, the program’s core required courses include these intensive courses. Plan to see an advisor for more complete information about this graduation requirement.

Program Prerequisites

ENG101 English Composition I, ASL101 Elementary ASL I and ASL102 Elementary ASL II with a “B” or better or demonstrate comparable skills/knowledge.

Additional Admissions Criteria

All admission criteria are available in the Deaf Studies Criteria Packet which can be found on the NECC Forms Page. Additional questions may be addressed to deafstudies@necc.mass.edu.

CORI/CHRI/SORI

Students in this academic program will be required to undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, a Criminal Records Central Repository (CHRI) check and/or a Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) check. For more information, visit the CORI/CHRI/SORI page on the NECC website.

Northern Essex Community College is committed to the success of every student. Students with legal issues in their background will meet with a committee as part of the CORI/CHRI/SORI process and will receive guidance and counseling throughout the review of their records. NECC personnel make every effort to help students prepare for careers in their chosen field. Students are encouraged to seek assistance and support.

Electives

Requirements

Select ONE of the following courses (3-4 credit hours)

Program Notes

Courses are offered during daytime hours only, two days per week. In the first semester, students must be available one additional day to complete their first-semester practicum requirement. Students must have a reliable means of transportation to and from their practicum sites. Students in this option may switch to the Interpreting Transfer Option by the end of their first year provided they maintain a grade of B or better in all ASL classes.

Recommended Course Sequence Deaf Studies Associate Degree

Year 1

Fall

Spring

Year 2

Fall

Spring