American Sign Language: Deaf Support Specialist

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The American Sign Language: Deaf Support Specialist Certification program is offered for students who desire to enter employment directly after completion of this two semester program.

Possible Employment Responsibilities: A Deaf Support Specialist is responsible for advocating, educating, and promoting community awareness on the issues that pertain to the Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing communities. 

Possible Employment Positions: Educational advocate, job coach, equal-rights advocate for Deaf or Deaf-Blind adults, mediator.

Possible Employment Locations: Companies or government agencies that employ Deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals.  An agency or organization that provides an array of services for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community.  Schools with Deaf or hard-of-hearing students.

Program Duration: Two semesters. Additional semester(s) of basic skills courses may be required depending on student’s prior training/education.

Background Check: Students who want to major in the DSS program will be required to complete a background check before they will be accepted in the program.

Prerequisite: Students who want to major in the DSS program will be required to be enrolled in or have completed ENGL 0316 or any college level English, and MATH 0332 or have any college level Math or Science courses before they will be allowed to enroll in DSS courses. Taking the Sign Language Proficiency test determining appropriate placement in SGNL 1301 , SGNL 1302 , SGNL 2301 , and SGNL 2302 .

DSS “Skills” Courses - Grade Requirements

In order for a student to advance to the next course within the DSS course of study, the student must pass each of the following “skills” courses with a grade of “B” or better:  SGNL 1301 , SGNL 1302 , and SGNL 2301 .  DSS majors making a grade of “C” or below on any of these courses will be required to repeat the course.  DSS majors are required to pass all other SLNG courses with a grade of “C” or better.  DSS majors making a grade of “D” or below on any of these courses will be required to repeat the course.

Programs

• American Sign Language: Deaf Support Specialist, AAS

• American Sign Language: Deaf Support Specialist, Certificate Level I

Return to: SouthWest College for the Deaf Degrees and Certificates