Lyon College introduces graduate certificate to teach deaf or hard-of-hearing students

Lyon College announced Tuesday (April 16) the launch of its Graduate Certificate in Teaching Deaf or Hard of Hearing Students, providing educators with a specialized pathway to obtain the Arkansas licensure endorsement for teachers of hearing-impaired students in grades Kindergarten through 12.

Designed to equip educators with essential knowledge, skills, and dispositions, the program is the only one of its kind in Arkansas and offers a comprehensive curriculum delivered through a hybrid teaching model. This model combines online coursework with weekly face-to-face meetings, either in-person or remotely. With a focus on professional mentoring and hands-on experience, candidates will engage in eight courses totaling 24 graduate credit hours.

“The Graduate Certificate in Teaching Deaf or Hard of Hearing Students reflects Lyon College’s commitment to inclusive education and equipping educators with the necessary tools to support diverse learners,” said Dr. Kimberly Crosby, director of the Lyon College Center for Transformative Teaching and Leadership.

The coursework covers a wide range of topics for teaching deaf or hard-of-hearing students, including historical and social contexts, linguistics of American Sign Language, audiology and speech pathology, language acquisition, literacy instruction, curriculum development, and special education law.

Upon completion of the program, candidates must pass the state-required licensure exam to be eligible for the licensure endorsement in teaching hearing impaired students in grades kindergarten through 12. The program’s structure allows candidates to finish in four semesters if they start in the fall, with courses offered in 16-week terms.

“Nothing is more important than giving every deaf child in Arkansas the best education possible. From mentoring in the homes of newly identified deaf babies to ensuring high school students have the skills needed to thrive in their future career, highly qualified deaf education teachers are critical,” said Dr. Gretchen Cobb, interim superintendent of the Arkansas School for the Deaf.

“With no formal deaf education teacher preparation program in Arkansas, we have struggled to fill the need for qualified deaf education teachers. By forging a partnership with Lyon College, together, we have created an exciting new pathway for Arkansas educators to enter the rewarding field of teaching deaf children. Collaborating with this program gives future educators the opportunity to be taught by experts in the field who live and work here in Arkansas while getting a real-life preview of what day-to-day classroom instruction looks like from master teachers across campus,” Cobb added.

Admission to the program is open to candidates who demonstrate a commitment to furthering the education of deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Prospective students must meet various requirements, including holding a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, submitting a written goal statement, providing a letter of recommendation, demonstrating proficiency in or currently working toward proficiency in American Sign Language, and possessing a minimum of two years of teaching experience.

To ensure the safety of students, candidates must undergo a criminal background check and adhere to Lyon College’s policies regarding the quality of online teaching.

“We are excited to offer this program, which not only meets the growing demand for qualified educators in deaf education but also embodies Lyon College’s commitment to excellence in teacher preparation,” said Dr. Kurt Grafton, Lyon College provost.