The associate in arts degree in Deaf Studies is designed to provide students with a broad educational experience, including the balance and diversity of general education and a foundation in American Sign Language and Deaf culture. The program provides for career exploration within the Deaf community and the basic academic preparation for transfer to bachelor degree programs. Graduates will be able to continue their education at other institutions of higher learning and/or gain employment in residential settings or other agencies that serve Deaf and Hard of Hearing people. 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 63 credit hours are required for graduation.

Program Prerequisites:

ASL101 Elementary ASL I and ASL102 Elementary ASL II with a “B” or better or demonstrate comparable skills/knowledge. See a representative in the Office of Admission for additional admissions criteria for this program.

Additional Admissions Criteria:

Enrollment Services will provide additional admissions criteria for this program. All admission criteria is available in the Deaf Studies Criteria Packet which can be found at: http://www.necc.mass.edu/forms/#deaf_studies.

CORI/CHRI/SORI:

Students interested in participation in this academic program may 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 www.necc.mass.edu/cori-sori.