Deaf Studies

In any career path you choose, you may meet or work with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing. Learn how to effectively communicate with these individuals by completing the deaf studies certificate program at Delta College.

The program will introduce you to the rich language and culture of the deaf community — a community of more than 33,000 people in Michigan. Topics of study include deaf culture and its history, American Sign Language (ASL) and fingerspelling, and interpersonal and intercultural communication. 

Earning a certificate in deaf studies allows you to explore the world of ASL and deaf culture. You may find you enjoy it so much that transferring to earn a bachelor’s degree becomes your next step. This program is also an excellent way to add valuable skills to any existing degree in human services. Delta’s ASL courses feature small class sizes, providing personalized attention from award-winning faculty.

Program details

Reach intermediate level ASL competency with this advanced certificate.
 

 

There's more

It's estimated that there are more than 4,000 deaf individuals in Bay, Midland and Saginaw counties. A variety of professionals in healthcare, education, public service and beyond will benefit from this deaf studies certificate. 

Students who complete this program will:

• Gain intermediate skill level of American Sign Language (ASL), including translating ASL to grammatically accurate and conceptual phrases, questions or sentences in English
• Have conversations with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing
• Compare and contrast American mainstream culture with deaf culture
• Fingerspell words, numbers and loan signs in a clear manner
• Employ non-manual cues or markers, such as facial expressions, to facilitate communication
• Define and list issues in deaf community
• Identify cultural values, affiliation, group norms, rules of social interactions and traditions held by members who are culturally deaf

Transfer

One of the best things about Delta College is that you can start here and go just about anywhere. We’ve built relationships with lots of colleges and universities to make transferring easy—and you can save a ton of money in the process.

Take a look at the options available in this career field. And don’t forget to talk with your Student Success Advisor about your career goals. They can help you explore the different programs and degree paths that might be right for you, including the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science.

Find transfer options