![Zebra with hearing aids with a stamp that says "Certified Zebra Expert"]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1589379447/fdlrsorg/nakw2adecc3mehvxlyqg/meganav-thumbnail-example.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1589379447/fdlrsorg/nakw2adecc3mehvxlyqg/meganav-thumbnail-example.jpg","width":281}])
According to Rule 6A-4.0172, F.A.C. Specialization Requirements for Certification in the Area of Deaf or Hard of Hearing (Grades K-12) – Academic Class, there are two paths to earning certification. Prospective educators may enter the field by attending a college or university with a deaf education teacher preparation program. Deafed.net offers a searchable database for colleges and universities that offer deaf education teacher preparation programs. Collageatlas.org is another option for searching deaf education teacher preparation programs.
Two colleges located in Florida with deaf education teacher preparation programs:
Alternative Certification
The second path, as mentioned in Rule 6A-4.0172, F.A.C. requires a bachelor’s degree or higher, with thirty semester hours in exceptional student education. For the specific requirements for the thirty hours of instruction, refer to Rule 6A-4.0172. Upon completion of the thirty hours of instruction, the candidate is eligible to take the certification exam.
Support from RMTC-DHH
RMTC-DHH provides support to teachers pursuing a career in deaf education by providing a variety of professional development opportunities as well as coaching and mentoring to support new educators and foster the skills necessary to perform the job effectively. Priority is given to small and rural districts.
Flagler College
Flagler College offers a post-baccalaureate track Master’s Program for students entering with a bachelor’s or certification in an area other than deaf/hard of hearing education. All of the classes are offered online, except for one practicum class, which is a 3-week summer residence in St. Augustine, Florida. The master’s program is not an initial certification program.
University of North Florida
UNF has an online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Deaf Education program designed for professionals (e.g., interpreters, teachers, paraprofessionals) who are currently working with or aspire to work with students who are D/HH and have not yet obtained the Florida Department of Education Professional Certificate in the area of Deaf or Hard of Hearing K-12. In order to enroll in the program, students must have a bachelor's degree (education degree not required). Completion of the program does not guarantee certification, but it prepares completers to pass the Florida Teacher Certification Exam - Deaf or Hard of Hearing: K-12.
The certificate program has rolling admissions and contains *5 online courses that can be completed across one year.
*All courses meet University and National Quality Matters Standards for online learning and have received the High-Quality Course badge.