The overarching tie among the PID programs is communication, culture, and accessibility. Each of the programs/concentrations prepares a different type of professional for a variety of career options in deafness such as teachers, interpreters, sign language teachers, or human services personnel.

  • The Advocacy and Services for the Deaf concentration prepares professionals to work with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing in a variety of settings other than K-12 schools. In addition to receptive and expressive fluency in signed communication (including American Sign Language), students acquire the human services skills necessary for employment in settings such as resource centers, service centers, vocational rehabilitation, mental health agencies, and group home settings.
    • The Interpreter Preparation concentration prepares professionals to work as interpreters for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing in community as well as educational settings. Students acquire knowledge, skills, and strategies to accurately serve as a mediator of communication between individuals who are D/deaf or hard of hearing and individuals who can hear. Students acquire receptive
    • and expressive fluency in the varieties of signed language used by members of the Deaf community with respect to varying age, gender, ethnicity, and special needs of clients who are D/deaf or hard of hearing. National and state standards require interpreters to hold a bachelor’s degree; thus, this program/concentration meets the needs of students who transfer to UNCG from two-year interpreting programs from community college.
    • The Birth-12 Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teacher Licensure concentration provides preparation for individuals seeking to provide educational services for children who are deaf or hard of hearing for birth-grade 12 who are served in a variety of educational placement settings. Students acquire professional teaching knowledge and skills as well as receptive and expressive proficiency in signed communication including ASL and English-based signed systems. This program is an excellent springboard for students who wish to pursue graduate study in education, speech pathology, audiology, or social work.