Curriculum

The two-year curriculum is rooted in learning the development of speech, language and social skills in children, early intervention, and audiology. With that as a foundation, students study the factors necessary for high-quality education from birth to grade 12 for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Students learn about and participate in the teaching process, from the first diagnosis and early intervention through family-centered counseling and educational options for the child. Students also learn about assistive listening devices, including digital hearing aids, cochlear implants, FM systems and sound field systems.

A one-year curriculum option is available for select students with a degree and significant teaching experience in deaf education. All students must complete a comprehensive examination in the final semester.

Student Teaching Experience

Students at WUSL build their knowledge and skills through classroom instruction and immersive, hands-on student-teaching experiences.

Teaching experiences are available at approximately 12 local sites, which include both public schools and private schools serving more than 700 children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Teaching experiences outside of the St. Louis area are also available.

In addition, WUSL's nationally-recognized medical school and hospitals provide unique opportunities, such as observing cochlear implant surgeries and touring a hospital neonatal intensive care unit.