Your interest in deaf education is crucial to families around the globe facing the challenges of communicating and educating young children. At Fontbonne, our leadership in deaf education will help prepare you to succeed in this important field by combining classroom studies with real-world experience.

For families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing, early intervention is the key to a life filled with effective communication and interaction. In Fontbonne’s Early Intervention in Deaf Education program, students focus on educating children and families in the critical early years when listening and spoken language development can lead to increased future growth.

Fontbonne holds the distinction of offering one of the few early intervention in deaf education programs in the country. Our highly-skilled, nationally recognized faculty are dedicated to providing a rigorous curriculum emphasizing an interdisciplinary approach. We incorporate the principles and best practices from deaf education, early childhood education, speech-language pathology and special education, so you can offer the highest-quality deaf education services.

The Master of Arts in Early Invention in Deaf Education is accredited by the Council of Education of the Deaf (CED).CED conducts a nationally recognized process for the accreditation of post-secondary programs which train teachers of deaf and hard of hearing students. The CED Accreditation program is built upon the core competencies in special education set forth by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and also has standards specifically for teachers of deaf and hard of hearing students. As Fontbonne is a CED certified program, our graduates are eligible for CED individual Certification which represents the highest standard for teachers of deaf and hard of hearing students.

EIDE Days

Interested in learning more about this program? Come spend the afternoon virtually with our Communication Disorders and Deaf Education department! Take a virtual student-led tour, meet with our Deaf Education Program Chair, Dr. Jenna Voss, and tour the Eardley Family Clinic of Speech, Language and Hearing!

Continue your specialized studies at an institution with a reputation of excellence in the field.

Learn from highly skilled, nationally recognized faculty, dedicated to providing a rigorous curriculum and an interdisciplinary approach. Many of our faculty continue to work with children and families, sharing their expertise through technological advancements and innovative techniques.

The program incorporates the principles and best practices from deaf education, early childhood education, speech-language pathology and special education. You can offer the children and families you serve the highest-quality deaf education services. It emphasizes the development of listening and spoken language.

NEW: Program modality now offered in-person or virtually. With the choice between on-campus learning or our newly introduced synchronous online learning opportunity, you’ll be able to connect with your peers, combining classroom studies with real-world coordinated experience in the community where you live, work and play.

The U.S. Department of Education awarded Fontbonne a $1.25 million grant (H325K170008) to provide partial scholarships for students completing the Early Intervention in Deaf Education master’s program with an interprofessional focus. Learn more.

Deadline to apply to the grant and to the program is typically Feb. 1 of each year. Student cohorts to begin in summer semester. 

As a student in the program, you will receive experience at local institutions such as St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf, Central Institute for the Deaf, The Moog Center for Deaf Education, and Special School District of St. Louis County. Many students get additional experience at sites across the country.

Given mandatory newborn screening for hearing loss and early identification of infants with hearing loss, there is an increased demand for professionals in the field. Our graduates are currently working in a variety of areas:

• Intervention programs
• Educational programs
• Hospitals
• State and federal agencies
• Private practice groups

“The faculty understood the demands of earning a degree, having a family and  working at the same time. They always made sure I had access to any information I needed for my studies and made themselves available to talk outside of class. I felt like they truly wanted me to apply what I learned. I love what I do, and I’m very happy.”

-Lisa

• Alumni Discount: If you are an alumna or alumnus of Fontbonne University, you may be eligible for a 15 percent discount on graduate tuition. Please contact the financial aid office at 314-889-1414 or finaid@fontbonne.edu for more information.
• Educator’s Discount: In appreciation of the services offered to our community by educators at all levels, Fontbonne University offers a 15 percent discount to qualified individuals enrolled in graduate coursework. Qualified educators include those who work at least half-time in a nursery school, a pre-K through 12 school system or post-secondary institution. A discount application form is available from the Fontbonne admission representative or program director with whom you are working. The form must be completed each semester or enrollment term to receive the discount.

Dr. Jenna Voss
Assistant Professor/Director of Deaf Education

Email: jvoss@fontbonne.edu
Phone: 314-719-8039