Located in Vancouver, The University of British Columbia's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education Program is a two year Masters thesis program requiring three prerequisite courses as well as certification as a teacher prior to acceptance. There is no prerequisite course for ASL/sign language, though it is stated that students are "encouraged to acquire proficiency in sign language prior to admission" (University of British Columbia, [n.d.]).
The courses listed for the program include a single course focusing on signed languages (EPSE 525 Studies in Sign Language), and interestingly a course entitled EPSE 565A Aural Habilitation/Cochlear Implants (University of British Columbia, [n.d.]). It is unfortunate to realize that while enormous progress was made in the acknowledgement and recognition of the importance of ASL during the 2010 ICED Conference held in Vancouver, Deaf Education in Canada continues to reflect emphasis on oral/aural methods through its lack of ASL inclusion and focus on medical fixes such as cochlear implants. How ironic that both sides of the coin have roots in the city of Vancouver.
It is also interesting to note that the requirements for the University of British Columbia's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education Program list three semesters per year of study (excluding the additional content requirements/electives and thesis). In each year of study, only one semester is conducted within a classroom setting. All other learning experiences are either conducted online (web-based) or within field placements (University of British Columbia, [n.d.]).
An email inquiry sent to the Faculty of Education at the University advised that 'in the standard Bachelor of Education program, there is on average 0-3 Deaf or Hard of Hearing students each year (out of roughly 600 students). In the past 5 years, 5/5 have successfully completed the program. There is currently one Deaf student and one Hard of Hearing student enrolled in the program' (Faculty of Education [University of British Columbia], 2014).
Link to program outline:
http://ecps.educ.ubc.ca/special-education/sped-graduate-programs/sped-ma-programs/sped-ma-deaf-and-hard-of-hearing/
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education Program at the University of British Columbia specifies that a Criminal Record Check to be completed prior to placement. However, it is stated that the Criminal Record Check must be completed by the UBC Teacher Education Office, NOT by a local police department or RCMP office (University of British Columbia, [n.d.]).
The courses listed for the program include a single course focusing on signed languages (EPSE 525 Studies in Sign Language), and interestingly a course entitled EPSE 565A Aural Habilitation/Cochlear Implants (University of British Columbia, [n.d.]). It is unfortunate to realize that while enormous progress was made in the acknowledgement and recognition of the importance of ASL during the 2010 ICED Conference held in Vancouver, Deaf Education in Canada continues to reflect emphasis on oral/aural methods through its lack of ASL inclusion and focus on medical fixes such as cochlear implants. How ironic that both sides of the coin have roots in the city of Vancouver.
It is also interesting to note that the requirements for the University of British Columbia's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education Program list three semesters per year of study (excluding the additional content requirements/electives and thesis). In each year of study, only one semester is conducted within a classroom setting. All other learning experiences are either conducted online (web-based) or within field placements (University of British Columbia, [n.d.]).
An email inquiry sent to the Faculty of Education at the University advised that 'in the standard Bachelor of Education program, there is on average 0-3 Deaf or Hard of Hearing students each year (out of roughly 600 students). In the past 5 years, 5/5 have successfully completed the program. There is currently one Deaf student and one Hard of Hearing student enrolled in the program' (Faculty of Education [University of British Columbia], 2014).
Link to program outline:
http://ecps.educ.ubc.ca/special-education/sped-graduate-programs/sped-ma-programs/sped-ma-deaf-and-hard-of-hearing/
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education Program at the University of British Columbia specifies that a Criminal Record Check to be completed prior to placement. However, it is stated that the Criminal Record Check must be completed by the UBC Teacher Education Office, NOT by a local police department or RCMP office (University of British Columbia, [n.d.]).