Deaf Studies and Deaf Education Ed.D.

Internationally and domestically, there is a shortage of doctoral-trained educators of the Deaf. Lamar University's Doctor of Education (Ed.D) degree program in deaf studies and deaf education is taking steps to bridge the gap.

Students take leadership roles in schools for the Deaf or become teacher trainers in university settings. Other career opportunities include educational interpreter, policy maker for deaf education, curriculum developer, researcher or a member of the faculty in higher education, among others.

Both Deaf and hearing applicants are accepted. Our program has placed its graduates in colleges and universities in New Mexico, California, Maryland, Illinois, Texas and Saudi Arabia to name a few places.

We welcome Deaf and hearing graduate students whose ASL proficiency is sufficient to engage in classes. Many of our faculty are themselves Deaf. Regardless of faculty's hearing status, all courses are conducted 100% in ASL with no voice interpretation.

Program Requirements

  1. Maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the doctoral program.
  2. A minimum of 66 credit hours are required for graduation.
  3. View degree course requirements in Lamar University's online catalog.
  4. Graduate students are required to be fluent in American Sign Language.

Apply By:
March 30, 2024

Start Date:
Summer 2024

Program Length:
66 Hours

Contact:
Dr. Ashley Greene
agreene7@lamar.edu

Hybrid Program

The deaf studies and deaf education doctoral program is made up of 60 credit hours of course work with 6 hours of dissertation. Our program is designed for the working professional and is offered in a hybrid manner.

Full-Time Students

We have a full-time track and the program will take 9 semesters of coursework, including summer. Upon completion of coursework, students begin the dissertation. 

Part-Time Students

Students wishing to attend part-time can develop their program plan with the program director, Dr. Ashley Greene. 

Attendance Expectations

Regardless of if a student is full-time or part-time, they are expected to meet the attendance expectations. 

Summers

Summers will be fully remote, with one day per week synchronous Zoom classes. Summer sessions are 7 weeks in length, with two class offerings per year. 

Fall and Spring

Fall and Spring semesters have eight synchronous class weekends with four classes being on-campus and four online. These classes are held for four hours on Friday evenings, Saturday mornings, and Saturday afternoons. 

Admission Requirements

Use TexasApply to apply for admission and submit materials unless otherwise indicated below. 

You must apply for the Summer semester that aligns with your year (e.g., applying for the 2025 cohort means you apply for Summer 2025). Failure to do so may impact your ability to join your desired cohort. 

Applicants for admission to the doctoral program in deaf studies and deaf education are ranked for admission based on the following criteria:

  1. Take the GRE. The GRE is offered through the LU Career and Testing Center. All applicants must have the Educational Testing Service (ETS) submit GRE scores directly to:
    Lamar University Graduate Admissions
    P. O. Box 11614
    Beaumont, TX 77710
  2. Provide evidence of American Sign Language (ASL) competency based on the ASL-PI. 
  3. Provide three letters of support.
  4. Must have a Master’s degree in Deaf Education or related field.
    • Send official transcripts to Graduate Admissions (P. O. Box 11614, Beaumont, TX 77710) or
    • electronically to Gradmissions@lamar.edu
  5. An essay including the applicant’s philosophy of education and professional goals. The essay will be used to identify writing ability required for successful completion of the deaf studies and deaf education doctoral program.
  6. Submit a detailed resume or curriculum vita explaining your work with the Deaf community.
  7. When your application is complete, the Department of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education will contact you to set up an interview.

Additional Information

For more information, please refer to the LU Graduate Admissions website.

 

Common Questions About the Ed.D.