With a Master of Arts in Early Intervention in Deaf Education from Fontbonne University, you can fill the need for professionals to work with young children who are deaf/hard-of-hearing and their families.

This graduate program develops the knowledge and skills needed to provide the most current and highest-quality deaf education services to infants, toddlers and young children up to age eight.

Fontbonne holds the distinction of offering one of only a few early intervention in deaf education programs in the country. This program has been awarded more than $2 million in grants, and scholarships are available to qualified students accepted to the program.

Our program stresses an interdisciplinary approach, incorporating the principles of best practice from deaf education, early childhood education, speech-language pathology and special education. This program emphasizes the development of spoken language and effective audiologic management.

The value of this teaching approach was recognized in 2003, when the university was awarded $1 million in federal partnership funds for the establishment of the Fontbonne University Center for Teach and Therapist Education. The new center, which opened in 2004, provides a collaborative setting for training teachers certified in deaf education, speech-language pathology, education and special education and serves as a unique national model for how to prepare a new generation of professionals.

Classes are small. Faculty are nationally recognized, experienced and committed to your success. Many of our faculty continue to work with children and families, sharing their expertise through technological advancements and innovative techniques.

More Experience

All students in this graduate program receive experience at local institutions such as St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf, Central Institute for the Deaf, and The Moog Center for Deaf Education. Many students get addional experience at sites across the country.

More Professional Opportunities

Universal newborn screening for hearing loss and early identification of infants with hearing loss has increased the need for professionals to work with young children and their families. With a Master of Arts in Early Intervention in Deaf Education, you can work with children with hearing loss and their families in a variety of employment settings, including:

• Family-Centered Intervention Programs
• Educational Programs for Children who are Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing
• Early Childhood Special Education
• Hospitals
• State and Federal Agencies
• Private Practice
• Home Health Organizations

Program Funding

Students accepted into the program may be eligible for scholarships that include tuition and a work-study stipend.

How can I find out more?

For more information on the Master of Arts in Early Intervention in Deaf Education Program at Fontbonne contact Dr. Susan Lenihan at (314) 889-1407 or slenihan@fontbonne.edu