Deaf Studies is an interdisciplinary field that blends several areas of study, including communication disorders, sociology, psychology, anthropology, communication, and education. Housed in the Department of Communication Disorders, our Deaf Studies programs include a 39-credit major (new in fall 2026!) and an 18-credit minor.
The major in Deaf Studies, which leads to a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree, is designed to broaden students' knowledge and understanding of deafness, Deaf culture, and Deaf communities past and present. Students will build competency in American Sign Language, learn to facilitate effective, culturally sensitive communication with people who are Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH), and encourage positive interactions in social and professional settings. They will learn about the discrimination and civil-rights challenges that DHH individuals have faced throughout history and explore ways to foster acceptance, accessibility, and inclusion for the DHH community.
The Deaf Studies major complements many other academic programs offered at New Paltz and prepares students to work in a variety of settings in which knowledge of the American Deaf community and skill in American Sign Language are advantages, including social and human services, business, education and government. Employees with fluency in ASL are in demand nationwide, and the Deaf Studies major will develop a skill set geared toward meeting that demand, making New Paltz graduates more employable.
Similarly, the interdisciplinary minor in Deaf Studies builds skill in American Sign Language and knowledge of the American Deaf community, supporting success in a variety of settings. The Deaf Studies minor is open to students majoring in all disciplines and may be especially attractive to students in the liberal arts and sciences, education, business, and theatre. It is designed to develop the use of American Sign Language and prepare students for further education in related fields. ASL is present in every realm of life as Deaf, hard-of-hearing and Deaf-Blind people seek education and equitable employment. The minor will increase students' understanding of hearing loss, deafness, and Deaf culture and their ability to communicate with Deaf persons at a basic level.
While New Paltz offers neither an English/American Sign Language Interpreter Education program nor a Deaf Education or ASL Linguistics program, our Deaf Studies major and minor will help students become qualified to enter such programs at the post-baccalaureate or graduate level.
A grade of C- or better is required for credit toward the Deaf Studies major and minor.
For more information about these Deaf Studies programs, please contact:
Victoria St. George, M.Ed., Special Education
Department of Communication Disorders, HUM 2
E-mail: stgeorgv@newpaltz.edu
Phone: 845-257-3466
DFS494. Deaf Studies Fieldwork. 1-12 Credits.
Fieldwork provides the student an enriching educational experience in the field of Deaf Studies and the opportunity to apply concepts from Deaf Studies coursework. Students independently arrange the fieldwork with a faculty sponsor and a site supervisor. A fieldwork form needs to be submitted and approved before a student can register. Credits are determined by the scope of the fieldwork experience.
