This program is designed for candidates preparing for careers serving individuals who are deaf/hard of hearing. This program is part of the educator preparation program. Candidates must complete a dual endorsement program with the deaf/hard of hearing and a major in elementary or secondary education. The preparation meets the standards of the Council for Exceptional Children/Council of the Deaf (CEC/CED) for teachers of the deaf/hard of hearing. The mission of the Special Education and Communication Disorders department is to prepare dedicated practitioners, reflective scholars, and responsible citizens who are unique in their ability to facilitate, design, implement, and evaluate programs for individuals with disabilities. This is accomplished by creating opportunities for the acquisition and maintenance of knowledge, skills, and dispositions as prescribed by the Council for Exceptional Children, the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (for graduate program only), and state and federal regulations.