Deaf Studies

Become equipped to work with Deaf learners in both schools for the Deaf and inclusive education environments.

Overview

This package has four compulsory topics and will examine issues such as disability and deafness, Sign Language and the fact that Deaf people identify themselves as a linguistic and cultural minority group.

Contemporary debates in the field on Deaf Education will also be investigated along with issues such as the role of South African Sign Language within the Bilingual-Bicultural classroom.
Throughout the course, the focus will be on the integration of theory and practice in Deaf Education.  Mode of instruction is subject to availability. Students may be required to complete a research project that focuses on Deaf Education (EDUC 4036) during this year of study.

This course will discuss Sign Language and the cognitive development of the Deaf learner. Issues such as language development, social development, emotional development, creativity and memory will be discussed from both a theoretical and practical perspective.
In order to effectively link theory and practice, the course will include a practical intervention component of cognitive enrichment through Feuerstein’s Mediated Learning Experience for the classroom.

Entry Requirements

  • A bachelors degree or equivalent with 65% course mark aggregate in a third year major.
  • At least an upper second class pass in the final undergraduate course in the subject.

Additional entry requirements may apply.

University Application Process

  • Applications are handled centrally by the Student Enrolment Centre (SEnC). Once your application is complete in terms of requested documentation, your application will be referred to the relevant School for assessment. Click here to see an overview of the Wits applications process.
  • Please apply online. Upload your supporting documents at the time of application, or via the Self Service Portal.
  • Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal.
  • Selections for programmes that have a limited intake but attract a large number of applications may only finalise the application at the end of the application cycle.

Please note that the Entry Requirements are a guide. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee a place. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.

International students, please check this section.

For more information, contact the Student Call Centre +27 (0)11 717 1888, or log a query at www.wits.ac.za/askwits.

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees. The Fees site also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.

For information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, click here. Please also check your School website for bursary opportunities. NRF bursaries: The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a wide range of opportunities in terms of bursaries and fellowships to students pursuing postgraduate studies. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.