The General Studies - Deaf Studies Option prepares students to have the necessary communication skills and cultural knowledge to work with deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Through practicum participation and other course related research, students explore career opportunities in the deaf community.

Program Overview

What Will You Learn?

Associate in Arts

You will work in a program serving deaf and hard of hearing individuals with the goal of transferring to a four-year college to continue in the area of deaf studies or an interpreter training program.

Cost

In-State Tuition: $227/credit

Out-of-State / International Tuition: $433/credit

Some programs have additional program fees

Timeline

4 Semesters

61-62 credits

Ways to Take Classes

Requirements

  • High School Diploma or GED/HiSET.

Locations

  • Some courses offered at QCC Worcester (Main Campus).
  • Some laboratory courses offered at local laboratory facilities.

Curriculum

A foundation for success

Semester 1

This semester will cover American sign language, English, humanities, psychology, sociology.

Become an Expert

Semester 2

This semester will explore more advances sign language, deaf studies, mathematics, communication skills.

Communication

Semester 3

This semester will focus on signing, language, and electives.

Well-rounded education

Semester 4

This semester will focus on intermediate sign language, psychology and multiple electives.

See the full curriculum

Career Stats

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More Info
Course TitleCourse #Semester OfferedCreditsPrerequisites

Semester 1

  • Apply and get accepted to this program (Program Code: GSDS).
  • Register for and successfully complete all courses to graduate in four semesters.
  • Complete ENG 101.
  • Complete prerequisite(s) for MAT 121 or MAT 122.
Beginning American Sign Language IASL 111F/S/SU3 
Composition IENG 101F/S/SU3Placement into college level English
Critical Thinking and Problem SolvingHUM 101F/S/SU3Placement into college level English
Introduction to PsychologyPSY 101F/S/SU3Placement into college level English
Introductory Sociology (Principles)SOC 101F/S/SU3Placement into college level English
  Total15 

Semester 2

  • If considering transfer, meet with a Transfer Services Advisor. See www.QCC.edu/transfer.
  • Complete MAT 121 or MAT 122.
Beginning American Sign Language IIASL 112F/S3ASL 111
Introduction to Deaf StudiesASL 113S3ASL 111
Composition IIENG 102F/S/SU3ENG 101
Topics in Mathematics ORMAT 121F/S/SU3College level math course or QMAT placement score > 21 or equivalent placement measures or Coreq: MAT 051
StatisticsMAT 122College level math course or QMAT placement score > 21 or Coreq: MAT 052
Speech Communication SkillsSPH 101F/S/SU3Placement into college level English
  Total15 

Semester 3

  • If considering transfer, meet with representatives of four-year schools to discuss/begin the transfer application process; or create an account on the QCC job board to search for internships, co-ops and jobs.
  • Confirm that MassTransfer 34-credit general education transfer block can be completed.
Issues in Deaf SocietyASL 114F/S3 
Career SigningASL 119F/S3ASL 112, ASL 113
Intermediate American Sign Language IASL 211F/S3ASL 112
Lab Science Elective---F/S/SU4 
Social Science Elective---F/S/SU3 
  Total16 

Semester 4

  • Continue with/complete the transfer application process; or if seeking employment, meet with Career Services for career readiness preparation and to learn more about QCC’s job board.
  • Submit an Intent to Graduate Form, located on The Q.
Deaf Community PracticumASL 200F/S3ASL 112, ASL 113, CORI/SORI Check
Intermediate American Sign Language IIASL 212S3ASL 211
Social PsychologyPSY 253F/S3ENG 101, PSY 101
History Elective---F/S/SU3 
Science Elective or Lab Science Elective---F/S/SU3-4 
  Total15-16 
Total Credits Required:  61-62 

Program Goals:

The General Studies - Deaf Studies Option prepares students to have the necessary communication skills and cultural knowledge to work with deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Through practicum participation and other course related research, students explore career opportunities in the deaf community.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

  • Transfer to a four-year college to continue in the area of deaf studies.
  • Transfer to an interpreter training program.
  • Work in a program serving deaf and hard of hearing individuals.

Admissions Process:

Admissions inquiries should be directed to admissions@qcc.mass.edu. Prospective students may apply to the program of their choice by following the enrollment steps at www.QCC.edu/enrollment-steps.

Program Admissions Requirements:

Students should note that some first semester courses carry minimum prerequisites. Refer to the program grid.

  • High School Diploma or GED/HiSET.

CORI, SORI, Finger Printing & Drug Testing:

Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) checks are required. Fingerprinting and drug testing are not required.

Additional Cost:

See the Program Fees page.

Technical Performance Standards:

See the Technical Performance Standards page. (Note: Not all programs have technical performance standards).

Credit for Prior Learning:

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) allows students to use skills they already have towards a college degree or certificate. Work, life, volunteer and military experience may be translated into credit, allowing students to take fewer classes and earn their degree faster. CPL eliminates redundancies for students who have already earned credentials or mastered skills required for their program of study. Email experience@qcc.mass.edu for more information and eligibility.

Career Outlook:

Please consult the Massachusetts Career Information System at https://masscis.intocareers.org/ or the Occupational Outlook Handbook at www.bls.gov/ooh/ for specific occupational information. The CIP code for this program is 05.0211.

Transfer Articulations & Opportunities:

Prospective students may learn more about transfer articulation agreements at www.QCC.edu/agreements. More information regarding transfer opportunities is available at www.QCC.edu/transfer.

The General Studies Program is unique in that it attempts to meet the academic needs of QCC career programs, four-year transfer institutions, and area employers. It has been designed to develop broad-based academic and employability skills. It provides a comprehensive, responsive, directed academic experience in which students identify educational and career choices, develop individualized career plans (CAPS), and implement career pathways leading to further education or careers. In addition, the QCC General Studies Program has articulation and transfer agreements with numerous colleges and universities. The General Studies Program allows students to tailor the selection or courses to meet the requirements of a transfer institution. It also provides students with the opportunity to tailor a program of study to meet specific professional/ career competencies.

Remember that all of the information contained on this site pertains to the most recent program requirements. Your requirements may differ because you must meet the requirements that were in effect when you entered the program. You may petition the Registrar if you wish to follow curriculum changes different from what you see in your degree audit.

Remember that in addition to the General Studies Program there are several options available in General Studies. You can find the description and the course requirements below.

Also, we have several additional links you will find useful:

Transferring to a 4-year college / University

Course Requirements

Course and credit requirementsNotes
English Composition & Literature I
(3 credits)		ENG 101
English Composition & Literature II 
(3 credits)		ENG 102
College Algebra or
Topics in Mathematics or
Statistics (one course – 3 credits)		In order to meet QCC graduation requirements, learner must complete MAT 100, MAT 121, MAT 122 or any college level MAT course. In order to meet the requirements of MassTransfer, learner must complete MAT 121 or higher.
Strategies for College & Career or
Self Assessment & Career Planning
(3 credits)		PSY 115 is recommended for students placing into ENG 100 or ENG 101. ORT 110 is recommended for students placing into ENG 090, ENG 091, ENG 095, ENG 096 or ESL courses. Students must complete either PSY 115 or ORT 110 prior to the completion of twenty credits in order to register for additional courses in the General Studies Program.
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
(3 credits)		HUM 101
Speech Communication Skills
(3 credits)		SPH 101
History Elective
(3 credits)		HST ---
Behavioral Science Elective
(3 credits)		Behavioral Sciences involve seeking to discover general truths about human behavior. Courses with the following designations are considered Behavioral Science Electives:
Anthropology (ANT)
Psychology (PSY)
Sociology (SOC)
Program Electives 
(4 courses - 12 credits)		Program Electives are:
a. Courses with the objective of preparing students for a specific occupation or semester of occupations.
b. Courses that have been recommended based upon the student’s Academic and Career Plan.
c. Courses that meet developmental, core, or general education requirements are not program electives.
Humanities Elective
(two courses – one must be 200 level – 6 credits)		The Humanities courses present knowledge concerned with humanity and world culture: philosophy, literature, and the fine arts. These arts are distinguished from the sciences and are produced or intended primarily for beauty, not utility. Sculpture, painting, drawing, architecture, literature, drama, music, and dance are examples of such expressions. Courses with the following designations are considered Humanities Electives:
American Sign Language (ASL); Art excluding Interactive Media courses (ART); English (ENG); French (FRC); German (GER); Humanities (HUM); Music (MUS); Philosophy (PHI); Spanish (SPN); Speech (SPH)
Laboratory Science Elective
(two courses – 8 credits)		Electives that are specifically designated as Lab Science Electives require a science that includes lab, which are all 4 credit courses. Four credit courses with the following designations are considered lab science electives Biology (BIO) (excludes BIO 140); Physics (PHY); Chemistry (CHM); Science (SCI)
Social Science Elective
(two courses – 6 credits)		All the social sciences are concerned with the study of people and their behavior, both individually and as a member of groups, nations, cultures and societies. Courses with the following designations are considered Social Science Electives: Anthropology (ANT); Economics (ECO); Geography (GEO); History (HST); Political Science (PSC); Psychology (PSY); Social Science (SOS); Sociology (SOC)
Elective (two courses - 6 credits)Any college level course qualifies as an elective, and a student may enroll in any college level course for which s/he meets the prerequisites.

Learn More

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508.854.4374