Deaf Education
What Does a Teacher of Students Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Do?
A Teacher of Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (TSDHH) is a specialized special educator who teaches deaf and hard-of-hearing students, adapting instruction and curriculum so they can access learning alongside their peers. They typically teach preschool, elementary, or secondary instruction; prepare and deliver adapted materials; use research-based methods based on student needs; and evaluate academic and behavioral progress using appropriate assessments. They collaborate closely with other professionals, such as speech therapists and audiologists, to create individualized education plans that address each student’s specific needs. They also use assistive technology with the individual.
A Teacher for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing helps students who are Deaf or hard of hearing access learning, language, and communication so they can access learning alongside their peers. They adapt instruction, support assistive technology, and help school teams understand each student’s communication needs.
What Does a Interpreter for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Do?
Interpreters help individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing by providing real-time, two-way communication access in school by interpreting spoken English into sign language (American Sign Language) and interpreting the student’s communication back into spoken English. They support access throughout the day—class instruction, discussions, announcements, and activities—while preparing for lessons to interpret accurately. They do it by listening (or watching) the message, processing it quickly, and delivering the same meaning in the student’s preferred access method—usually sign language interpreting or transliteration, and sometimes live captioning.
A Sign Language Interpreter gives students who are Deaf or hard of hearing real-time, two-way communication access. They interpret lessons, discussions, announcements, and activities so students can participate throughout the school day.
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Explore Careers as a Teacher of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing, and Interpreter, in Michigan
If you’re interested in supporting students with disabilities and building a meaningful career in education, becoming a Teacher of Students who are Deaf & Hard of Hearing or an Interpreter for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing may be a strong fit.
OPTIMISE connects individuals with information, resources, and pathways to explore special education careers across Michigan.
Skills and Qualities of an Effective Teacher of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing, of an Interpreter
A Michigan Teacher of Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (SL endorsement) needs strong skills in language development, manual/oral communication, audiology-informed instruction, assessment/progress monitoring, and adapting curriculum so students can fully access learning.
For an educational interpreter, recommended skills include fluent American Sign Language (ASL) and English, the ability to interpret accurately in real-time in classroom settings, strong preparation (reviewing vocabulary/content ahead of lessons), and consistent professionalism like confidentiality, accuracy, and collaboration with the school team.
Education and Training Requirements for Teachers of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing and Interpreters
OPTIMISE works with partners across Michigan to support training and career pathways for individuals interested in becoming special education paraeducators.
Education and Training Requirements for a Teacher of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing
- Earn Bachelor’s degree in Teaching
- Complete Deaf/Hard of Hearing-specific prep requirements
- Pass MTTC test required for SL: Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Professional Knowledge and Skills test
- Apply for Certification / endorsement in MOECS
Already a Certified Michigan Teacher?
- Add the SL Endorsement by completing the required DHH endorsement coursework plus practicum through an approved route
- Pass MTTC test required for SL: Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Professional Knowledge and Skills test
- Apply for Certification / endorsement in MOECS
Education and Training Requirements for an Interpreter for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing
The educational requirement for an educational interpreter is credential- and performance-based. To work in Michigan public schools, you will need to be certified through Michigan’s Qualified Interpreter (QI) Program, using an accepted pathway such as EIPA, BEI, or RID
- High School Diploma, or GED
- Training in American Sign Language (ASL) and English skills (ASL coursework and/or an Interpreter Prep program, usually through a 2-year Associates Degree program, or 60 college credits
- Select the qualification Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) pathway for schools
- Take the EIPA Performance Assessment and earn a least a 4.0 score; then get the Elementary endorsement (Birth to grade 6) or Secondary endorsement (Grade 7 – Age 26)
- Apply for Michigan Interpreter Certification
- Or use alternative pathway including Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI 2) or Michigan Standard Level 2/3
Teacher for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing and Interpreter Degree Programs
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EIPA Certification
Michigan requirements: score a 4.0+, pass the written assessment, possess an elementary endorsement (to interpret only K-6 classrooms) or a secondary endorsement (to interpret only 7-26 classrooms).
Michigan Qualified Interpreter Program
The Qualified Interpreter (QI) Program certifies qualified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters for the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing. The QI Program processes applications for sign language interpreters such as: Test of English Proficiency (TEP) & Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI) exams, initial certification, and renewals. The Michigan accepted certification credentials are: MI BEI, Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), and Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA).
NIC (National Interpreter Certificate)
Holders of this certification have demonstrated general knowledge in the field of interpreting, ethical decision making and interpreting skills. Candidates earn NIC Certification if they demonstrate professional knowledge and skills that meet or exceed the minimum professional standards necessary to perform in a broad range of interpretation and transliteration assignments.
BEI Examination (Michigan Certification)
Applicants must obtain an associate’s degree or higher. There are 3 levels of the BEI exam. Each level represents a different degree of skill and expertise in sign language interpreting. If applicants want to obtain a higher level of the BEI exam, they must pass the first exam to continue to the next.
Teacher of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing, Interpreter for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Financial Help
Michigan Scholarships & Grants
Talent Together
Talent Together helps you become a certified teacher. The program also helps elevate the professional credentials of existing teachers with “add-on endorsements” and mentorship training to be a lead with “teacher apprentices” at the school district.”
Michigan Reconnect Program
Michigan Reconnect is a scholarship program that pays you to attend your in-district community college tuition free or pays up to the in-district rate if you attend a community college where you’re considered out-of-district. Applicants must be 25 years old to apply.
MI Future Educator Fellowship
Amount: $10,000
MI Future Educator Stipend
Amount: $9,600 Stipend
High School Graduate Michigan Achievement Scholarship
Amount: $2,000 – $5,500
Federal Scholarships & Grants
File Your FAFSA
Colleges and career schools use the FAFSA form to determine how much financial aid you’re eligible to receive, which could include grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans.You must apply for aid every year.
Federal Student Aid Estimator
The Federal Student Aid Estimator provides an estimate of how much federal student aid the student may be eligible to receive. These estimates are based on the Student Aid Index (SAI), an index to determine federal student aid eligibility.
Subsidized/Un-Subsidized Loans
Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans are federal student loans offered by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to help eligible students cover the cost of higher education at a four-year college or university, community college, or trade, career, or technical school.
Pell Grant
A federal grant for undergraduate students with financial need.
Teacher Loan Forgiveness*
Amount: up to $17,500
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)*
If you’re employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, you might be eligible for the PSLF Program. The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans
*Borrowers can’t receive credit toward TLF and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) for the same period of service. That means, if you seek and receive TLF, the five-year period of service that supported your eligibility will NOT count toward PSLF. We recommend that you consider whether you’re interested in PSLF before deciding to pursue TLF, because we can’t make changes once you receive forgiveness.
Graduate or Professional Direct PLUS Loan
Direct PLUS loans can help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid. The U.S. Department of Education makes Direct PLUS Loans to eligible graduate or professional students through schools participating in the Direct Loan Program.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Grant for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need, administered directly by financial aid office at each participating school, not all schools participate
Federal Work-Study
part-time employment while enrolled in school, available to undergrad, grad, and professional students with financial need, available to full and part-time students, administered by participating schools, emphasizes employment in civic education and work related to course of study or civic education, on or off campus