by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, deaf studies was the 728th most popular major nationwide with 297 degrees awarded. This 80 less than the prior year, a decrease of 26.9%.
Our 2023 Best Deaf Studies Schools ranking analyzes 3 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for deaf studies students. Explore this or one of our many other custom deaf studies rankings further below.
A major in deaf studies prepares you for careers in which understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents is crucial. Required skills include talking to others to convey information effectively and giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
deaf studies degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional deaf studies certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are many different deaf studies degree levels. You can get anything from a in deaf studies to the highest deaf studies degree, a . The time it takes to complete a deaf studies degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A doctor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to deaf studies, with approximately 30.3% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for deaf studies workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 41.5% |
| Master’s Degree | 29.6% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 17.0% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate | 5.1% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 3.7% |
About 67.1% of workers in careers related to deaf studies obtain at least master's degrees. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in deaf studies have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which deaf studies career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your deaf studies degree? Deaf Studies careers are expected to grow 16.7% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to deaf studies.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | 80,300 | 17.7% |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Professors | 12,700 | 10.4% |
As you might expect, salaries for deaf studies graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for deaf studies graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers deaf studies grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Professors | $85,450 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $55,230 |
With over 32 different deaf studies degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased deaf studies school rankings to help you with this.
Deaf Studies is one of 11 different types of Ethnic Studies programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Women’s Studies | 2,868 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, & Group Studies, Other | 2,142 |
| African American Studies | 1,196 |
| Latino Studies | 883 |
| Ethnic Studies | 673 |
