Humanities and Social Sciences Division
Degree A0944
The Mt. San Antonio College Deaf Studies Program’s mission is to increase the knowledge and inspire students to appreciate Deaf people as a cultural and linguistic minority with a breadth and depth of rich histories, languages, cultures, and experiences; and prepare them for advanced degrees and careers with Deaf people while cultivating their professional dispositions.

Taught through a framework of social justice and communication equity about how to be an ally to the community through immersion of various intersections of Deaf culture and language. This knowledge and framework are the foundation to careers in advocacy, speech and language pathology, teaching, and counseling.

The Deaf Studies degree is comprised of three parts: language, core classes, and electives. Mt. SAC offers language classes from American Sign Language 1 to American Sign Language 5, Deaf Studies core classes, and electives. Upon graduation, students are encouraged to transfer for advanced degrees and work in a variety of settings in the Deaf community. This program is distinct from the Sign Language interpreting Program and does not focus on interpreting skills and knowledge. However, it complements the interpreting program by providing a strong foundation in Deaf Studies.

Required Courses