Special Certificates
Deaf Studies Certificate
http://www.rit.edu/~625www/pt-deaf_studies.html#Program
The deaf studies certificate is intended for people in the public or private sector who are interested in communicating effectively with deaf people in their communities. Classes in the certificate program provide a stimulating basic foundation in communicative and cultural competence in American Sign Language. The program is ideally suited as an introduction to American Sign Language and Deaf culture for people who might be interested in subsequent course work in the fields of ASL-English Interpretation or deaf education.
Rochester, NY, has the highest per capita population of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in the United States. There are numerous educational and social resources for these individuals in the area, making NTID the ideal place to begin your study of American Sign Language.
The 16-credit curriculum is composed of the following courses. Although a primary emphasis in the curriculum is learning basic American Sign Language, students also deepen their understanding of deafness through courses related to the physical, psychological, social and linguistic aspects of deafness. Substitution of one course for another generally is not permitted. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for courses in the program in order to receive the certificate.
| Course Title | Qtr. Cr. Hrs. |
| American Sign Language I, II, III 0876-211, 212, 213 | 6 |
| American Sign Language IV, V 0876-311, 312 | 4 |
| Aspects and Issues of Deafness I, II 0876-241, 242 | 6 |
| Total Quarter Credit Hours | 16 |
For advising or further information about this program, call (585) 4075-6809 (v/TTY) or (585) 475-6851 (TTY).
Deaf Studies/American Sign Language (ASL) Certificate
The deaf studies/American Sign Language certificate program offers deaf and hard-of-hearing students the opportunity to understand the deaf community as an entity unto itself and within the context of the overall diversity of the human race. The program consists of two tracks: advocacy and community, or American Sign Language studies.
Each track addresses historical, anthropological, linguistic, literary, artistic and multicultural aspects of deaf people’s lives. Knowledge, skills and abilities obtained from the program include: understanding the structure of ASL and the application of linguistic principles to other languages (especially English); enhancement of bilingual skills to improve communication; increased knowledge of deaf culture and deaf history; a heightened sense of self-concept, self-esteem and self-confidence; improved presentation skills; and enhanced literacy and critical thinking skills.
The advocacy and community track improves students’ ability to advocate for their rights in the workplace and contribute to leadership in the wider community. The ASL studies track enhances students’ marketability via teaching ASL and deaf culture in the workplace, at schools or within the community.
Candidates will be granted the certificate upon successful completion of the course requirements in either of the tracks. Courses leading to the certificate are offered as part of the NTID social sciences and humanities curricula. Applicants for the deaf studies/American Sign Language certificate must be either matriculated students in good standing in an undergraduate degree program at RIT/NTID or graduates holding a degree from an RIT/NTID program. Introduction to Deaf Studies (0880-190) is a prerequisite for admission to the program.
| Advocacy and Community track: required courses | |
| Qtr. Cr. Hrs. | |
| 0882-222 Deaf Culture and Community | 3 |
| 0882-285 Civil Rights and Deaf People | 3 |
| 0886-249 Structure of ASL | 3 |
| 0880-207 Organizational Communication and the Deaf Employee | 3 |
| Total Quarter Credit Hours | 12 |
| American Sign Language Studies track: required courses | |
| Qtr. Cr. Hrs. | |
| 0882-222 Deaf Culture and Community | 3 |
| 0886 -249 Structure of ASL | 3 |
| 0886-250 Introduction to ASL Teaching | 3 |
| Electives–Choose one of the following: | |
| 0880-207 Organizational Communication and the Deaf Employee | 3 |
| 0882-221 Deaf Heritage | 3 |
| 0882-223 Deaf Women’s Studies | 3 |
| 0882-285 Civil Rights and Deaf People | 3 |
| Total Quarter Credit Hours | 12 |
Performing Arts Certificate
http://www.rit.edu/~423www/certificate.html
The performing arts certificate is designed to provide students with an additional set of marketable skills. Students develop knowledge of standard theatrical operating procedures, as well as principles and practices of theater accessibility for deaf people, allowing them to work in professional, regional and community theater. The program also provides a solid foundation for both deaf and hearing students who wish to pursue further education in film, video, theater and related forms of performing arts.
The certificate includes knowledge of theater terminology, practices and protocols; issues in script analysis; ASL translation and accessibility; and experience in performance and technical theater. Students may take four three-credit courses in the performance/script track (for students interested in acting, dramaturgy, translation and dance/movement) or the technical theater track (for students interested in scenic design and technology, lighting, costume and stage management). A three-credit production practicum is required for both tracks. Students will be granted the performing arts certificate in either performance/script or technical theater upon successful completion of 15 credit hours. This program is not intended as a stand-alone certification.
Prerequisites
Applicants for the performing arts certificates must be matriculated and in good standing in an undergraduate program at RIT/NTID or graduates holding an undergraduate degree from one of those programs. Introduction to Performing Arts (0881-250) is a prerequisite.
| Performing Arts Certificate–Performance/Script Emphasis | Qtr. Cr. Hrs. |
| Required Course | |
| 0881-298 Performing Arts Practicum | 3 |
| Electives Courses–Please choose four of the following courses for 12 additional quarter credit hours: | |
| 0881-256 Script Analysis | 3 |
| 0881-210 Acting I | 3 |
| 0881-260 Acting II | 3 |
| 0881-258 Introduction to Play Creating | 3 |
| 0881-168 Jazz | 3 |
| 0881-266 Ballet | 3 |
| 0881-267 Fundamentals of Choreography | 3 |
| 0881-202 History of Theatre | 3 |
| 0881-204 Deaf Theatre History | 3 |
| 0881-217 Stage Combat | 3 |
| 0881-218 Dance History | 3 |
| 0881-166 Sign Mime and Creative Movement | 3 |
| 0881-253 Arts Management | 3 |
| 0881-259 Creative Translation | 3 |
| 0881-261 Audition Technique | 3 |
| 0881-167 Dance Performance | 3 |
| 0881-257 Introduction to Dramatic Literature | 3 |
| Total Quarter Credit Hours | 15 |
| Performing Arts Certificate–Technical Theater Emphasis | Qtr. Cr. Hrs. |
| Required course | |
| 0881-298 Performing Arts Practicum | 3 |
| Electives Courses–Please choose four of the following courses for 12 additional quarter credit hours: | |
| 0881-256 Script Analysis | 3 |
| 0881-222 Scenic Technology I | 3 |
| 0881-223 Scenic Technology II | 3 |
| 0881-224 Scene Painting | 3 |
| 0881-231 Costume Technology I | 3 |
| 0881-232 Costume Technology II | 3 |
| 0881-233 Stage Make-up | 3 |
| 0881-241 Lighting Technology I | 3 |
| 0881-242 Lighting Technology II | 3 |
| 0881-253 Arts Management | 3 |
| 0881-272 Stage Management | 3 |
| Total Quarter Credit Hours for certification | 15 |