Advocacy and Social Services

Overview

Advocates are servant-hearted leaders who work as allies alongside the Deaf Community. Together, they promote social justice and obtain resilience, facilitating resources while educating society about inclusion and access. Advocates work in various settings (including but not limited to: schools, hospitals, and public and private organizations) to help make our world a better place. Graduates that have been successful in this profession possess the following essential abilities:

Sociolinguistic and Sociocultural Abilities: Being fluent in another language is a favorable trait in social work and becoming an essential skill. Our program focuses on fluency in American Sign Language and ensuring candidates have a well-rounded understanding of communication and cultural perspectives in the Deaf community.

Professional Disposition: Professional attributes are essential for social workers. 

• Ethical – Advocates possess a solid moral compass. Their ethics manifest in empathy and respect for their clients while maintaining professional boundaries. 
• Organized –Advocates maintain effective file systems which allow them to support multiple clients and caseloads. 
• Trustworthy and Dependable –Advocate has strong interpersonal skills. They listen and communicate with clients effectively and work together to navigate towards resilience. 
• Passionate—Advocates work on time-sensitive and often emotionally sensitive cases. Passion can help propel professionals to promote social justice regardless of obstacles. 

Candidates can declare their intended major as Deaf Studies. Still, to be accepted into the Advocacy concentration, applicants must adhere to the following expectations: 

• Demonstrate good academic standing in professional core courses related to Deaf Studies. 
• Pass the SLPI with survival plus or higher after completing ASL VI. 
• Regularly participating in the deaf community while you are enrolled at CU (a minimum of one event per session).

Entrance Requirements

Candidates can declare their intended major as Deaf Studies. Still, to be accepted into the Advocacy and Social Services concentration, applicants must adhere to the following requirements: 

• Demonstrate good academic standing in professional core courses related to Deaf Studies. 
• Pass the SLPI with survival plus or higher after completing ASL VI. 
• Regularly participate in Deaf Events each semester you are enrolled at CU (a minimum of one event per session). 

Exit Requirements

All Deaf Studies majors concentrating in Advocacy and Social Services must meet the following standards to graduate:

• Maintain a cumulative grade point of 2.5 or higher
• Satisfactorily complete a research project and presentation in SL 420
• Complete the required hours of final practicum

Advocacy and Social Services Concentration – 33 Credits