Hearing and Speech Sciences

Master of Education of the Deaf (MDE)

The Master of Education of the Deaf (MDE) is a one to two-year program emphasizing the training needed to develop communication skills in deaf and hard-of-hearing children through interdisciplinary teacher training in audiology, speech-language pathology, and deaf education.

 

An MDE student works with a deaf child using pictures.

Program Highlights

Fall Start

MDE students begin their studies each fall.

Financial Support

Completely Funded

“Project Deaf Education: Meeting Student Needs through Education, Speech, and Audiology” federal grant covers 100% of tuition.

Contact Dr. Dana Kan, MDE program director, to learn more.

Full-Time Program

The MDE program at Vanderbilt is for full-time, residential students only.

Interdisciplinary

MDE students work and learn alongside MS-SLP and AuD students on the Specialty Track for Pediatric Hearing Loss, and have opportunities to work with deaf/hard-of-hearing children.

Program Outcomes

  • 100%

    Praxis pass rate

  • 100%

    Job placement rate

  • 100%

    Program completion rate

Explore the Program

Admissions Information

Learn more about admissions requirements, timelines, and how to apply.

Cost and Financial Aid

See tuition costs, available scholarships, and loan option.

Why VUSM

You belong in a top-tier medical school, learning within world-class clinical spaces.

MDE Virtual Informaton Sessions

Graduates of the MDE program celebrate at commencement

Join us to learn about the Master of Education of the Deaf (MDE) program!

  • -Q&A with Dana Kan, Director of the MDE Program
  • -General information about the program and application process
  • -Overview of the interdisciplinary specialty track in Pediatric Hearing Loss

Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025
7:00 p.m. CDT

Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025
12:00 noon, CST

Register below or contact Dr. Dana Kan for more information.

Accreditation Information

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine's Master of Education of the Deaf (MDE) is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). 

Connect With Us

Interested in Vanderbilt’s Master of Education of the Deaf (MDE) program? Take the next step and explore our curriculum and admissions process, then schedule a prospective student visit or email us for more information.

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