The graduate program at Valdosta State University is based on the premise that specialized preparation for teachers of deaf and hard of hearing children should focus on the ramifications of deafness on communication, and the interrelationship of communication with all other areas of development. Teachers graduating from this program will be able to create (or assist others in creating) learning environments in which the development of the total student can occur. Thus, this program focuses on the development of communication skills through sign language and through oral/aural channels.

The Deaf Education program is housed in the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders within the College of Education at Valdosta State University. It is a new track within the existing three year programs in Special Education. The Department offers undergraduate programs in Special Education (mild disabilities, mental retardation), Communication Disorders, and Educational Interpreting, and master's degree preparation in Special Education (mild disabilities, mental retardation, and early childhood special education,) Communication disorders, Speech Language Pathology,) and Deaf Education.