Welcome to Deaf Studies at NMU!
Northern Michigan University’s Deaf Studies program was established to create social cross-cultural connections between the Deaf and hearing communities. Grounding the program in American Sign Language, students participate in social settings, applying new ASL skills to personal lives and/or social employment settings.
While learning American Sign Language, students may also choose to include the ASL Skills Development courses. These courses can hone receptive and expressive skills, as well as target ASL proficiency needs in fingerspelling, numbers, and storytelling. We also offer courses that explore Deaf culture, civil rights, and the history of the Deaf World community. Depending on the semester, many of the courses mentioned may be offered online.
At this time, we only offer a Deaf Studies minor and certificate.
Nyle DiMarco - Living Out Loud
In 2021, Nyle DiMarco virtually visited NMU! Winner of Dancing with the Stars and America’s Next Top Model, Nyle empowers audiences to believe they can do and be anything they want in life, no matter the obstacle. Born into a multigenerational deaf family, he is an honorary spokesperson for Language Equality and Acquisition for Deaf Kids (LEAD-K) and founder of the Nyle DiMarco Foundation, which works to improve the lives of deaf people around the world.
Student Organization - Club ASL
Club ASL promotes the study of American Sign Language and the appreciation and understanding of Deaf culture by organizing educational and cultural activities open to all interested members of the University and local community.
Special Project: Read Along, Sign Along
The students from Club ASL led a "Read Along, Sign Along" event at the Upper Peninsula Children's Museum! They read books to local children while teaching the corresponding signs.
The Power of Pointing in ASL
Deaf Studies professor Rebecca Estelle was interviewed by the North Wind during a fingerspelling Skillbuilder! workshop. While this article is a few years old, the importance of learning American Sign Language and its use of pointing is forever relevant!
Still curious about the program?
See what previous Deaf Studies alumni have to say.
"I really enjoyed all my in-person ASL courses (DFST 101 & DFST 102) as well as ASL: Artistic Expressions. These courses challenged my mental flexibility and helped me to improve both my conversational and storytelling abilities."
- Nora Lynch, '25
A special thank you to Mr. Robert Laughna
The Deaf Studies Program dedicates this page to Robert Laughna, the first American Sign Language instructor at NMU! Starting in 1975, Mr. Laughna taught ASL courses until 1998. You may also recognize him as NMU's former Swim & Dive Coach (1990-2001, 2009).
Pictured: Deaf Studies Instructor Rebecca Estelle with Mr. Laughna
Additional Deaf Studies Resources
For resources outside of the classroom, check out the Deaf Studies Resources Guide presented by the Lydia M. Olson Library.