MacMurray students often volunteer with deaf youngsters in the community through the Big Brother Big Sister program. Many MacMurray students also work with deaf youth through the local churches. The Jacksonville community welcomes MacMurray students and their service learning experiences. During the sophomore January Term, Deaf Education majors are required to complete approximately 70 clinical hours of classroom experience. Each sophomore is placed in a class with students who are deaf or hard of hearing for three weeks and acts as a teaching assistant.
Students have the opportunity to observe, tutor and assist in all facets of a teacher's day.
MacMurray helps students find many interesting placement options during this J-term clinical. Other students have chosen to work in day programs in their hometowns. Junior and senior students may be allowed to complete an Advanced Clinical Experience in a different school with deaf students of a special population or at an upper level. Advanced clinicals are offered and considered on an individual basis, and are dependent upon placement availability. In addition to clinical practicum assignments, MacMurray has a cooperative volunteer program with ISD with a variety of opportunities to interact with students who are deaf and hard of hearing.