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Desire2Learn

American Sign Language

Career Description
American Sign Language is the third most commonly used language in the United States, behind only English and Spanish. During the course of American Sign Language classes 1-4, students will learn the grammar, structure, and syntax of this beautiful language. They will have opportunities to interact with people who are Deaf and build a strong basis for learning ASL and using it in their future employment.

Program Information
The purpose of the Deaf Studies certificate is to provide training for students who wish to learn basic American Sign Language and understand the culture of people who are Deaf. This program will not prepare students to become interpreters, but strictly covers the basics about ASL and Deaf culture.

This certificate is appropriate for students who are planning to enter, or are currently employed in, all areas of customer relations, including but not limited to business, education, criminal justice, interpreting or the medical field. Their knowledge of ASL and Deaf culture will help them to be more competitive for jobs as employers strive for diversity in the workplace.

Students who complete this certificate will be in a position to use basic communication with colleagues or customers who are ASL users.

Courses may also be used to satisfy Interpreter Training Program pre-requisite requirements at many institutions.

Program Learning Outcomes
*Students will demonstrate appropriate class level oral or expressive World Language skills.
*Students will demonstrate knowledge and appreciation of cultural values, norms and traditions per specific World Language, and will demonstrate basic understanding that these differences have an impact on group relationships and interactions.
*Students will demonstrate appropriate class level receptive and/or written World Language skills.
*Students will demonstrate appropriate cultural rules of interaction when conversing in the target language.

Transfer Opportunities
The second language skills acquired in ASL courses enhance a student’s chance for success in any profession. Students looking beyond a certificate, or considering a future specialization in the field of American Sign Language Interpreting, should know that many institutions offering degrees in Interpreter Training will accept these courses as pre-requisites to their programs.

Employment Opportunities
The nationwide shortage of qualified ASL Interpreters in the United States is at an all time high and continues to escalate. With the passage of the ADA act, the public is required to make accommodations for Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing patrons. Sign Language Interpreters are the most sought after accommodation for D/HH people. Public schools, higher education, health care providers, hospitals, courts, public safety and other government offices are seeing increased demand for qualified ASL Interpreters.

Department Course Offerings (Credits)
AMSL 1410 American Sign Language I Credits (4cr)
AMSL 1412 American Sign Language II Credits (4cr)
AMSL 2370 Topics in American Sign LanguageCredits (1-4cr)
AMSL 2410 American Sign Language III Credits (4cr)
AMSL 2412 American Sign Language IV Credits (4cr)
AMSL 2414 Conversational ASL Credits (1cr)
AMSL 2420 Deaf Culture Credits (3cr)

DEAF STUDIES CERTIFICATE
AMSL 1410  American Sign Language I (4cr)
AMSL 1412 *American Sign Language II (4cr)
AMSL 2410 *American Sign Language III (4cr)
AMSL 2420  Deaf Culture (3cr)

And a choice between:
AMSL 2412 *American Sign Language IV (4cr)
OR
SPCH 2421  Intercultural Communication (3cr)
Total Required Credits 18 Credits

GRADUATION REQUIREMENT 18 CREDITS
*A minimum GPA of 2.0 must be maintained in each of the five
courses for receipt of the certificate.