American Sign Language: AA

Location(s): Taylorsville Redwood Campus

Associate of Arts | 60 credits

Program Website
Academic Advising

Program Description

The American Sign Language (ASL) program offers courses in language, literature, and culture that prepare students to engage effectively within the Deaf community. Students develop proficiency in ASL while building intercultural communication skills. Many courses fulfill General Education requirements, allowing students to explore a range of disciplines and demonstrate proficiency in areas such as English and mathematics. The program provides a liberal arts foundation and a clear pathway toward the ASL/English Interpreting AAS, including all prerequisite coursework required to apply. Admission into the ASL/English Interpreting AAS is competitive and requires a separate application and acceptance after completing prerequisites.

Career Opportunities

Graduates gain a foundation in ASL and Deaf culture, preparing them for further study or careers in Deaf Education, Deaf Studies, medical fields, social services, acting, and ASL/English Interpreting. Careers in Deaf Education include teaching Deaf or hard-of-hearing students, educational support, early intervention, and school administration. Careers in Deaf Studies include advocacy, community outreach, program coordination, human services, ASL instruction, and media or performing arts roles focused on Deaf culture and accessibility.

Transfer/Articulation Information
Please refer to the Student Resources section of the SLCC University Transfer webpage.

Estimated Cost for Students
Tuition and Fees: http://www.slcc.edu/student/financial/tuition-fees.aspx
Books: $350

Course Fees: $25
Other: $60 (online video recording tool)

Note: Fees vary based on specific registration and are subject to changes.

General Education Requirements

Complete all General Education courses. Refer to Notes for program specific requirements and recommendations.

Associate of Science (AS) / Associate of Arts (AA) Degree General Education Requirements

Program General Education Notes

RECOMMENDED:

Quantitative Literacy (QL): MATH 1030 or MATH 1035

Arts (AR): THEA 1033 , FLM 1070 , or DANC 1010

Humanities (HU): COMM 1020 , ENGL 1050 , ENGL 2610 , HIST 2200 , or PHIL 2050

Social Science (SS): ANTH 1040 , CJ 1010 , COMM 2110 , or EDU 1400

Courses that meet General Education requirements may be used to meet program requirements unless specified by the program. If this option is chosen, students must complete additional general elective courses to meet the total credit hour requirement.

A.A. Degree Language Requirement

The A.A. language requirement (LN) is satisfied upon completing the program’s core requirements through any one of the following courses:

ASL 1020 - Beginning American Sign Language II (LN)
ASL 2010 - Intermediate American Sign Language I
ASL 2020 - Intermediate American Sign Language II
For students intending to transfer into a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) program, the language requirement may be satisfied by completing four progressive semesters of language courses (“LANG” 2020) or an equivalent assessment. ASL 2020 qualifies as a “LANG 2020” course. Meet with an academic advisor to determine the B.A. requirements specific to the intended transfer institution.

Program Requirements

Required Courses (20 credits)

Program Electives (6 Credits)

Complete a minimum of six credit hours from the following courses:

General Electives (7 credits)

Choose any combination of courses 1000-level or above from any discipline to reach the minimum credit hours needed for the program of study.

Time to Completion & Graduation Map

American Sign Language AA: Full-time
If students follow the suggested sample schedule, completion time is four semesters.

Program Learning Outcomes

Program learning outcome alignment with

Institution Learning Outcomes

in brackets.

Use American Sign Language with sufficient structural accuracy to communicate in most formal and informal conversations regarding social and professional topics, and day-to-day activities. [1,2]
Use American Sign Language effectively to communicate for a variety of purposes, adjusting language features, register, and discourse style to meet the needs of different audiences and contexts. [1,2]
Demonstrate respect for Deaf individuals and communities by applying culturally appropriate behaviors and linguistic choices that reflect an understanding of Deaf cultural values, norms, and diversity. [1,6]
Apply strategies to communicate effectively with Deaf people from diverse backgrounds, demonstrating adaptability to variations in language use, communication modes, and individual identity factors. [6]
Identify their own cultural values and social customs to compare and contrast them with those of the Deaf community in the United States and other cultural groups. [6]
Analyze and adjust communication behaviors to reflect the impact of cultural frameworks—such as collectivism/individualism and high-/low-context communication—on ASL discourse and interaction. [6]
Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will aid in continual language development, cultural competencies, and lifelong learning. [6]