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American Sign Language Associate in Arts and Certificate of Achievement

The ASL degree is designed for students to acquire advanced expressive and receptive signing skills It also gives students greater awareness of the Deaf culture and Deaf community This degree is meant for the student who wants to work with Deaf people Communicating in sign language and understanding Deafness is critical in any career where one works with Deaf and hard of hearing people The emphasis is on paraprofessional vocations such as teacher’s aid, child care worker, etc Students completing the ASL degree may wish to transfer to a four year institution or continue their studies in interpreting

Career Opportunities

https://www.grossmont.edu/student-support/career-center/resources.php

  • Case Worker
  • Certified Translator
  • Certified Terminologist
  • Education Counselor
  • Interpreter
    • ASL (American Sign Language)
    • Certified
    • Conference
    • Court
    • Educational
    • Foreign Broadcast
    • Legal
    • Literacy
    • Medical
  • Program Coordinator
  • Rehabilitation Counselor
  • Teacher
  •  

Program Learning Outcomes 

  1. Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
    1. Converse fluently in ASL with peers both hearing and Deaf by applying the language in conversations, ASL storytelling, or narratives
    2. Understand the grammar structures of ASL and apply them in dialogues
    3. Demonstrate knowledge of the Deaf culture heritage and Deaf values through presentations, papers, and written exams
    4. Demonstrate knowledge of local and national resources for Deaf, hard of hearing, and late Deafened adults through presentations, papers, exams, or group demonstrations
    5. Demonstrate an awareness how to work with Deaf people in a variety of settings through community service learning

Associate Degree Major Requirements

Note: All courses must be completed with a letter grade of “C” or higher or “Pass.”

ASL-120American Sign Language I4
ASL-121American Sign Language II4
ASL-130American Sign Language: Fingerspelling3
ASL-131American Sign Language: Fingerspelling II3
ASL-140Inside Deaf Culture3
ASL-220American Sign Language III4
ASL-221American Sign Language IV4
PSYC-C1000Introduction to Psychology3
Total Units28

Plus General Education and Elective Requirements

Certificate of Achievement

Any student who chooses to complete only the courses required for the above major qualifies for a certificate of Achievement in American Sign Language An official request from the student must be filed with the Admissions and Records Office prior to the deadline stated in the yearly calendar which is listed in the class schedule and catalog.