Berkeley City College’s ASL Program enables students to acquire the communicative competence in ASL and the cultural sensitivity needed to interact successfully with members of the American Deaf community. American Sign Language (ASL) is the fourth most used language in the United States. It is the major language that the American Deaf population uses.

This program prepares individuals to function as simultaneous and consecutive interpreters as well as translators of American Sign Language (ASL) and other signing systems employed to assist deaf and hard-of-hearing people, both voice-to-sign and sign-to-voice interpretation. This includes instruction in American Sign Language (ASL), alternative sign systems, fingerspelling, vocabulary and expressive nuances, oral and text translation skills, cross-cultural communications, slang and colloquialisms, and technical interpretation.

The American Sign Language and Deaf Studies program is delivered fully online, open to both Deaf and non-deaf students, and provides intensive training in American Sign Language (ASL) and English. If you are thinking about entering the Honours Bachelor of Interpretation (ASL – English) program, or if you want to combine ASL with another career, this program is highly recommended. This program is unique in Ontario.

The Associate in Arts in American Sign Language degree (A.A in American Sign Language) provides students with the foundational knowledge in ASL to prepare them for transfer to four-year universities that offer a baccalaureate program. Languages are the key to the understanding and appreciation of value systems and social attitudes of different cultures. Furthermore, acquiring communication skills in other languages facilitates the exchange of ideas and transactions, and increases awareness, appreciation and understanding of cultural diversity.

This curriculum prepares individuals to communicate in American Sign Language (ASL), primarily with persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. Students also study the U.S. Deaf community from a cultural perspective.

About this course This qualification is designed to enable learners to develop their skills to communicate with Deaf people in a variety of everyday situations. It will allow you to participate in more varied conversations than at Level 1. It will also develop skills to use BSL to communicate in real-life situations as well as routine and daily experiences. You will also develop an understanding of grammar to cope with some non-routine communication.

These programs build skills in American Sign Language (ASL) or prepare students for rewarding careers in interpreting, with an educational philosophy that centers on providing students with the superior language skills and ethical competencies needed by today’s interpreters.

The American Sign Language and Deaf Studies Certificate of Completion Program are designed for individuals who currently have a college degree (Associate degree or higher) and are interested in the fields of Deaf Studies, linguistics, communications, psychology, social work, rehabilitation, education of the Deaf and other related areas.

This program is designed to prepare individuals for jobs providing support services to the deaf/hard of hearing. Note: It is not a sign language interpreter program. Emphasis will be on using American Sign Language (ASL). To be accepted to the program, applicants must meet the requirements for admission listed in the catalog.

As a student in the American Sign Language program, you'll gain a strong understanding of the language, culture, and community of Deaf people. You'll graduate with a deepened understanding of English and proficiency in more than one language.

If you are interested in a career working with the Deaf / Hard of Hearing / DeafBlind communities, Northern Essex Community College (NECC) is a great place to start. Prepare for a career in interpreting, education, human/social services, and more.

Blue Ridge Community College is one of only four Interpreter Education Programs in North Carolina. It is designed to prepare individuals to work as entry-level sign language interpreters who will provide communication access in interview and interactive settings. Additionally, this curriculum provides in-service training for currently working interpreters who want to enhance their skills. The Interpreter Education Program curriculum includes coursework that covers the acquisition of American Sign Language (ASL). It encompasses ASL grammar, structure, syntax, history, and its sociolinguistic properties. Students will also learn the cognitive processing skills needed for interpreting between ASL and English in consecutive and simultaneous settings. Along with learning ASL and how to interpret, students will gain a greater knowledge of the Deaf community through classes as well as real-life interactions with their local Deaf community.

American Sign Language/Interpreter Education Program (ASL/IEP) is a two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program to train individuals to become ASL conversationalists and or professional ASL interpreters. Successful graduates of this program can seek job opportunities in settings such as educational, medical, legal, mental health, religious, social, and community-based employment. This program provides individuals with the professional knowledge and skills that meet or exceed the minimum professional standards necessary to perform in a broad range of interpreting assignments. This program will prepare individuals for the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) and Virginia Quality Assurance Screening (VQAS).