Purpose: 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.

Occupational Objectives:  The American Sign Language Career Studies Certificate leads to employment opportunities primarily as a classroom aide or teacher assistant in "Deaf and Hard of Hearing" or "Hearing Impaired" K-12 programs.  The content learned and skills attained may also form a foundation for further study in numerous careers including the following:  sign language interpretation, teacher of "Deaf and Hard of Hearing" children, American Sign Language instructor, linguistics, and deaf studies.  With an additional year of "pre-interpreting" course work at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, students are prepared to engage in direct communication in ASL with clients in another career of preference (e.g., nurse, real estate agent, paramedic, etc.).

Note:  Preparation to become a sign language interpreter, as opposed to engaging in direct communication using ASL, is facilitated through completion of the Interpreter Education Career Studies Certificate.

Admission Requirements: General college curricular admission

Program Notes: Students must take ASL 100, Orientation to Acquisition of ASL as an Adult, during the first semester of study.  Students must also begin language study with ASL 101 (ASL I), unless placed into a more appropriate level by the ASL and IE program head via the ASL placement test. Students must attain a grade of "C" or better as a final grade in a prerequisite ASL course before enrolling in a more advanced ASL course.