American Sign Language
Career Studies Certificate
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 (CSC) 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.
Preparation to become a sign language interpreter, as opposed to engaging in direct communication using ASL, is facilitated through completion of the American Sign Language - English Interpretation AAS degree. Completion of the ASL CSC by May along with placement in ENG 111 satisfies the prerequisites to begin the ASL - English Interpretation AAS in spring/summer annually.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: General college curricular admission
PROGRAM NOTES: Students must take SDV 101 - Orientation to American Sign Language and Interpreter Education 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 coordinator 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. The ASL CSC is a five-semester program of part-time study designed to develop intermediate fluency in conversational ASL and a working understanding of Deaf people as a cultural group. Designed to begin in fall with SDV 101 and ASL 101, the first four semesters are each comprised of two courses (6-7 credits) leading to completion in 21 months during the spring semester when successful students may begin Interpreter Education coursework, while completing the final ASL/INT elective (2 credits).
|
Order |
Course |
Title |
Credits |
|
1 |
Orientation to American Sign Language and Interpreter Education |
2 |
|
|
2 |
American Sign Language I |
4 |
|
|
3 |
American Sign Language II |
4 |
|
|
4 |
Fingerspelling and Number Use in ASL |
2 |
|
|
5 |
American Sign Language III |
3 |
|
|
6 |
Comparative Linguistics: ASL and English |
3 |
|
|
7 |
ASL 202 | American Sign Language IV | 3 |
|
8 |
ASL 225 | Literature in the Deaf Community | 4 |
|
9 |
ASL 125 or ASL 208 or ASL 261 or ASL 262 or INT 106 |
ASL Elective or INT Elective | 2 |
|
TOTAL |
American Sign Language Career Studies Certificate |
28 |
|
3.09.20
| Name | Program | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrie Humphrey | American Sign Language CSC | CHumphrey@reynolds.edu | 804/523-5748 |
| Brenda Thornton | American Sign Language CSC | BThornton@reynolds.edu | 804/523-5623 |
Common Job Titles1: Court Interpreter; Deaf Interpreter; Educational Interpreter; Interpreter; Medical Interpreter; Paraprofessional Interpreter; Sign Language Interpreter; Spanish Interpreter; Technical Translator; Translator
Labor Market Statistics (Richmond, MSA)
Projected Employment (2029): 389
Current Wage Range (Entry - Experienced): $36,800 - $64,700
Bright Outlook occupations are expected to have rapid growth over the next 10-years (employment increase of 10% or more in the Richmond, MSA over the period of 2019-2029) or are expected to have a high demand (projected to have 750 or more job openings in the Richmond, MSA over the period of 2019-2029).
1 This program may prepare you for one or more of the listed jobs; however, graduates may not be qualified for all of the jobs listed in this section.
Reynolds Community College makes every attempt to provide students with the best, most accurate information possible. The data was sourced from external agencies (O*NET and JobsEQ) on January 29, 2020.