Best American Sign Language (ASL) Degree Programs

Interested in studying American Sign Language (ASL)? Perhaps you're hoping for a professional career as an interpreter or simply want to develop enhanced skills in using ASL.

Whatever your career goals or personal interests, a bachelor's degree in ASL can go a long way to helping you get there. Keep reading as we take a closer look at some of the best colleges and universities with ASL degree programs.

Featured ASL Programs

The following 10 schools are known for their degree programs in ASL and are some of the top options available. Read on for more information.

1. Gallaudet University

Gallaudet University is a private school in Washington, D.C. specifically designed for educating deaf students and those who are hard of hearing, though some hearing students are also admitted each year.

A variety of degree programs are available through this school, including a Bachelor of Arts in American Sign Language. This is a great program for both hearing and non-hearing students who want to pursue careers in social work, interpreting, and various other human services careers.

2. Rochester Institute of Technology

The Rochester Institute of Technology is a private school located in Rochester, New York. This school was founded in 1829 and enrolls more than 20,000 students.

The school offers a bachelor's degree in American Sign Language - English Interpreting. This program is specifically designed for aspiring interpreters and prepares them to pass the certification exam offered by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.

3. Northeastern University

Northeastern University is located in Boston. This large private school enrolls nearly 40,000 students in its wealth of degree programs.

Students can pursue a Bachelor of Science in American Sign Language - English interpreting at this school. This degree provides intensive coursework as well as internship opportunities and practicums, helping students put their classroom learning into practice.

4. University of Rochester

Not to be confused with the Rochester Institute of Technology, the University of Rochester is also located in Rochester, New York. It's a private school with around 12,000 students.

Students at this school can pursue a liberal arts degree in American Sign Language. This versatile program prepares students for a variety of careers in education, interpreting, counseling, research, community service, law, and more.

5. William Woods University

William Woods University is a small private school in Fulton, Missouri. Though it enrolls fewer than 2,000 students, its ASL program routinely ranks among the best in the country.

Students can pursue either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in interpretation studies in ASL-English. The program prepares students for a variety of careers as well as the ability to sit for the national certification exam offered by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.

6. St. Catherine University

St. Catherine University is a private school located in St. Paul, Minnesota. It was established as a women's college, though it admits both women and men into its graduate degree programs.

Undergraduate students at this school can pursue two majors related to ASL: American Sign Language and deaf communities and interpreting. Both degrees are offered on-campus and are also available as minors.

7. Kent State University

Kent State University is a public school headquartered in Kent, Ohio that enrolls nearly 35,000 students across several campuses.

One of its many degree programs is a Bachelor of Arts in American Sign Language. The degree is offered on campus and allows students to become immersed in ASL, developing proficiency in the language that will give them the edge in a variety of careers.

8. University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley

The University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley is a public school consisting of multiple campuses in the Rio Grande Valley region of Texas. It enrolls more than 30,000 students.

Students at this school can pursue a Bachelor of Science in American Sign Language interpretation. The program teaches students to become proficient in ASL to interpret. The skills gained from this program translate into various fields and industries.

9. Framingham State University

Framingham State University is a small public school enrolling around 4,100 students. It is located in Framingham, Massachusetts.

The school offers a bachelor's degree in American Sign Language with two concentrations: English interpreting and deaf studies. These concentrations allow students to focus their studies on their particular career interests.

10. Wichita State University

Wichita State University is a public school located in Wichita, Kansas. It enrolls more than 17,000 students and offers a wide array of degree programs.

Among these programs is a Bachelor of Arts in American Sign Language. This program focuses on applied learning, giving students a variety of opportunities to put their classroom knowledge into action through research and internship opportunities.

The Benefits of Choosing an American Sign Language Major

Getting a degree in ASL has many benefits.

Firstly, it is an in-demand skill in a growing professional field. Hundreds of thousands of people in the deaf community use American Sign Language to communicate. Understanding this language is a valuable skill in many industries, as it allows you to communicate with a wider variety of people.

Career opportunities available to graduates holding an ASL degree include being a sign language interpreter and working in:

• Social work
• Mental health
• Deaf education

A degree in ASL can also help you better communicate with friends and family who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Finally, deaf people and hearing people alike can benefit from ASL programs because they teach marketable skills that allow them to bridge communication gaps. Therefore, an ASL degree is widely applicable and highly practical to a wide range of students.

FAQs about Earning Your Bachelor's Degree in ASL

Have additional questions about getting your ASL degree? Read on as we explore some answers.

What Are the Course Requirements for ASL?

Each ASL degree program has its specific coursework and requirements; however, many of these programs include similar courses. Common ASL courses include:

• Deaf culture
• Deaf studies
• Linguistics of ASL
• ASL literature
• Foreign languages and cultures

What College Degrees Do Most ASL Interpreters Have?

Many ASL interpreters hold a degree in American Sign Language, English interpreting, or a combination of the two. That said, not all interpreting jobs require you to have a degree in this field. For example, if you are already fluent in ASL, you may be able to get an interpreting job with an unrelated degree.

What College Major Is ASL?

American Sign Language degrees may be available at the associate degree or bachelor's degree levels. The most common type of ASL majors are offered as Associate of Art and Bachelor of Art degrees.

Can You Get a Degree in ASL?

Yes. As noted in this article, many schools offer degrees in ASL, and there are many benefits to obtaining one of these degrees. This is especially true if you hope to become an interpreter or incorporate interpreting into your career.

Should I Minor in American Sign Language?

Many schools offer minors in ASL. Pursuing a minor in the field allows you to personalize a related or unrelated major, giving you a wider variety of skills and career opportunities after graduation.

Start Your Educational Journey Today

Make sure to check out one of the institutions offering ASL degree programs listed above. For more information on degree programs, careers, certifications, and more, navigate through the library of resources at Learn.org today.