Certificate of Achievement (Transcripted): American Sign Language

Below is a sample academic plan that shows you how you can complete your Certificate in a timely manner. Your path may look different depending on your circumstances?for example, if you attend part-time, choose to take Intersession or Summer courses, or have earned prior credit (Credit for Prior Learning, Dual Enrollment, Transfer Credit). You are required to meet with a counselor to set up a comprehensive education plan that is tailored to your individual circumstances and goals.

The Certificate of Achievement in American Sign Language (ASL) is offered as preparation for developing linguistic competency in ASL and readiness for entering a formal Interpreter Training Program or as an added skill as a direct service provider: instructional assistant, social work, speech pathology, etc. The certificate indicates skill in the use of ASL for personal communication, knowledge of American Deaf Culture and an introductory awareness of Sign Language Interpreting and other professions working within the American Deaf community.

Maintain an ongoing dialogue in ASL at an intermediate conversational level.

Program Map

GE General Education Course
M Major Course
E Elective Course
SI Summer/Intersession Course *
* Course is appropriate for Summer and Intersession, which are accelerated terms.

Getting Started

Comprehensive Education Plan: You are required to meet with a counselor for a comprehensive educational plan that is tailored to your individual circumstances and goals. Please schedule an appointment with a counselor in your first semester.

First Semester

7 units
ASL 110
American Sign Language I
This entry level course is designed to introduce students to American Sign Language (ASL) and fingerspelling as it is used within American Deaf culture. Instruction includes preparation for visual/gestural communication followed by intensive work on comprehension through receptive language skills, development of basic conversational skills, modeling of grammatical structures, and general information about American Deaf culture. ASL 110 is equivalent to two years of high school ASL. Students are required to attend at least one off-campus event.
    Plan 1: 3B. Humanities
    ASL 116
    Introduction to Deaf Studies
    This is an introductory course exploring the cultural, educational, linguistic, sociological, psychological, and audiological experiences of people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/blind, and late-deafened in America. Students will be exposed to historical and current perspectives in trends, philosophies, ideologies, and the Deaf community as a subculture of American society.
      Plan 1: 3B. Humanities
      Plan 2: 3B. Humanities

      Second Semester

      7 units
      ASL 111
      American Sign Language II
      The second course in the study of American Sign Language (ASL) focuses on increased vocabulary development, intermediate comprehension and conversational skills, application of grammatical structures and practice in the receptive and expressive aspects of ASL, as well as appreciation of American Deaf culture, and history. Students are required to attend at least one off campus event.
      • Prerequisite: ASL 110
      Plan 1: 3B. Humanities
      CDEV C1000
      Child Growth and Development
      Students examine the progression of development in the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional domains and identify developmental milestones for children from conception through adolescence. Emphasis is on interactions between biological processes, environmental, and cultural factors. Students may engage in various methods of observing children's development to evaluate individual differences and analyze development characteristics at various stages according to developmental theories. A student will not receive credit for this course if they have already taken Psychology 157. Formerly: CDEV 107 - Child Growth and Development (DS1)
        Plan 1: 4B. Social Science
        Plan 1: 7A. Lifelong Understanding
        Plan 2: 4. Social and Behavioral Sciences

        Third Semester

        4 units
        ASL 210
        American Sign Language III
        The third course in the study of American Sign Language (ASL) emphasizes advanced ASL syntax, non-manual markers, vocabulary, and fingerspelling enabling students to participate in more complex conversations with Deaf community members. Students will have emphasis on expressive skills in narrative form. Students are required to attend at least one off campus event.
        • Prerequisite: ASL 111
        Plan 1: 3B. Humanities

        Fourth Semester

        10 units
        ASL 211
        American Sign Language IV
        This course continues the study and development of American Sign Language (ASL) receptive and expressive linguistic competence. Emphasis on production/conversational skills in ASL, along with continued focus on grammatical and cultural features. Students are required to attend at least one off campus event.
        • Prerequisite: ASL 210
        Plan 1: 3B. Humanities
        ASL 113
        Introduction to Interpreting for the Deaf
        This course is designed to provide students with the historical and theoretical knowledge of the interpreting profession. Topics include: The history of ASL- English interpreting in the United States, roles and responsibilities of an interpreter, the Code of Ethics, relevant organizations, interpreter skills and competencies, overview of various settings, terminology, the interaction of American Deaf and Hearing cultures, business practices, and systems of evaluation and certification. Students may be required to attend two events outside of class.
        *Spring Course Only
        • Prerequisite: ASL 111
        ASL 114
        Classifiers, Fingerspelling, and Numbering
        This course is designed to provide specialized instruction in the continued development of skills and application of expanded conceptualization of American Sign Language (ASL) classifiers, fingerspelling, and numbering concepts and further exploration and understanding of American Deaf culture. Expressive and receptive techniques will be emphasized. Students are required to attend one off campus event.
        *Spring Course Only
        • Prerequisite: ASL 210