Deaf Studies, Sign Language Interpreting Concentration, B.A.

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Return to: 4160 Department of Learning Sciences

For students who are interested in pursuing careers working with deaf/hard of hearing children or adults, the B.A. Deaf Studies degree will allow for a concentration in Deaf Education or Sign Language Interpreting. The courses within this program will provide students with a foundation in American Sign Language, Deaf Culture(s), and skills specific to teaching or interpreting for deaf individuals. Graduates will be prepared to work in a variety of settings that serve deaf children and/or adults. Graduates are provided coursework and practicum experiences resulting in knowledge of characteristics, curriculum, instructional strategies, and classroom management procedures.

Program Admission

Students are required to meet all university and college admission requirements. In addition, students must:

Complete Areas A-E;
Complete of ENGL 1101 and ENGL 1102 each with a grade of “C” or better;
Complete of ASL 1001 with a grade of “C” or better and ASL 1002 , ASL 2001 , and ASL 2002 each with a grade of “B” or better;
Complete the program application.
Demonstrate proficiency in sign recall and visual-motor integration;
Complete an entrance interview demonstrating at least intermediate conversational proficiency in American Sign Language.
Complete the program orientation.

Degree Requirements

Areas A-E: Core Curriculum (42-43 Hours)

(see Core Curriculum Requirements in the undergraduate catalog )

Area F. Preparation for the Major (18 Hours)

Students must complete coursework with a grade of “C” or higher. A grade of “B” or higher is required in ASL 1002, 2001, and 2002.

ASL 1001 - Elementary American Sign Language I 3 Credit Hours
ASL 1002 - Elementary American Sign Language II 3 Credit Hours
ASL 2001 - Intermediate American Sign Language I 3 Credit Hours
ASL 2002 - Intermediate American Sign Language II 3 Credit Hours
DFST 2200 - Careers Working with Deaf Communities 3 Credit Hours
EPY 2050 - Human Growth and Development 3 Credit Hours
Other courses may be selected with the approval of the program coordinator.

Area G. Major Area (48 Hours)

Students must complete all courses in Areas G with a grade of “B” or higher in one attempt unless otherwise noted.

Required (48 Hours)

ASL 3001 - Advanced American Sign Language I 3 Credit Hours
DFST 3115 - Deaf History and Culture 3 Credit Hours
DFST 3260 - Linguistics of Sign Language 3 Credit Hours
SLIP 3010 - Introduction to Interpreting-CTW 3 Credit Hours
SLIP 3050 - ASL To English I 3 Credit Hours
SLIP 3060 - English to ASL I 3 Credit Hours
SLIP 3200 - Service Learning I 3 Credit Hours
SLIP 3210 - Service Learning II 3 Credit Hours
SLIP 4000 - Educational Interpreting 3 Credit Hours
SLIP 4025 - Survey of Specialized Interpreting Settings 3 Credit Hours
SLIP 4040 - Transliterating 3 Credit Hours
SLIP 4050 - ASL to English II 3 Credit Hours
SLIP 4060 - English to ASL II 3 Credit Hours
SLIP 4070 - Practicum I 3 Credit Hours
SLIP 4080 - Practicum II 6 Credit Hours

Area H: Electives (12 Hours)

Students must complete all courses in Areas H with a grade of “C-” or higher unless otherwise noted.

Choose four courses (12 Hours)

AL 3021 - Introduction to Linguistics 3 Credit Hours
AL 3031 - Language in Society 3 Credit Hours
AL 3041 - Introduction to Second Language Acquisition 3 Credit Hours
AL 4111 - Semantics and Pragmatics in Linguistic Theory 3 Credit Hours
AL 4151 - Communication Across Cultures-CTW 3 Credit Hours
ANTH 4114 - Language and Social Justice 3 Credit Hours
BCOM 3950 - Business Communication and Professional Development 3 Credit Hours
CPS 3200 - Diversity and Human Relations 3 Credit Hours
CPS 3300 - Interpersonal Communication Skills 3 Credit Hours
ENI 3101 - Entrepreneurial Thinking for Startups 3 Credit Hours
EXC 4350 - Foundations of Deaf Education 3 Credit Hours
Other courses may be selected with the approval of the program coordinator.