American Sign Language (A.A.)

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This program is pending approval by the Maryland Higher Education Commission.

Official Title of Major: American Sign Language Transfer, A.A.

Award: Associate of Arts degree, A.A.

Code: Contact RECORDS

Total Credit Hours: 60

World Languages

Purpose: The American Sign Language transfer degree will provide students a thorough and rigorous preparation to complete bachelors and masters-level training for careers as case managers, residential counselors, teaching assistants, job coaches, and administrative assistants. Other graduates choose to pursue further training to become ASL interpreters, or go on to graduate degree programs in social work, Deaf education, audiology, speech pathology, and business administration.

Approximate Cost

Graduation Requirements

Refer to Academic Regulations for college-wide Graduation Requirements .

Honors Program Courses

If you qualify for the Honors Program, you may take honors versions of some courses (such as ENG 101H , ENG 102H , etc.).

Planning Tool: Two-Year Sequence of Courses

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General Education Requirements: 34 credits

An approved list of general education courses can be found in the General Education Requirements and degree program required courses section of the catalog. Choose general education courses from the following topics:

English Composition: 6 credits

ENG 101 - Academic Writing and Research 1 3 credit hours
ENG 102 - Academic Writing and Research 2 3 credit hours
ENG 101A and ENG 101 are equivalent courses. Students may take ENG 101A -ENG 102 or ENG 101 -ENG 102 to meet their English Composition General Education requirement

Arts and Humanities: 6 credits

ASL 111 - American Sign Language 1 3 credit hours
Arts and Humanities course (other than ASL) 3 credit hours.

Biological and Physical Sciences: 7 credits

At least one lab science required. Refer to General Education Biological and Physical Sciences Requirements for a list of approved courses.

Mathematics: 3 credits

Transfer students are recommended to consult a transfer advisor on mathematics courses accepted by their desired transfer institution.

Choose one Mathematics course from the following:
MAT 133 - Finite Mathematics 3 credit hours
OR
MAT 135 - Statistics 3 credit hours
Or more advanced level if qualified from the list below:
MAT 137 - College Algebra 3 credit hours
MAT 145 - Precalculus 1 3 credit hours
MAT 146 - Precalculus 2 3 credit hours
MAT 151 - Accelerated Precalculus 4 credit hours
MAT 191 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry 1 4 credit hours
MAT 192 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry 2 4 credit hours
MAT 202 - Linear Algebra 4 credit hours
MAT 230 - Elementary Calculus (For Business and Social Sciences) 3 credit hours

Social and Behavioral Sciences: 6 credits

Choose two courses from two different disciplines. Refer to Social and Behavioral Sciences for a list of approved courses.

Additional General Education Requirements: 6 credits

Technology Requirement 3 credit hours
Refer to General Education Technology Requirements for a list of approved courses.
Wellness Requirement 3 credit hours
Refer to General Education Wellness Requirements for a list of approved courses.

Program Requirements: 26 credits

Students with prior ASL knowledge are encouraged to meet with the ASL coordinator to determine placement into higher level courses.

Required Courses: 21 credits

ASL 112 - American Sign Language 2 3 credit hours
ASL 113 - American Sign Language 3 3 credit hours
ASL 114 - Fingerspelling and Numbers 3 credit hours
ASL 120 - Introduction to the American Deaf Community 3 credit hours
ASL 120 fulfills the Diversity Requirement.
ASL 121 - Deaf Culture 3 credit hours
ASL 140 - Introduction to Interpreting 3 credit hours
ASL 211 - American Sign Language 4 3 credit hours

Electives: 5 credits

Recommend students check with an advisor before selecting electives. No more than 3 credits of physical activity courses may be used as electives.

Diversity Requirement

Satisfied by ASL 120 .

Technology Requirement

All students in associate degree programs must satisfy the Technology Requirement . In many cases, students may satisfy this requirement simultaneously as they satisfy a general education course requirement or with an elective.

Wellness Requirement

Unless they are in a degree that is exempt, all students in associate degree programs must satisfy the Wellness Requirement . In many cases, students may satisfy this requirement simultaneously as they satisfy a general education course requirement or with an elective.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

Communicate complex ideas and information through writing, speaking, presenting, and using technology.
Locate, organize, and analyze information from multiple sources in order to develop informed, reasoned, and substantiated arguments.
Explain the value of tradition, innovation, and creativity in understanding and participating in expression through signing.
Apply mathematical skills, critical analysis, and logical thinking to solve problems and interpret quantitative information.
Apply an awareness of social diversity and the ways in which cultural values are historically and socially situated.
Communicate effectively at an intermediate level in American Sign Language with diverse audiences on academic and personal topics.
Compare the linguistic systems of American Sign Language and English.
Assess the intersection of Deaf culture and identity with hearing American society.

This program aligns with all the college’s core competencies.

Career and Educational Advancement Resources

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