ASL Certificate Program
ASL Certificate Program |
|
Undergraduate Certificate in
American Sign Language and Deaf Studies
Policies | Requirements | Frequently Asked Questions | To Apply
Overview
The American Sign Language/Deaf Studies Certificate is an interdisciplinary program in which students learn about the history, culture, and language of the American Deaf community. Extensive research in recent decades has established that American Sign Language is an autonomous, natural language, comparable in complexity and expressiveness to oral languages, that American Sign Language is associated with a distinct culture of Deaf Americans, and that the study of American Sign Language provides opportunities for exploration and research comparable to those offered by spoken languages. Through the study of ASL, students come into contact with a language which is not only semantically and grammatically very different from their own, but one which operates in a different sensory channel as well. As with the study of any foreign language, students come to understand the nature of their own language better by broadening their understanding of how languages may be constructed.
There is now a substantial and growing multi-disciplinary literature documenting a distinct Deaf culture in the United States. Students who study ASL discover a rich and complex cultural group that has created a wide range of social, political, and economic organizations, a periodical press, a distinctive material culture, rules of etiquette that differ from those of the larger hearing society, a unique means of transmitting cultural knowledge between generations, and a fascinating history. Students of ASL also encounter a rich and diverse literature. Like most of the languages spoken in the world today, ASL does not have a written form, but it does have a large and rapidly growing literature recorded on film and videotape dating back to the early 20th century.
Students in a wide variety of disciplines find the ASL/Deaf Studies certificate a useful addition to their major, in particular those majoring in linguistics, anthropology, history, American Studies, psychology, education, speech pathology and audiology, and social work. The program permits students to link study in three or more disciplines into an organized investigation of a language and culture. In addition, a certificate in ASL/Deaf Studies will serve as a valuable confirmation for employers and graduate schools of a student’s specialized knowledge in the field.
Policies [Top]
Requirements [Top]
The Certificate in ASL/Deaf Studies may be earned by any undergraduate student who 1) satisfies the language requirement by successfully completing the ASL I-IV sequence, 158:011 to 158:014, or by demonstrating equivalent proficiency; and 2) earns a minimum of 18 semester hours of credit in approved courses from at least three different departments, including at least 6 hours in core courses.
Choose at least two of the following:
158:100/16A:104 History of the American Deaf Community
158:101 Topics in Deaf Studies
158:103 American Sign Language Literature
158:104 Issues in ASL and Deaf Studies
158:106 Introduction to ASL Interpreting
158:110 Teaching Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students (same as 07U:110)
158:111 American Sign Language Conversation
In addition to the above, students shall complete at least 12 semester hours chosen from at least two of the following departments. Choose at least four courses from two or more of the following departments:
Speech Pathology and Audiology
003:117 Psychology of Language
003:185 Hearing Loss and Audiometry
003:244 Rehabilitative AudiologyCollege of Education-Special Education
07U:100 Foundations of Special Education
(open only to students who have been admitted to the Teacher Education program)
07U:133 The Culturally Different in Diverse Settings
07U:110 Teaching Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students (same as 158:110)Anthropology
113:014 Language, Culture, and Communication
113:172 Language and Culture
113:173 Language and Gender (same as 103:150)
113:174 Ethnography of Communication
113:179 Language and IdentityLinguistics
103:011 Language and Society
103:115 Language Processing (prereq. 131:016) (same as 031:113)
103:030 Language and Mind
103:045 Language Rights
103:100 Introduction to Linguistics
103:150 Language and Gender (same as 113:173)Psychology
031:113 Language Processing (same as 103:115) (prereq. 31:016)History
16A:106 Disability in American History
16A:104 History of the American Deaf Community (same as 158:100)
Students may petition to have courses not on this list approved for certificate requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions [Top]
How do I declare my intention to pursue the Certificate?
Students must declare their intention to pursue the Certificate with the ASL/Deaf Studies adviser and submit a plan of study. Contact the Certificate adviser, Kimela Nelson at asl-program@uiowa.edu or call her at 335-2238.
How many credits do I need?
Students need a minimum of 18 semester hours of credit in approved courses. Courses used to satisfy the Certificate may not be taken pass/nonpass. Please see POLICIES for more information.
Can credits count toward my major or minor as well as the Certificate?
Yes, credits can count toward both your major/minor and the Certificate.
Can cross-referenced courses fulfill two different Certificate requirements?
No, each course taken may only fulfill one of the Certificate’s required courses.
Is there a mandatory GPA required for the Certificate?
A minimum grade-point average of 2.00 must be maintained on all Certificate coursework. Courses used to satisfy the Certificate may not be taken pass/nonpass.
I am interested in the certificate, but I want to take ASL I before I declare the certificate. Can I get special permission for ASL I?
No, interest in the certificate does not provide you with special permission to register for ASL. Please see ASL Program's FAQ for more information regarding registering for ASL at The University of Iowa.
Who can I talk to for more information?
Contact the Certificate adviser, Kimela Nelson at asl-program@uiowa.edu or call her at 335-2238.
What Deaf community involvement opportunities are available?
The ASL Club is a University of Iowa student organization that is dedicated to increasing fluency in ASL and learning more about Deaf culture. In addition, the Cedar Rapids Association of the Deaf is a very active organization for Deaf people in the area. The CRAD meets once a month and holds additional special events.
Can I major in American Sign Language and/or Deaf Studies?
No, there is no major or minor currently offered at The University of Iowa. However students may choose to develop a plan for a B.A. degree in interdepartmental studies that incorporates similar subject matter. Check with an academic adviser for information on the process.
Are there schools that offer graduate degrees in ASL or Deaf Studies?
Yes, Gallaudet University offers a Master’s Degree in Deaf Studies. In addition, there are graduate programs in Speech, Language, and Hearing Science as well as Deaf Education that include Deaf Studies.
What are some of the benefits of earning the certificate?
Study for the certificate affords students the opportunity to develop insight into and appreciation for the culture, contributions, and contemporary issues of Deaf people in the United States. The courses prepare students to communicate more effectively with deaf students, clientele, and fellow professionals or employees in business, industry, schools, colleges, and hospitals. In addition, the courses provide a solid and basic foundation for entry into any career in a deaf-related field.
What do certificate holders do after graduation?
During recent years, a number of significant legislative and judicial initiatives and directives have appeared at the federal, state, and local levels to ensure that the approximately 500,000 deaf Americans have full access to public and private programs and services. As social, community, legal and educational services have expanded nation wide, many career possibilities have opened in deaf-related professions. The ASL and Deaf Studies certificate at The University of Iowa can contribute to preparation for careers in education, counseling, human services, psychology, interpreting and others requiring competence in American Sign Language. Students may also apply their knowledge of Deaf studies to various graduate fields of study.
Does this certificate qualify me as a teacher of deaf children, ASL/English interpreter, sign language instructor, or speech pathologist and audiologist?
No, additional specialized training is required for all of the above fields. However, completion of the ASL and Deaf Studies Certificate can contribute to your preparation for them and can satisfy certain course requirements in those fields.
Does this certificate qualify me to teach deaf children or work as an interpreter?
No, it does not qualify you for either field, but many of the courses fulfill requirements for either field.
If you are interested in teaching deaf children, the University of Iowa offers a Teacher Licensure - Hearing Impaired Added Endorsement Program.
If you are interested in becoming an interpreter, visit The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf's website or contact a local Interpreter Training Program. There are three in Iowa:
Will the certificate prepare me for a career as a sign language instructor or speech pathologist and audiologist?
No, completion of the ASL and Deaf Studies Certificate does not mean you are qualified to enter the above careers. If you wish to pursue these careers you will need additional, specialized training.
To Apply [Top]
If you are interested in applying for the certificate program in ASL and Deaf Studies, please consider the following questions:
1) Do you maintain G.P.A of at least 2.0? (Required for all certificate courses.)
2) Have you or do you plan to complete ASL 4, are you currently enrolled in ASL 4, or have you tested out of ASL 4?
If your response to the above questions is YES, you may go ahead and apply for the certificate program.
To apply for the certificate program in ASL & Deaf Studies:
Please return the completed application form and your statement of purpose to:
American Sign Language Program
679 Phillips Hall
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242
The University of Iowa
Below is a checklist of courses that may be used to fulfill the requirements for the Certificate in ASL & Deaf Studies. You should bring the checklist with you when you meet with the Certificate adviser.
American Sign Language Program |
University of Iowa
677 Phillips Hall, Iowa City, IA 52242-1323 |
Phone: (319) 335-2238 (v/tty) |
Fax: (319) 353-2207
Copyright © 2005-2008 American Sign Language Program - The University of Iowa |
Maintained by Webmaster: ASL-Program@uiowa.edu