The Bachelor of Arts in American Sign Language at Â鶹AV has three separate tracks for advocacy, teaching and interpreting. This degree could lead you to a career as a sign language interpreter, certified ASL teacher, advocate or lobbyist. Â鶹AV's American Sign Language B.A. enables students to acquire competence in both expressive and receptive ASL skills as well as familiarity with the literature and culture of the Deaf community.
ASL teaching and interpreting are considered two of the most meaningful jobs in the country. Within this program, you'll learn valuable communication skills that you can apply anywhere and with virtually anyone. ASL is a language that brings everyone together, and you'll get to learn from experts every day.
The Â鶹AV Department of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education is an accredited member of the Council on Education of the Deaf. Â鶹AV presents ASL as a culture- and community-based language that interacts with other world languages. Our program techniques include immersion and bilingual-bicultural comparison classes, community interaction, research, lab activities and use of digital video technology.
You will gain documented proficiency in ASL, validity within the deaf community and networking opportunities within the professional community. You will graduate from this program prepared for a career as an ASL interpreter, advocate or ASL educator.
In addition to the B.A., we offer an .
National publications name ASL teaching and interpreting two of the best, most meaningful jobs in the country. Within this program, you'll learn valuable communication skills that you can apply anywhere and with virtually anyone.
ASL is the language that brings everyone together and you'll get to learn from experts every day.
Choose from three tracks:
The teacher certification track prepares students to teach in the EC-12 classroom.
To obtain ASL teacher certification, you must apply to the teacher preparation program. Be sure that you work with your advisor to take all required standardized tests to facilitate a smooth admission process into the teacher preparation program. Admission requirements for DSDE students to the teacher preparation program are:
The interpreting track prepares students for careers in ASL interpreting.
The advocacy track prepares students for careers advocating or lobbying for Deaf people and communities.
Prospective Â鶹AV students should apply for admission online using the statewide Apply Texas system.
To complete your application, you also may be required to submit standardized test scores and transcripts of previous high school and/or college work.
Visit the Be A Cardinal website for more information.
Visit LU's Paying For School webpage for more information on tuition and fees, including how to apply for scholarships.
This four-year program is composed of a minimum of 120 credit hours of coursework and must be completed to earn a BA in American Sign Language Studies.
Yes. However, department scholarships are highly competitive.
Website links for attendance fees and additional scholarships/loans are as follows:
No. The content courses require face-to-face classes, which could interfere with full-time employment. Meeting dates and times vary per semester.
We offer a few summer courses. Major coursework occurs during the fall and spring semesters.
Yes. The American Sign Language Studies program prepares teachers of American Sign Language as a second language for K-12 educational programs. Pedagogy courses are required to earn a Texas teachers’ certificate (ASL K-12), and you must pass American Sign Language state exams ().
Students who complete the degree coursework, teacher certification coursework and pass their certification exams are usually offered employment before they graduate.
The American Sign Language Studies program also provides coursework, practicum, and internships for interpreter training. We encourage students, at minimum, to take the Test of English Proficiency before their internship. See the website for specific coursework for the track you wish to pursue.
No. While we can help you develop the skills necessary to enter the field, enrolling and completing the B.A. program in American Sign Language Studies does not guarantee you will be a certified American Sign Language interpreter after graduating from the program. You must achieve a high skill level in American Sign Language to become an interpreter. Mastering a second language requires a high level of investment on your part.
Our American Sign Language Studies BA program provides students with the content knowledge, beginning/intermediate, and advanced skills in American Sign Language, including American Sign Language Literature and American Sign Language Linguistics.
Depending on your entering American Sign Language skills and how fast you progress in ASL proficiency, this will impact when you are ready to take the Board of Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI). Students are encouraged to take the Test of English Proficiency ) before internship, and if applicable, apply for the interpreter performance exam.
No. For majors and minors, we only offer face-to-face class meetings on campus.
You must go through the regular admissions process to be admitted to an undergraduate degree program at Â鶹AV.
Yes. We welcome all students who are interested in pursuing a B.A. in American Sign Language! Most of our faculty are Deaf, so communication access in coursework is not an issue.
If you are ASL proficient, you can test out of most ASL language classes. Contact Dr. Smith at zysmith@lamar.edu for specifics. Student Support Services including tutoring for academic coursework are provided by the Student Tutoring and Retention Services (STARS) division. Additional student support services are handled through the Disability Resource Center (DRC). See the Disability Resource Center website for more information.
Yes. There is a $150 fee for each College Level Education Program (CLEP) placement exam. You must pass with a B or better to be permitted to go into the next level of American Sign Language course.
For information on testing out of ASL classes, contact Dr. Smith at zysmith@lamar.edu. Testing (made by appointment) is conducted throughout the year.
Yes. Our American Sign Language lab is open on weekdays. Full effort is made to make the lab available from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (times may vary from semester to semester depending on the needs of students).
American Sign Language proficiency is dependent on multiple factors such as aptitude, motivation, amount of time spent interacting with Deaf adults, attendance and participation in Deaf community events, coursework including the linguistics of American Sign Language, and self-motivation.
American Sign Language is like learning any other foreign language. The development of keen receptive and expressive skills is per individual.