ASL/Deaf Studies: Academics Information
KU’s School of Professional Studies offers two undergraduate degree completion programs.
- Bachelor of Arts in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies
- Bachelor of General Studies in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies
The graduate certificates in ASL/Deaf Studies help professionals and students to specialize their knowledge and add an in-demand skillset to their professional abilities.
- The Graduate Certificate in Advanced American Sign Language is designed for students looking to enter ASL and/or ASL interpreting fields or who are fluent in both American Sign Language and English to pass a language proficiency entrance exam.
- The Graduate Certificate ASL and English Interpreting is designed for students wishing to pursue ASL/English interpreting at either the introductory or professional level who are fluent in both languages.
- The Graduate Certificate in Deaf Studies and Social Justice is offered online and does not require proficiency in ASL. This certificate focuses on intersectionality and Deaf culture, social justice and allyship and issues in Deaf education.
The advanced ASL and ASL/English interpreting certificates require fourth semester ASL/*proficiency or beyond.
Foundational courses cover topics such as intersectionality of Deaf communities, social justice, and allyship with Deaf communities, along with ASL V and VI. A wide selection of electives focus on subjects like the interpreting profession, ASL linguistics, vocabulary and discourse, language in culture and society, ASL literature, and psycholinguistics. Students are also required to complete a capstone project.
The bachelor’s degree in ASL and Deaf Studies does not prepare students to interpret. Students wishing to sit for the interpreting credentialing exam should complete the ASL/English Introduction and Professional Interpreting certificate in addition to their bachelor's in ASL and Deaf Studies.
Flexibile
- Flexible course formats
- Major concentrations match student interest with experienced faculty
- MetroKC tuition rate available for Missouri students
Quality
- Credentialed, experienced faculty
- Two-time recipient of Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising from KU’s College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
- KU is one of 38 public university members of the prestigious Association of American Universities, a group of America's leading research universities.
Useful
- Hands-on, interdisciplinary curriculum
- Opportunities for undergraduate research and study abroad
- Focus on problem solving and community engagement
*The Undergraduate and Graduate Certificates in ASL/English Interpreting aim to prepare students to sit for the NIC and BEI national certification exams so they are eligible for state credentialing in KS and MO. Students in KS who pass the performance certification exam are eligible to register in KS as an interpreter. This website provides information about KS interpreter registration. Students in MO who pass the MO certification exam are eligible to seek licensure in MO as an interpreter. This website provides information about MO interpreter certification and licensing. If you plan to obtain a license or certification in a state other than Kansas or a US territory after completion of your program, it is highly recommended you first seek guidance from the appropriate licensing agency BEFORE beginning the academic program to ensure you can obtain a license or certification in your home state or territory. This website provides resources for licensure and certification boards outside of Kansas. The Undergraduate and Graduate Certificates in ASL/English Interpreting does not guarantee that students will pass the certification exams, but covers the necessary materials to prepare students to sit for the exam.