American Sign Language (ASL) Program Guide

American Sign Language (ASL) is an interpersonal communication method primarily used by people who are hard of hearing or deaf. It engages manual gestures and facial expressions to convey ideas and information.

Learning ASL can help you connect with the Deaf community and can also lead to unique career opportunities. Face-to-face and online ASL degree programs offer a structured way for you to build proficiency with American Sign Language and learn about Deaf society and culture. Explore career pathways and possibilities with this guide.

ASL programs typically focus on the technical aspects of American Sign Language while also exploring Deaf culture. Many traditional and online ASL degrees also cover ASL-English interpreting, with some programs specifically developing interlinguistic ASL-English proficiencies.

Some schools house their ASL programs in their culture, language, or linguistics departments or colleges. Others offer them as standalone programs.

You can study American Sign Language at the following levels:

Generally designed for students seeking introductory ASL knowledge, certificate programs usually concentrate on the foundations and fundamentals of ASL. Classes emphasize ASL communication skills, supplementing language learning with coursework in Deaf studies and culture.

Certificate programs vary in length: Some include as few as three online ASL classes, while others require seven or more. Typical certificate programs take 1-2 semesters to complete.

Online associate of arts (AA) degrees in ASL retain a core focus on American Sign Language communication skills while exploring broader aspects of Deaf culture and society. These may include:

Some associate programs in ASL also cover more specialized topics, such as ASL-English interpretation methods and the ethical issues that accompany them. Curricula also include electives, often in subjects like communication, education, psychology, and/or sociology.

Bachelor of arts (BA) programs in ASL feature rigorous curricula that usually cover about 120 semester credits. These online American Sign Language degrees offer a diverse and enriched learning experience, using their multi-year length to build technical ASL proficiency while also exploring topics in:

Many bachelor’s programs also offer extensive coursework in ASL-English interpretation. They typically culminate in a senior thesis or capstone project.

At the master’s level, online ASL degrees become more specialized. Programs focus on specific, applied aspects of American Sign Language learning, such as ASL education or sign language interpretation. This is reflected in the broader set of degree designations you can pursue as a graduate student.

Master’s programs usually cover about 30 semester credits and award a master of arts (MA), master of education (M.Ed.), or master of science (MS) degree. They often use hybrid delivery models that blend face-to-face and online learning. Review program requirements carefully to determine how intensive the campus-based components are.

Doctoral programs in American Sign Language are rare, but you can choose from several options in special education or linguistics — earning either a doctor of education (Ed.D.) or doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.). These intensive programs combine academic coursework with research and dissertation requirements, affording you the opportunity to explore a highly specific topic in ASL or ASL education.

Some programs do not specifically include an inherent focus on ASL or Deaf education, but instead offer a strong degree of control over your academic content. You can use this freedom to self-design a doctoral program in ASL, Deaf studies, or Deaf special education.

Online language learning has become very popular, and educational opportunities extend to American Sign Language. Structured programs that offer instruction at multiple proficiency levels may begin with an assessment, during which an expert will test your ASL knowledge and recommend level-appropriate language classes.

Overall, online American Sign Language degrees and classes are more readily available at the certificate and undergraduate levels. While available, graduate-level online ASL degrees are less common. They also tend to focus less on language skills and more on applied concepts and/or research.

An online ASL degree can most directly prepare you for specialized careers working with people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Many American Sign Language program graduates take roles in education or work as ASL-English interpreters.

The following career profiles highlight the job duties, growth projections, and salaries associated with these professions:

ASL interpreters use their advanced knowledge of both American Sign Language and English to bridge communication gaps between people or groups who would otherwise face significant communication challenges. They specialize in the precise, objective use of ASL, and may work in settings like:

Some states require ASL interpreters to hold specialized licenses to practice in some or all professional settings. You can explore state-level regulations through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.

ASL teachers can fill two professional functions: teaching American Sign Language to non-deaf learners and leading classes and instructional sessions for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. They work in public or private schools, and in specialized language centers that may operate on a nonprofit or for-profit basis.

To work in the public school system as an ASL teacher, you will need a state-issued teaching license. Rules may vary in other work settings according to internal policies and federal, state, or local regulations.

Postsecondary teachers of ASL work in higher education institutions like community colleges and four-year universities. They design courses and program curricula, teach classes, supervise and perform research, and advise students working on capstone projects, theses, and dissertations.

At the college level, teaching ASL engages more than technical language instruction. As such, postsecondary teachers of ASL also need expertise in Deaf culture, community dynamics, and the unique ethical, legal, and social justice issues deaf people face.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), bachelor’s-level graduates of ASL programs from the class of 2023 earned an average starting salary of slightly over $51,700 per year. For comparison, NACE tracked an overall mean starting salary of $63,720 for the class of 2023.

Despite the earnings gap, ASL degree-holders can leverage some advantages to their favor. According to Rhode Island’s CDHH, ASL is the third-most widely used language in the United States behind English and Spanish. Advanced proficiency in American Sign Language may lead to unique career opportunities as ASL continues to grow in popularity.

The typical cost of an ASL degree tends to increase as degree levels rise, with associate programs remaining relatively affordable and graduate programs costing more. However, many individual factors influence how much you will pay for your degree. These include:

Educational institutions, charities, philanthropic foundations, corporations, and individual donors all help support ASL students with scholarship and grant programs. These helpful sources of non-repayable aid can significantly reduce your educational expenses. Seek these out — especially if you are hard of hearing or deaf yourself, as you may more readily qualify.

Admission requirements for face-to-face and online ASL degrees vary considerably by level. For example, you may not need any existing ASL knowledge or proficiency to enter an associate degree program, but many graduate programs require candidates to have a fluent command of advanced ASL.

Undergraduate admission requirements commonly include:

Bachelor’s programs may conduct ASL assessments to determine your level of proficiency. Some schools restrict their bachelor’s ASL degrees to students with at least an intermediate command of American Sign Language.

For graduate programs, you will likely need:

Graduate programs may also request video evidence of your ASL knowledge. You will likely need an ASL Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) score of Level 3 or higher. The ASLPI evaluates American Sign Language proficiency on a 0-5 scale.

Exact standards vary among schools and programs, and you should carefully review all admission requirements before applying.