Overview
The Certificate in American Sign Language (ASL), offered by the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, provides students with foundational skills in ASL, the most widely-used language of the D/deaf in the U.S. and Canada. Students will also explore American Deaf culture and community, gaining meaningful insight into the experiences, values and perspectives of individuals who are D/deaf or hard of hearing (DHH). Through this program, students build the knowledge and confidence needed to interact, collaborate, and communicate more effectively with DHH individuals in professional and social settings.
This certificate complements a wide range of majors and career paths. For those considering careers that involve close work with DHH communities – such as ASL interpreting, deaf education, early intervention, disability advocacy and policy – this certificate provides a strong essential foundation.
Double Counting Policy
In the Barnett College of Public Health (CPH) not more than two courses may count toward major and minor/certificate requirements.
This policy relates to each CPH major + a minor/certificate or CPH minor + minor/certificate pair individually, so if a student has a major and two minors/certificates in CPH:
- A maximum of two courses can double count between the major and the first minor/certificate.
- A maximum of two courses can double count between the major and the second minor/certificate, but they can be different from the above two courses.
- A maximum of two courses can double count between the first minor/certificate and the second minor/certificate, but they can be different from the above four courses.
Campus Location: Main
Program Code: HP-ASL-CERT
Contact Information
Felicidad Garcia, PhD, CCC-SLP, Associate Professor of Instruction, Program Director
Paley Hall, Room 340G
215-204-7180
felicidad.garcia@temple.edu
Lisa Bedore, Chair
Paley Hall, Room 345E
215-204-4490
lisa.bedore@temple.edu
Kara Black, MA, Academic Advisor
Paley Hall, Room M160P
215-204-2063
kara.black@temple.edu
Learn more about the undergraduate certificate in American Sign Language.
Requirements
The Certificate in American Sign Language (ASL) will be awarded to students who complete the following requirements (3 required courses, and 6 required elective credits), totaling a minimum of 15 credits:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CSCD 1001 | American Sign Language I | 3 |
| or CSCD 1901 | Honors American Sign Language 1 | |
| CSCD 1002 | American Sign Language II | 3 |
| or CSCD 1902 | Honors American Sign Language 2 | |
| CSCD 1003 | American Sign Language III | 3 |
| Required Electives | ||
| Select from the following: 1 | 6 | |
| The World of Sign Languages | ||
or CSCD 0916 | Honors: The World of Sign Languages | |
| American Sign Language IV | ||
| American Deaf Culture | ||
| Medical American Sign Language | ||
| The Linguistic Structure of Sign Language | ||
| Teaching and Learning: The Preceptor Experience 2 | ||
| Independent Study in Communication Sciences 2 | ||
| Topics in Linguistics 2 | ||
| Topics in Communication Sciences and Disorders 2 | ||
| Honors in Communication Sciences 3 | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 15 | |
- 1
Other courses may be substituted for one of the required electives if the content is centered on ASL, and requires prior approval from the Undergraduate Program Director.
- 2
These electives are allowed if the topic or experience is centered on ASL content, and requires prior approval from the Undergraduate Program Director.
- 3
This elective is a requirement for attaining Distinction in the Major in the BA in Speech, Language and Hearing Science program. This elective is allowed toward completion of the ASL Certificate if the undergraduate research and thesis is centered on ASL and/or d/Deaf and hard of hearing (HOH) populations.
Note:
- A minimum grade of C is required for any of these courses to count towards the American Sign Language certificate.
- Students majoring in Speech, Language and Hearing Science must earn a grade of C or better for the course to count towards the major.
- Students can begin ASL I during any Fall term in their freshman or sophomore years. Alternatively, students can take ASL I in the summer.
- ASL I and ASL III are Fall courses, although ASL I is also offered in the summer.
- ASL II and ASL IV are Spring courses.