B.A. and B.G.S. in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies and graduate and undergraduate certificates Program Details

Learn more on the KU School of Professional Studies American Sign Language and Deaf Studies program page.

Applications deadlines:
 Fall: Feb. 1
 Spring: Nov. 1
 Summer: May 1

• Tuition and fees
• Application
• Comprehensive KU course catalog
• KU grading and grades
• KU School of Professional Studies
• KU calendar
• KU refund policies

 Transfer students

· Apply to the University of Kansas as a transfer student.

· Email the program advisor or call (913) 897-8539 about your interest in becoming a transfer student for the American Sign Language and Deaf Studies program.

Former KU students not currently enrolled at KU:

· Schedule a meeting with the academic coach prior to application for readmission to the University. 

Transfer scholarship deadline: Feb. 1

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of General Studies programs

Admissions criteria 

1. The program follows the policies governing admission to undergraduate study at the University of Kansas. Students must submit an online application to the University and be admitted. Admissions decisions will be the responsibility of the Director of the B.A. degree program and all applications will be reviewed by a faculty admissions committee.
2. Majors must complete courses to gain fourth semester language proficiency, or an equivalent placement, as demonstrated through a language proficiency exam administered by the department. 

Curriculum and Requirements

The major requires as total of at least 30 credit hours (completed through 10 courses at three credit hours each). Students are recommended to consult with their academic success coach prior to enrolling in course work to ensure that all pre-requisites are met. 

All courses are offered in person on the Edwards Campus. 

Required:

·      ASLD 311 Introduction to Deaf Studies

·      ASLD 312 Intersectionality and Deaf Communities

·      ASLD 313 Social Justice and Allyship with Deaf Communities

·      ASLD 505 American Sign Language 5 (ASL 5)

·      ASLD 506 American Sign Language 6 (ASL 6)

·      ASLD 588 Internship in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies
or ASLD 589 Research Experience in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies 

Pick four electives from the following list:

·      ASLD 414 Historical Foundations of Deaf Education

·      ASLD 428 Special Topics in Deaf Studies:_____

·      ASLD 501 Introduction to the ASL/English Interpreting Profession

·      ASLD 502 Theories of Interpreting: Co-Constructions of Meaning

·      ASLD 520 American Sign Language Linguistics

·      ASLD 521 Discourse Analysis of ASL

·      ASLD 523 ASL Pragmatics and Syntax

·      ASLD 530 American Sign Language Literature

·     ASLD 589 Research Experience in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies

·    ASLD 608 ASL/English Interpreting Observation Practicum   

·     ASLD 626 Topics in ASL Vocabulary and Discourse:_____

·     ASLD 631 Advanced American Sign Language Literature

·      ANTH/LING 320 Language in Culture and Society

·      LING 343 Bilingualism

·      LING 435 Psycholinguistics I

Students wishing to sit for the interpreting credentialing exam are strongly encouraged to complete the ASL/English Interpreting certificate (Introduction and Professional Interpreting) in addition to their bachelor's in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies. Completion of the bachelors and certificate programs may result in the need to complete additional coursework. Please consult with your academic success coach for additional information. 

Transfer Credit

·  A maximum of 64 hours from community or junior colleges count within the minimum cumulative credit hour requirement.

·  Only transfer grades of C or higher count toward KU degree requirements.

·  Courses graded credit/no-credit or pass/fail are not accepted.

·  Visit KU’s transfer credit website to ensure your transfer credits will count toward the KU degree.

Graduation Requirements 

• 120-credit-hour minimum – In addition to major requirements, students must complete the KU Core, KU’s general education curriculum for undergraduates, as well as electives – B.A. students must have a second quantitative literacy course and a laboratory course – B.G.S. students must complete a minor and a career preparation course 
• 45 credits must be junior/senior-level, with at least 30 junior/senior-level in residence at KU

KU Core

The KU Core is the university-wide curriculum that all incoming students will fulfill as part of their degree, in addition to degree-specific and major requirements. Completion of an AA degree at a Kansas community college satisfies KU Core goals 1-3. For more information, visit: kucore.ku.edu.

Critical Thinking & Quantitative Literacy | 2 Units

GE11: Critical Thinking (Will be met by major requirements)

GE12: Quantitative Literacy (Will be met by major requirements)

Communication | 3 Units

GE21: Written Communication 1

GE21: Written Communication 2

GE22: Oral Communication (Public Speaking recommended)

Breadth of Knowledge | 3 Units

GE3H: Arts and Humanities

GE3N: Natural Sciences with lab (Will be met by major requirements)

GE3S: Social Sciences (Intro to Psychology recommended)

Culture and Diversity | 2 Units

AE41: Human Diversity (Sociology recommended)

AE42: Global Culture/Awareness

Social Responsibility and Ethics | 1 Unit

AE51: One course

Integration and Creativity | 1 Unit

AE61: Analyzing and Combining Ideas 

Please see the program advisor for additional details.

Graduate and undergraduate certificates in American Sign Language & Deaf Studies

Admissions requirements

Undergraduate/Transfer students:

1. Meet with an academic advisor/success coach at the Edwards Campus
2. Apply to the University of Kansas as a transfer or readmit student
3. ASL/English Language Proficiency Assessment*

*The Advanced American Sign Language and ASL/English Interpreting certificates require fourth semester ASL proficiency, or equivalent, or beyond demonstrated through successful completion of a language proficiency assessment provided through the department. 
 

· Email the program advisor or call (913) 897-8539 about your interest in becoming a transfer student for the American Sign Language and Deaf Studies program.

Transfer scholarship deadline: Feb. 1
 

Graduate admissions requirements

1. Meet with an academic advisor/success coach at the Edwards Campus
2. Apply to the University of Kansas as a graduate student. Submit the following: 

Current KU students

1. A copy of your KU advising report;

2. A letter of support from your graduate degree program.

3. Statement of interest

4. ASL/English Language Proficiency Exam*

Non-KU students

An official transcript from any institutions attended;

1. A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above is required; students with a GPA between 3.0 and 2.0 may be provisionally admitted given relevant professional experience and achievement.
2. Statement of Interest
3.  Two letters of reference
4. ASL Proficiency Exam*

*All students interested in pursuing the Advanced American Sign Language and/or ASL/English Interpreting certificates must complete an ASL proficiency exam prior to beginning the program. Applicants will demonstrate their proficiency by submitting a video recording on their signed responses to prompted questions. 
 

Curriculum and Requirements

Undergraduate Certificate Programs

Deaf Studies and Social Justice undergraduate certificate

This certificate does not require proficiency in ASL and instead focuses on intersectionality in Deaf culture, social justice, allyship, and issues in Deaf education. The certificate is offered in a hybrid online format.

Required Courses

Electives (choose two)

Advanced American Sign Language undergraduate certificate

Designed for students who have a Level 4 proficiency in American Sign Language and would like to advance their ASL proficiency to ASL 6. Proficiency screening may be required to determine readiness.

Required Courses

Electives (choose three)

ASL/English Interpreting undergraduate certificate

Introduction to ASL/English Interpreting Track

Required courses

Electives (choose three)

Professional ASL/English Interpreting Track

Required courses

Electives (choose two)

Graduate Certificate Programs

Deaf Studies and Social Justice Graduate Certificate

This certificate does not require proficiency in ASL and instead focuses on intersectionality in Deaf culture, social justice, allyship, and issues in Deaf education. The certificate is offered in a hybrid online format.

Required Courses

Electives (choose two)

Advanced American Sign Language certificate

Designed for students who have a Level 4 proficiency in American Sign Language and would like to advance their ASL proficiency to ASL 6. Proficiency screening may be required to determine readiness.

Required Courses

Electives (choose three)

ASL/English Interpreting Graduate Certificate

Introduction to ASL/English Interpreting Track

Required courses

Electives (choose three)

Professional ASL/English Interpreting Track

Required courses

Electives (choose one)