American Sign Language and Interpretation (Communication Studies), Bachelor of Science
Program Overview
This program prepares students to work in the American Sign Language (ASL) and Interpretation field. Our mission is to prepare entry-level practitioners capable of managing the intercultural demands and complex cognitive tasks for conveying dynamically equivalent messages between ASL and English. Upon successful completion of the degree students will demonstrate foundational competencies in the areas of language, understanding the culture of the Deaf community and demonstrating professional behaviors for sign language interpreters. Graduates will be eligible for state and national ASL interpreter certification.
The Communication Studies concentration is for students seeking to interpret for large and small audiences. Students will be able to demonstrate effective nonverbal and verbal presentational speaking abilities (including effective eye contact, vocal variety and body movement, and clear organizational structure).
Admission requirements for this program beyond university admission requirements.
- Students are eligible to apply to the program when they have completed 45 semester credit hours towards the degree. The 45 semester credit hours must include the following courses and must be completed with a grade of ‘C’ or better to be officially admitted to the program:
- ASLI 1310
- ASLI 1320
- ASLI 2310
- Students must complete 60 hours towards the degree to be officially admitted to the program.
- The cumulative GPA for the 60 hours completed towards the degree must be 2.8. The GPA will be calculated using all institutional and transfer coursework applicable to the degree.
- ASLI 3310 may be in progress at the time of application but must be completed with a grade of ‘C’ or better to be officially admitted to the program.
Specific graduation requirements for this program beyond university bachelor’s degree requirements.
- Students must complete all ASLI major courses with a grade of ‘C ‘or better.
- Students must complete all concentration courses with a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Core Curriculum - 42 hours
The Core Curriculum serves as a broad foundation for the undergraduate degree. All candidates for a bachelor’s degree must achieve core student learning outcomes, including communication, critical thinking, empirical and quantitative skills, teamwork, personal responsibility and social responsibility, by completing courses within each category or component area of the Core Curriculum as outlined below.
The University has approved specific courses that satisfy Core Curriculum Requirements. Approved courses can be found on the Core Curriculum Page. Students seeking the most efficient way to complete the core curriculum and major or minor requirements are advised to take approved courses that can fulfill both requirements. Although core curriculum courses can also be used to fulfill major or minor requirements, earned credits hours are only applied once.
The courses listed below fulfill core curriculum and major requirements. Students who have completed a core curriculum category with courses other than those listed below will still be required to take the listed course(s) to meet major requirements.
050 Creative Arts - 3 hours
090 Integrative and Experiential Learning - 6 hours
Major Requirements - 78 hours
Required Courses - 57 hours
American Sign Language Core - 18 hours
American Sign Language Interpretation Foundation - 39 hours
Communication Studies Concentration - 21 hours
Students possessing a form of ASL proficiency (i.e., heritage signers) and/or students transferring from other ASLI programs must consult with the ASLI Program Coordinator prior to registering for coursework. In some cases, specific subject courses may be substituted. This conversation, however, is performed on a case-by-case basis. An inhouse proficiency exam has been developed and will be utilized to help determine ASL course placement. Allowable courses include: ASLI 3324 and ASLI 4340.
Total Credit Hours: 42
Total Credit Hours: 120
View this program’s recommended roadmap to graduation.
UTRGV Roadmaps are a suggested sequence of courses designed to assist students in completing their undergraduate degree requirements. This is a term-by-term sample roadmap of courses required to complete the degree. Students must satisfy all requirements in their catalog including, but not limited to course prerequisites, grade point average and course grade benchmarks, progression requirements, and graduation requirements.
Students should meet with their academic advisor every semester to discuss their individualized path toward completion. Degree progress within this roadmap depends upon such factors as course availability, individual student academic preparation and readiness, student time management, work and personal responsibilities, and financial considerations. Students may choose to take courses during summer terms to reduce course loads during long semesters.