About this program

Students in the ASL: Applied Communication and Community Studies major engage in the formal study of American Sign and the communities of Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, CODA (children of deaf adults) and ASL users. Students will develop intermediate level ASL proficiency and develop the knowledge and competencies for professionals to work with and within Deaf communities.

What can you do with this degree?

When exploring opportunities available to graduates in this major, students will find a wide variety of options including business, civil service, community organizing, cultural services administration, finance, health services, hospitality, human resources, journalism, law enforcement, medicine, mission work, the non-profit sector, performing arts, politics (lobbying and legislation), public health, research, and tutoring to name a few. 

Graduates are also strong candidates for positions requiring engagement within Deaf communities including at residential schools (administration, human resources, student life, teacher’s aide), advocacy organizations and social service agencies (adult education, counseling, Deaf community services centers, domestic violence survivor advocacy, job coaching, senior services for the Deaf, and support services for deaf people with intellectual and developmental disabilities).

The major provides a foundation for students to apply their knowledge and skills as they pursue graduate or professional study opportunities in such various fields of study as ASL Education, Audiology, Deaf Education, Disability Rights, Early Childhood Education, Interpreting, Law, Linguistics, Medicine, Mental Health Counseling, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech and Language Pathology, and Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling.