Basic ASL Communication Skills Certificate

Additional information available on the Sign Language Interpreter Preparation Department website.

The ASL certificate is for students who want to broaden their horizons by learning a new language and who plan to use their skills for casual communication as opposed to professional interpreting. ASL is the fourth most used language in the United States and can be a valuable asset in any field that is customer or consumer related. In today’s competitive market, every additional skill on your resume places you one step closer to your dream job. This certificate can be a starting point for your new career or can enhance any established degree or profession.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Basic ASL Communication Skills certificate program, students should be able to:

• Negotiate a signing environment with an increased repertoire of sign vocabulary used in context
• Perform linguistic and culturally appropriate communication techniques that include introductions, attention getting techniques, attending behaviors, interrupting methods, and turn-taking
• Analyze stereotyping, labeling, and oppression regarding Deaf people and the Deaf community and the impact each has on creating stigma on deaf peoples’ lives
• Discuss bilingualism and biculturalism
• Identify different national, state, and local Deaf organizations and their purposes
• Describe state and national interpreter certification requirements
• Explain the seven tenets of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Code of Professional Conduct
• Summarize the roles and responsibilities of interpreters
• Apply the Demand Control-Schema to case studies