American Sign Language

American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual-gestural language used by Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in America and parts of Canada. It is the third most studied language in America. (Modern Language Association, 2023)

The ASL program offers beginning to advanced ASL, Deaf Culture, Linguistics of ASL, Deaf Literature/Folklore, Deaf History, Fingerspelling, Introduction to Interpreting, English to ASL and ASL to English Interpreting courses. Students can take ASL to fulfill a foreign language requirement or they can obtain a degree in one of the following areas:

• American Sign Language Associate in Arts (AA)
  The AA degree in ASL is designed for students wishing to develop fluency in American Sign Language so they can pursue a career in Deaf education, social work, or to develop entry level skills required for the ASL/English Interpreting major.
  
  
• ASL/English Interpreting Associate in Arts (AA)
  The AA degree in ASL/English interpreting is geared toward students who wish to pursue a career as an interpreter. The program prepares students to transfer to a four-year institution so they can earn a bachelor's degree, which is required to become a certified interpreter.
  
  
• Liberal Arts with an Emphasis in American Sign Language F.5105.AA
  This degree is for students who want to develop fluency in ASL to use in a different line of work that may not be related to education or interpreting such as audiology, and speech pathology.

The ASL program will help students develop communication competency through instruction in the target language for a career in education, social work, healthcare, and interpreting. Students will also learn about the rich cultural aspects of the Deaf Community and how they survive in a world reliant on sounds. ASL is a beneficial language to use in other professions like nursing, childcare, emergency services, and police work as Deaf people are everywhere. The courses are transferable to a four-year college or university.

Senior Sign Language interpreter

Kristen Del Rosario

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American Sign Language is part of the ACL Pathway.  To learn about the American Sign Language degree requirements at Fresno City College and career possibilities with a major in American Sign Language, visit our ASL Pathway page.