American Sign Language Studies, Associate in Arts

The associate in arts degree program in American Sign Language Studies has been designed to provide students with a broad educational experience, including the balance and diversity of general education and the knowledge and skills of American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf Culture. The program provides for career exploration within the Deaf/Hard of Hearing/DeafBlind communities as well as the basic academic preparation for transfer to bachelor degree programs.

Graduates will be able to both continue their education at other institutions of higher learning and/or gain employment in residential settings, independent living programs, and other settings that provide services to the Deaf/Hard of Hearing/DeafBlind communities.

The core and concentration curriculum allows students an opportunity to explore various American Sign Language Studies fields which enables the student to choose the field of specialization best suited to the student's interests and abilities. The concentration areas of ASL Studies include ASL Studies, Interpreting Transfer, and Human Services. Students must earn a minimum grade of C in all ASL and DST courses in order to move to the next level of courses and for graduation.

A minimum of 61 credits is required for graduation.

Program Prerequisites: ASL101 Elementary ASL I and ASL102 Elementary ASL II with a “C” or better or demonstrate comparable skills/knowledge.

Additional Admissions Criteria:  American Sign Language Studies Criteria Packet

CORI/CHRI/SORI

Students interested in participation in this academic program may be required to undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, a Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) check and/or a Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) check. For more information, visit the CORI/CHRI/SORI page on the NECC website.

Northern Essex Community College is committed to the success of every student. Students with legal issues in their background will meet with a committee as part of the CORI/CHRI/SORI process and will receive guidance and counseling throughout the review of their records. NECC personnel make every effort to help students prepare for careers in their chosen field. Students are encouraged to seek assistance and support.

Any student enrolled in an associate degree program who is new to NECC and has no academic history at the college, must take at least one course designated as intensive in each of NECC’s six-core academic skills-in order to graduate. In most cases, the program’s core required courses include these intensive courses. Students should select electives that meet core academic skills that are not met by the required courses.  Plan to see an advisor for more complete information about this graduation requirement.

Requirements

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
ANT101Cultural Anthropology

3

Global Awareness Intensive

ASL111Intermediate American Sign Language I

4

Public Presentation Intensive

ASL112Intermediate American Sign Language II

4

ASL201Advanced American Sign Language I

4

ASL202Advanced American Sign Language II

4

DST101Introduction to Deaf Studies

3

ENG101English Composition I

3

ENG102English Composition II

3

Free ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Math ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3-4

Program ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Science ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3-4

Science ElectiveSee Elective Advice

4

Elective Advice:
Free Elective: See an Advisor
Math Elective: MAT125 or higher
Program Elective: Choose 1 course from the following: GOV101 or higher; HIS101, HIS102, HIS111, HIS112, HIS121, HIS122
Science Elective: One lab science is required. Students intending to transfer should take two lab sciences.

Courses with Prerequisites: ANT101, ASL111, ASL112, ASL201, ASL202, ENG102

Choose one of the concentrations below

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)

American Sign Language Concentration

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
ASL203American Sign Language Linguistics

3

Information Literacy Intensive

ASL205Deaf Literature & ASL Folklore

3

COM111Public Speaking

3

Public Presentation Intensive

DST191Deaf Community Practicum

2

DST205Deaf Culture

3

Program ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Elective Advice:
Program Elective: Choose 1 course from the following: DST102, ECE101, EDU101, HUS101

Courses with Prerequisites: ASL203, ASL205, COM111, DST191, DST205

Human Services Concentration

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
DST191Deaf Community Practicum

2

DST205Deaf Culture

3

HUS101Introduction to Human Services

3

HUS103Community Resources and Client Populations

3

HUS170Modalities of Treatment

3

HUS201Group Dynamics

3

HUS202Behavior Management Principles & Techniques

3

PSY101Introduction to Psychology

3

PSY207Abnormal Psychology

3

Courses with Prerequisites: DST191, DST205, HUS101, HUS103, HUS170, HUS201, HUS202, PSY101, PSY207

Interpreting Transfer Concentration

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
ASL203American Sign Language Linguistics

3

Information Literacy Intensive

ASL205Deaf Literature & ASL Folklore

3

COM111Public Speaking

3

Public Presentation Intensive

DST102Introduction to the Interpreting Field

3

Written Communication Intensive

DST191Deaf Community Practicum

2

DST205Deaf Culture

3

Free ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Elective Advice:
Free Elective: See an Advisor

Courses with Prerequisites: ASL203, ASL205, COM111, DST102, DST191, DST205

Recommended Course Sequence/Pathway ASL Studies American Sign Language Concentration, Associate in Arts

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)

Year 1 Fall

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
ANT101Cultural Anthropology

3

Global Awareness Intensive

ASL111Intermediate American Sign Language I

4

Public Presentation Intensive

DST101Introduction to Deaf Studies

3

ENG101English Composition I

3

Math ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3-4

Year 1 Spring

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
ASL112Intermediate American Sign Language II

4

ASL203American Sign Language Linguistics

3

Information Literacy Intensive

DST191Deaf Community Practicum

2

ENG102English Composition II

3

Program ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Year 2 Fall

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
ASL201Advanced American Sign Language I

4

COM111Public Speaking

3

Public Presentation Intensive

DST205Deaf Culture

3

Program ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Science ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3-4

Year 2 Spring

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
ASL202Advanced American Sign Language II

4

ASL205Deaf Literature & ASL Folklore

3

Free ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Science ElectiveSee Elective Advice

4

Recommended Course Sequence/Pathway ASL Studies Human Services Concentration, Associate in Arts

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)

Year 1 Fall

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
ANT101Cultural Anthropology

3

Global Awareness Intensive

ASL111Intermediate American Sign Language I

4

Public Presentation Intensive

DST101Introduction to Deaf Studies

3

ENG101English Composition I

3

HUS101Introduction to Human Services

3

Math ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3-4

Year 1 Spring

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
ASL112Intermediate American Sign Language II

4

DST191Deaf Community Practicum

2

ENG102English Composition II

3

HUS103Community Resources and Client Populations

3

Free ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Year 2 Fall

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
ASL201Advanced American Sign Language I

4

DST205Deaf Culture

3

HUS170Modalities of Treatment

3

PSY101Introduction to Psychology

3

Program ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Science ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3-4

Year 2 Spring

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
ASL202Advanced American Sign Language II

4

HUS201Group Dynamics

3

HUS202Behavior Management Principles & Techniques

3

PSY207Abnormal Psychology

3

Science ElectiveSee Elective Advice

4

Recommended Course Sequence/Pathway ASL Studies Interpreting Transfer Concentration, Associate in Arts

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)

Year 1 Fall

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
ANT101Cultural Anthropology

3

Global Awareness Intensive

ASL111Intermediate American Sign Language I

4

Public Presentation Intensive

DST101Introduction to Deaf Studies

3

ENG101English Composition I

3

Math ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3-4

Year 1 Spring

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
ASL112Intermediate American Sign Language II

4

ASL203American Sign Language Linguistics

3

Information Literacy Intensive

ENG102English Composition II

3

DST102Introduction to the Interpreting Field

3

Written Communication Intensive

DST191Deaf Community Practicum

2

Year 2 Fall

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
ASL201Advanced American Sign Language I

4

COM111Public Speaking

3

Public Presentation Intensive

DST205Deaf Culture

3

Program ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Science ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3-4

Year 2 Spring

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
ASL202Advanced American Sign Language II

4

ASL205Deaf Literature & ASL Folklore

3

Free ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Science ElectiveSee Elective Advice

4

Total Credit Hours: 61