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 are 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
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
American Sign Language Concentration
| ASL203 | American Sign Language Linguistics | 3 | Information Literacy Intensive |
| ASL205 | Deaf Literature & ASL Folklore | 3 | |
| COM111 | Public Speaking | 3 | Public Presentation Intensive |
| DST191 | Deaf Community Practicum | 2 | Written Communication Intensive |
| DST205 | Deaf Culture | 3 | |
| Program Elective | See Elective Advice | 3 | |
Human Services Concentration
| DST191 | Deaf Community Practicum | 2 | Written Communication Intensive |
| DST205 | Deaf Culture | 3 | |
| HUS101 | Introduction to Human Services | 3 | |
| HUS103 | Community Resources and Client Populations | 3 | |
| HUS170 | Modalities of Treatment | 3 | |
| HUS201 | Group Dynamics | 3 | |
| HUS202 | Behavior Management Principles & Techniques | 3 | |
| PSY101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | |
| PSY207 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 | |
Interpreting Transfer Concentration
| ASL203 | American Sign Language Linguistics | 3 | Information Literacy Intensive |
| ASL205 | Deaf Literature & ASL Folklore | 3 | |
| COM111 | Public Speaking | 3 | Public Presentation Intensive |
| DST102 | Introduction to the Interpreting Field | 3 | Public Presentation Intensive |
| DST191 | Deaf Community Practicum | 2 | Written Communication Intensive |
| DST205 | Deaf Culture | 3 | |
| Free Elective | See Elective Advice | 3 | |
Recommended Course Sequence/Pathway ASL Studies American Sign Language Concentration, Associate in Arts
Year 1 Fall
| ANT101 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 | Global Awareness Intensive |
| ASL111 | Intermediate American Sign Language I | 4 | Public Presentation Intensive |
| DST101 | Introduction to Deaf Studies | 3 | |
| ENG101 | English Composition I | 3 | |
| Math Elective | See Elective Advice | 3-4 | |
Year 1 Spring
| ASL112 | Intermediate American Sign Language II | 4 | |
| ASL203 | American Sign Language Linguistics | 3 | Information Literacy Intensive |
| DST191 | Deaf Community Practicum | 2 | Written Communication Intensive |
| ENG102 | English Composition II | 3 | |
| Program Elective | See Elective Advice | 3 | |
Year 2 Fall
Year 2 Spring
Recommended Course Sequence/Pathway ASL Studies Human Services Concentration, Associate in Arts
Year 1 Fall
| ANT101 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 | Global Awareness Intensive |
| ASL111 | Intermediate American Sign Language I | 4 | Public Presentation Intensive |
| DST101 | Introduction to Deaf Studies | 3 | |
| ENG101 | English Composition I | 3 | |
| HUS101 | Introduction to Human Services | 3 | |
| Math Elective | See Elective Advice | 3-4 | |
Year 1 Spring
| ASL112 | Intermediate American Sign Language II | 4 | |
| DST191 | Deaf Community Practicum | 2 | Written Communication Intensive |
| ENG102 | English Composition II | 3 | |
| HUS103 | Community Resources and Client Populations | 3 | |
| Free Elective | See Elective Advice | 3 | |
Year 2 Fall
Year 2 Spring
Recommended Course Sequence/Pathway ASL Studies Interpreting Transfer Concentration, Associate in Arts
Year 1 Fall
| ANT101 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 | Global Awareness Intensive |
| ASL111 | Intermediate American Sign Language I | 4 | Public Presentation Intensive |
| DST101 | Introduction to Deaf Studies | 3 | |
| ENG101 | English Composition I | 3 | |
| Math Elective | See Elective Advice | 3-4 | |
Year 1 Spring
| ASL112 | Intermediate American Sign Language II | 4 | |
| ASL203 | American Sign Language Linguistics | 3 | Information Literacy Intensive |
| ENG102 | English Composition II | 3 | |
| DST102 | Introduction to the Interpreting Field | 3 | Public Presentation Intensive |
| DST191 | Deaf Community Practicum | 2 | Written Communication Intensive |
Year 2 Fall
Year 2 Spring