American Sign Language, Bachelor of Arts

Keuka College is one of the few American colleges and universities to offer a baccalaureate degree program in American Sign Language (ASL). Keuka College’s four-year program combines intensive education in American Sign Language with integrated coursework in communication, culture, linguistics, history, and literature of the Deaf community.  The program curriculum emphasizes experiential learning through Field Periods, American Sign Language labs, and Deaf community functions. These first-hand field experiences enrich classroom learning immensely. They provide students with frequent and authentic occasions to (a) apply and test the validity of theories and practices, (b) observe/interact with Deaf and hard of hearing professionals and clients in action, and (c) acquire new knowledge and experiential learning of ASL, Deaf culture, and communication skills.

Keuka College’s robust arts and sciences core curriculum also enhances students’ pre-professional development in the major in many important ways. The core courses develop and refine students’ abilities to write well, think critically and creatively, read with understanding, expand their vocabulary, communicate effectively with various audiences, work successfully—both in teams and as an independent, lifelong learner—and understand and respect human diversity.

Keuka College’s ASL program prepares students for entry-level jobs in various fields in the Deaf community. Graduates of the program possess proficiency in American Sign Language, Deaf Literature & Culture, English, Communication, and some American Sign Language-English Interpreting. In recent years, graduates of two- and four-year ASL programs across the country have found employment in business and corporate settings, educational settings, community service organizations, vocational rehabilitation agencies, local and state governments. The demand for college-educated individuals with an advanced degree of fluency in American Sign Language is increasing nationwide. 

Upon graduation from the ASL program, students will be able to do the following:

1.  communicate fluently in ASL

2.  demonstrate differentiation/comparison of expressive and receptive skills between ASL and English

3.  demonstrate recognition of the Deaf as a people with a distinctive language, sensibility, and culture

4.  demonstrate an understanding of advocacy approaches for social injustices and inequalities for the Deaf community

5.  apply principles of collaboration and advocacy for a collective community in Deaf culture