Programs in American Sign Language

As one of the largest ASL programs in the nation, within one of the larger Deaf communities, we recognize our responsibility to our students, the Deaf community, and our students' future employers (both hearing and Deaf).

American Sign Language at Kent State University: The Mission Statement

Residing within KSU’s Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies, the ASL program’s primary goal is presenting American Sign Language as a diglossic language, which is based in a culture and a community, and is in interaction with other world languages.

Through immersion and bilingual-bicultural comparison classes, community interaction, individual and small group research, extra-curricular activities, lab activities, modeling, active learning and use of digital video technology, the ASL program at KSU works to ensure that students gain documented proficiency in ASL, validity within the Deaf community, and networking within the professional community.
 
Student progress is closely monitored through a multifaceted data-tracking system, to ensure adequate progress and the high level of skills, self-awareness, and ethics needed for direct employment (in fields such as education, advocacy, nonprofit administration, mental health, media, and performing arts), or successful application for further study (in areas such as psychology, anthropology, linguistics, medicine, law, social services, rehabilitation and linguistics).

Programs:

Students interested in Deaf Education or ASL/English Interpreting should explore the Bachelor of Science in Education in Special Education Programs offered by the College of Education, Health and Human Services.

See also: