FAQ

Will ASL be accepted towards my foreign language credit?

ASL courses under Gallaudet University's Center for Continuing Studies are offered for professional studies credit. Although providing college credit, these classes are not applied to any degree program at Gallaudet. They may, however, be transferable to other universities. You will need to check with your home institution to see if they will be accepted. These courses carry college credit and students receive a grade report upon completion of each semester. While PST courses offered through the Graduate School and Professional Programs are not applied to degree programs at Gallaudet University, they may be transferable to other universities and often satisfy requirements for professional development. Some PST courses are offered as clusters that lead to professional certificates.

I have already taken some ASL courses elsewhere, which course should I start at Gallaudet?

ASL classes at Gallaudet University may not be equivalent to classes you have taken at other locations. To ensure that you are placed in the class that best meets your needs, review the course descriptions and select the one that seems to fit your current skill level. See ASL Placement Screening.

Does Gallaudet offer ASL courses online?

Yes, ASL I and II online is offered during the Fall and Spring semesters.

How many ASL courses can I take each semester?

During the Fall and Spring, you can take one level of ASL I-VI, along with Visual Gestural Communication, Fingerspelling, and/or Classifiers. During the Summer, you may take up to two levels of ASL I-VI which are offered during four successive ASL sessions, along with Visual Gestural Communication, Fingerspelling and/or Classifiers courses.

Is learning ASL hard?

Learning ASL can be challenging as the language includes an incorporation of facial expression, hand movement, use of the space, and its own grammatical structure.

What are the requirements from a student who wants to take ASL?

Generally, applicants must be at least 16 years of age and possess a high school diploma or GED-equivalent to take any PST prefixed courses. Senior high school students are eligible to enroll with written recommendation of their high school academic advisor and permission of the instructor.

How can I register for an ASL course?

You will need to register with Center for Continuing Studies or Summer Programs is part of the Center for Continuing Studies.

Do I have to be accepted by Gallaudet University in order to take ASL classes?

ASL classes taught at Gallaudet under the ASL Program are open to students who meet the University’s admission requirements for these courses. You do not have to be admitted to a degree program.

Are there any ASL classes for non-credit?

ASL courses at Gallaudet are academically rigorous and expect language classes offered for academic credit. Tailor-made courses designed for specific groups of people at either their site or on our campus for non-credit.

Do you offer scholarship for ASL students?

No, we do not offer any scholarship or financial assistance for students taking ASL courses.

Why is ASL being taught entirely in ASL?

ASL classes at Gallaudet University have a "no voice" policy in the classroom. This is equivalent to language immersion in a foreign language class. Your learning ability is greatly enhanced by the no voice environment. Students find this approach to learning ASL an effective and rapid way to learn ASL. The goal is for students to become proficient in ASL and develop an increased cultural awareness of the deaf community. Classes can also be tailored to meet the needs of specific audiences, professional or personal development needs. These classes are provided upon request and can be designed as credit or non-credit offerings.