American Sign Language

Associate in Arts (A.A.)

As a student in the American Sign Language program, you'll gain a strong understanding of the language, culture, and community of Deaf people. You'll graduate with a deepened understanding of English and proficiency in more than one language.

The Experience

The Deaf population in the Rochester, NY, region is one of the largest in the United States, due in large part to the opening of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf in 1968.

Whether you're interested in working directly with Deaf populations in health care, education, or interpretation, your options are limitless. The ability to communicate in more than one language can open the door to jobs that you may not have previously considered. ASL professionals translate lyrics at concerts, politician's speeches, and lectures, providing equal opportunities for the Deaf community to be entertained and informed.

Our A.A. in American Sign Language program is designed for students who want to:

Acquire a New Language.
Transfer into a Baccalaureate program.
Use ASL in the workplace.
Gain a deeper understanding of the English language.
Explore Deaf community and culture.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this degree program, students will be able to:

Express themselves clearly in various time frames on familiar topics as well as on some concrete social, academic, and professional topics.
Identify the main idea and most supporting details in authentic communicative situations on a variety of topics of personal and general interest, as well as on some topics of global interest.
Deliver detailed presentations, usually with accuracy and clarity, on a variety of topics and issues related to community interests and to some special fields of expertise.
Explain key perspectives of the target culture within a comparative framework (i.e. comparing target culture to their own or to a series of cultures).
Interpret and synthesize ideas and critical issues from a wide range of historical and contemporary cultural artifacts.

Honors Studies

If you're curious and motivated, you may want to explore honors studies courses. These classes center on reflection and community building and are available to full-time and part-time students in all degree programs. Successful completion of these courses, or earning your Honors Studies certificate or diploma, can increase your transfer options and include eligibility for specific scholarships.

Honors Studies

Scholarships

FLCC offers the American Sign Language scholarship to qualified candidates. To qualify, you're required to maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in your ASL coursework, complete ASL 201, and be enrolled in ASL 202.

FLCC Foundation Scholarships

Faculty

ASL professors hold bachelor's and master's degrees in ASL, Deaf studies, and linguistics. They have also earned additional national certification from the American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA).

Our faculty are committed to ASL culture and community, and many are members of the Deaf community themselves.

Transfer Opportunities

Upon graduation, you may wish to explore advanced degree options in ASL-English instruction, Deaf studies, linguistics, or similar programs. Some of our graduates have continued their studies at:

Rochester Institute of Technology (National Technical Institute for the Deaf)
University of Buffalo
Keuka College
Hunter College
University of Rochester

Career Opportunities

When you become fluent in American Sign Language, you become a highly marketable jobseeker. Employers are on the lookout for candidates like you who will bring a unique skillset to their organization.

Opportunities include: