• What programs do you offer in American Sign Language?
• Does this include training as an interpreter?
• How long do the programs take?
• Is learning ASL difficult?
• Must I take the courses for credit?
• I love watching people interpret in the theater and on TV. It looks so beautiful. I don't know anything about sign language, but I want to sign up.
• Can I earn a four-year degree by going to a two-year college?
• Are there jobs available for people who are fluent in ASL?

• What programs do you offer in American Sign Language? | back to top |
  
  For people who are not fluent in American Sign Language, LaGuardia's Continuing Education Program offers a series of five ASL courses, from beginning to advanced levels. Also, LaGuardia's Academic Affairs Program offers a series of four ASL courses. For those who want to learn ASL and earn a college degree, there is the Liberal Arts: Deaf Studies program.
  
  
  

• Does this include training as an interpreter? | back to top |

In order to qualify for LaGuardia's ASL/English Interpreter Education program, a person must be fluent in ASL, have 60 college credits, and pass an screening interview to demonstrate ASL language skills. One must display competency in both ASL and English before learning how to interpret from ASL to English, and English to ASL.

• How long do the programs take? | back to top |

The Deaf Studies degree is a 2-year Associate in Arts degree, if students can attend full time. The ASL/English Interpreter Education Program is a part-time evening program that takes two years.

• Is learning ASL difficult? | back to top |

It requires work, especially for hearing students, because one is not only learning new grammar and vocabulary, one is shifting from a aural, vocal language to a visual, gestural language. Like all languages, ASL cannot be learned just in the classroom; one needs to find native speakers to converse with in order to really understand and communicate well. That's why Deaf Studies includes internships, and why ASL classes include assignments that require socializing with members of the Deaf community.

• Must I take the courses for credit? | back to top |

If a person already has a degree, he or she may prefer to take the continuing education ASL courses. It is important to find out the degree requirements for the professional career that one has in mind.

• I love watching people interpret in the theater and on TV. It looks so beautiful. I don't know anything about sign language, but I want to sign up. | back to top |

A person who is enchanted by ASL may want to take an introductory level course on a Saturday morning or Wednesday evening, just to get to a sense of how it is to use ASL to communicate. Many people fall in love with ASL, but not everyone finds it easy to master.

• Can I earn a four-year degree by going to a two-year college? | back to top |

Yes! In collaboration with the Empire State College/SUNY, the ASL/English Interpreter Education program can be taken for credit. With advanced courses taken elsewhere, it can enable the student to earn a BA degree in Cultural Studies: ASL/English Interpretation from Empire State College/SUNY.

• Are there jobs available for people who are fluent in ASL? | back to top |

Yes, there is a shortage of qualified ASL/English interpreters. There are also opportunities for teachers, social workers, counselors, residence counselors, tutors, health care professionals, rehabilitation counselors, and others who know ASL.