Undergraduate

World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Degree: American Sign Language

Bachelor's, Minor

Ready to take the next step?

Are you ready to open the doors to a vibrant community and expand your communication skills? The American Sign Language (ASL) degree is designed not only to teach you the essentials of ASL, but also to ensure that you graduate with the fluency needed to connect effortlessly with the Deaf and hard of hearing community. ASL Is the third most commonly used language in the U.S., after English and Spanish. it’s s also used in other countries, including Canada, Dominican Republic, Mexico, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and parts of West Africa and Southeast Asia. Dive into a learning experience that empowers you to express yourself and forge meaningful relationships through the beautiful language of signs.

CURRICULUM

What You’ll Learn

As you complete your ASL degree at Gardner-Webb, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of interpreting theory, language processing, and human relations while mastering technical skills in ASL and English translation and upholding professional ethics and Christian values.

Your learning experience will cover crucial topics such as:

Elementary ASL I to Advanced ASL II
Deaf Culture and History
Linguistics of ASL
ASL Literature
Methods for interpreting for Deaf individuals

As you earn your Bachelor of Arts degree in ASL, you can also enhance your qualifications with a minor in Education, Psychology, or Interpreting. You can also pursue a unique specialization in ASL by adding an ASL minor to another major, like Education, Nursing, Physical Education, Psychology.

Join us to advocate for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, equipping yourself with the knowledge and practical experience needed to empower individuals to transform lives and promote a richer understanding of ASL, its culture, and history.

Ready to take the next step?

Contact Info

Robert Moore

Interim ASL director , Instructor in American Sign Language

World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

[email protected]

(704) 406-4472 ; 704-313-0456

Campus Box: 7266

111 Lindsay Hall

Program hours

Years (avg.)

Class Type

Face-to-face

Total Credit Hours

120 hours required

Transfer Credits

Transfer in up to 60 semester hours

Accreditation

Gardner-Webb University is accredited by SACSCOC and CHEA

Available Programs

Bachelor of Arts in World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures: American Sign Language Degree Program

In the World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures American Sign Language degree program, students complete 48 semester hours, including two three-credit internships. The major consists of courses in four (4) tiers:

Foundation courses (9 hours)—an introduction into the relevant fields of your major (linguistics, intercultural communication, literature and film studies).
Language, literature, and culture courses taught in the target language (21 hours)—these courses will be taken by students of a specific concentration.
Comparative courses (9 hours)—these courses will be taken by students of all concentrations.
Capstone (3 hours)—a senior seminar focusing on the exploration, research, development, and presentation of a major research and analytical essay on a subject appropriate to the major (fall semester, senior year).

American Sign Language students are required to take 2 internships, 3 credit hours each. For a more in-depth look at minor requirements, visit our Academic Catalog.

WLLC Minors

American Sign Language Interpreting Minor (18 credit hours)

ASL majors can minor in Interpreting. Required courses include:

English Processing for Interpreters (SLIN 220)
Fundamentals and Theories of Interpreting (SLIN 303)
Interpreting: English to ASL (SLIN 320)
Interpreting: ASL to English (SLIN 321)
Interpreting for Special Populations (SLIN 403) or Principles of Educational Interpreting (SLIN 404)
Signs in Application (SLIN 404)

For a more in-depth look at minor requirements, visit our Academic Catalog.

American Sign Language Minor

Students who are not American Sign Language majors can minor in American Sign Language. These students will complete all core requirements plus 15 hours of sign language electives at the 200-level or above, including Deaf Culture (SGLG 305).

For a more in-depth look at minor requirements, visit our Academic Catalog.

Additional opportunities

Preparing for the Future

Embark on an enriching journey at Gardner-Webb University, where your American Sign Language degree opens doors to a fulfilling career in communication and advocacy. You will not only achieve fluency in ASL but also cultivate a robust set of specialized skills and bridging the gap between deaf and hearing communities.

Internships & Research Projects

American Sign Language students take two three-credit internships.

During the fall semester before graduation, students complete a capstone (senior seminar) class, which includes a research paper and presentation. In the spring semester, they present their essay at a conference.

Sign Language Proficiency Interview

To apply for a major in World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures with a concentration in American Sign Language at Gardner-Webb University, each student must pass the Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI) at the Intermediate level during the fourth semester of ASL study, and every subsequent year until graduation.

Through the SLPI:ASL, evaluators who are native Deaf ASL users offer valuable feedback on language skills. This helps students track their ASL skill development, identify areas for improvement, and confirm their qualifications for employment or admission to graduate programs.

I graduated with a strong foundation and practice in Deaf culture and linguistics, and an understanding of the profession and how to conduct myself as an ethical professional.

Stacey Ferguson, ‘04

Growing up using Pidgin Signed English (PSE), I didn’t fully understand the concept of American Sign Language (ASL) as a distinct language. Taking ASL courses at GWU helped me understand the differences between various signing systems and languages in ways I had never imagined. Beyond language, the program opened my eyes to Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HOH) cultural norms that I hadn’t been aware of.

Kyle Kiser, ’06

Related Programs

Undergraduate

World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Degree: English as a Second Language (ESL) Education

Bachelor's, Minor

Undergraduate

World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Degree: American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting

Bachelor's, Minor

Why Choose American Sign Language at Gardner-Webb?

Choose Gardner-Webb’s ASL degree program to become fluent in one of the most widely used languages in the U.S. and beyond—while joining a vibrant, supportive community led by decades of expert faculty. As the first college in North Carolina to offer a B.A. in ASL, Gardner-Webb equips you to connect, serve, and lead through the power of sign language.

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Universities in the U.S. that offers an American Sign Language Program.

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University in N.C. to offer an Interpreter Education Program since 1995.

Private institution in N.C. that offers an Interpreter Education Program.

Related Clubs & Organizations

World Languages, Literature and Culture

American Sign Language Club (ASL)

Performance, World Languages, Literature and Culture

Joyful Hands Ministry Team

outcomes

What You’ll Do After Graduation

Demand is rising for American Sign Language expertise across legal, educational, nursing, video relay interpreting, and many other fields. After earning your ASL degree from Gardner-Webb, your enhanced communication skills will position you to make a significant impact as you engage effectively with individuals in the Deaf community and contribute to a more accessible world.

You may pursue professions such as:

Interpreting
Language Facilitator
Deaf School Employment
Special Education for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Audiology
Speech-Therapy
Social Services
Graduate School

Education/ Teacher
Communications
Human Resources
Advertising
Administration

Admissions & Aid

We’re here to help! Once you’ve found the program that’s right for you, learn how to apply and become one of the approximately 96% of our students who receive financial aid.

Department of World Languages, Literature, and Cultures

(704) 406-3223