The American Sign Language (ASL) Studies program is offered as an undergraduate degree or minor. Most of your advanced coursework will be finished after completion of American Sign Language levels I through IV. Your degree will be a Bachelor of Science in Education with a major focus in American Sign Language Studies. Completion of this degree will provide an individual with a strong foundation in ASL, as well as knowledge of ASL Culture, History and Literature.

The ASL Studies program allows for collaboration between UWM’s Interpreter Training Program, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education program, and Teacher Certificate Program for teaching ASL as a foreign language in a K-12 setting. This is the only program like this in the state that has extensive collaboration with other programs, providing opportunities to apply what has been learned in ASL classes.

UWM ASL Program is unique in many ways:

• All the teachers are native or native-like users of ASL.
• Only ASL Studies degree in the state of Wisconsin.
  
• Have the most number of teachers that are nationally certified by American Sign Language Teacher’s Association than any other program offered statewide.
• Encompasses the philosophy of eclectic teaching by combining several successful language instruction methodologies to meet the learning styles of the students in the best possible way.
• Have quality experience on campus for continual proficiency of ASL with our Signing Student Association (SSA), American Sign Language Living Learning Community (ASL-LLC), and large number of Deaf and hard of hearing students attending UW-Milwaukee.
  

ASL as a Foreign Language RequirementPossibly ASL as a major or minor may not be what you are looking for, the department welcomes all to take ASL to satisfy their foreign language requirement, for enjoyment, for personal growth, etc. ASL I has no prerequisites. In other words, anyone is welcome to enroll in ASL I! To enroll into a higher level ASL course a person needs to have a C- or better in the previous levels (effective May 2008) or take the ASLPI (see below) to be placed in a higher level course. To view the schedule of ASL courses click the semester of interest then click the Exceptional Education Department.

American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI)
If you have previous experience in ASL, you can take the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) to determine your appropriate course level and possibly receive retroactive credits. The ASLPI is offered three times a year. The test takes approximately 1 hour and costs $100.00, which is due at least one week in advance.

American Sign Language - Living Learning Community (ASL-LLC)If you are planning to stay in the Sandburg Residence Hall (dorms) then picture yourself developing a network of peers who communicate with a common language; American Sign Language (ASL) and gain understanding and respect for ASL, Deaf history, and Deaf culture. The ASL-LLC is an opportunity for students to live on the same floor of Sandburg Residence Hall and build a community based on a common language.

The Minor will guide a student through all six levels of ASL courses, along with some upper level language courses. The ASL Minor pairs nicely with any other subject areas at UWM, for example:

• Interpreter Training Program
• Regular Education
• Nursing
• Psychology
• Social Work
• Business

Other majors on campus along with the ASL Studies Minor will allow an individual to be bilingual and more employable within their field. You must be a student at UWM with a degree seeking major in order to pursue the ASL minor.

ASL minor course load sheet

The ASL Degree is not meant to be a stand alone degree. This degree will provide a person with a foundation and a fluency in American Sign Language. It is a degree that pairs nicely with any other subject areas, for example:

• Interpreter Training Program and ASL Studies will provide an individual with a foundation and fluency in the language and how to interpret.
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education, after obtaining the ASL Studies degree, will provide an individual with a foundation in the language in order to better teach deaf and hard of hearing children
• American Sign Language Teacher Education, after obtaining ASL Studies degree, will provide an individual with a strong base of the language in order to teach others the language.
• Other majors on campus, such as regular education, nursing, psychology, social work and business, along with an ASL Studies degree will allow an individual to be bilingual and more employable within their field.

ASL major course load sheet