For many students, ASL, or American Sign Language, begins as a required foreign language credit, helping students avoid retaking it in college. While some move on without second thought, others turn the language into a long-term interest that shapes future academic and career paths.
The ASL program teaches basic vocabulary and grammar alongside deaf culture, communication access, and real-world applications. As a result some students continue to study ASL after graduation, pursuing opportunities through higher education to community involvement.
Many universities offer ASL courses, minors, or majors in Interpreting and Deaf Studies. Students can build foundational skills and eventually gain certification as interpreters, a role that requires technical skills and understanding.
Senior Haley Davis began using ASL as a child, with “Baby Signs” for words such as “more,” “milk,” or “food.” After Graduation, Davis plans on majoring in ASL to hopefully work in hospitals or schools where deaf communities may feel underrepresented. Davis explained, “I want to do ASL interpreting specifically in schools and hospitals…I want to help out, make it easy, accessible, somewhat cheaper, and just help everyone.”
Career options connected to ASL are varied. Interpreting is the most common choice allowing professionals to work in schools, hospitals, and legal environments. However, ASL skills also may be used in education, social work, and public service. ASL teacher Angela Van Tongeren explained, “if you can sign, you can market towards the deaf community.”
Students who continue ASL through college often have the chance to stay involved in the deaf community through events, clubs, or volunteer work. Van Tongeren suggested the most helpful way to be successful in an ASL major is to, “find deaf friends…in the classroom you’re going to get the vocabulary and the grammar structure, but you’ll miss out on the slang as language develops.” These experiences build skills and create successful careers for ASL majors.
