ASL the language of the Deaf community in the United States and Canada. Students can acquire conversational competency through the courses offered in our Speech Language Pathology Programs. Even one ASL course will increase awareness of another language, particularly one that is communicated in such a different way from spoken languages. In addition, basic vocabulary and gestural messaging is helpful for working with young children and anyone who has trouble communicating orally.
ASL is required as part of the major in Speech-Language-Hearing Science. It counts as foreign language credit in some departments in the College of Arts & Sciences. Deaf Studies meets the USP Cultural Context and Diversity Studies requirements. Students should contact their advisors to find out if ASL can fit in their courses of study.
Students can take three courses of ASL (SPPA 2110, 2120, and 4130) in the Division of Communication Disorders. Students can further improve their signing skills by enrolling as lab assistants in SPPA 4140. Students can learn about the Deaf community through SPPA 4070.
SPPA 2110 and 2120 are in high demand. For these two courses, students must register on the waitlist and are then moved into classes based on priority. Priority enrollment is given to SPPA Majors followed by class standing.
If a student takes a sign language course from another program, it usually transfers. Contact Todd Corbett for transfer and placement information. The Office of the Registrar may require a copy of the course description or syllabus for official transfer credit.
Students can continue their education to become ASL interpreters or teachers of the Deaf and hearing impaired. For more information on interpreter education, contact Lucy Carter or see the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf for a list of interpreter training programs. Front Range Community College in Westminster, Colorado, is the closest program available. For teachers of the Deaf and hearing impaired, there are many programs, including at University of Northern Colorado, Idaho State University, University of Utah, and Utah State University. Go to the Association of College Educators of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing site for a list of university programs.
Two of the closest interpreter training programs are FRCC's Interpreter Preparation Program www.frontrange.edu/academics/fields-of-study/AAS/Interpreter-Preparation located in Westminster, Colorado, and UNC's DO-IT (Distance Opportunites for Interpreter Training) Center www.unco.edu/doit/.
