MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University Board of Trustees unanimously approved two undergraduate certificates in American Sign Language studies, which are the first in the region. Both certificates, one beginner and the other intermediate, were developed in response to the state and region’s request for competencies in ASL to meet workforce demands.
The beginner certificate will enhance students’ basic comprehensive and expressive ASL skills and consists of 18 credits, including three courses in American Deaf Culture and American Deaf History.
“ASL is the third most used language in the United States, and Western Oregon University has a long history of successful ASL language instruction,” said Mark Girod, Dean of Western’s College of Education. “Adding these certificates will ensure more professionals have language competence to serve our local communities.”
The intermediate certificate is a 34-credit program that consists of six courses in visual-gestural communication, fingerspelling, American Deaf Culture, and American Deaf History. This curriculum helps individuals incorporate comprehension, expressive skills, and knowledge in the history and culture of the Deaf community into their studies and careers.
Both certificate programs are available at Western Oregon University in Monmouth and at Western’s Salem campus. Both programs are offered in-person and online.
Learn more about Deaf Studies & Professional Studies.
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About Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University, founded in 1856 in Monmouth, is the state’s oldest public university. Serving about 4,000 students, WOU is a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution with about 70% of the student population being from Oregon. A significant portion of attendees are members of under-represented groups, veterans, or non-traditional students. WOU is Oregon’s campus of choice for those seeking a transformative education in a supportive, student-centered learning community where classes are taught by faculty. Together we succeed.
