Immerse yourself in American Sign Language (ASL) while learning Deaf culture and community, social justice, and Deaf and ASL literature.
ASL and Deaf Studies
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Join us online or in-person for our info sessions, April 20-24.
What you will learn
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Identify and celebrate the diversity and complexities of Deaf communities and their signed languages through interdisciplinary approaches.
- Communicate proficiently using ASL in various contexts and employment settings by demonstrating knowledge of linguistics in ASL.
- Apply Deaf cultural knowledge when communicating, working or collaborating with Deaf people.
- Apply relevant communication approaches and / or preferences that consider the cultural and linguistic needs of the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf Blind individual.
- Identify legislation, resources, and service providers for the equitable advancement of Deaf rights, accessibility and inclusion.
- Explain historical and current societal trends that contribute to barriers and successes of Deaf people’s access to education, employment, healthcare and other public services.
- Apply principles of social justice, allyship, and positionality while working with and alongside Deaf people.
- Analyze the impact of power, privilege and institutional oppression on the Deaf individual and Deaf people.
- Identify Deaf representation in literature, visual art, film and social media.
What to expect
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
The full-time ASL & Deaf Studies Certificate Program is 8 months in length. This program may also be taken part-time. Students have 3 years to complete the program.
The full-time program is scheduled over two terms, where both terms consist of practice and theory in ASL courses, ASL labs, ASL linguistics, and knowledge of Deaf culture and community through art, social media and literature. Additionally, principles of social justice and allyship and one's own positionality within its context are studied to prepare students to work with the DHOHDB community in a variety of settings. Students will have the unique experience of an immersion approach with diverse instructors and community language models. Community collaboration, small class sizes, individual attention and feedback enhance a positive and successful learning journey.
The primary focus of the program is the acquisition and understanding of ASL. This comprises nearly 70% of the program. Receptive and expressive skills with appropriate cultural applications are developed through a functional/notional approach to second language acquisition. This also involves studies in ASL grammar/syntax, which is markedly different from English grammar/syntax. In addition, collaboration with Deaf community organizations and services is essential for student exposure to various services and language models.
Students work both individually and in groups. Courses are presented through lecture, small group discussion, assigned readings, labs, self-study and online activities. An important component of the program is laboratory time when students have the opportunity to practice their ASL skills with the input of instructional assistants.
Admission requirements
Program-specific
- American Sign Language Level 1 - SIGN 1000 or SIGN 1020 or equivalent with a minimum grade of 'B-'.
- English 12 with C or equivalent, or English Language Proficiency at an English 12 level.
General
- Seats are offered to applicants who have met all admission requirements, on a first-qualified, first-served basis.
- International applicants must be 17 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and educational documents as required by their course or program.
- All VCC applicants are required to function successfully in an English-speaking classroom. English requirements vary by program. For details, visit VCC International - English Requirements.
Program Considerations
- Some previous exposure to the Deaf Community and sensitivity to Deaf issues is an asset.
- Ability to maintain prolonged eye contact can impact ability to receive and understand ASL
- Good manual dexterity.
Courses *
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Prior learning assessment and recognition is not available for this program.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ASLD 1100 | American Sign Language Levels 3-4 | 6 |
| ASLD 1105 | Introduction To Linguistics of ASL 1 | 1.5 |
| ASLD 1110 | American Sign Language Lab Levels 3-4 | 2 |
| ASLD 1120 | Introduction to Deaf Culture and Community | 3 |
| ASLD 1130 | Social Justice Perspective of Societal Systems and the Deaf | 3.5 |
| ASLD 1200 | American Sign Language Levels 5-7 | 6 |
| ASLD 1205 | Introduction to Linguistics of ASL 2 | 1.5 |
| ASLD 1210 | American Sign Language Lab Levels 5-7 | 2 |
| ASLD 1220 | Deafhood: Journey of the Deaf | 3 |
| ASLD 1230 | Allyship and Accountable Collaboration | 3 |
| Total Credits | 31.5 | |
* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.
Fees and other costs *
Tuition deposits are payable usually within three weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 145 | |
| Tuition Tuition | 20295 | |
| Student union | 145 | |
| College initiative | 100 | |
| Materials | 0 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 203 | |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| Medical and Dental | 285 | |
| Temporary Medical Insurance | 149 | |
| U-PASS | 376 | |
| Graduation | 45 | |
| Program-specific extra fees | 0 | |
| Total |
* Tuition and other fees are approximate and subject to increase up to 5% per year. Students will be required to pay increased rates if the fees change at any time during the period of enrolment in the program. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable.
Fees listed are for international students. For domestic programs, visit vcc.ca.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's international refund policy.
Apply now
Info Week at VCC
Join us online or in-person for our info sessions, April 20-24.