Immerse yourself in American Sign Language (ASL) while learning Deaf culture and community, social justice, and Deaf and ASL literature. (want to revise this)
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
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
- Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and other documents as required by their course or program. Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications, in order of application completion date (except for programs with competitive admissions). A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational pre-requisites (e.g. transcripts), any required supporting documents (e.g. language proficiency, audition video), and the required deposit or fee payment. If you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.
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 *
Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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 *
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 36 | |
| Tuition Tuition | 5338 | |
| Student union | 142 | |
| College initiative | 154 | |
| Materials | 0 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 214 | |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| Medical and Dental | 285 | |
| Temporary Medical Insurance | 0 | |
| U-PASS | 470 | |
| Graduation | 45 | |
| Program-specific extra fees | 0 | |
| Total |
* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a non-refundable deposit ($300 or $500, depending on program).
Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.
Apply now
Do you want to apply to this program?
Go to EducationPlanner BC to submit your application.
- For full-time studies, select the "ASL and Deaf Studies (Certificate)" program
- For introductory courses (SIGN 1010, SIGN 1020, SIGN 2010, SIGN 2020, SIGN 3000), select the "ASL and Deaf Studies (Individual Courses)" program
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