Welcome to Lakeland Community College's department of American Sign Language.
This program provides students a foundation in American Sign Language (ASL) and basic issues of concern to the Deaf community, while strengthening knowledge and communication skills. Furthermore, the program broadens students' appreciation and understanding of Deaf culture, history and language to enable students to:
- Facilitate effective communication with Deaf persons in informal settings in teaching, human services or health care.
- Enhance their credentials for employment opportunities which do not require interpreter certification but do assign value to skills in ASL and knowledge of Deaf culture.
- Earn the academic qualifications for entry into advanced studies at universities offering sign language programs.
- Enter an interpreter training program, after which they may sit for a certification examination, sponsored by the national licensing organization.
- Partner with organizations and clubs relevant to the Deaf community.
Successful completion of the Applied American Sign Language Studies AAS degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations. Below are examples, some of which may include additional degree work at a transfer institution. Northeast Ohio median salaries in 2020 for interpreters and translators was $59,690 and for speech and language pathologists was $82,610. See O*Net OnLine for additional wage and employment trends as well as required knowledge, skills and abilities.
- Interpreters and translators
- Speech and language pathologists
- Special education teacher
- Audiologist
- Postsecondary education, English language and literature teacher
- Computer programmer
Students interested in the American Sign Language, transfer, or liberal arts are encouraged to get involved:
- Lakeland Signers Club
- Student Engagement and Leadership at Lakeland offers many student organizations that may align with your interests
- Volunteering at various organizations in Lake County
