| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-09-01 | - |
| 2025-03-01 | - |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
| 2026-03-01 | - |
Program Overview
American Sign Language at Cerritos College
Associate of Arts
The American Sign Language (ASL) Program at Cerritos College is an interdisciplinary program that fosters an awareness of the Deaf community and cultural awareness. The program consists of study goals that takes students with little or no knowledge of ASL and Deaf Culture and provides them with the skills needed to communicate comfortably in a wide variety of situations in the Deaf community.
Salary, Growth and Careers
Salary
Careers associated with this program have a salary range from $48,000 to $168,000 with an average salary of $101,000.
Growth
Career opportunities for this program are expected to grow nationwide from 2022 to 2032.
Careers
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
- Education Level: Bachelor's degree
- Job Growth: +1%
- Average Salary: $105,000
- Salary Range: $78,000 - $127,000
- Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
- Education Level: Doctoral or professional degree
- Job Growth: +1.4%
- Average Salary: $128,000
- Salary Range: $76,000 - $168,000
- Interpreters and Translators
- Education Level: Bachelor's degree
- Job Growth: +4.3%
- Average Salary: $69,000
- Salary Range: $48,000 - $85,000
- Postsecondary Teachers, All Other
- Education Level: Doctoral or professional degree
- Job Growth: +5.9%
- Average Salary: $105,000
- Salary Range: $50,000 - $165,000
Program Map
American Sign Language - Full-time
Associate of Arts
60.0 Units
- Major Course
- General Education Course
- Elective Course
- Milestone
- Offers Microcredential
Fall 2024
1st Term
15.0 UNITS
- MAJ ASL 110
- American Sign Language I
- 4.0 Units
- MAJ / GEN ASL 220
- Deaf Culture
- 3.0 Units
- GEN English Composition
- 4.0 Units
- Choose a course from Area 1A.
- GEN Oral Communication
- 3.0 Units
- Choose a course from Area 1C.
- ELEC UC/CSU Transferable Course
- 1.0 Units
- Choose a course
- MILE Department Information
- Link to this department
Spring 2025
2nd Term
15.0 UNITS
- MAJ / GEN ASL 111
- American Sign Language II
- 4.0 Units
- GEN Critical Thinking
- 3.0 Units
- Choose a course from Area 1B.
- GEN Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
- 4.0 Units
- Choose a course
- GEN U.S. History
- 3.0 Units
- Choose a course
- GEN Proficiency: Health & Wellness
- 1.0 Units
- Choose a course
Fall 2025
3rd Term
15.0 UNITS
- MAJ ASL 210
- American Sign Language III
- 4.0 Units
- GEN Arts
- 3.0 Units
- Choose a course from Area 3A.
- GEN Biological Sciences
- 3.0 Units
- Choose a course from Area 5B.
- GEN U.S. Government
- 3.0 Units
- Choose a course
- ELEC UC/CSU Transferable Course
- 2.0 Units
- Choose a course
Spring 2026
4th Term
15.0 UNITS
- MAJ ASL 211
- American Sign Language IV
- 4.0 Units
- MAJ ASL 215
- Beginning Interpreting and Ethics 1
- 3.0 Units
- GEN Physical Sciences
- 3.0 Units
- Choose a course from Area 5A.
- GEN Laboratory Science
- 1.0 Units
- Choose a course from Area 5C.
- GEN Social and Behavioral Sciences
- 3.0 Units
- Choose a course from Area 4.
- ELEC UC/CSU Transferable Course
- 1.0 Units
- Choose a course
American Sign Language - Associate of Arts
60.0 units
Program Outline
- Foster awareness of the Deaf community and cultural awareness.
- Equip students with the skills needed to communicate comfortably in a wide variety of situations in the Deaf community.
Objectives:
- Introduce students to basic ASL vocabulary and grammar.
- Develop students' receptive and expressive ASL skills.
- Enhance students' understanding of Deaf culture and history.
- Prepare students for further study or employment in fields related to ASL.
Description:
The ASL program consists of four levels of American Sign Language courses (ASL 110, 111, 210, 211) and one course on Deaf Culture (ASL 220). It also includes general education courses required for the Associate of Arts degree.
Outline:
Program Content:
The ASL program focuses on developing students' receptive and expressive skills in ASL, as well as their understanding of Deaf culture and history. This is achieved through a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on practice, and exposure to Deaf culture outside of the classroom.
- ASL Courses: These courses introduce students to basic ASL vocabulary and grammar, and progressively build their skills in receptive and expressive communication.
- Deaf Culture Course: This course explores the history, values, customs, and perspectives of the Deaf community.
Program Structure:
The ASL program is offered at Cerritos College, which is located in Norwalk, California. The program can be completed in as few as two years by taking courses full-time, or in a longer timeframe by taking courses part-time.
Course Schedule:
Courses are offered in both the Fall and Spring semesters, and a sample schedule for full-time students is provided in the text. This schedule includes four terms over two years, with each term consisting of five courses.
Individual Modules:
Module 1:
ASL 110 and 220
- Description: Covers basic ASL vocabulary and grammar, fingerspelling, and Deaf culture.
Module 2:
ASL 111 and a general education course
Module 4:
ASL 211 and 215
Careers:
Potential Career Paths:
- Sign language interpreter: Working in various settings such as schools, hospitals, courtrooms, and businesses to facilitate communication between Deaf and hearing individuals.
- Teacher of the Deaf: Educating Deaf and hard-of-hearing students in schools and other educational settings. It also lists several careers with associated salary ranges and job growth rates, highlighting potential opportunities for graduates.
Other:
- The text emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of the program, suggesting that students will gain exposure to various aspects of language, culture, and communication.
- It also mentions the use of technology in the program, indicating that students will likely have access to online resources and tools to support their learning.
