Program Overview

Program Overview

The University of Kansas offers a Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies. This program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf culture.

Program Requirements

The BGS in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies requires a total of 120 hours. The program includes:

• Elementary American Sign Language I and II
• Introduction to the Deaf Community
• Core 34: English, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Communications, Arts and Humanities, Math and Statistics, Natural and Physical Sciences, and Global Culture
• Intermediate American Sign Language I and II
• Fingerspelling I
• ASLD 530
• American Sign Language Linguistics
• ASLD 311, 312, 313, 505, 506, 521, and 588 or 589 (Capstone)
• Upper Division Electives

Notes

• Some courses are part of the Core 34: Systemwide General Education and may be taken to fulfill both major and Core 34 requirements.
• Certain courses are recommended by the program's faculty, while others are required.
• The program is approved by the Kansas Board of Regents to require specific Core 34: Systemwide General Education courses.

Program Structure

The program is structured as a four-year plan, with the following sample course sequence:

Freshman

• Fall: Elementary American Sign Language I, Introduction to the Deaf Community, Core 34: English, Core 34: Communications, Core 34: Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Spring: Elementary American Sign Language II, Core 34: English, Core 34: Social and Behavioral Sciences, Core 34: Arts and Humanities

Sophomore

• Fall: Intermediate American Sign Language, Fingerspelling I, Core 34: Math and Statistics, Core 34: Natural and Physical Sciences
• Spring: Intermediate American Sign Language II, ASLD 530, American Sign Language Linguistics, Core 34: Global Culture, Elective

Junior

• Fall: ASLD 311, ASLD 312, ASLD 505, Upper Division Elective, Upper Division Elective
• Spring: ASLD 313, ASLD 506, ASLD 521, Upper Division Elective, Upper Division Elective

Senior

• Fall: ASLD 588 or 589 (Capstone), ASLD Elective, Upper Division Elective, Elective, Elective
• Spring: ASLD Elective, ASLD Elective, Elective, Elective, Elective

Total Hours

The total hours required for the program is 120.