Concentration/CUGS in American Sign Language (ASL)

Harold Thompson
Academic Advisor
thompsonh@rowan.edu
Contact the Academic Advisor via e-mail with any questions about the program. 

The Modern Languages & Linguistics Major Concentration / Certificate of Undergraduate Study (CUGS) in American Sign Language (ASL) (12 s.h.) recognizes students’ completion of 12 s.h. in ASL, which corresponds to Intermediate-level proficiency in the language.  Intermediate-level proficiency is a valuable credential.  In general, according to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), at the Intermediate-level, it is possible to create with the language, combining and recombining learned material to provide personal information, communicate in complete sentences on a variety of familiar topics, ask questions, and initiate, sustain and conclude a simple social or transactional task. 

For students with the Major in Modern Languages & Linguistics (MLL), this credential is referred to as a Concentration; for non-MLL majors, this credential is referred to as a Certificate (CUGS). The Concentration in ASL may be declared in the Department of World Languages, Oak Hall 107 or by contacting the University Advising Center, Savitz Hall, Suite 323 (856.256.4459 / advise@rowan.edu).

The requirements include the following four, 3 s.h. courses: 

ASL 01.101     Elementary American Sign Language I
ASL 01.102     Elementary American Sign Language II (prerequisite ASL 01.101 or waiver)
ASL 01.201     Intermediate American Sign Language I (prerequisite ASL 01.102 or waiver)
ASL 01.211     Intermediate American Sign Language II (prerequisite ASL 01.201 or waiver)

Students with existing proficiency in ASL should contact Ms. Melissa Screven (screven@rowan.edu) for a placement interview.  It is possible for students to earn credits for the courses that they skip via the Authorization for Credit by Examination process. 

Students may satisfy program requirements through coursework completed at Rowan University, transfer credits obtained from coursework at other institutions, and study abroad.  Credits obtained from higher level coursework in ASL may also be transferred in to substitute for any of the four courses listed above. All courses must be passed with a letter grade of “C-” or better and no courses may be taken P/NC.