Teaching American Sign Language M.A.
The Teaching American Sign Language Program is a distance-delivered master’s degree program, with summer onsite sessions, that prepares majors to provide competent ASL instruction. Graduates of this program will be work-and/or certification-ready to effectively teach in elementary, secondary, and postsecondary educational settings.
Check the program website for current application deadlines. All applicants will begin in the summer semester and will be part of an established cohort.
Admission requirements
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 on the last 60 semester hours of coursework.
- If an applicant does not have a 3.0 GPA, he/she will be required to take the GRE and score at least 900 on the exam and a 3.5 on the written section.
- International applicants must pass the TOEFL exam with a minimum score of 550 or 80 for the internet-based exam.
- Applicants must posses a bachelor’s degree, but hold a masters degree in another field.
Application requirements - Step 1
- Complete the online application for the Graduate School www.unco.edu/applications/graduate/index.aspx .
- Send all official transcripts to the Graduate School.
- Submit two letters of recommendation www.unco.edu./grad/forms/GS1004.pdf from supervisors who know the applicant’s work.
- Submit a 1-2 page statement of educational goals and philosophy.
- To comply with practicum agency/school requirements, students must submit evidence that a criminal background check has been completed prior to practicum/field-based experiences.
Application requirements - Step 2
Pre-requisite courses:
- ASL Literature
- Survey of American Deaf Community
- Society of American Deaf Culture
Demonstration of ASL Proficiency:
- All applicants will be required to demonstrate minimum ASL proficiency before acceptance in the program. Information on the Teaching ASL program demonstration of ASL proficiency will be made available when Step 1 requirements have been satisfied. Students who do not meet the minimum proficiency will not be accepted into the program. Equivalent ASL proficiency demonstration (e.g., American Sign Language Teachers Association Certification) will be considered.