Department of American Sign Language & Interpreting Studies
Chair: Barbara Garrett, Ph.D.
Teaching ASL M.A. Program Manager: Pauline Ballentine
Location: McKee Room 525
Videophone: 970-373-4321
Telephone: 970-351-1060
Website: www.unco.edu/cebs/asl-interpreting/
Site: Extended Campus/Distance with Greeley summer intensives
Mode: Online with summer in-person intensives in Greeley
Start term: Summer
The Department of American Sign Language & Interpreting Studies (ASLIS) designs and delivers quality programs that center around learning, using, and teaching American Sign Language. Undergraduate and graduate programs are offered, as are liberal arts curriculum courses and professional development coursework and certificates. Programming is offered on the UNC main campus to traditional undergraduate students and online to a national audience of both undergraduate and graduate students.
The master's program in Teaching ASL (TASL) is a unique hybrid program offered online with summer sessions on the main campus in Greeley. Two programs are available depending on the students' career goals: M.A. for those interested in teaching on the post-secondary level and M.A.: Licensure: World Languages (Grades K-12) for those interested in teaching on the K-12 level.
The ASLIS department also offers ASL-IV on the UNC main campus and ASL III and ASL IV online. An ASL minor is available for students interested in a stronger language foundation.
Additionally, a B.A. in ASL-English Interpretation is offered on the UNC main campus or in a hybrid online delivery system that requires an annual four-week summer session on campus.
The ASLIS faculty (hearing and deaf) are selected for their recognized expertise. They each contribute to their respective field by researching, publishing and presenting in various local, national and international venues. They are acknowledged as outstanding teachers by their students and their peers.
Teaching American Sign Language M.A.
The Teaching American Sign Language (TASL) M.A. Program is a distance delivered master’s degree with required onsite summer sessions which prepares instructors to teach American Sign Language (ASL) on the post-secondary level. The focus of this program is on pedagogical coursework as applicable to teaching ASL as a foreign or as a modern language, not learning or mastering ASL. Therefore, all students must demonstrate ASL proficiency through an informal screening prior to acceptance into the program.
Please note: The licensure option is available through the Teaching American Sign Language (TASL) M.A.: Licensure: World Languages (Grades K-12) Program.
Admissions requirements:
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 or better, on a 4.00 point scale, from the most recent degree earned or current degree in progress.
- International applicants must pass the TOEFL exam with a minimum score of 550 or 90 for the internet based exam.
Application requirements:
- Complete the online application for the UNC Graduate School and pay the graduate application fee.
- Send all official transcripts to the UNC Graduate School.
- Submit two letters of recommendation from supervisors/teachers who know the applicant’s work to the UNC Graduate School.
- Submit a 1-2 page statement of educational goals and philosophy to the UNC Graduate School.
- All applicants will be required to demonstrate ASL proficiency prior to acceptance to the TASL Program.
Application Deadline: February 15th for the following summer. However, applications will be accepted until all spots have been filled. Applicants will be notified no later than April 15th whether they have been accepted into the program or not.
Demonstration of ASL Proficiency:
Although all applicants will undergo an informal screening for the application process, all students will be required to submit the results of their American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) prior to the practicum courses, TASL 593 and TASL 594.
For degree and program requirements, see:
Teaching American Sign Language M.A.
Teaching American Sign Language M.A.: Licensure: World Languages (Grades K-12)
The Teaching American Sign Language (TASL) M.A.: Licensure: World Languages (Grades K-12) is a distance delivered master’s degree with required onsite summer sessions which prepares instructors to teach American Sign Language (ASL) in a number of settings including secondary and post-secondary levels. The focus of this program is on pedagogical coursework as applicable to teaching ASL as a foreign or as a modern language, not learning or mastering ASL. Therefore, all students must demonstrate ASL proficiency through an informal screening prior to acceptance into the program.
Please note: The non-licensure option is available through the Teaching American Sign Language (TASL) M.A. Program.
Admissions requirements:
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 or better, on a 4.00 point scale, from the most recent degree earned or current degree in progress.
- International applicants must pass the TOEFL exam with a minimum score of 550 or 90 for the internet based exam.
Application requirements:
- Complete the online application for the UNC Graduate School and pay the graduate application fee.
- Send all official transcripts to the UNC Graduate School.
- Submit two letters of recommendation from supervisors/teachers who know the applicant’s work to the UNC Graduate School.
- Submit a 1-2 page statement of educational goals and philosophy to the UNC Graduate School.
- All applicants will be required to demonstrate ASL proficiency prior to acceptance to the TASL Program.
Application Deadline: February 15th for the following summer. However, applications will be accepted until all spots have been filled. Applicants will be notified no later than April 15th whether they have been accepted into the program or not.
Demonstration of ASL Proficiency:
Although all applicants will undergo an informal screening for the application process, all students will be required to submit the results of their American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) prior to the practicum courses, TASL 593 and TASL 594.
For degree and program requirements, see:
Teaching American Sign Language M.A.: Licensure: World Languages (Grades K-12)