College of the Holy Cross

Certificate in Deaf Studies and Sign Languages

The program is unique for its wealth of opportunities to learn American Sign Language and sign languages such as Black Sign Language from native ASL signers. You will develop proficiency in ASL through our three-year language program which consists of formal classroom instruction, practicums, and cocurricular activities. Our program is one of very few in the country that offers practicums, which are small group practice sessions with ASL signers that meet twice a week, in conjunction to regular language instruction. In addition to practicums, the community-based learning component of our second-year courses will afford you the opportunity to interact with a wide range of native ASL signers on a weekly basis outside the classroom and practicum.

You will also gain cultural competency through our course offerings in deaf culture, history, literature, politics, theoretical applications, and related interdisciplinary courses. Our formal linguistic and cultural instruction is supplemented by diverse cocurricular activities such as ASL Mass, ASL Club, ASL performances, guest lectures, coffee socials with native ASL signers, and informal ASL-only gatherings. Upon graduation, Holy Cross students move on to graduate studies and a wide range of careers in deaf and non-deaf related fields.