American Sign Language

American Sign Language and Interpreting Studies

UofL’s American Sign Language Interpreting Studies (ASLIS) program provides students the training needed to function as qualified interpreters. This includes learning ASL, understanding the basics of ASL linguistics, Deaf history and culture, and the fundamentals of the interpreting process. We emphasize communicative and cultural competency as well as critical thinking abilities that can be used in both academic and non-academic careers.

The program promotes the University’s commitment to the liberal arts and sciences by actively supporting its promise to respect and promote diversity, globalization, and internalization. In keeping with the department mission, the goal is to prepare students to function effectively in a multicultural world and in a nation of increasing diversity.

Students are to maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.25 and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in ASL and ITP courses. Admission to B.S. in ASLIS is selective; entry to the ASLIS major requires to students to apply to the program to demonstrate functional fluency in ASL and basic interpreting competencies. Seniors are required to complete roughly 450 hours in an advanced interpreting practicum, during which they are placed in a wide variety of settings with qualified practicing interpreters.

Note: Admission to the B.S. in ASLIS is not automatic. Entry requires functional fluency in ASL and basic interpreting competencies. The final exam in ITP 220 seres as part of the ASLIS screening process for entry into the major. 

Note: Students with ASL experience may wish to test out of lower level ASL courses. This will require a placement test which is only offered September - June. Please plan accordingly. 

ASLIS Faculty on ASL Preview Day 2019.