American Sign Language Teacher Licensure Concentration

(126 semester hours)

American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual language, distinct from English and other spoken languages, and from sign languages used in other countries. ASL has its own linguistic system with phonological, morphological, syntactic, and discourse structures. Along with many other states, North Carolina recognizes ASL as a modern foreign language and encourages public school systems to offer ASL for credit as a modern foreign language. The ASL Teacher Licensure concentration prepares highly qualified professionals to teach ASL as a second language from a cultural perspective to learners in regular education programs. Students completing the ASL Teacher Licensure program are able to meet the following competencies based on the American Sign Language Teachers Association’s guidelines and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s Standards for ASL Teacher:

• Demonstrate superior proficiency in American Sign Language providing an accurate model for the students.

• Demonstrate familiarity with current theories in ASL acquisition, human cognitive development and brain research.

• Demonstrate the ability to explain the sign concepts, linguistic components and prosodic features of ASL. 

• Model appropriate behaviors with respect to Deaf Culture and convey cultural values, beliefs, and rules of social interaction as well as alternative points of view representative of various segments of the Deaf community.

• Create and manage a classroom environment conducive to learning ASL by selecting effective methods of instruction and behavior management strategies.

• Identify, select, adapt, and use a wide variety of instructional resources and technology to enhance student learning.

• Demonstrate the ability to develop a curriculum, design lesson plans, implement lessons, monitor comprehension, and make adjustments when necessary.

• Maintain a professional relationship with students, members of the profession, colleagues, paraprofessionals, families, and members of the Deaf community.

• Adhere to the professional standards established by the agency or school including the areas of dress, professional conduct, and business policies and procedures.

• Use evaluation methods that are valid, fair, and in alignment with course objectives.

• Affirm that ASL learning is appropriate for all students regardless of ability, language background, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, and other cultural factors.

• Communicate the value of learning languages other than English to students, colleagues, administrators, parents, and the community at large.

• Engage in professional development by keeping abreast of current issues and adhering to best practices as outlined by the American Sign Language Teacher’s Association.

Admission Requirements

1. Attend program orientation meeting and complete forms outlining Technical Standards, Dispositions, and Program Requirements
2. Passing score on the ASL Teacher Admissions Screening
3. Overall GPA of 2.75 or higher

Progression Requirements

1. Satisfactory progress on Dispositions Review each semester
2. Continued demonstration of required competencies outlined in the Technical Standards
3. Achievement of a B- (2.70) or higher in SES courses
4. Achievement of an advanced rating or higher on the SLPI after completion of SES 203 and a superior rating before registering for SES 397
5. Admission to Teacher Education/Teachers Academy (one semester before being admitted to Student Teaching)
6. Overall GPA of 2.75 or higher (requirement for admission into Teacher Education)

Graduation Requirements

1. Completion of degree requirements
2. Completion of 126 semester hours
3. Completion of Taskstream Portfolio requirements 
4. Passing score on the Praxis exam

Requirements

I General Education Core Requirements (GEC)

See complete GEC requirements and approved course listings for all categories.

II General Education Marker Requirements

See details and courses. It is possible to meet all GE Marker Requirements while completing the GE Core requirements or courses required by the major/ concentration.

III Major Requirements

Language Requirements: SES 100, 101, 102, 203, 204, 305, 306, 366, 369, 370, 380

Core Courses: SES 245, 250, 252, 333, 397, 400, 466, 486, 489

IV Related Area Requirements

CST 105, LIN/ENG 111 or LIN/ENG 302, LIN/ENG 262, or CST 337

V Teacher Licensure Requirements

ELC 381, CUI 450, LIS 120, CUI 535, HDF 211 or 302

VI Electives

Choose a minimum of 3 s.h. from: ATY 385, 387; LIN 336; CST 207; HEA 201; SES 200, 270, 333, 357, 495, 497, 498, 499