American Sign Language and Special Populations Minor

The American Sign Language and Special Populations Minor is designed to assist individuals who wish to work with the deaf or hard of hearing and/or children with special needs. Individuals will find the minor useful if they seek employment as early interventionists, family service providers, teachers of special education, teachers of the hard of hearing or deaf, or teachers of children with language delays.

The minor is designed to help prepare students to work in an entry-level position with children and families that use American Sign Language as a means of communication or who might benefit from using signed speech in combination with verbal communication. The minor provides the student with background in child development, language acquisition, American Sign Language, life and culture of the deaf and hard of hearing communities, and experiences of families with children with special needs.

Requirements for the Minor (19 units)

Children’s Growth & Development (3 Units)

Complete one course from the following:

CD 209 - Middle Childhood Development Units: 3
CD 253 - Prenatal & Infant Development Units: 3
CD 255 - Early Childhood Development Units: 3
CD 350 - Perspectives: Life-Span Development Units: 3

American Sign Language (6 Units)

Students with extensive prior experience using ASL may take the challenge exam to complete CD 109Y. See Challenge Process below.

CD 109Y - American Sign Language: Level I Units: 3
and
CD 109Z - American Sign Language: Level II Units: 3

Language Acquisition (3 Units)

CD 355 - Language Development Units: 3

Special Needs Populations (7 Units)

CD 366 - Exceptional Children & Their Families Units: 3
COMM 222 - Intercultural Communication Units: 4
or
COMM 324 - Nonverbal Communication Units: 4

Challenge Process

The challenge process requires students to inform instructor of desire to challenge and take exam within the first two weeks of the semester. Students should not enroll in the course they wish to challenge. The student must earn a 70 percent or greater on the challenge exam to earn a credit in CD 109Y and before proceeding to CD 109Z .

Advisor

Kishan Lara-Cooper, Ph.D.

Department of Child Development
Harry Griffith Hall 229
707-826-3471