American Sign Language

(Manual Communication)

Program Overview

Curriculum Guide (Certificate Requirements)

The American Sign Language (Manual Communication) program at The University of Akron ensures student opportunity for developing competencies in conversational American Sign Language while obtaining university credit toward foreign language requirement or elective study.

To meet the foreign language requirement, students must complete four levels of consecutive American Sign Language coursework plus Survey of Deaf Culture. Students are evaluated per individual class success and continue on with passing grades. 

Manual Communication Certificate

Our revised Manual Communication Certificate has been offered since 2010.  Designed to expose students to American Sign Language so they can communicate with Deaf/hearing impaired persons, students studying for the Certificate build toward communication competency in American Sign Language, as well as cultural sensitivity regarding the Deaf community. This Certificate is open to undergraduate majors in any discipline as well as persons with a baccalaureate degree from the University or any other accredited institution. This certificate may also be earned independent of earning a degree.

The Manual Communication Certificate requires the following classes: (PDF Download)

SLPA:101 AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I

SLPA:102 AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE II

SLPA: 201 AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE III

SLPA:202 AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE IV

SLPA:222 SURVEY OF DEAF CULTURE IN AMERICA

SLPA:245 FIRST RESPONDERS TO THE DEAF COMMUNITY (may be taken after earning a grade of “C” or better in American Sign Language III)

ASL Club

For information about this social-educational opportunity, contact the club at:  uakronasla@gmail.com.

Mission Statement:

To ensure student opportunity for developing competencies in conversational American Sign Language while obtaining university credit toward foreign language requirement or elective study.

Outcome Statement:

Via four levels of consecutive American Sign Language coursework, our Survey of Deaf Culture course, and an optional First Responders to the Deaf Community course, students are evaluated per individual class success and continue on with passing grades. Manual Communication Certificates are awarded to those students successfully completing the full menu of courses. First Responders to the Deaf Community may be taken after earning a grade of “C” or better in American Sign Language-3.