Why ASL at Iowa?
Develop valuable skills for careers in education, counseling, and human services.
Explore undergraduate programs in American Sign Language
Enrich your academic journey
Studying ASL at Iowa allows you to fulfill your World Languages requirement while gaining a deeper cultural perspective. You can also prepare for graduate studies or careers in interpreting and Deaf education.
Internships
Apply what you learn in the program, gain real world experience, and pursue your future career path.
Connect with an ambassador
Embrace your potential as a student
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Share your passion and lead others to success
Why study ASL at Iowa?
Pursue American Sign Language at Iowa and engage deeply with Deaf culture and communication.
At the University of Iowa, you’ll develop proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) while gaining a comprehensive understanding of Deaf culture. With opportunities for immersive learning through courses, events like Deaf Week, and interaction with local Deaf communities, you’ll cultivate both linguistic and cultural fluency. The ASL program encourages hands-on learning that prepares you to engage meaningfully in diverse environments.
Whether you aim to pursue a career in education, counseling, or interpreting, studying ASL opens doors to multiple professional pathways. With access to valuable resources like peer tutoring, conversation hours, and active involvement in the ASL Club, you’ll receive the support necessary to succeed. Additionally, this program fosters a collaborative and inclusive atmosphere that enhances your academic experience.
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ASL courses to satisfy the World Languages requirement
Part of GE CLAS Core
News
Register Now for ISRID's Annual Conference: Oct 5-6, 2024
ASL language and culture resources
State and local instructional programs, organizations, and resources
- Iowa School for the Deaf
- Council Bluffs, Iowa
- Iowa Association of the Deaf (IAD)
- Council Bluffs, Iowa
- Cedar Rapids Association of the Deaf (CRAD)
- One of the local associations of the National Association of the Deaf
- For information on membership and gatherings, email timsheets@mac.com.
- Office of Deaf Services
- Formerly the Division of Deaf Services Commission of Iowa (DSCI)
- An advocate for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Iowans in many ways, providing information and referrals to both Deaf and hearing individuals, organizations and businesses.
- Kirkwood Community College
- Kirkwood Community College offers ASL instruction at both its Iowa City and Cedar Rapids campuses.
- Scott Community College
- Scott Community College in Bettendorf, Iowa, offers ASL instructions and a two-year American Sign Language/English Interpreter Associate in Applied Science Degree.
- Iowa Western Community College
- Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa, offers ASL instructions.
National and worldwide organizations and resources
- National Association of the Deaf (NAD)
- The NAD is a federation of state associations of the Deaf, which is a vigorous advocate for signed language and the rights of Deaf people. It publishes numerous books; a quarterly monograph, The Deaf American; and a newspaper, The Broadcaster.
- World Federation of the Deaf
- The WFD works with the United Nations to promote the human, and linguistic, rights of Deaf people all over the world.
- American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA)
- A professional organization for teachers of ASL within the National Association of the Deaf (NAD).
- DawnSignPress
- Diglo
- Formerly Harris Communications
- Sign Media, Inc.
Deaf culture and Deaf/ASL news resources
Deaf education resources
- Gallaudet University
- The world's only university for deaf and hard of hearing undergraduate students. Graduate degree programs and continuing education courses are available to deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing students.
- National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID)
- The National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) is the world's largest technical college for deaf students. It is one of seven colleges of the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Rochester, NY. NTID also offers Sign Language Interpreter Training Program.
- California State University, Northridge (CSUN)
- CSUN has a large Deaf student population. Deaf Studies is also being offered for undergraduate degree.
ASL/English interpreting
- Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
- Mission: "Support the Continued Growth and Development of the Profession"
It is the mission of RID to provide international, national, regional, state and local forums and an organizational structure for the continued growth and development of the profession of interpretation and transliteration of American Sign Language and English. - Philosophy: "Ensure Effective Communication"
The philosophy of RID is that excellence in the delivery of interpretation and transliteration services between people who are deaf or hard of hearing and people who are hearing, will ensure effective communication. As the national professional association for interpreters and transliterators, RID serves as an essential arena for its members in their pursuit of excellence. - RID's "Standard Practice Papers" explain the current understanding of interpreters' standard practice in a variety of settings including K-12 education.
- Mission: "Support the Continued Growth and Development of the Profession"
- Iowa State RID
- Iowa has an affiliate state RID chapter. Their website also has an interpreter search option and posts state and local information regarding issues that impact interpreters.
- National Consortium of Interpreter Education Centers
- The NCIEC is a consortium of six federally funded centers tasked with the goal of improving signed language interpreter education.
- Discover Interpreting
- The National Consortium of Interpreter Education Center (NCIEC) created this website to promote the interpreting profession. This site includes information about how to find an interpreter education program and career opportunities in interpreting.
- The CATIE Center
- The nearest NCIEC is in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Collaborative for the Advancement of Teaching Interpreting Excellence (CATIE Center) provides interpreter education resources to the Midwest region.
- The Iowa Department of Public Health/Iowa Board of Sign Language Interpreters & Transliterators
- Licenses interpreters in Iowa–this license indicates the holder is competent and follows established professional and ethical guidelines. Their website enables you to search by name, license number, or geographical region the license database. Interpreters working in Iowa must hold an Iowa license.
- Many classroom interpreters take the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA), an evaluation tool developed by Boys Town National Research Hospital. An EIPA score of 3.5 or above will allow an interpreter to hold permanent Iowa licensure. An explanation of the EIPA, its standards and requirements, can be found online. Additional information about the EIPA can be found at the TAESE (Technical Assistance for Excellence in Special Education) website.
Additional resources
- Deaf Websites
- The Deaf Professional Arts Network - DPAN
- Deaf Art
- A collection of the work of Deaf visual artists from RIT/NTID
- Deaf Theatre on the Web
- A collection of theatrical work from deaf playwrights
- That Deaf Guy
- A comic strip from a Deaf perspective
- USA Deaf Sports Federation
University of Iowa American Sign Language Club
Organized and run by students on campus, everyone is welcome to attend: hearing or deaf, student or non-students, beginning or fluent signer. Anyone from the Deaf Community is welcome.
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ASL faculty
Rebecca Clark, MA
Timothy Sheets
Jose Ovidio Velasquez, MA
