Minor in American Sign Language & Deaf Studies

Through language study, cultural exploration and community engagement, our students develop the skills needed to communicate effectively with Deaf individuals and gain insight into the experiences, diversity and contributions of Deaf communities.

The American Sign Language (ASL) & Deaf Studies minor supports students pursuing careers in education, health sciences, social services, linguistics and fields that value cultural and linguistic diversity. 

  • Gain intermediate to advanced proficiency in American Sign Language and communicate effectively with Deaf individuals
  • Gain insight into the experiences, diversity and contributions of Deaf communities
  • Complement your undergraduate studies with a minor

 

Top Green College

(Princeton Review, 2025)

 

No. 46 among public universities in the country

(U.S. News & World Report, 2026)

 

5 Nobel Laureates

Since 1989

Apply culturally responsive and respectful communication practices to professional contexts such as education, social services, health care, advocacy, accessibility or community engagement.

Learn from award-winning faculty, including fellows of the American Council of Learned Societies, the Center for Linguistic Typology and the Association for Computational Linguistics

Gain hands-on experience in elementary schools and English learning classes through our literacy practicum

Be successful.

Be prepared to meet the needs of our 21st-century society by applying your knowledge of linguistics to a variety of careers.

  
$58,600

Median salary of CU Boulder linguistics students 1–5 years after graduation

 

Speech language pathologist, software engineer, computer research scientist, instructor and tutor are common job opportunities for graduates

 

Work for local, state and federal resource agencies, or in K–12 education, software development, and health care

Academic Plan & Requirements

To earn a minor in American Sign Language & Deaf Studies, students must complete a minimum of 18 credit hours, including a minimum of 9 upper-division credit hours. Courses include:

  • American Sign Language 3-5
  • Deaf Studies

Two prerequisites courses are required for admission into the minor program and are not counted toward the minor:

  • American Sign Language 1
  • American Sign Language 2