American Sign Language (ASL) courses

UCF School of Communication Sciences and Disorders

Overview

The School of Communication Sciences and Disorders is proud to offer high-quality American Sign Language (ASL) courses designed for students interested in communication, language, accessibility, and Deaf culture. Our ASL coursework provides a strong foundation in both receptive and expressive signing skills while deepening students’ understanding of Deaf community, its history, and rich linguistic traditions. ASL is a full, natural language with its own grammar and structure, and learning it opens the door to meaningful communication with Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals – an invaluable skill for students pursuing careers in speech-language pathology, education, healthcare, psychology, social work, and other helping professions.

Why take an ASL course?

Build meaningful communication skills through a visually rich, interactive language while fostering a deeper understanding of the Deaf community and its culture.

Develop language proficiency by developing expressive clarity, cultural awareness, and the ability to engage in authentic conversations across a wide range of real‑world contexts.

Build professional value by applying knowledge of ASL and Deaf culture across diverse careers and workplace settings, and by becoming a more informed and effective ally to the Deaf community.

Satisfy Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement for select Bachelor Degrees. *Acceptance of ASL toward foreign language proficiency requirements is determined by the student's academic program and applicable university policies

Curriculum

ASL 2140 Introduction to American Sign Language
ASL 2150 Intermediate American Sign Language
ASL 4161C American Sign Language III
ASL 4201 American Sign Language IV

Proficiency Examinations

Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement

For select bachelor’s degree programs, students must demonstrated foreign language proficiency equivalent to one year of college-level instruction in a language other than English. This requirement can be satisfied through successful completion of appropriate college-level coursework or by passing a examination.

ASL Foreign Language Proficiency Examination

Students who wish to fulfill the Foreign Language Proficiency requirement through American Sign Language (ASL) should first consult their academic program and Academic Success Coach to confirm that ASL proficiency may be used to satisfy the requirement for their degree program.

Once eligibility has been confirmed, students should contact the UCF School of Communication Sciences and Disorders ASL Instructors regarding testing. The ASL Foreign Language Proficiency Examination is administered through the UCF Testing Center. Information about registration and fees is available at: https://utc.sswb.ucf.edu/asl/.

All examination scores are final and may not be appealed. Students may retake the full ASL Foreign Language Proficiency Examination after a minimum of 90 days. Additional testing fees apply for each attempt.

ASL Proficiency Assessment for ASL 2140

Students seeking to demonstrate proficiency in order to bypass ASL 2140:Introduction to American Sign Language and enroll directly in ASL 2150: Intermediate American Sign Language should also contact both the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders ASL Instructors and their Academic Success Coach for departmental assessment procedures. All assessment scores are final and may not be appealed. Students may take the ASL Proficiency Assessment for ASL 2140 only once.

Program Contact Information

College of Health Professions and Sciences
School of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Health Sciences II (HS2), Room 101
407-823-4798

Undergraduate Program Director: Punam Desormes
ASL Instructors: Ashley Mackay, Shawn Olmstead

Connect – Academic Success Coaching