Sign Language Studies
Sylvania Campus | CT Room 219 | 971-722-4672(V) | 971-722-4951(VP)
Why learn American Sign Language at Portland Community College?
- ASL is a language you can use right here in the Northwest.
- ASL is the third most commonly used “foreign” language in the United States.
- PCC offers two full years of American Sign Language, plus a Deaf Studies class.
- Most state colleges, universities and public high schools in Oregon and Washington accept American Sign Language for foreign language credit. Use it to satisfy Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer requirements.
- Our instructors use state-of-the-art teaching methods, following a functional/notional approach. Classes are taught completely in ASL; no voice is used in class, allowing students the best opportunity to develop their skills in both using and understanding ASL.
- Our instructors are active members of the local Deaf community.
- Our curriculum is approved by the national American Sign Language Teachers Association, a division of the National Association of the Deaf.
- Tuition at PCC is affordable.
Degrees and Certificates
At this point, there is no AA degree or certificate offered with a major in sign language studies. However, interested students who complete the SLS courses may apply to enter the Sign Language Interpretation program, a professional-technical program which prepares students to work as interpreters in schools, colleges and the community.
What's Next?
- Apply for admission to PCC.
- If you have learned ASL elsewhere and want to continue your studies here, call 971-722-4672 (voice) or 971-722-4951 (TTY) and ask for an appointment for a Sign Language Proficiency Interview. Given at the beginning and end of each term, this 15–20 minute interview will place you into an appropriate level class.
- If you are just beginning to study ASL, you do not need to have a proficiency interview. Simply register for ASL 101 or 150.
Course of Study
Did You Know...
ASL 101 and 150 are popular and fill rapidly. Register early!
