by our College Data Analytics TeamNot all communication is done orally. American Sign Language is the visual and motor medium of communication for deaf individuals and the deaf culture. Commonly used in the United States, Canada and parts of Mexico, ASL has its own grammatical rules yet does not have any written form.
A major in American Sign Language will allow you to focus on the scholarly and scientific study of the development, structure and use of these languages. Instruction in the syntax, phonology, and morphology are just some of the aspects of this study. Course load for this major includes Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced ASL courses, History and Culture of the American Deaf Community, Art of Translation, Narrative and Poetic Styles in ASL, and Language Development.
A degree in American Sign Language covers American Sign Language. Continue reading for the important information every american sign language student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering american sign language programs.
Across the country, american sign language is a widely-pursued major, with 2,311 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best American Sign Language Schools ranking analyzes these 189 schools to determine the best overall colleges for american sign language students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of american sign language programs later in this article.
Studies in American Sign Language emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations american sign language graduates commonly enter.
Students must have good hand-eye coordination and memory as they learn to sign a complete new vocabulary of words and letters as well as learn grammar and syntax. Patience and persistence are critical to learning any language.
Before entering college, you can prepare by taking introductory classes in ASL. It may also be helpful to gain field experience both before and during college, working with the hearing-impaired population. This would allow students to understand this form of communication first hand.
The skill set developed in a american sign language program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a american sign language major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several american sign language degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 211 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 744 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 497 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 837 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 4 |
People currently working in careers related to american sign language tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 47.1% |
| Doctoral degree | 22.6% |
| Master’s degree | 17.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.5% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in american sign language careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Graduates with a degree in American Sign Language can find jobs in a variety of fields. You may become a teacher or professor to deaf or hearing-impaired students, or teach ASL as a second language to hearing students. There is also significant need to teach ASL to adults. You may also choose a career as an interpreter, working for video relaying services, schools, government agencies and healthcare institutions. Some government officials and doctors are fluent in ASL; this decreases the risk of error and allows a firm bridge of communication.
Majoring in american sign language prepares you for many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to american sign language.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to american sign language.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | 629,317 | 7.3% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| Interpreters and Translators | 424,722 | 12.2% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of american sign language graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $36,601 |
| 4 years | $38,080 |
| 5 years | $43,723 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for american sign language graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers american sign language grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,927 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $68,967 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,627 |
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $39,815 |
With 189 different american sign language programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased american sign language school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in american sign language, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Sign Language Interpretation and Translation | 1,420 |
| American Sign Language (ASL) | 879 |
| Linguistics of ASL and Other Sign Languages | 10 |
| American Sign Language, Other | 2 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
