ASL helps education, healthcare, social work and public service majors serve Deaf and hard-of-hearing students, patients and clients, and it can be a first step toward interpreting.
Skills an American Sign Language minor adds
- Sign language
- Deaf culture awareness
- Visual communication
Majors that pair well with American Sign Language
| Major | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Special Education | Helps you work with deaf and hard-of-hearing students. |
Careers where an American Sign Language minor helps
Interpreter
Help people communicate across languages in health, courts and business.
- Typical training: Fluency plus 6 months–4 years of training
Special Education Teacher
Teach and support students with disabilities so they can learn and thrive.
- Typical training: 4 years plus licensing
Teacher Assistant
Support teachers and help students learn in classrooms.
- Typical training: Weeks to 2 years depending on the district
Related career training
A self-paced online course on what interpreters do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: language fluency, consecutive and simultaneous interpreting, and translation
Why it fits: Builds practical knowledge for careers an American Sign Language minor points toward.
American Sign Language minor FAQ
What is an American Sign Language minor?
An American Sign Language minor builds communication skills with Deaf and hard-of-hearing people. ASL helps education, healthcare, social work and public service majors serve Deaf and hard-of-hearing students, patients and clients, and it can be a first step toward interpreting.
What does an American Sign Language minor include?
An American Sign Language minor covers skills such as sign language, deaf culture awareness, and visual communication. Most minors require about 15 to 24 credit hours, often five to eight courses; each college sets its own requirements.
What majors go well with an American Sign Language minor?
It pairs well with Special Education.
Is American Sign Language a good minor for Special Education majors?
It can be. Helps you work with deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
What skills does an American Sign Language minor add?
Skills such as sign language, deaf culture awareness, and visual communication.
What careers can an American Sign Language minor help with?
It can support careers such as interpreter, special education teacher, and teacher assistant, especially combined with a related major.
Is an American Sign Language minor worth it?
It is worth it if it fills a gap in your major or supports the career you want. ASL helps education, healthcare, social work and public service majors serve Deaf and hard-of-hearing students, patients and clients, and it can be a first step toward interpreting.
Can any major add an American Sign Language minor?
At most colleges, students in many majors can add a minor if they meet its prerequisites and can fit the courses. Check your college’s requirements.