Our department offers four levels of American Sign Language (ASL). You can take the ASL course sequence to fulfill your College of Arts and Sciences foreign language requirement and the General Education World Language requirement. Graduate students are also eligible to enroll in ASL classes.
American Sign Language is a language that is used among the Deaf community throughout the United States and Canada. It is a unique language containing all the grammatical rules that are found in any language; however in ASL, the grammar of the language is shown through facial grammar (expression).
Course sequence
A100: American Sign Language
LEVEL ONE
Introductory sign language course for students with no previous experience with sign language. Builds a good basic vocabulary of signs, teaches fingerspelling, introduces basic aspects of the grammar and the proper use of facial expression in sign language conversation. Students are also exposed to Deaf culture.
A150: American Sign Language
LEVEL TWO | Prerequisite A100
Continues building receptive and expressive abilities. Puts emphasis on the use of signing space, facial grammar, body postures, fluent finger spelling, and continued vocabulary development. More complex grammatical structures are introduced.
A200: American Sign Language
LEVEL THREE | Prerequisite A150
Emphasizes the development of conversational ability. Examines complex grammatical structures, with emphasis on ability to use these structures in conversation. Readings, videos, and discussion cover characteristics of the Deaf population and their cultural values.
A250: American Sign Language
LEVEL FOUR | Prerequisite A200
Students will expand upon acquired skills learned in previous levels of ASL and demonstrate skills in both a) receptive and b) expressive aspects relating to the lexical body and the grammatical features of American Sign Language appropriate to ASL Level Four.
Find certification resources
The ASL program at Indiana University Bloomington does not provide certification or qualifications to teach American Sign Language (ASL), nor does it prepare individuals for careers in ASL interpreting. These professional paths require formal education and specialized training, which are not part of our curriculum. Find more information below about the credentialing for teaching and interpreting ASL.