Deaf Studies (AA Degree A0944)

Humanities and Social Sciences Division
Degree A0944
The Mt. San Antonio College Deaf Studies Program’s mission is to increase the knowledge and inspire students to appreciate Deaf people as a cultural and linguistic minority with a breadth and depth of rich histories, languages, cultures, and experiences; and prepare them for advanced degrees and careers with Deaf people while cultivating their professional dispositions.

Taught through a framework of social justice and communication equity about how to be an ally to the community through immersion of various intersections of Deaf culture and language. This knowledge and framework are the foundation to careers in advocacy, speech and language pathology, teaching, and counseling.

The Deaf Studies degree is comprised of three parts: language, core classes, and electives. Mt. SAC offers language classes from American Sign Language 1 to American Sign Language 5, Deaf Studies core classes, and electives. Upon graduation, students are encouraged to transfer for advanced degrees and work in a variety of settings in the Deaf community. This program is distinct from the Sign Language interpreting Program and does not focus on interpreting skills and knowledge. However, it complements the interpreting program by providing a strong foundation in Deaf Studies.

Required Courses

Course Prefix Course Name Units
SIGN 101American Sign Language 14
or SIGN 101H American Sign Language 1 - Honors
SIGN 102American Sign Language 24
SIGN 103American Sign Language 34
SIGN 104American Sign Language 44
SIGN 105American Sign Language 54
SIGN 201Introduction to Deaf Studies3
SIGN 202Cultures in the Deaf Community3
SIGN 206Social Justice and Intersectionality within the Deaf Community3
SIGN 208Creative Uses of American Sign Language3
SIGN 212American Sign Language Features and Linguistics3
Required Electives: Choose a minimum of 5 units5
SIGN 108
Fingerspelling, Numbers and Classifiers
SIGN 214
Lengua de Señas Mexicana (LSM) and Mexican Deaf Culture
SIGN 223
Introduction to Interpreting
SIGN 299
Special Projects in Sign Language/Interpreting
Total Units40

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, a student will be able to: 

  • Demonstrate a professional disposition.
  • Increase knowledge and inspire appreciation for Deaf people as a cultural and linguistic minority with a breadth and depth of rich histories, languages, cultures, and experiences.
  • Use the foundation of acquired knowledge to be prepared for advanced degrees and careers with Deaf people.
    Review Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program.
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