The Associate in Arts in Deaf Studies degree program prepares interested students for a multitude of careers working with Deaf and hard of hearing people in fields such as Deaf Studies, ASL/English Interpretation, Deaf Education and social services by providing the foundation needed in American Sign Language to pursue these programs at the university level. A series of four courses in the language and a Deaf Studies course comprise the core requisites of the degree, which can be completed in two years along with fulfillment of general education requirements.  Field experiences embedded within the coursework provide a deeper exploration into the culture and history of the Deaf community, as well as the complex phonocentric and audist systems which marginalize and oppress deaf people in public spaces.  This critical exploration will expand recognition of Deaf people as a unique cultural group and prepare students to effectively work with and engage deaf people in ways that support and empower the community.

It should be noted that this degree alone is not adequate qualification to interpret or to work within most ASL-related professions.  At minimum, a Bachelor’s degree is required to interpret, teach or work professionally with deaf children or adults in most fields.  The A.A. in Deaf Studies will provide the necessary foundation to pursue these goals. 

For those pursuing other majors who are interested in learning ASL for practical purposes, a separate Certificate of Achievement in ASL is offered for which only the core coursework is required.  (See ‘Certificate of Achievement in ASL’ in the Oxnard College catalog).

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

• Students will be able to sustain a conversation in ASL that demonstrates comprehension of typical information conveyed in personal and social contexts, as defined by the ACTFL Listening Guidelines for Intermediate High proficiency.
• Students will be able to tell a story using ASL grammar, a broad range of vocabulary and elements of ASL story development that describes, in detail, the persons/objects involved and incidents that occurred.
• Students will be able to recognize examples of audism and define how cultural bias presents itself in both the overt and systemic oppression of deaf and hard of hearing people.
• Students will be able to describe important events in Deaf History and identify key figures and their contributions to Deaf culture.